GMAT Verbal Strategies and Tips

The GMAT Verbal section is designed to test your ability to read critically, evaluate arguments, and identify errors in English grammar and style. With 36 questions to complete in 65 minutes, it challenges both accuracy and time management. This guide breaks down the three Verbal question types and offers powerful strategies to boost your performance.

Overview of the GMAT Verbal Section

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GMAT is composed of:

  • Sentence Correction (SC)
  • Critical Reasoning (CR)
  • Reading Comprehension (RC)

Each question is multiple choice with five options. The section is computer-adaptive, which means the difficulty of your next question depends on your previous answers. Mastering strategy and pacing is essential.

Sentence Correction (SC) Strategies

Sentence Correction tests your knowledge of English grammar, usage, and style. You must select the answer that results in the most clear, concise, and grammatically correct sentence.

Common Grammar Topics Tested

  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Pronoun usage
  • Modifiers (placement and clarity)
  • Verb tense and mood
  • Parallelism
  • Idioms and prepositions
  • Comparisons
  • Conciseness and redundancy

Top Tips for SC

  • Read the sentence carefully first: Understand what it's trying to say before analyzing grammar.
  • Identify splits: Look for clear differences among the answer choices and test those areas.
  • Eliminate quickly: Remove any choice with obvious grammar or usage errors.
  • Beware of changing meaning: Grammatical correctness alone isn’t enough—the meaning must be preserved.
  • Don’t choose based on “what sounds right”: The GMAT often tests subtle grammatical distinctions.

Critical Reasoning (CR) Strategies

Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, draw conclusions, and recognize logical flaws. These are short passages followed by one question and five answer choices.

Common CR Question Types

  • Strengthen the argument
  • Weaken the argument
  • Identify the assumption
  • Evaluate the argument
  • Draw a conclusion
  • Resolve a paradox
  • Identify a flaw in reasoning

Top Tips for CR

  • Understand the structure: Break the argument into conclusion, evidence, and assumptions.
  • Pre-think: Before reading the answer choices, consider what would strengthen, weaken, or answer the question logically.
  • Watch for extreme language: Choices with “always,” “never,” or “must” are often incorrect.
  • Don’t bring in outside knowledge: Base your answer strictly on the passage’s content.
  • Use process of elimination: Many wrong choices are out of scope, reverse logic, or irrelevant.

Reading Comprehension (RC) Strategies

RC questions involve reading a passage (usually 200–350 words) and answering 3–4 questions about its content. Topics can include science, business, social science, and humanities.

Question Types in RC

  • Main idea / primary purpose
  • Specific detail
  • Inference
  • Author’s tone or attitude
  • Function of a paragraph or sentence
  • Logical structure and organization

Top Tips for RC

  • Don’t rush the passage: Take 2–3 minutes to read carefully and understand the main idea, structure, and tone.
  • Use active reading: Mentally (or physically) note the passage’s purpose, paragraph summaries, and the author’s opinion.
  • Refer back for details: Avoid relying on memory. Go back to the passage for evidence.
  • Eliminate extreme choices: RC answers are typically moderate in tone. Beware of options with absolute language.
  • Focus on what’s stated or implied: Avoid over-interpreting or inserting your own logic.

General Verbal Section Tips

  • Practice pacing: You have ~1.8 minutes per question. Track your time and avoid lingering too long.
  • Strengthen your fundamentals: Review grammar rules, logic concepts, and reading skills consistently.
  • Read high-level material: Improve comprehension by reading The Economist, Scientific American, or Harvard Business Review.
  • Practice with official questions: They most closely mimic real GMAT logic and style.
  • Keep a Verbal error log: Track question types, wrong answers, and patterns in your thinking.

How to Study for GMAT Verbal Effectively

  • Use topic-specific drills: For example, do 20 SC modifier questions in one session.
  • Review explanations thoroughly: Even if you get a question right, understand why others are wrong.
  • Alternate timed and untimed practice: Focus first on accuracy, then add time pressure.
  • Simulate real test conditions: Take full-length Verbal sections under timed settings to build stamina and pacing skill.

Common Verbal Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Focusing on content over structure in RC
  • Choosing “nice-sounding” SC answers instead of grammatical ones
  • Bringing outside knowledge into CR logic
  • Missing small shifts in meaning or tone
  • Rushing through passages to "save time"—leading to re-reading

Top Resources for GMAT Verbal Practice

  • GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review
  • Veritas Prep and Manhattan Prep Verbal books
  • GMATClub Verbal forums and question banks
  • Online timed quizzes and diagnostic tools

Conclusion

The GMAT Verbal section is a test of logic, clarity, and comprehension—not just English fluency. With smart strategies, consistent practice, and focused review of your weaknesses, you can significantly improve your performance. Focus on mastering question types, applying proven methods, and managing your time wisely. With the right approach, a high Verbal score is entirely achievable.