How to Prepare for GRE Verbal Reasoning Section?

In this article, we will discuss the verbal reasoning sections of the GRE exam. The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE can be confusing for exam takers. Students usually assume that it is all about vocabulary, but in fact, it is your in-depth understanding of the English language. You have to analyse and interpret the written material to see through the confusing options and choose the correct answer. With the right approach and sufficient practice, you can improve quickly. In this article, we will break it down for you and help you understand the verbal reasoning section thoroughly.

What is Assessed by the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section?

The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to:

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  Understand the meaning of words, sentences, and entire texts.
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  Analyse relationships between parts of a sentence and broader relations with the paragraphs.
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  Reason from incomplete data and answer accordingly.
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  Recognise the author’s assumptions or perspectives according to the questions asked.

Current Format of GRE Verbal Reasoning

The latest format of the GRE verbal reasoning is as follows:

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  Sections: 2
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  Number of Questions: 27 questions in total (across both sections)
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  Total Time: 41 minutes total (shared between the 2 sections)
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  Question types include: Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence and similar question types.

Please note that each section is separately timed and adaptive based on your performance.

Watch this video to learn more about GRE scores:

Topics and Question Types in GRE Verbal

Now, let us take a closer look at the types of questions with examples. These are similar to official ETS materials:

Reading Comprehension:

In reading comprehension or RC, you have to read and understand a passage and answer the questions based on its content. The questions may ask about the main idea, specific details, tone, or logical structure. It will be clear from the following example.

In recent years, the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased significantly. While they are praised for their environmental benefits, some critics argue that the electricity they use is often generated from non-renewable sources.

Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude?

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  (A): Strongly supportive of EVs
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  (B): Neutral with a hint of scepticism
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  (C): Entirely critical of EVs
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  (D): Indifferent to EVs

Answer: (B)

Text Completion:

These questions present a short passage with 1 - 3 blanks. You have to choose one word or more than one word that best completes the text. We will explain this with an example:

Although he was often considered arrogant, his _____ manner and thoughtful questions revealed a more humble side.

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  (A): bombastic
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  (B): unassuming
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  (C): flamboyant
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  (D): pedantic

Answer: (B) unassuming

Sentence Equivalence:

You choose two words that complete the sentence and produce sentences with the same meaning. Let us see an example of sentence equivalence:

Her approach to teaching was both _____ and effective, helping students grasp difficult concepts with ease.

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  (A): innovative
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  (B): archaic
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  (C): creative
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  (D): tedious
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  (E): original
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  (F): routine

Answer: (A) and (E)

How Hard is the GRE Verbal Section?

This section can be tricky, especially for those students who do not have English as their first language or are not habituated to reading dense texts. Vocabulary is challenging, and passages often include complex sentence structures and unfamiliar topics. The following are the reasons which make this section somewhat tricky:

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  Abstract language
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  Dense reading passages
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  Rare vocabulary
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  Subtle logic and tone questions

Strategies to Tackle the GRE Verbal

The following are some of the strategies you can use to get a good score in the GRE verbal reasoning section:

Build Vocabulary Wisely:

Focus on high-frequency GRE words. Use flashcards, apps or vocabulary notebooks.

Read Actively:

Practice reading complex articles from sources like The Atlantic, Scientific American, or The Economist. Summarize each paragraph mentally.

Understand Context:

Always consider the tone, purpose, and context of the passage. Look for clue words that hint at contrast or continuation.

Eliminate Wrong Answers:

Most verbal questions can be narrowed down. Eliminate options that are too extreme or out of context.

Practice Daily:

Make GRE verbal a daily habit. Use official ETS materials and third-party sources like GregMat or Manhattan Prep.

Always Understand, Never Memorise:

Do not just memorise definitions. Understand how words are used in context.

Practice Time Management:

If a passage or question is too hard, mark it and return later. Solve easy questions first, and then come back to your marked questions. Do not get stuck on one question.

How to Take GRE Verbal Mock Tests

The key to scoring good marks in this section is practice. The more you practice, the more familiar you will be with the type of passages. Make sure you practice in real test-like conditions, which can help you improve your timing and confidence. The following are the resources you can use:

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  ETS PowerPrep Online
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  Magoosh full-length tests
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  Manhattan Prep Verbal banks
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  GregMat’s timed quizzes

Mock Test Tips:

We recommend that you follow these tips when giving mock tests:

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  Simulate test conditions (quiet room, time limits)
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  Review all questions thoroughly
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  Track vocabulary and note difficult passages

Please note that if obtaining feedback and working on your weak areas is very important to succeed and score high during the actual test. Only giving a mock test will not help if you do not work on your shortcomings.

GyanDhan Scholarship: Extra Help for Students

No matter what your GRE score is, you may be eligible for up to INR 5,00,000 through the GyanDhan Scholarship.

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  Open to all students, regardless of background or GPA
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  Selection is based on a test and the overall application
• 
  Helps reduce your financial burden if you are planning to study abroad. Apply now and give yourself a financial boost!

The GRE Verbal Reasoning section rewards critical thinking and focused practice. You can score well in this section if you:

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  Read daily
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  Build contextual vocabulary
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  Practice test-style questions,
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  Analyse your mistakes

Take it step by step and you will come out with flying colours.

Frequently Asked Questions