The GMAT verbal reasoning section is composed of English comprehension and critical reasoning questions. It measures the test taker’s ability to read and comprehend written English material by evaluating arguments and presenting ideas effectively.
Like the GRE test, the difficulty level of this section is moderately average, which means that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts itself with respect to the test taker’s response. In this blog, we have discussed the comprehensive details of the GMAT verbal section, including their question types, how to answer them, and preparation tips.
Table of Contents
What is the GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section?
The verbal reasoning section of the GMAT Focus test measures the candidate’s ability to analyse the written material and articulate information from it, form relationships among words and concepts, and recognise relationships among different parts of a sentence. It focuses on critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction skills.
GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section Pattern and Format
- The GMAT verbal reasoning section consists of 1 section
- Questions generally covered the topics of reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and correction of sentences.
- Overall, test takers are required to answer 23 questions in 45 minutes.
- On average, test takers are required to give 3-4 minutes to each question.
| Section | GMAT Quantitative Reasoning Section |
|---|---|
| No. of Sections | 1 |
| No. of Questions | 23 |
| Types of Questions | Reading comprehension Verbal reasoning Correction of sentences |
| Average Time Per Question | 3-4 Minutes |
| Total Time Duration | 45 Minutes |
Difficulty Level of GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section
- Similar to the quant section, the GMAT verbal reasoning section is score-adaptive, which means that the difficulty level of the questions adjusts itself depending on the test taker’s overall performance.
- If the test taker has performed well, the difficulty level will be increased.
- If the test taker has performed poorly, the easier questions will be delivered.
What are the Types of GMAT Verbal Reasoning Questions?
The GMAT Focus verbal reasoning section consists of the following types of questions.
Reading Comprehension– It refers to reading and understanding the prose or paragraph commonly found in business schools. Based on the reading, the candidates have to answer the contextual objective questions.
Critical Thinking: In these types of questions, test takers are required to analyse the contextual information, based on which they have to showcase their ability to construct or formulate arguments
| Types of Questions | Tasks/Structure | Question Format |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage summarisation Drawing conclusion Meaning of words and sentences Infer missing information Identifying the author's assumptions Developing alternative explanations Understanding the structure of the text Distinguishing between major and minor points | Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Answers Questions Select-in Passage |
| Critical Reasoning | Argument Evaluation Argument Construction Formulating & Evaluating a Plan | Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Answers Questions Select-in Passage |
GMAT Verbal Reasoning Syllabus
There is no fixed syllabus for the GMAT verbal reasoning section, but the sources of the topics can be from different academic subjects and scenarios from everyday life.
- Physical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Business
- Arts & Humanities
- Everyday Topics
How to Answer Questions in the GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section?
While answering the questions in the GMAT verbal reasoning section, test takers can follow the below approaches.
- Engage with the reading passage actively.
- While reading the passage, test takers must ask questions themselves based on the situations they are presented with.
- Formulate hypotheses and evaluate their validation
- Reflect on the relationship between the particular text and other information provided in the passage to draw inferences.
Preparation Tips for the GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section
Below, we have presented some of the important tips to effectively prepare for the GMAT verbal reasoning section.
- Go through the pattern and format of the section.
- Read a wide variety of materials every day, such as English newspapers, business magazines, and articles relevant to contemporary topics.
- Make yourself habituated to filtering information such as dates, events, names of people and places, etc., while reading.
- Practice with official resources for the GMAT exam, which are available on the SMART Academy website.
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The GMAT verbal reasoning section aims to evaluate the test taker’s reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. It also measures how well they are able to understand and comprehend the reading materials to draw conclusions, make inferences, and present arguments with evidence.
It is important for test takers to familiarise themselves with the pattern and format to have a clear idea of how to shape their approach to prepare for this section.
FAQs
How many questions are in the GMAT verbal section?
The GMAT verbal reasoning section consists of a total of 23 questions in only one section.
How to prepare for the GMAT verbal reasoning section effectively?
To prepare for the GMAR verbal reasoning section effectively, test takers must understand its pattern and format thoroughly. Apart from this, making a habit of reading every day and preparing with the official resources of the GMAT exam can help candidates ace the exam.
What to read for GRE verbal?
The best resource for studying for the GMAT verbal section is the official GMAT test kit provided by GMAC, the official agency that organises and administers the test. Along with this, SMART Academy also offers a comprehensive prep solution that includes a study plan, mock tests, study guides, etc.
What is the time duration of the verbal reasoning section in the GMAT Focus exam?
The total time duration of the verbal reasoning section in the GMAT Focus is 45 minutes.
What is a good GRE verbal score?
For most of the courses and universities, a GMAT verbal score of 49 or higher is generally considered good.
