How to Master the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

Published on: 27 January 2021 Last Updated on: 24 December 2024

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) assesses a graduate school applicant’s aptitude. They range from verbal skills and mathematical skills necessary to succeed in their higher education.

Test-takers work through five total sections: one Analytical Writing, two Quantitative Reasoning, and two Verbal Reasoning sections.

Especially if you don’t have a background in a writing and reading-intensive discipline. Plus, the Verbal Reasoning portion of the exam can be quite challenging.

Many GRE test-takers don’t know where to get started with improving their reading comprehension skills.

What is Verbal Reasoning?

According to the official GRE website, the Verbal Reasoning section “assesses your ability to evaluate and analyze with written material.

Then it checks how you synthesize information you obtain through analyzing relationships within sentences and recognize relationships among words.

The two Verbal Reasoning sections of the exam have 30 questions each and give test-takers 20 minutes to complete them.

They include the following types of questions to test the skill sets described above:

1. Reading Comprehension Questions

Throughout the Verbal Reasoning section, test-takers will encounter three different subtypes of reading comprehension questions:

Traditional multiple-choice questions with five choices and one correct answer.
More complex multiple-choice questions with three choices and either one, two, or three correct answers. No partial credit is given for identifying some but not all the correct options.
Select-in-passes questions, where the exam taker reads a short passage and then answers questions about the specific function of sentences within the text.

2. Text Completion Questions

These questions are based on a passage with one to five sentences. Within these passages, one-, two-, and three-word spaces are left blank, and the test-taker must answer multiple-choice questions about which words would best complete the sentence if filled into the blank space.

3. Sentence Equivalence Questions

Each of these questions presents a single sentence with one word missing. The test-taker is given six choices of words that could fill in the blank.

Also, they must identify which two options, if chosen, would create sentences with equivalent meaning.

How to Prepare

Since the GRE tests aptitude and skill sets, not your knowledge of specific topics, many students find it difficult to strategize their studying.

When it comes to the Verbal Reasoning section, the following preparation methods can sharpen the skills that the section assesses.

1. Brush Up on Your Vocabulary

Vocabulary plays a big part in GRE’s success. Answering text completion and sentence equivalence questions becomes quite challenging if you aren’t familiar with the answer options.

Additionally, strong vocabulary skills will help you easily parse the complex passages included in the reading comprehension questions.

There are two steps to improving your vocabulary skills: simple memorization and vocab-in-context.

You can use flashcards with word definitions to help with memorization, and you can read dense materials or study vocabulary words within complete sentences to practice the latter.

2. Take Practice Tests

Practice tests are a great way to know where you stand. It will help you learn about your strengths and weaknesses and how much you must improve to achieve a higher score.

It will also guide you in deciding how rigorously you will have to work on your existing vocabulary skills.

Consider using guides and reference books like Kaplan GRE study books to practice with questions that accurately simulate the difficulty of the exam.

3. Pacing and the Process of Elimination

When taking practice tests, focus on your pacing throughout the Verbal Reasoning section.

Get a gauge for how long the passages typically take to read and understand and how long each type of question takes you to answer.

To get through questions faster, work on your process-of-elimination strategies.

It’s also important that you recognize when you simply don’t know the answer to a question and are better off choosing a random answer than spending too much time on it.

4. Markup the Text

One mistake most test-takers make when reading through a passage is not making simple annotations, which results in them having to reread the passage.

It will save precious time to take to circle or underline important points or keywords while going through the text the first time.

5. Stick to the Text and Information Given

Never get carried away by your opinions or background knowledge when dealing with a critical reasoning question based on a given passage.

The passages present all the information you need—assuming information can lead you astray.

6. Tacking Test Day

The most effective way to prepare for all sections of the GRE is to familiarize yourself with the skills tested, types of questions asked, and pacing.

If you focus on these elements and take full-length practice tests to simulate the day of the test, you’ll know exactly what you’re up against and how to tackle every aspect of the exam.

How Does GRE Help Your Professional Life?

You might wonder, “How does spending time mastering these tricky verbal questions benefit me professionally?”

It’s a valid question, no doubt!

The skills you develop while preparing for the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE aren’t just helpful in school. Yes, they are applicable to the real world. They can also impact how you communicate, think critically, and problem-solve.

