GRE Verbal Reasoning Tips and Tricks to Improve Verbal Score

GRE Verbal Reasoning: GRE Verbal Reasoning practice is a basic requirement to ace the GRE. Students should work dedicatedly and devote time to GRE Verbal Reasoning practice questions. GRE Verbal Reasoning practice will make students exam-ready and confidently score high to fulfill their dream of being selected by renowned universities for their graduation studies. The GRE Verbal Reasoning practice test will help students experience exam-like conditions and analyze their current scores, hence helping them to plan strategies to overcome their weaknesses.

Understanding the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

It is important for students aspiring to attempt the GRE to understand the basic format of each section of the exam and the way it is scored. GRE Verbal Reasoning practice should be done keeping in mind the scoring matrix and the latest format of the exam.

1. Overview of the Verbal Reasoning Format

There are three types of questions in the GRE Verbal Reasoning section that evaluate a candidate's ability to analyze the written information, understand the meanings of the words, and also to find accurate information.

• Reading comprehension: understanding of the passage and answering the questions that follow.

• Text Completion: Evaluate the student's ability to select words to fill in the blanks.

• Sentence Equivalence: Selection of an option that completes the given sentence with meaning.

2. Scoring and Weightage of Verbal Reasoning

In the total GRE score, the GRE Verbal Reasoning section is measured on a scale from 130 to 170 points.

Students must remember that although equal weightage is given to both the Verbal Reasoning Section and Quantitative Reasoning, programs related to communication and humanities will give more value and importance to the GRE Verbal Reasoning scores.

GRE Verbal Reasoning Experts Tips

While we expect students to focus on GRE Verbal Reasoning practice questions and attempt the GRE Verbal Reasoning practice test regularly, they should also update themselves for the GRE Verbal Reasoning syllabus. Let us now check some of the best GRE Verbal reasoning tips to score high in the main exam.

Tip 1: Build a Strong Vocabulary

As the GRE Verbal Reasoning section is based on language and evaluates the understanding of words and their usage in different forms, students must have a strong English Vocabulary.

1. Effective Vocabulary Learning Techniques

• Become an avid reader: Read authentic academic English content that interests you the most.

• Prepare creative flashcards to retain new words, draw pictures, write the definition and make sentences on the flashcard.

• Learn new words by making word groups.

• Try learning the word roots.

• Prepare your dictionary of new words.

2. Recommended Vocabulary Resources

• Involve yourself in vocabulary games available online

• Read newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

• Prefer reading magazines like The Atlantic and Scientific American

• Read English literature stories.

Tip 2: Develop Reading Comprehension Skills

Apart from building vocabulary, the most important skill to develop while you are doing your GRE Verbal Reasoning practice is comprehension skills. This can be done by skimming and scanning, and learning to annotate the passage that you are reading.

1. Strategies for Efficient Reading

While you read the passage or just skim it, you have to be smart enough to analyze the central idea of the passage or the paragraph you are reading.

Example: If the passage is about diverse learners in a classroom and the teaching methodology used for catering to their needs, the central idea of this passage is catering to the needs of diverse learners. We could easily judge this by just reading the first line.

2. Identifying Main Ideas and Supporting Details

While you read the passage/paragraph, you can know the main idea as explained above. Remember that supporting details will mostly be in the form of examples or facts explaining the main idea.

Example: If a paragraph talks about the reasons for global warming, the main idea is the reasons for it, and the supporting points would have examples of deforestation or uncontrolled pollution levels.

Tip 3: Master Text Completion Questions

This is one of the questions most liked by many students as they are able to grasp a lot of new vocabulary words while practicing this particular question of their GRE Verbal Reasoning practice.

1. Understanding Context Clues

You need to understand the context clues, this can be done by analyzing words that support the statement or give a direct relationship with the sentence. Examples: and, since, also, thus, because, in addition, similarly…

Also, there could be words that contradict the information or the statement, and you should be able to judge that by words such as but, despite, yet, however, unless, conversely….

The second step after analyzing the words is to make an educated guess to predict the most accurate answer and eliminate it from the given options.

Example Question: The yearly financial statement of a large corporation may seem __________ at first, but the persistent reader soon finds its pages of facts and figures easy to decipher.

1. Bewildering b)inviting c)surprising d)uncoordinated

In the above sentence, the main clue is the word “but,” which indicates that the first statement will contradict the next statement, and the next statement has the words “easy to decipher”.

2) Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Some noticeable pitfalls to avoid are as follows:

• Reading creatively: You are recommended to read the statement logically.

• Do not be in a hurry: If you feel the sentence is too long, break it into chunks to understand.

Tip 4: Tackle Sentence Equivalence Questions

In this set of questions, the student will have to select two options to insert in a sentence that fits the meaning of the sentence. We recommend that students diligently do GRE Verbal Reasoning practice to excel in the exam.

