In this video lesson, Magoosh’s Kevin Rocci talks about how to study for the Verbal section of the GMAT. So, what are the things that you can do to start preparing?
1. Structure of GMAT Verbal section
First and foremost, you need to know the format of the GMAT Verbal section before test day. For example, you need to know the number of questions (41), how long the section lasts (75 minutes), and whether it’s computer adaptive like the Quantitative section (It is.)
You also have to be aware that you can’t go back after answering a question.
In addition, you not only have to know what question types you will see (critical reasoning, reading comprehension, sentence correction) but also have strategies ready for solving each question type.
2. Read, Read, Read, Read … !
Immerse yourself in words by reading as much as you can. You really can’t read enough.
Try to read 40-50 pages per day, or about 1-2 hours. What should you read? Try a mixture of books, articles, magazines, newspapers, fiction, and non-fiction. Rocci recommends the Economist, the New York Times, the New Yorker, Arts and Letters Daily, and the Atlantic.
Be comfortable reading different things and interpreting an author’s meaning.
3. Think in your own words
When you read, practise digesting the information and putting it into your own words. Synthesise and summarise.
4. Focus on ONE area at a time
Choose a question type (critical reasoning, for example) and focus only on it for a designated amount of time (maybe a week or so). Understand sub-question types and common wrong answer types. Complete practice questions and review your wrong answers. Become an expert in that area, then move on to another question type.
Check out: How to Take Notes on GMAT Verbal Problems
Don’t forget to go back and review, even after you have moved on to another aspect of the GMAT Verbal Section.
5. Review
Review concepts and question types – don’t just move from one concept to the next and never return. Answer the same questions again, even if you got them right the first time.
Check out the video to hear the advice from Kevin Rocci and maybe you will come up with ideas to improve your preparation process!
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