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Preparing for the GMAT exam requires commitment and a steady approach, especially when working on the verbal section. This part of the test measures how well you can read, think critically, and communicate ideas. These are the skills that business schools care about most. If you want to reach your target score, you’ll need a clear study plan, reliable materials, and trusted resources for consistent practice.
In this guide, you’ll find the five best places to practice verbal questions and practical strategies to strengthen your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills step by step.
Read: GMAT Focus Edition: What You Need to Know
Understanding the GMAT Verbal Section
What the GMAT Verbal Section Measures
The verbal section evaluates how well you understand written text, reason logically, and correct grammatical errors. It measures your ability to analyze information and form conclusions based on evidence. Your performance is scored on a scale of 6 to 51, which combines with your quantitative score to produce your total GMAT score (200–800). Business schools use this number to assess communication, logic, and reading skills that reflect real-world decision-making.
| Section | Question Types | Number of Questions | Approx. Time | Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction | ~36 | 65 minutes | Reasoning, Grammar, and Comprehension |
Each section represents part of your human skills: the ability to read data, evaluate statements, and solve verbal problems with accuracy.
The Three Sections of the Verbal Section
1. Critical Reasoning Questions
Critical reasoning questions test how well you can analyze and evaluate arguments. You’ll read a short statement or argument, then answer a question that asks you to identify assumptions, find weaknesses, or determine what conclusion follows.
Example:
Argument: Companies that offer flexible work hours have happier employees. Question asks: Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?
To perform well, you must:
- Identify the conclusion and supporting evidence.
- Eliminate answer choices that are outside the argument’s scope.
- Look for how new information changes the statement’s strength or form.
Practicing these questions builds your reasoning skills and helps you interpret logic under pressure.
2. Reading Comprehension Questions
Reading comprehension questions measure how well you understand longer passages that resemble academic writing. You’ll need to identify what the passage states, refer to specific lines, and evaluate the author’s conclusion or contrast points.
Each passage contains paragraphs that represent different ideas or viewpoints. The question types might ask you to:
- Identify the author’s purpose or tone.
- Find what a passage is like by reading business journals, science articles, or economics reports. They expose you to varied writing forms similar to GMAT passages.
3. Sentence Correction Questions
Sentence Correction questions test your ability to recognize errors, improve sentence structure, and apply grammar concepts accurately. You’ll see a written sentence, possibly with mistakes in form or meaning, followed by several answer choices.
Your task is to:
- Identify what’s incorrect.
- Eliminate grammatically incorrect answers.
- Choose the version that’s concise and well-structured.
These questions require a mix of grammar knowledge and reading awareness. Practicing consistently improves your accuracy and speed during the test.
Read next:
- GMAT Verbal Guide: Critical Reasoning Questions
- GMAT Verbal Questions: Types, Strategy, & How to Maximize Your Score
- GMAT Verbal Guide: Reading Comprehension Questions
How to Practice GMAT Verbal Questions Effectively
Build a Structured Plan
A focus helps you progress in stages instead of random practice. Here’s how to begin:
- Set clear goals for each question type, for example, improving critical reasoning accuracy by 10%.
- Use reliable materials for study sessions.
- Schedule weekly reviews to track data and measure improvement.
The Practice Cycle: Study, Solve, and Review
A good practice cycle follows three simple steps:
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Study | Review concepts and examples | Build understanding |
| Solve | Apply under timed test conditions | Measure accuracy |
| Review | Analyze errors and weak processes | Strengthen weaknesses |
When reviewing, ask yourself:
- What did the question ask?
- Why was my answer incorrect?
- What evidence did I miss?
This reflection helps you identify mistakes and eliminate repeating them later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practicing with low-quality or outdated materials.
- Ignoring explanations during review.
- Relying only on free question sets without checking their accuracy.
- Practicing too many questions without analyzing why an answer was right or wrong.
High-quality practice means fewer questions, more reflection, and consistent feedback.
The 5 Best Places to Go for GMAT Verbal Practice
1. GMAT Official Guide and GMATPrep Software
The Official Guide represents real GMAT question types and test logic. It includes hundreds of authentic reading comprehension, sentence correction, and critical reasoning questions. The GMATPrep software offers adaptive tests that use the same scoring scale as the actual exam.
Benefits:
- Real test questions created by GMAC.
- Familiar interface similar to the test day.
- Data on timing and accuracy.
Use these to understand how questions are written, how scores are calculated, and how each point affects your total score.
2. GMAT Club Question Bank
GMAT Club is one of the largest free practice communities. It offers thousands of verbal questions, explanations, and difficulty ratings. You can sort by question type, argument, or passage.
Why it helps:
- Peer-reviewed explanations for every question.
- A variety of critical reasoning questions to practice identifying conclusions and weaknesses.
- Discussion boards where students analyze each problem.
It’s a good resource to explore when you want volume and discussion without cost.
