GMAT Verbal Reasoning Section Guide: Master RC and Critical Reasoning

GMAT verbal reasoning is a critical topic for GMAT test takers. The GMAT Focus Edition Verbal section includes only two question types: Reading Comprehension (50-60% of questions) and Critical Reasoning (40-50%). S

Verbal Section Format and Structure

Verbal Section Format and Structure is a critical area for GMAT test takers to understand. This section covers 23 questions in 45 minutes, reading comprehension and critical reasoning only.

Quick reference for all Verbal section facts
FeatureDetails
Questions23
Time45 minutes
Per Question~1 min 57 sec
Question TypesReading Comp, Critical Reasoning
RemovedSentence Correction (Focus Edition)
Score Range60-90 (section)
WeightEqual (1/3 of total)

23 questions in 45 minutes

23 questions in 45 minutes is an important aspect of verbal section format and structure. 23 questions in 45 minutes. The Verbal section contains 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.

Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning onlyAdditionally, Sentence Correction removed in Focus Edition. Understanding these elements helps you prepare more effectively for this portion of the GMAT.

Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning only

Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning only is an important aspect of verbal section format and structure. Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning only. The Verbal section contains 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.

Sentence Correction removed in Focus Edition

Sentence Correction removed in Focus Edition is an important aspect of verbal section format and structure. Sentence Correction removed in Focus Edition. The Verbal section contains 23 questions to be completed in 45 minutes.

Key Takeaway: Key insight about verbal section format and structure that students should remember.

Reading Comprehension Questions

Reading Comprehension Questions is a critical area for GMAT test takers to understand. This section covers short and long passages, main idea, detail, and inference questions.

Comparison of the two question types in the Verbal section
FeatureReading ComprehensionCritical Reasoning
Percentage of Questions50-60%40-50%
Time Per Question2-3 min (inc. reading)1.5-2 min
Passage Length1-4 paragraphsShort argument (1 paragraph)
Key SkillComprehension, inferenceLogical analysis, evaluation
Question TypesMain idea, detail, inference, toneStrengthen, weaken, assumption, boldface
StrategyMap passage structure firstIdentify conclusion and premises first

Short and long passages

Short and long passages is an important aspect of reading comprehension questions. Short and long passages. Reading Comprehension makes up 50-60% of verbal questions.

Main idea, detail, and inference questionsAdditionally, Time allocation: 2-3 min per passage. Understanding these elements helps you prepare more effectively for this portion of the GMAT.

Main idea, detail, and inference questions

Main idea, detail, and inference questions is an important aspect of reading comprehension questions. Main idea, detail, and inference questions. Reading Comprehension makes up 50-60% of verbal questions.

Time allocation: 2-3 min per passage

Time allocation: 2-3 min per passage is an important aspect of reading comprehension questions. Time allocation: 2-3 min per passage. Reading Comprehension makes up 50-60% of verbal questions.

Worked Example

Consider a typical scenario related to reading comprehension questions.

  1. Step 1: Identify the key information
  2. Step 2: Apply the relevant concept
  3. Step 3: Verify your result
Result: This example demonstrates a core concept in reading comprehension questions.
Pro Tip: Key insight about reading comprehension questions that students should remember.

Critical Reasoning Questions

Critical Reasoning Questions is a critical area for GMAT test takers to understand. This section covers strengthen, weaken, assumption types, argument structure analysis.

Strengthen, weaken, assumption types

Strengthen, weaken, assumption types is an important aspect of critical reasoning questions. Strengthen, weaken, assumption types. Critical Reasoning makes up 40-50% of verbal questions.

Argument structure analysisAdditionally, Boldface and inference questions. Understanding these elements helps you prepare more effectively for this portion of the GMAT.

Argument structure analysis

Argument structure analysis is an important aspect of critical reasoning questions. Argument structure analysis. Critical Reasoning makes up 40-50% of verbal questions.

Boldface and inference questions

Boldface and inference questions is an important aspect of critical reasoning questions. Boldface and inference questions. Critical Reasoning makes up 40-50% of verbal questions.

Pacing Strategy for Verbal

Pacing Strategy for Verbal is a critical area for GMAT test takers to understand. This section covers average about 2 minutes per question, rc passage reading time allocation.

Average about 2 minutes per question

Average about 2 minutes per question is an important aspect of pacing strategy for verbal. Average about 2 minutes per question. Sentence Correction was removed from the GMAT Focus Edition.

RC passage reading time allocationAdditionally, First 10 questions strategy. Understanding these elements helps you prepare more effectively for this portion of the GMAT.

RC passage reading time allocation

RC passage reading time allocation is an important aspect of pacing strategy for verbal. RC passage reading time allocation. Sentence Correction was removed from the GMAT Focus Edition.

First 10 questions strategy

First 10 questions strategy is an important aspect of pacing strategy for verbal. First 10 questions strategy. Sentence Correction was removed from the GMAT Focus Edition.

Verbal Preparation Tips

Verbal Preparation Tips is a critical area for GMAT test takers to understand. This section covers build reading speed and comprehension, learn argument structure analysis.

Build reading speed and comprehension

Build reading speed and comprehension is an important aspect of verbal preparation tips. Build reading speed and comprehension.

Learn argument structure analysisAdditionally, Practice with official GMAT questions. Understanding these elements helps you prepare more effectively for this portion of the GMAT.

Learn argument structure analysis

Learn argument structure analysis is an important aspect of verbal preparation tips. Learn argument structure analysis.

Practice with official GMAT questions

Practice with official GMAT questions is an important aspect of verbal preparation tips. Practice with official GMAT questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What question types are on the GMAT Verbal section?

The GMAT Focus Edition Verbal section includes only two question types: Reading Comprehension (50-60% of questions) and Critical Reasoning (40-50%). Sentence Correction, which was in the classic GMAT, has been completely removed from the Focus Edition.

How many questions are on the GMAT Verbal section?

The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section contains 23 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 45 minutes. This gives you approximately 1 minute and 57 seconds per question on average, though RC questions with passages may take longer.

No, Sentence Correction has been removed from the GMAT Focus Edition. The Verbal section now focuses exclusively on Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Students using older GMAT prep materials should skip any Sentence Correction content.

Focus on building strong reading comprehension skills through daily practice with diverse passages. For Critical Reasoning, learn to quickly identify conclusions, premises, and assumptions in arguments. Practice under timed conditions once you have solid fundamentals.