1. Recognizing Synonyms and Related Words

As you expand your vocabulary, you will find attempting these questions a bit easier. Check out the steps to follow:

• Check the contextual clue.

• Predict the answer (making an educated guess)

• Use the elimination method

Example Question: “The scientist’s discovery was so ___ that experts were amazed."

1. Ordinary b). groundbreaking c). Innovative d). revolutionary

In the above question, the main clue is “so” and the related clue is “amazed”; the student should be searching for words that match the given information. So, the correct answer is options B and D.

2) Using Elimination Techniques

GRE Verbal Reasoning practice will be successful if students learn to excel using the elimination method. Follow these steps to ace this method:

• Read the question logically and understand it.

• Understanding the contextual clue, eliminate all the words that do not fit the sentence.

• Pick the two words that are synonyms.

Tip 5: Practice Active Reading Techniques

Becoming an avid reader is a must if you wish to excel and score high on the GRE Verbal Reading Section. Here are some ways you can adopt to be successful readers:

1. Annotating Texts for Better Retention

Read the paragraph and write the keywords next to the paragraph, so that you remember what it highlighted. Additionally, you may also color-code the contextual clues or the transitional words. Mention the tone as a note.

For example, if the paragraph talks about the prevention of a certain disease, you may write the keywords used for the prevention of that disease. Color-code the preventive measures as supporting ideas.

2. Summarizing Passages for Clarity

Summarising passages for clarity has to be developed over time, ideally, you will not have so much time in the main GRE. However, while you do GRE Verbal Reasoning practice, mindfully explain the passage to yourself in short. This will help you retain the information.

Tip 6: Utilize Official GRE Prep Materials

Students should always use authenticated resources for GRE Verbal Reasoning practice. Some such resources are as follows:

1. Official Guides and Resources

• ETS Official Guide to the GRE

• PowerPrep Online Practice Tests

2. Benefits of Practice Questions from ETS

As ETS is the official body making the GRE, the practice questions are the best for students' benefit and to be exam-ready with the latest changes.

Tip 7: Develop a Study Plan

Developing a study plan for the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section is a must, Students must analyze their current level of scores before preparing the plan so that they can make a perfect timetable adjusting their requirements of preparation.

1. Setting Realistic Goals and Timelines

You must divide your GRE Verbal Reasoning practice into segments so that you can achieve the ultimate target. Divide time to enhance vocabulary, practice reading comprehension separately and some time for just developing and enhancing reading skills.

2. Balancing Verbal and Quantitative Study Sessions

Do not forget that GRE Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing are equally important. While making your study plan, analyse the sections that need more time and effort and start the preparation accordingly. Have a balanced approach for all sections to score high.

Tip 8: Take Full-Length Practice Tests

The GRE Verbal Reasoning mock test will help you analyze your strengths and weak areas. Students should attempt the full-length mock test under exam-like conditions.

1. Importance of Timed Practice

Practicing under timed conditions will help in the following ways:

• Boost confidence

• Showcase exam readiness

• Learn to manage time.

2. Analyzing Test Results for Improvement

Analyses of the GRE mock test will help candidates realize their strengths and weaknesses. This will also help them modulate their preparation plan and overcome all the weaker areas.

Tip 9: Seek Help and Guidance

Candidates should not shy away from clearing their doubts; even a minute of doubt can create a big hassle. So, be smart and remember that you cannot keep on taking the exam. Prepare well and get excellent results on the very first attempt.

1. Joining Study Groups or Online Forums

There are many study groups and online forums free of cost on social media run by expert mentors, and students join to get free tips and tricks. Be part of such groups and meet students who are preparing like you. This will help you clear many doubts and gain confidence in your preparation.

2. Considering Professional Tutoring

If you feel you are stuck and have no clarity of concept, you must get professional help from mentors trained and experts in the English language. ETS also offers many such tutoring sessions.

Tip 10: Stay Calm and Confident on Test Day

After a lot of preparation, the final day arrives to show your skills. Just be confident and trust your entire preparation.

1. Pre-Test Relaxation Techniques

Meditate and do breathing exercises to stay away from any sort of anxiety. Do not indulge yourself in last-minute preparations.

2. Managing Time Effectively During the Exam

Do not spend too much time on any question; if you feel you are stuck, make an educated guess and just move on.

Conclusion: Continuous Improvement and Preparation

Maintaining consistency in GRE Verbal Reasoning practice will help in scoring high on the exam. Clear all the concepts, increase your vocabulary, and build the habit of reading.

1. Reviewing Mistakes and Learning from Them

Regularly attempt the GRE mock tests and analyze your mistakes. Work on all the mistakes and overcome the errors by getting the concepts cleared either by self-practice or by seeking professional help.

2. Keeping a Positive Mindset for Success

Be motivated and believe in yourself. GRE Verbal Reasoning practice will help in boosting your overall language skills and fulfilling your dream of settling abroad.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.