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

7 Compelling Reasons To Consider Enrolling In Copywriting Courses

Are you contemplating enhancing your writing skills and venturing into copywriting? Whether you're an aspiring wordsmith or a seasoned writer, enrolling in copywriting courses can unlock many opportunities you may not have considered. In this blog, we'll delve into seven compelling reasons why taking Copywriting Courses should be high on your list of priorities. Elevate Your Writing Skills Let's kick things off with the most fundamental reason: copywriting courses are like a gym for your writing abilities. They empower you with the tools and techniques to craft captivating, persuasive, and attention-grabbing content that leaves a lasting impression. You'll learn the art of selecting precisely the right words, structuring your content effectively, and creating messages that resonate with your readers. These skills are invaluable and applicable to virtually any career path you choose. Expand Your Career Horizons Copywriting is a skill in high demand across various industries. By mastering this craft, you can significantly broaden your career horizons. Whether your aspirations lie in content marketing, advertising, email marketing, social media, or any other niche, copywriting is a versatile skill that's sought after everywhere. Whether you aim to work in-house, freelance, or even embark on the entrepreneurial path, a copywriting course can be your ticket to achieving those goals. Unlock Higher Earning Potential Let's face it: financial considerations play a significant role in career decisions. Copywriters often command higher pay rates than general writers because their expertise is in high demand. When you invest in copywriting courses, you invest in your earning potential. You'll gain the know-how to write persuasively, ultimately opening doors to more lucrative opportunities and higher-paying projects. Grasp The Psychology Of Consumer Behavior Copywriting goes beyond stringing words together; it's about comprehending the intricacies of human psychology and consumer behavior. Copywriting courses delve deep into these subjects, equipping you with the skills needed to create content that resonates with your audience on an emotional level. Understanding consumer psychology is invaluable for crafting marketing campaigns that connect with your target audience. Build An Impressive Portfolio As you progress through your copywriting courses, you'll have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and build a portfolio that showcases your talents. Possessing a portfolio filled with well-crafted copy demonstrates your capabilities to potential clients and employers and serves as a testament to your growth as a writer. It's a tangible asset that can bolster your credibility and enhance your professional reputation. Gain Confidence As A Writer Learning copywriting involves hands-on experience and mentorship, often within a supportive learning environment. This unique opportunity to apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios can substantially boost your confidence as a writer. As your skills and portfolio expand, you'll gain the assurance to tackle challenging projects and excel in your chosen field. Adapt To Evolving Trends The world of copywriting is continually evolving, with new platforms, technologies, and trends emerging regularly. Copywriting courses keep you up-to-date with these shifts, ensuring you remain relevant and adaptable in a fast-paced industry. You'll learn how to navigate digital marketing strategies, harness the power of SEO, and create compelling content for various online channels, all essential in today's competitive landscape. Conclusion Enrolling in copywriting courses is wise for anyone seeking to enhance their writing skills, diversify their career prospects, increase their income potential, grasp consumer psychology, build an impressive portfolio, boost their confidence, and stay current in a dynamic industry. It's an investment in your future as a writer and communicator that can yield numerous rewards. So, why wait? Take the plunge, enroll in a copywriting course today, and embark on your journey to becoming a skilled and successful copywriter. Your future self will undoubtedly thank you! Read Also: The Continued Relevance Of Human Insight: Why AI Can’t Replace A Skilled Copywriting Agency In London How To Get More Traffic For Your Small Business With Affordable SEO 10 Work From Home Jobs For Moms And Dads

5 Strategies for Parents to Help Kids with ADHD Perform Better at School

Focusing on a particular task for a long period of time can be troublesome for anyone. But for children with adhd in Chinese regions, focusing is dauntingly challenging and can cause a lot of issues, both at home and in school. Children suffering from ADHD need the help of their parents and teachers to be able to keep up with their peers. In most cases, both parents and teachers have the children’s interests in mind. But parents and teachers need to work together to help kids with ADHD focus and perform the tasks they are asked to. If the parents aren’t supporting their child at home or if their teachers don’t have enough understanding of their condition, their condition will affect their performance in the school. Parents whose kids have been diagnosed with ADHD need to ensure that they are sending them to a preschool that understands the peculiar nature of their situation. With the right care and concern from teachers and other officials at the school, kids with ADHD can hope to become better and continue with uninterrupted quality learning just like kids that do not have the same. This is a process, a kind of a journey that requires patience, experience, and expertise. Every kid is different and their condition should be addressed differently. If your kids’ teachers aren’t cooperating or showing understanding for your child’s issue, you can always get help from a reputable company like the Pacific Coast Advocates. But when it comes to helping your children at home, the effort has to come from you. 5 Strategies for Parents to Help Kids with ADHD Perform Better at School There is a number of ways parents can help their kids with ADHD direct their focus at the tasks at school and at home. This involves developing a healthier lifestyle that can help children cope with this condition and achieve great results at school. Read on to learn what you can do! 1. Adjust their Medications: If your children have a prescription for the ADHD, make sure to get the dosage correct. Whether you want to medicate your child or not is your choice. However, if you do choose to help your child through medication you have to know that one drug might not work the same with different kids. Therefore, medication should be prescribed based on your kid’s needs. You also need to remember that the drugs prescribed for ADHD are not a cure, but rather help your child concentrate and perform better in school. 2. Make Sure They’re Getting Enough Sleep: Getting the right amount of sleep is important both for kids and adults. Being well-rested is important for our concentration and tackling our daily issues. Do you remember the last time when you didn’t get enough sleep and had to endure work all day? It’s worse for children with ADHD. Numerous studies have shown that children who got enough sleep performed better in the classroom and were less moody. They communicated better with both teachers and peers and got better grades as a result. This is why children should get enough sleep on a school day, especially children with ADHD. Therefore, make sure to set a strict bedtime and eliminate any distractions like their smartphones or computers. By keeping a steady sleeping schedule, your kids will perform better in the classroom. 3. Encourage them to Play Outside: Spending quality time outdoors can have numerous benefits for your health. For children with ADHD, playing outside can be particularly beneficial as it can help ease some of the symptoms of this condition. Several studies have shown that the symptoms of ADHD were reduced in children who played outside. Therefore, you should invest all the effort of getting your kid away from the computer screen and out into the open. There’s a good chance this will help them with their ADHD symptoms and improve their performance in school. 4. Encourage them to Exercise: Younger kids don’t often understand the benefits of exercise and don’t feel too happy about their PE class. But exercise can help improve cognitive functions and focus, which for kids with ADHD means an effective way to combat the symptoms of the condition. If your kids get some exercise before school they will perform much better as exercise helps improve focus almost instantaneously. Make sure to let your children’s PE teacher know about their condition and how exercise can help them with their school assignments so they can adjust their program accordingly. A special education advocate can help you communicate the problem to the teachers. 5. Discover What Works for Them: All of these suggestions are just a starting point, but ultimately not every child will react the same to them. If your kid does not want to take medication or is too weak to exercise, perhaps you can find other means of helping them improve their focus by doing what they love, whether it’s playing outside or playing video games. Find the right school, like AIS International school, which cultivates curriculum and extracurricular activities to help ADHD kids exclusively. Before they understand more about self-discipline and control, making them comfortable is more important. Keep track of their activities and compare them to their performance at school to find out what works best for them. No matter which strategies you choose, make sure to let them in on the plan. Get their feedback about the ideas you’re having, which will help you find out what works best for them. Read Also: Preparing Your Child For Future Is Not Just About Education Anymore 5 Tips For College Students On How To Begin Investing Using Their Saved Pocket Money 8 Tips To Help You Pick Universities Abroad

