Verbal GMAT Preparation Tips
Most students treat the GMAT Verbal section as if it were an appendix when it comes to GMAT preparation.
One either complacently relies on language skills to crack the section or misconstrued expanding of vocabulary or increasing reading speed as the key requisites to cracking the section.
Either of the approaches is myopic and futile.
Let us begin by understanding the 3 basic layers of GMAT Verbal - Sentence Correction:Since it has limited number of question types, this is an easy section to master.
Most aspirants however, rush into problem solving instead of understanding the basics of grammar which is the basis of this section.
One can attempt a Sentence Correction (SC) question in one-third the time compared to attempting a Reading Comprehension (RC) or Critical Reasoning (CR) question.
This saved time can be utilized to build up accuracy of the remaining sections.
Tip: First, lay the foundation by focusing on the basics through specifically targeted grammar exercises as per one's strengths.
Subsequently, work with various question types.
Critical Reasoning: This is misunderstood as an easy section by students mainly due to lack of practice in a timed environment.
This tricky section creates the wedge between the high and average GMAT scores.
Tip: Practice CR through mock tests and check for accuracy.
There is expert one-on-one guidance available online which will help you monitor your performance within each question type.
Reading Comprehension: Unlike the other two sections, it is Reading Comprehension that sets the pace of the GMAT.
Most students hardly realise this and alarmingly hence approach the test without any strategy for RC.
Tip: One needs to figure if one needs to go through the entire RC para or the maximum time that one can afford to spend on the RC or how to approach the section if one is running short of time.
Such varied and relevant approaches are tailored into online GMAT tutoring courses that are personally customized as per individual's strengths.
From the above structure, one can deduce that the objectives of the GMAT Verbal section go beyond gauging one's diction or grammar alone.
These are the prime objectives: 1.
Evaluate understanding of the meanings of words, sentences within the text and the relationship among words and concepts.
2.
Gauge skills to study and deduce; identify assumptions/perspective; understand the author's intent and levels of meaning.
3.
Evaluate one's skill to discern between relevant points; summarize text while understanding its structure.
Failure to get assessed on these skills early on in the preparation is a mistake most students commit.
The result is lack of desired results which further proves detrimental to their confidence leading to the entire preparation going awry.
Methodical approach is the key in tackling this section.
Traditional coaching classes approach the sectional objectives very unlike online coaching classes which structure the approach as per each student's expertise level against each objective.
Remember, the Verbal section is a part of an analytical test like GMAT for a reason!
One either complacently relies on language skills to crack the section or misconstrued expanding of vocabulary or increasing reading speed as the key requisites to cracking the section.
Either of the approaches is myopic and futile.
Let us begin by understanding the 3 basic layers of GMAT Verbal - Sentence Correction:Since it has limited number of question types, this is an easy section to master.
Most aspirants however, rush into problem solving instead of understanding the basics of grammar which is the basis of this section.
One can attempt a Sentence Correction (SC) question in one-third the time compared to attempting a Reading Comprehension (RC) or Critical Reasoning (CR) question.
This saved time can be utilized to build up accuracy of the remaining sections.
Tip: First, lay the foundation by focusing on the basics through specifically targeted grammar exercises as per one's strengths.
Subsequently, work with various question types.
Critical Reasoning: This is misunderstood as an easy section by students mainly due to lack of practice in a timed environment.
This tricky section creates the wedge between the high and average GMAT scores.
Tip: Practice CR through mock tests and check for accuracy.
There is expert one-on-one guidance available online which will help you monitor your performance within each question type.
Reading Comprehension: Unlike the other two sections, it is Reading Comprehension that sets the pace of the GMAT.
Most students hardly realise this and alarmingly hence approach the test without any strategy for RC.
Tip: One needs to figure if one needs to go through the entire RC para or the maximum time that one can afford to spend on the RC or how to approach the section if one is running short of time.
Such varied and relevant approaches are tailored into online GMAT tutoring courses that are personally customized as per individual's strengths.
From the above structure, one can deduce that the objectives of the GMAT Verbal section go beyond gauging one's diction or grammar alone.
These are the prime objectives: 1.
Evaluate understanding of the meanings of words, sentences within the text and the relationship among words and concepts.
2.
Gauge skills to study and deduce; identify assumptions/perspective; understand the author's intent and levels of meaning.
3.
Evaluate one's skill to discern between relevant points; summarize text while understanding its structure.
Failure to get assessed on these skills early on in the preparation is a mistake most students commit.
The result is lack of desired results which further proves detrimental to their confidence leading to the entire preparation going awry.
Methodical approach is the key in tackling this section.
Traditional coaching classes approach the sectional objectives very unlike online coaching classes which structure the approach as per each student's expertise level against each objective.
Remember, the Verbal section is a part of an analytical test like GMAT for a reason!
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