Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
• GMAT Verbal Syllabus includes three main areas of Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction with 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.
• Around 50% of test-takers score higher in Quant than Verbal, making the verbal section a differentiator. The average GMAT verbal score for top MBA admits ranges from 30 to 40, with test-takers coming from 120+ countries.
• GMAT preparation costs, including coaching and resources, range between $300 to $1,000, while the GMAT exam fee itself is $275.
• The verbal section not only boosts GMAT scores but also strengthens your MBA application, enhancing communication skills essential for business success.
The GMAT Verbal Syllabus is a crucial component of the GMAT exam, testing your ability to read, comprehend, and analyze written material while assessing your command of the English language. This section, which includes 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes, is designed to evaluate your skills in Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. These three areas measure how well you can extract relevant information, assess arguments, and identify grammatical errors to communicate clearly and effectively.
In the competitive GMAT exam, where most candidates excel in Quantitative Reasoning, the Verbal section often becomes the differentiating factor for achieving a high overall score. A strong performance in this section not only boosts your GMAT score but also strengthens your profile for top global MBA programs.
GMAT Verbal Syllabus Overview
The GMAT Verbal section is a critical part of the GMAT exam and can significantly impact your overall score. It’s designed to test three core skills: your reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and understanding of English grammar all of which are essential for success in both the exam and a business school setting.
At its core, the GMAT Verbal section evaluates how well you can read, understand, and analyze written information. It’s not just about reading quickly but about identifying key ideas, drawing logical conclusions, and applying correct grammar rules to ensure clarity. The section is divided into three main parts: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction and each one requires a slightly different approach.
Structure of the GMAT Verbal Section
- Total Questions: 36 questions
- Time Limit: 65 minutes
- Format: Multiple-choice questions
The questions in this section are strategically designed to test the following abilities:
- Your ability to read and understand written content involves comprehending complex texts, identifying key ideas, and understanding the author’s intent.
- Your skill in evaluating arguments and reasoning logically: You must assess arguments critically, identify assumptions, and draw logical conclusions.
- Your command over standard written English grammar: You must recognize grammatical errors, improve sentence clarity, and apply correct language conventions.
The GMAT Verbal section is divided into three key areas, each with its challenges and strategies:
1. Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section assesses your ability to understand and analyze complex written passages. These passages are drawn from diverse topics such as science, business, humanities, and social sciences.
What is Tested:
- Identifying the main idea of the passage.
- Understanding supporting details and the logical flow of information.
- Drawing inferences based on the content.
- Evaluating the tone, style, and purpose of the passage.
Types of Questions:
- Main Idea questions: Identify the central theme or primary message of the passage.
- Inference questions: Draw logical conclusions based on the passage's information.
- Detail-oriented questions: Focus on specific facts or details mentioned.
- Tone and Style questions: Evaluate the author’s attitude or the passage’s overall style.
Why It Matters:
Reading Comprehension reflects how well you can process large volumes of information, identify key insights, and analyze the structure of complex texts. This skill is crucial for excelling in business school and professional settings where quick, accurate interpretation of information is required.
2. Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning evaluates your ability to analyze, evaluate, and construct logical arguments. Each question includes a short argument, and you are required to assess it by strengthening, weakening, or evaluating its reasoning.
What is Tested:
- Identifying the assumptions that form the basis of an argument.
- Strengthening or weakening arguments with logical reasoning.
- Drawing logical conclusions based on the evidence provided.
- Recognizing flaws or gaps in the argument’s logic.
Types of Questions:
- Strengthen/Weaken questions: Modify arguments logically to reinforce or weaken their conclusions.
- Assumption questions: Identify the underlying assumption in the argument.
- Inference-based questions: Draw conclusions that are logically implied by the information.
- Evaluate-the-argument questions: Assess the soundness of the reasoning in the argument.
Mastering the GMAT Verbal Syllabus
A good knowledge of a particular section might help you improve your overall GMAT score. However, it can be utilised as the first step in GMAT preparation, and if you master each section thoroughly, you might have an edge, and your prospects of getting high will also be elevated.
You must improve your reasoning skills to perform well in the GMAT Verbal syllabus. Critical reasoning questions in this section require you to analyze arguments and identify their flaws. Therefore, strong analytical skills can help you answer these questions more efficiently.