Enhanced Communication Skills

Reading comprehension questions force you to read through the matter properly and understand it with a step-by-step approach.

Seriously, does anyone ever send you anything that is easily understood at work?

When you are working, you will be dealing with reports, proposals, and technical documents. In meetings or in emails, you need people to understand what you mean to say quickly. This is why GRE puts emphasis on that, as well as understanding and articulation.

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

The type of analytical reasoning you use to answer GRE questions is the same kind of thinking you’ll be doing if you’re in a position of leadership. Or you must make high-stakes decisions.

Whether you are interpreting data sets, inferring information from texts, or computing information from a graph or chart, you are likely to need those skills if you’re looking for insights about a market trend. Or even trying to draw conclusions based on project results.

Those kinds of higher-order reading skills are something you can develop in the GRE’s Verbal Reasoning section.

You’ll quickly realize that succeeding in the GRE prepares you for a similar competitive environment.

Something that will surface time and again in your professional existence. It can be a little difficult when you’re first starting out. However, you can find plenty of free online practice problems, and you must utilize them well.

Final Thoughts

Verbal Reasoning on the GRE is a project. Like everything else on this exam, you’ll need a blend of strategy, consistent practice, and mental discipline to achieve your maximum potential.

But if you take advantage of it, it can result in gaining skills that will be helpful throughout your academic & professional career beyond.

Whether we’re talking about writing better papers, reading more effectively, thinking through complex issues, or thriving under pressure, you can conquer them all.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Enhance Organizational Leadership Skills with Science Degree