Online Schools the Only Source for Personalized Education

Online education offers students access to licensed professors and materials from online schools. It is a technique that can be used to personalize the learning experience of a student. The online schooling enables students to flourish in such ways that traditional brick-and-mortar public school systems may not be able to achieve and it also provides high-quality education. For several students, traditional, brick-and-mortar schools are working well. But maintaining a balance between college and their interests can be challenging for those who are strongly engaged in extracurricular activities. In online education, online courses are more suitable and economical than their counterparts. Above described are some key benefits of online learning which lead many learners, when they want to get a degree or certificate, to opt for online platforms. Some students who have learning deficits can succeed in online learning as it is the only source for personalized education. Personalized learning is an instruction that deals teaching, program and training environments to meet the individual students’ demands. It is a scholastic method designed to tailor learning programs according to each student’s strengths, desires, abilities, and concerns. It delivers the students with flexible schedules that suits them and they can concentrate on their own interests and personal objectives. The flexible schedule also makes it possible for each student to progress at their own pace and also help them to get the precise curriculum and attention they need. Students are not bound by their school walls in terms of access to data, skills, and specialties in an online teaching system that incorporates the latest technology. A teaching environment that is digitally rich, offers students with the form and the credibility they want to learn. At the present modern age, online learning offers students assistance and enthusiasm to be autonomous learners and thinkers. Online high schools are getting popularity day by day because of the flexibility offered to learners. Students can complete their work while avoiding the stressful components of the customary high school experience. Due to all these reasons, It's no surprise why millions of students worldwide opt for online learning programs, as it is the principal revolution in modern education. It has generated an enormous system change and has opened outstanding opportunities for anyone who wishes to learn something. An online learning environment permits the children to attain consideration and participation from parents usually found in homeschooling while providing more learning opportunities. Homeschooling in Dubai is appealing due to the flexibility it offers for most families. You can enjoy a high degree of flexibility with virtual schools deprived of sacrificing the advantages of knowledge and liability in professional learning. Even though Dubai does not have particular legal demands of homeschooling but it is suggested that you must pursue an accredited program. Considering online support, while you are in homeschooling in Dubai, you may still be able to access teacher assistance from around the globe. There are plenty of trustworthy and accredited online tutors that can be contacted to provide additional assistance and to Provide families with an online choice to experience high-quality, personalized schooling. Through these, students can flourish in such ways that encourage to find their own pace, realize their enthusiasm, and learn in a better way. These online schools develop a flexible and excellent learning environment that incorporates technology with an efficient core curriculum, supporting individualized education from a worldwide vision and offers alternatives tailored to the requirements of your child. These online schools also encourage them to get the greatest academic and personal development norms in order to attain their ideas and maximize their potential. Their vision is that all students should be educated in accordance with their capabilities, requirements, and interests. A number of distinct kinds of schools provide learners with online learning choices. They offer a high-quality secondary school program from 9th to 12th grade. Whether you are joining full-time or taking a few classes, with simple access to teacher assistance, you can operate at your own pace. Students learn through collaboration, multimedia-rich online lessons or from their corresponding classes in the set up that suits their distinctive desires and teaching styles. Most of today's online high schools have a specific curriculum that permits students to compensate for some credits lost. In short, Online schools are the only source for personalized education due to a number of reasons; The Flexibility to take classes at any available time, enabling students to continue their tasks Enable each student to realize their real potential. Each student gets an education to prepare him or her for and beyond the next stage. Provide outstanding learning alternatives for learners and teachers to maximize their academic and lifelong achievements, regardless of environmental, financial or demographic situations. Enhanced family, friends and teacher relationships. Opportunity for the success of learners More flexibility to satisfy individual requirements Read Also: 7 Reasons Why Online Education Is Very Popular Children Are Citizens: What Are The Civil Rights Of Children In Public Schools? Tips On Writing A Winning Reflection Paper In College

How to Master the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section