Reading Comprehension
In this section, you will be given passages on various topics such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences or business-related issues, followed by multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of what you have read. To master this part of the syllabus.
Some Key Points
- Reading and understanding written passages on various topics.
- Identifying main ideas, supporting details, and the author's tone.
- Drawing inferences and conclusions from the text.
- Analyzing the structure and organization of passages.
Critical reasoning
The critical reasoning questions evaluate how well you can logically analyze an argument or information. You will be asked about assumptions made by an author or whether their conclusion follows logically from the information presented.
Some Key Points
- Evaluating and analyzing arguments.
- Identifying assumptions, inferences, and conclusions.
- Strengthening or weakening arguments.
- Identifying logical flaws and reasoning errors.
Question Type | Description | Skills Assessed |
Critical Reasoning | Analyse and evaluate arguments | Logical Reasoning, Analysis |
Reading Comprehension | Understand and analyze written passages | Reading Comprehension |
How Many Questions in GMAT Verbal?
The GMAT Verbal section is designed to assess your ability to read and understand written material, evaluate arguments, and correct written material to conform to standard written English. This section consists of 36 questions, and you are given 65 minutes to complete them.
Below is a breakdown of the types of questions you will encounter in the GMAT Verbal section:
Question Type | Number of Questions | Description |
---|---|---|
Reading Comprehension | 12-14 | Involves reading passages and answering questions that test your ability to understand, analyze, and apply information. Topics include social sciences, business, and natural sciences. |
Critical Reasoning | 10-13 | Focuses on evaluating arguments, identifying assumptions, evaluating evidence, and determining the strengths or weaknesses of an argument. Tests logical reasoning skills. |
Sentence Correction | 11-13 | Test your knowledge of standard English grammar and effective communication. You must choose the best version of an underlined portion of a sentence. |
The combination of these question types ensures that the GMAT Verbal section thoroughly assesses your verbal reasoning abilities, essential for success in a graduate business program. The questions are interspersed throughout the Verbal section, requiring you to stay focused and adaptable as you progress through the test.
GMAT Verbal Syllabus: Questions and Preparation
The GMAT verbal questions are divided into Reading Comprehension (RC) and Critical Reasoning (CR).
RC questions require candidates to read passages from different subjects, such as the social sciences, natural sciences, or business-related topics, and answer questions based on their understanding of the passage. CR questions evaluate candidates' ability to analyze arguments in brief paragraphs or short passages.
The GMAT Focus Edition syllabus is a valuable resource for preparing for the Verbal section of the GMAT exam. This edition provides additional practice questions and materials for the exam's verbal section, helping you hone your analytical skills and improve your performance.
GMAT Verbal Syllabus: Latest Updates for 2024
Every year the GMAT syllabus undergoes some significant changes that also lead to a change in the strategy to prepare for the updated syllabus. This year, there have been the following two substantial changes in the GMAT verbal syllabus;
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension segment tests your ability to understand complex passages and analyze their content critically. The passages cover topics from business, science, social sciences, and humanities. You are required to extract key information, identify the main idea, and evaluate the author’s tone and logical structure. Questions often include tasks like identifying supporting details, making inferences, and understanding the overall purpose of the passage. A strong reading strategy, like summarizing key points as you read, can help tackle these questions effectively.
Critical Reasoning (CR)
Critical Reasoning questions evaluate your ability to analyze and evaluate arguments logically. This section requires you to identify assumptions, strengthen or weaken arguments, evaluate conclusions, and detect flaws in reasoning. Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to break arguments into premises and conclusions while determining their logical flow. A systematic approach, such as identifying the argument structure first and then eliminating incorrect options, is essential to excel in this segment.
Sentence Correction
Sentence Correction focuses on testing your knowledge of English grammar, sentence structure, and logical meaning. Questions require you to identify errors related to subject-verb agreement, parallelism, modifiers, verb tense, and sentence clarity. The goal is to select the most concise and grammatically correct version of a sentence while retaining its intended meaning. Mastering fundamental grammar rules and practicing concise sentence construction can significantly improve your accuracy in this section.
