The format for the verbal section of the GMAT:
- Reading Comprehension. Answer interpretive and analytical questions that pertain to a passage that is provided.
- Critical Reasoning.Answer questions that test your ability to make arguments, evaluate arguments, or formulate or evaluate an active plan that is for or against an argument.
- Sentence Correction.Correct grammatical and stylistic errors and improve expressions by changing the structure of a sentence.
In order to tackle the verbal section of the GMAT, it is essential that you learn some strategies. Effective use of strategies can maximize your correct responses and reduce the time you spend on any one problem.
General Tips for the GMAT:
- Purchase a study guide and utilize it daily.
- Take practice exams.
- Read the questions carefully.
- Read every answer choice.
- Use the process of elimination to eliminate incorrect choices.
Tips for the GMAT Reading Comprehension Subsection:
- Everything that you need to know will be in the passage.
- First skim the passage and get a better understanding of its structure and outline.
- Passage topics are usually science, social science, or business based.
- Questions usually focus on facts, inferences, main ideas, or the tone of a passage.
- Science Passages are usually accompanied with factual questions.
- Social Science Passages are usually accompanied with inference questions.
- Business Passages are the most difficult. Read them carefully because they are usually accompanied with questions that ask for the tone or opinion of the author.
- Use Scrap paper to take notes.
- Read the first question before reading the passage so that you know what to look for.
- Read the sentences before and after an important statement in order to get a better grasp of the idea.
Tips for the Critical Reasoning Subsection:
- Read the question before reading the passage. This way you can find what you are specifically looking for.
- Identify the assumptions and conclusions, which are scattered throughout the passage. It is not necessarily at the end of a passage but can be in the middle or in the beginning.
- Working backwards may be beneficial for these types of questions.
- Don't choose an answer just because it is true. It may not be the correct answer.
- The correct answer is usually neutral in tone. Eliminate answer choices that sound too emotional.
Tips for the Sentence Correction Subsection:
- The answer will contain no grammatical errors so be aware of errors in the choices provided.
- The answer will also have the appropriate sentence structure.
- The answer should NOT change the meaning of the sentence.
- Sentences will have multiple errors. Be sure and to find the answer that corrects all of the errors.
- Spelling and Capitalization errors are irrelevant.
These tips are simple guidelines to tackling the verbal section of the GMAT. In order to achieve a high verbal score, practice and study often. Utilize your study guides and feel comfortable with the exam before you actually take the exam.
