How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal?

Do you want to impress the MBA admission panel and step right into your desired management institute? Well, who doesn't? 

An impressive score in the GMAT exam can help you stand out during the selection process and increase your chances of making it to your dream B-school. However, of all the sections, verbal reasoning can be the most challenging for some aspirants. Only with the right approach and dedication can this section be mastered. 

The GMAT Verbal section tests your ability to comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, and express ideas clearly and effectively. It's a crucial component of the GMAT exam, and a high score on this section can help you stand out to top business schools.

Structure of GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Before understanding how to study for the GMAT verbal section, it is crucial to know the basic structure of the exam. 

Attention to detail and planning in advance is the key to ace this test. Here is the verbal reasoning structure of the GMAT exam:

Table: GMAT Verbal Section Structure

Source: mba.com

The simple structure of this GMAT exam section makes it easy for you to focus on the main content. 

Notably, the process of how to prepare for GMAT verbal begins by understanding the crux of each question category:

• Reading Comprehension: These questions require you to read and grasp the meaning of the given content or passage.
• Sentence Correction: As the name suggests, you need to implement proper linguistic knowledge to rectify mistakes in a sentence.
• Critical Reasoning: In these questions, you need to analyze and put into proper context the arguments in the given query.

After knowing these details, you can systematically plan how to prepare for GMAT verbal section.

Best Preparation Strategy for GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

By addressing a few essential pointers, you can prepare in advance to score high in the GMAT verbal reasoning segment.

Let us understand the study process for each sub-section of the GMAT exam verbal reasoning section.

1. Reading Comprehension

Do you want to understand the primary intention of the reading comprehension questions? Well, take a look at the following points:

• The questions assess your ability to understand the main message in the content. To sharpen your comprehension, it is essential to exhibit strong reading skills and vocabulary.

On a general level, these questions are 250 to 300 words long. Here are some of the main areas that the passages cover:

• Economics
• Natural science
• Finance and business
• Social science
• Humanities

So, to know how to prepare for the GMAT verbal section, you require a high level of consistency in solving these questions. Understand the passage's main idea, application, function, and tone. 

Solving several mock tests and previous year's reading comprehension passages is a good strategy. So, to tackle these questions, read more to develop your analytical skills.

2. Sentence Correction

Here are the main aspects of the sentence correction question in the GMAT exam verbal section:

• A sentence with partial or complete underline
• Five options related to the question
• Need for identification of grammar or communicational errors

It is crucial to know about tense errors, structuring flaws, modifier errors, and subject-verb agreement when preparing for the GMAT exam.

So, must you be a grammar wizard to score high in this section? Not really!

Regular preparation through customized webinars and suitable study material can instantly help you identify issues in incorrect sentences. This strategy is crucial for performing well in the sentence correction segment.

3. Critical Reasoning

In most cases, critical reasoning questions require the sound practice of reasoning. As part of this question type, you will need to analyze, construct, and evaluate an argument on the given passage.

The length of the passage in this sub-section is less than 100 words. You need to choose one of the five options that justifies the argument.

Before we wrap up, let’s examine the strategy to perform well in the GMAT verbal exam section. 

Practice sample questions on all topics asked in the verbal reasoning section. Examine your performance in the section and focus on sections that demand your attention. You must portray sufficient reasoning skills to provide relevant answers and score high. 

Tips to Maximize Scores in GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section

Here are some of the valuable pointers that can help you score high in the verbal segment:

• Develop a comprehensive and structured study plan
• Take frequent mock tests and perform SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis
• Focus on one sub-topic or question type at a time
• Stay consistent with your preparation
• Invest in online and offline resources 

Overall, these simple tips can prove beneficial and offer the best strategy to prepare for GMAT verbal.

Prepare for GMAT Verbal Reasoning- Resources and Books

To prepare for GMAT verbal reasoning section, you need some suitable resources to carry out your preparation. To make your search easier, we have mentioned a list of eight GMAT preparation books that you can use during your preparation. 

• Kaplan GMAT Verbal Book
• PowerScore GMAT Verbal Guides
• Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides
• Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set
• The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
• Magoosh Verbal + AWA GMAT Online Course
• GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review by GMAC
• PowerScore's GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible

Conclusion

Preparing for GMAT exam can be a cakewalk if you follow the above-listed preparation strategies and remain persistent in your endeavors. So, chalk out your customized study plan keeping in mind the days at hand, solve various mock tests, and refer to online and offline resources.

Stay upbeat, and you can ace the verbal reasoning segment to gain admission to top-notch MBA colleges.