3. Manhattan Prep and Veritas Practice Plat
These paid resources combine structured lessons, analysis tools, and full-length verbal section tests. They simulate real testing conditions and provide insights into your process.
What you get:
- Question-by-question performance tracking.
- Data charts to review your timing, accuracy, and weaknesses.
- Targeted lessons for improvement in sentence correction and reading comprehension questions.
They’re useful when you want guided study materials and measurable progress.
4. Magoosh or Target Test Prep Verbal Modules
Adaptive tools like Magoosh and Target Test Prep help you strengthen critical reading and reasoning skills for the GMAT verbal section. This part of the test measures how well you read, analyze, and communicate. Combine these tools with a focused study plan and consistent practice for best results.
In this guide, you’ll find the five best places to practice GMAT verbal questions and practical strategies to strengthen your reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills step by step. practice with feedback. You can create custom quizzes that focus on specific concepts, such as argument evaluation or grammar improvement.
Features include:
- Video explanations that break down the process.
- Score tracking to measure progress.
- Drills that strengthen reasoning skills step by step.
These modules are structured to help you learn actively and improve through repetition and review.
Reading Practice from Academic and Business Sources
Outside GMAT materials, regular reading builds verbal strength. Focus on articles from The Economist, Harvard Business Review, and similar business or science outlets. This practice trains you to evaluate complex arguments and refer to specific paragraphs or lines quickly.
Example: When reading a business case or research statement, summarize the author’s conclusion and identify the evidence supporting it.
This habit improves comprehension and helps you read efficiently on test day.
Creating a Smart Study Plan for the Verbal Section
Weekly Practice Framework
Use a four-week plan to rotate through different resources:
| Week | Focus | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation | Study grammar rules and question types |
| 2 | Application | Solve critical reasoning and comprehension questions |
| 3 | Practice | Take short verbal section tests |
| 4 | Evaluation | Analyze data, review errors, and adjust timing |
Each stage builds on the last. Track your score and note areas that need improvement.
How to Track Progress and Improve Scores
Keep a simple review sheet or digital tracker:
- Record every question type practiced.
- Write down why your answer was correct or incorrect.
- Compare practice test scores to see progress.
Reviewing this data helps you determine where you’re gaining points and which areas still need focus.
When to Take Full Practice Tests
Take full-length verbal section tests once you’re comfortable with timing. These sessions help you test endurance and pacing. Simulate test day conditions. No breaks, same timing, same environment. Afterward, review every error and learn from patterns in question types.
Additional Strategies To Strengthen Your Verbal Skills
Learn from Answer Explanations
When you review, pay attention to why an answer is right and how answer choices differ. Take time to identify exactly what the question is asking before selecting your response. This builds analytical skills that matter during timed sections.
Build Real-World Reading Habits
Practice reading high-quality sources daily. Summarize the passage, identify its conclusion, and find contrast points. This habit strengthens comprehension and your ability to evaluate complex ideas.
Analytical Thinking Beyond the GMAT
Try logic puzzles or short analysis exercises to build reasoning skills outside of GMAT content. These help you recognize assumptions, evaluate evidence, and find logical errors in everyday examples.
The Bottom Line
Doing well on the GMAT verbal section comes down to steady practice and focused preparation. Mix in official, paid, and free resources to strengthen your skills, track progress, and boost confidence before test day.
When you take time to evaluate arguments, read carefully, and think through each answer choice, you start training your brain to work the way the test expects. With consistent effort, you’ll not only reach your target score but also show business schools that you can handle complex reading, reasoning, and communication challenges.
Ready to raise your GMAT verbal score?
Get started with expert GMAT prep. Work with our GMAT Tutors to strengthen your verbal section and boost your test score.
Read next:
- Average GMAT Scores by Business School
- How Late Can You Take the GMAT/GRE for MBA Applications?
- GMAT Focus Score Chart — With Percentiles
- GMAT Focus Quant: Topics, Timing, Scores, & Tips
- GMAT Focus Word Problems: Tips & Practice
FAQs
What’s a good verbal score on the GMAT?
- A verbal score between 35 and 45 is considered strong. Scoring in that range usually places you above the 80th percentile for most MBA programs.
How does the GMAT verbal section adapt in difficulty?
- The GMAT is computer-adaptive, meaning your accuracy affects the next question’s difficulty. The better you perform, the harder the questions become.
How can I strengthen my verbal reasoning skills?
- Read business articles, editorials, and academic passages regularly. This builds vocabulary, comprehension, and logical thinking skills over time.
How much time should I spend on each verbal question?
- Spend about 1.8 minutes per question. Staying within this pace helps you manage time and avoid rushing near the end of the section.
Is it better to study verbal and quantitative topics together or separately?
- Study them separately when possible. Focusing on one area, like critical reasoning or reading comprehension, helps you learn more efficiently.