Skills Required to Ace GMAT Verbal
To excel in the GMAT Verbal section, candidates must develop strong reading comprehension skills to interpret complex texts accurately. A clear understanding of grammar rules is essential to tackle Sentence Correction effectively. Logical reasoning skills play a crucial role in evaluating arguments in Critical Reasoning questions. Practicing under timed conditions and analyzing mistakes will help build speed and accuracy, which are critical to performing well in the Verbal section.
The new GMAT verbal syllabus has been designed with input from education experts, testing professionals, and business school faculty members. The goal is to ensure that each question accurately measures its intended purpose while being fair across all demographics.
GMAT Verbal Syllabus: Improve Your Score
As mentioned above, the change in the GMAT updated syllabus also leads to an amendment in the strategy needed to prepare for the revised syllabus. Not to mention the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). You can craft your plan through these pointers for this year:
- Choose an Online GMAT Prep Company for the Updated Verbal Syllabus: Facing the new GMAT Verbal syllabus can be daunting. Simplify your prep by choosing an online GMAT prep company with tailored study material. These platforms offer comprehensive plans, practice questions, and mock tests to boost your readiness.
- Utilise Free GMAT Mock Tests: Get accustomed to the computer adaptive test format with free online mock tests. They mimic testing conditions, helping identify strengths, weaknesses, and time management strategies.
- Understand Changes in the Verbal Syllabus: The updated syllabus prioritizes critical reasoning over sentence correction and reading comprehension. Adapt your study plan to align with these changes for adequate preparation.
- Take Additional Mock Tests for Adaptive Format: Practice more mock tests to familiarise yourself with the GMAT's adaptive nature. These tests adjust question difficulty based on your previous answers, which is crucial for test-day readiness.
It's crucial to note that rescoring isn't possible once you've completed any section of the GMAT. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that you prepare adequately for each section of the exam to avoid any surprises on test day.
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How to Prepare for GMAT Verbal Syllabus: Expert Tips
Preparing for the GMAT Verbal syllabus requires a strategic approach, consistent practice, and the right resources. Since this section tests your reading, logical reasoning, and grammar skills, a focused preparation plan will help you master each area effectively. Below are expert tips to guide you through a structured preparation process and improve your performance.
1. Understand the Structure
Before starting your preparation, it’s important to know how the GMAT Verbal section is structured. It consists of three main parts: Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. Each section tests a specific skill, such as analyzing written material, evaluating arguments logically, and identifying grammatical errors. Understanding these areas helps you plan your preparation effectively and focus on improving weak spots.
2. Practice Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning tests your ability to analyze arguments, which is a crucial skill in the GMAT Verbal section. Break down each argument into premises, assumptions, and conclusions to make it easier to evaluate. Practice questions that require you to strengthen, weaken, or evaluate arguments by eliminating choices that don’t address the question directly. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll become at identifying logical gaps and choosing the correct answer.
3. Build Strong Reading Habits
Strong reading habits are essential for Reading Comprehension. Regularly read editorials, opinion articles, and business content from trusted sources like The Economist and Harvard Business Review. Focus on understanding the main idea, identifying supporting details, and analyzing the tone and structure of the text. This practice improves your reading speed and trains you to extract key information efficiently, which is crucial for answering questions under time constraints.
4. Use Official GMAT Resources and Tools
The best way to prepare for the Verbal section is to practice with official GMAT materials. Start with the GMAT Official Guide and GMATPrep Software as they provide questions that closely reflect the actual exam format. You can also use tools like the Mentr-Me GMAT Prep Tool, which offers personalized study plans, targeted question banks, and performance tracking to help you focus on areas that need improvement. These resources ensure realistic preparation and steady progress.
5. Create a Study Plan
A structured study plan keeps you organized and focused during preparation. Divide your time equally among Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction, setting weekly targets for each area. Plan a mix of practice sessions, concept revision, and timed mock tests to build confidence. Regularly track your progress and adjust your schedule as needed to ensure consistent improvement without feeling overwhelmed.
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Conclusion
Mastering the GMAT Verbal Syllabus is paramount for those aiming to excel in this exam section. Regardless of your language background, achieving proficiency in the updated syllabus demands dedication and consistent effort. It's vital to grasp the core areas like critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction.
Effective preparation involves utilizing official GMAT study materials, practice tests, and online courses. By adopting a comprehensive approach, test-takers can maximize their readiness and increase their chances of success in the GMAT Verbal section.