Are you in the military and looking to develop your organizational leadership skills? It would help if you looked into getting your Associate of Science from an accredited online degree program. Developing your organizational leadership skills with an associates of science degree is significant. After all you can improve your skill sets in the leadership domain. Here are the detailed factors about developing organizational leadership skills with an associate of science degree. What Is an Associate of Science in Organizational Leadership and Professional Studies? The skills taught through an Associate of Science in Organization Leadership and Professional Studies degree program will help you to become a leader in any profession you choose to explore. As military personnel, you will study the skills and approaches to help you operate or manage an organization. The skills you learn will give you a solid practice knowledge base that can be applied to developing your potential to become an effective leader. The program includes a broad range of topics that include communication, finances, sociology, management, and business strategies. Some of the coursework in the program may include: Strategic leadership Budgeting Group behavior Business ethics Human resources Data analysis and presentations Through the Associate’s of Science Degree degree program in Professional Studies and Organizational Leadership, you will learn: How to develop a leadership philosophy according to ethical principles How to use technological means to analyze practical industry and management problems. How to examine strategies for building collaboration and managing conflict How to demonstrate adequate oral and written communication abilities How to apply existing knowledge to make real-world decisions in organizations and communities. How to use quantitative logic to fix problems How to recognize diversity in artistic, historic, and literary expressions If you are looking to further your career in leadership, whether in the military or civilian life, getting your Associate of Science in Professional Studies and Organizational Leadership will give you the skills you need to succeed. What Can You do with Your Associate of Science in Professional Studies and Organizational Leadership After completing the degree program and obtaining your Associate’s of Science, you will be prepared to start entry-level management positions. In particular, positions that allow workers to influence organizational or department level changes. You have the option to oversee business operations and manage employees with this degree. Some possible job opportunities you can apply for with your degree include: Operations Manager Training and Development Specialist Administrative Services Manager Executive Administrative Assistant Production Manager Manager of a major retail company General manager of a restaurant In addition to the civilian jobs mentioned above, as military personnel, you can find job opportunities that include: Officer training Manager for military contractors Traveling Manager who visits worksites around the country The degree program in organizational leadership skills you completed will provide you with an understanding of how to apply leadership skills to practical situations. You will be prepared for management roles in any industry you choose to work. Why Should You Get Your Associate of Science in Professional Studies and Organizational Leadership Online When deciding to go back to school to obtain our associate’s degree, finding an online college or university is a great option. Trident organizational leadership degree program allows you to transfer between 12 and 24 credits from your military occupation, military rating, training or completed professional certificate or diploma with Trident. Online degree programs allow you to develop the skills you need to begin your career while continuing to maintain a healthy balance between work, life, and school. Online courses offer other benefits that include: Flexible schedule: Attend class at your own pace. With access to course materials at any time, you can do your course work when it is convenient for you. Cost: You will only be paying for your college credits. You won’t have to worry about paying for room and board, food, activity fees, textbooks, and other fees associated with on-campus learning. Convenient: You don’t have to commute to and from class. You’re not required to be in a classroom at a particular time on a particular day. Accelerate your degree program process: Opt to take a full course load, and summer classes, and get your degree faster. Work at your own pace: You can take one class a semester or opt for a full course load Individual instruction: Since you’ll be working by yourself on school assignments, you will have direct access to your professor. This is helpful for students who are intimidated by traditional classroom settings. Communication: You have better access to communicating with your professor. Since everything is done online, you can email, live chat, or call them with questions or ask for feedback. Taking classes online will help prepare you for your future career in leadership skills. You will develop self-discipline by managing your time and tasks. You will learn how to be self-motivated so you can reach your goal of getting your Associate’s degree. All of these skills can be applied to your new professional career as a leader. Let’s Discuss About The Key Leadership Traits If you want to meet the demand and become a more decisive leader, then there are some skill sets that you must have. Below, I am going to discuss the critical leadership traits. 1) Strong Influencer Behavior No matter what leaders are at what levels in the organization. You must know how you will influence and persuade your peers. On the other hand, if you are pitching a new idea or trying to change a significant department. This is all about your way of thinking. Some influential leaders always communicate with empathy. They will further strive to identify and understand their colleagues. You can use that knowledge to make a change. 2) Emotional Resilience Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how influential you are in handling emotional resilience. Some significant ideas will flop, and there will also be some priority changes. In this case, you must prepare for the possibility and determine where to respond appropriately. This happens with resilience and flexibility. Such leaders would need to bounce back from several other disappointments. 3) Extroversion Ensure being a leader, you are an extrovert. Based on the report, over 40% of executives are considered introverts. Effective leaders always need to have an extroverted tendency although. It means you cannot stay holed up in the office. Even more, you will remain focused solely on your work. Instead of handling the responsibilities of a leader, you must communicate with collaboration and transparency. This applies to peers. If you are an introvert, you can quickly start leaning into the practice by getting to know your colleagues in such a small group. 4) Self-Control After all, extroversion is such a beneficial and feasible trait that you must have required to practice self-control. Instead of you one wants to stop and think before hastily responding to the colleague. Some influential leaders can listen and who can focus on what they should stay but what is being said. Spontaneous decisions are always required. If the leaders must fight their urges, it is all about reacting. If you start to feel stressed, then they will sense that. Even soon, you can carry the most burden of yourself. Above all, managing these emotions is quite significant to success. 5) Ability To Solve Problems Influential leaders are all about thinking abstractly about them. Even more, this is also about solving diverse problems quickly. In this case, solving problems will require the flexibility of several other leadership skills. For instance, you must view the issues as some opportunities. This is not all about letting stress paralyze. In this case, taking some time will help you gather accurate evidence, which will help you reach such a significant informative decision. Final Notes Once you have developed your organizational leadership skills and obtained your Associate of Science degree, you can begin your new career path. Getting a degree in organizational leadership skills will give you the skills you need for a career where you can take on a leadership role and forge your career path. Read Also: Leadership Qualities Help In Enhancing Visionary Transform How Business Leadership Plays An Important Role In Business Success? The Knowledge Academy Reviews: A Global Leader In Professional Training

Tips for Earning High Science Grades in Assignment Writing

Students regularly show much commitment recorded as a hard copy of their science homework independent of it being an intense subject. Be that as it may, on occasion, regardless they couldn't get the ideal evaluations in it. As an assignment help online provider, we comprehend the importance of the coursework in your academics. In this way, we will give you a thought of writing your science assignment in such a manner that you can bring high evaluations in it. Start the homework early Writing science coursework could be a tedious and long errand. You will most likely be unable to comprehend the questions in a flash and it could end your progress. Research, writing, formatting, and referencing are different tasks that you need to do. To endeavor every one of these errands easily it is smarter to begin the schoolwork writing early. It will enable you to give a considerable measure of time to every one of the errands and it will positively affect your writing. Research before writing the coursework Research plays a crucial job while writing a science assignment. In this procedure, you can get clear about the different subjects as you locate the significant reading material. There are different sources, for example, library books, logical diaries, and the web you can use to direct the research. Your companions taking a shot at a similar undertaking and educator could likewise help you much in understanding the subject. Describe the answers well You are doled out to compose the coursework in many words. Your educator does not approach you to compose these words for reasons unknown. Getting the possibility of your subject learning is the goal of the educator. Along these lines, your emphasis ought to be on composing such substance that is subjective. You ought to depict every one of the appropriate responses completely, should add guides to it to make it all the more clear and ought to likewise draw the charts well. The language should be plain In the writing process, you have to keep a check on innovativeness as academic writing requires basic methodology from you. You ought to likewise make a point not to abuse the scientific words. This methodology will make it simple for the perusers to peruse the science assignment. They will most likely get the correct thought of what you have talked about in the coursework. You can opt for our science assignment help if you find it tough to write the homework on the same subject and can get complete coursework written from us.

