How to Improve My GRE Verbal Score

The GRE verbal section is a significant challenge for many test-takers like you, and even native English speakers can find it difficult. This section assesses your ability to understand complex reading passages and navigate the nuances of the English language. It’s no secret that the GRE verbal can feel tricky, but don’t worry!

If you’re wondering, “How can I improve my GRE verbal score?” then, this blog is your guide to success. We’ll talk about practical strategies and tips to help you excel in this important section.

Overview of the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

The GRE Verbal Section assesses your reading comprehension, vocabulary usage, and critical reasoning skills. It aims to gauge your ability to analyse written text, draw conclusions based on the information presented, and identify the author’s main points and underlying assumptions. The Verbal Section is divided into two parts, each timed separately. These sections contain three question formats: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence.

Reading Comprehension makes up about half the questions and requires you to answer based on the information in the passage. On the other hand, Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence test your vocabulary and ability to identify logical relationships between words and concepts by asking you to fill in the blanks or choose synonyms for phrases within a sentence.

10 Tips to Improve Your GRE Verbal Reasoning Score

1. Cultivate a reading habit

The GRE verbal section heavily relies on your reading comprehension skills. Develop the habit of reading challenging material like academic journals, well-written editorials, and thought-provoking essays. This will not only improve your reading speed but also expose you to the kind of vocabulary and writing style you’ll come across on the test.

2. Build your vocabulary

Building a strong GRE vocabulary is a proven way to boost your GRE verbal score. Dedicate time each day to learn new words. There are many resources available, like GRE flashcards, mobile apps, and online vocabulary builders. But don’t just memorise definitions in isolation. Focus on understanding how words are used in context by reading and practising with practice problems.

3. Context is king

Don’t fall into the trap of simply memorising dictionary definitions. The GRE tests your ability to understand the nuances of meaning based on how words are used in a sentence or passage. Pay close attention to context clues like surrounding sentences and the overall tone of the writing to grasp the precise meaning of unfamiliar words.

4. Master the sentence

A strong understanding of sentence structure is important for the GRE verbal section. Practice identifying grammatical elements like clauses, subject-verb agreement, and parallel structure. This will help you deconstruct complex sentences and answer questions that test your ability to analyse sentence logic and identify errors.

5. Work on time management

The GRE verbal section is timed, so mastering time management is essential. Practice answering questions under timed conditions to develop your pacing skills and avoid spending too much time on any single question. Remember that it’s better to move on and come back to a difficult question later if time permits.

6. Use elimination strategies

Don’t get stuck by answer choices that you can quickly eliminate. For instance, if an answer choice contradicts information explicitly stated in the passage, you can discard it. This process of eliminating evidently wrong answers can help you narrow down the options and increase your chances of selecting the correct one.

7. Active reading is essential

Don’t just passively read the passages. Actively engage with the text by underlining key points, summarising paragraphs, and anticipating upcoming questions. This will help you retain information more effectively and answer comprehension questions more efficiently.

8. Learn to recognise key vocabulary

The GRE loves to test your understanding of specific, high-frequency words. Familiarise yourself with commonly used prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This will allow you to decode unfamiliar terms and answer questions based on context, even if you don’t know the exact definition.

9. Practice makes perfect

There’s no substitute for consistent practice. Use the official GRE practice materials, timed practice tests, and online question banks to familiarise yourself with the question formats and hone your test-taking skills. Regularly analyse your performance, identify your weak areas, and tailor your practice accordingly.

10. Review and analyse

After taking GRE practice tests, don’t just skim over the answers. Take time to thoroughly review each question, understand why your answer choices were right or wrong, and identify areas where you need improvement. This focused review process will solidify your understanding of concepts and prevent you from repeating mistakes.

From the Desk of Yocket

Acing the GRE verbal section requires a multi-pronged approach. You should solidify your vocabulary foundation. Use flashcards, apps, or online resources to learn high-frequency GRE words. Actively use these words in your daily life for better memorization. Additionally, incorporate challenging publications like The New Yorker or The Economist into your reading routine. This expands your vocabulary and hones your reading comprehension skills.

Next, focus on mastering the different question formats. Practice actively managing your time during practice tests. Develop effective strategies for each question type. For Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, hone your ability to discern the intended meaning from context clues. For Reading Comprehension, prioritise understanding the main idea and structure of the passage before starting with specific questions. Remember that there’s no penalty for guessing, so eliminate answer choices you know are wrong and make an educated guess if needed. Utilize GRE prep premium materials to access high-quality practice questions and detailed explanations to enhance your preparation.