5 Questions to ask yourself while finalizing an E-learning Platform

Seeking the best way to enhance your practical knowledge and to score well in your academics? Well, in that case, you are at the right place! The modern epoch has significantly transformed conventional learning. E-learning or blended learning is perhaps the finest mode of grinding one’s skills along with gaining ample knowledge. As a student, it becomes easy for you to understand things, which further affects your grades. 5 Questions to ask yourself while finalizing an E-learning Platform The thing that many of you usually ignore is the choice of a renowned learning platform. Picking the right e-learning platform can take you a long way towards your goals. Here’s the list of questions you should consider. 1. What’s your Primary Goal? Numerous students usually get baffled when it comes to picking the right training course. You need to emphasize the fact that your training course should lend a hand in taking you towards your goals. It simply means that you need first to plan things and then pick the right course depending on your domain. If you are planning to enroll in an online university that is accredited and ranked globally, you may filter out your prospected schools. Finishing an online MBA for Canadians from Aston University, for example, can be your primary goal as this is one of the universities that are highly recognized internationally and can provide you with opportunities to obtain positions on reputable companies It is necessarily crucial to do a little research regarding the available courses at a particular training institute. Some institutions may offer you the desired course as per your expectations while others may not. It is your research and investigation that would let you pick the renowned service provider. 2. Would you be able to interact directly with the Mentor? This is perhaps the essential question that you must consider while you are planning for an e-learning course. If you are provided with the facility to have a communication with the teacher every time you have a doubt: you should enroll yourself for the course. Sometimes students face issues in topics. They feel shy while asking the doubts in front of the entire class, which eventually affects their grades and academic performance. The perfect solution for this situation is to consider an e-learning platform offering a dedicated mentor for students who have a slow pace in learning. The primary focus of these mentors is to Create Learning Objectives for the pupils that require individual attention. 3. Does your Course Offer Convenience of Learning? It is a convenience to the students that matter the most while involved in an e-learning program. You need to find a training provider that offers ease of access. This simply means that you need not squander your precious money, time, and efforts in a course that don’t even offer you flexible timings. It is the little research, which is required while you are seeking the optimum platform that would augment your learning experience. Moreover, you can seek help from your acquaintances regarding the recommendation of a prominent platform. This is perhaps a great idea to get a quality education without any compromise. 4. Will you get a Certification? Another significant thing that most of us usually ignore is the availability of certification of your training course. A certification course would eventually lend a hand in getting the finest placement opportunities that you can’t expect from regular classes. The traditional training hardly emphasizes on practical knowledge rather stress on cramming and providing just the basic knowledge of concepts. On the other hand, a certification training program grinds your skills and focuses on enhancing your practical knowledge. 5. Have you compared the Prices and Checked the Prices? It is necessary crucial to check the reviews regarding a particular platform. You can visit numerous websites that offer an easy comparison of different service providers that eventually augment your decision. Furthermore, the fee structure of the training provider is also an aspect that requires equal consideration. It doesn’t mean that you need to compromise on quality; rather you need to emphasize the course highlights. Make sure you pay for the services that you need and not on the add-ons. Conclusion These are some of the essential things that one must always keep in mind while finalizing an e-learning platform for better education. Besides, if you come across any issues, you can mention them in the comment section below! Read More: Upcoming Educational Trends In 2017 Top 6 U.S. Universities That Offer Health Science Course How To Crack Civil Service Exam In One Attempt

How to Master the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section