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GRE Verbal Reasoning 2023: Syllabus, Score, Sample Questions, Books, Tips

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Sayantani Barman

Experta en el extranjero | Updated On - Jan 8, 2024

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GRE verbal reasoning questions ask the candidates to analyze and answer about the passage or fill in the blanks on a sentence or a paragraph by using appropriate words provided as options. In the Verbal Reasoning test of GRE, you need to read passages, understand the meanings of words and phrases, perceive the author’s perspective and synthesize information accordingly. There are three types of GRE Verbal Reasoning questions you need to answer, which require analytical and interpretative reasoning. Check out official GRE verbal practice questions available online, which will help you get a high GRE Verbal Reasoning score.

GRE Verbal Reasoning Pattern

GRE verbal has 40 questions to attempt in 60 minutes. There are three types of questions in the GRE verbal reasoning section: reading comprehension, sentence equivalence, and text completion. Each GRE verbal section contains 5-7 reading passages of different lengths with 10-13 related questions. Solve GRE Verbal Reasoning practice tests to get accustomed to the question patterns. Proper GRE Verbal 10 days preparation plan can land you in scoring 150+.In comparison with GRE quant, this section requires rigorous practice. 

GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus

GRE Verbal Reasoning syllabus involves three questions:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Sentence Equivalence
  • Text Completion

GRE Verbal Topics

You must follow the online websites for GRE verbal topics 2023. You will get various GRE verbal reasoning practice questions available online. GRE verbal type of questions are usually on the following topics:

  • Modifiers and Parallelism
  • Verbs and Tenses
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
  • Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives
  • Pronoun Agreement

GRE Verbal Questions

The three types of GRE Verbal questions are reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Half of the questions need you to read and comprehend and answer the attached questions. The other half of the questions require you to read and interpret the given passage to complete sentences or paragraphs.

GRE Reading Comprehension

Reading comprehension of GRE verbal section contains mainly three types of questions:

  • Multiple choice questions with five options and only one correct answer. You need to find information from the passage.
  • Multiple choice questions with three options where you need to select all the correct answers. You will need to compare thoughts and ideas and draw conclusions.
  • Select the correct sentence within the passage which matches the given description
  • Find out the connection between the highlighted sentence and the given options.
  • Find out how the bolded and un-bolded parts of the passage are related.
GRE Reading sample question

Answer Key: Question 1- (E), Question 2- (A) and (C), and Question 3- (the last sentence of the passage)

GRE Text Completion

  • The reading passage of GRE text completion of the verbal section contains one to five sentences.
  • Single blanked questions contain 5 answer choices
  • Double blanked questions contain 3 answer choice
  • Triple blanked questions contain 3 answer choices
  • Only one answer is correct for each blank.
  • You may select the same answer for multiple blanks.
GRE Text sample question

Answer Key: Option A (i), Option E (ii), and Option I (iii).

GRE Sentence Equivalence

  • Sentence Equivalence of GRE Verbal Reasoning comprises only one sentence and one blank.
  • There are six answer options given and you need to select two.
  • If only one option is chosen, you are not given any marks.
GRE sentence equivalence sample question

Answer Key: Choice D and F

GRE Verbal Score

GRE verbal score is reported on a scale of 130-170 with 1 point increment. The average score in GRE verbal is 149.97. In terms of percentile, 80-90% or higher score in GRE verbal is helpful for admission in the renowned colleges in the world.

In the following table check the GMAT score and their equivalent percentiles:

Verbal Score Percentile
130
135 3
140 12
145 27
150 48
155 69
160 86
165 96
170 99

Above 160 GRE verbal scores happens to be the most acceptable scores for the world’s top B-Schools.

How GRE Verbal Score is Calculated?

GRE verbal reasoning is section-level adaptive and the score of verbal contributes equally towards the final GRE score like the score of GRE quant section. To calculate the GRE verbal score, the raw score is the score is first calculated. Raw points are based on the number of correct answers.

This raw score is converted into a scaled score with the help of the ‘equating’ process where the total number of questions, number of correct answers, difficulty level, and accuracy levels are considered.

Obtaining a good score in GRE verbal is necessary for admission to the best B-schools in the world. For this, strong GRE vocabulary strategies will be needed. Along with this, GRE Verbal practice is necessary for in-depth preparation. Along with these, GRE verbal preparation tips can help the candidates to stay one step ahead.

How to score 160 in GRE Verbal Reasoning

GRE Verbal Reasoning Section of GRE General test contributes to half of the total GRE score. GRE Verbal score around 160 is equivalent to 90-95 percentile. You will need to solve GRE verbal practice questions every day to reach your goal. The following are a few GRE Verbal Reasoning techniques:

  • When weighing your options for answer follow the elimination process
  • Solve GRE verbal practice questions rigorously.
  • Increase your GRE vocabulary
  • In text completion, questions do not jump to conclusions just because the words match.
  • When answering GRE sentence equivalence questions, do not assume that synonyms are correct answers because the meaning needs to be the same.
  • When answering reading comprehension, multiple-choice questions, choose your options carefully. Paraphrasing will help you in this part.

GRE Verbal Preparation 

Solving GRE verbal practice tests online helps you in preparation for GRE Verbal. Consult GRE verbal books too. Here are a few GRE English preparation tips:

  • Read English magazines, newspaper articles, and practice paraphrasing.
  • Learn new words and phrases and their meanings every day.
  • Manage your time well: Solve the easy and known questions first.
  • Do not skip any part of the reading passage.
  • If one or more answers are correct in a question, remember to mark all possible answers.
  • After solving official GRE verbal reasoning practice questions, review your mistakes and work on them.
  • Avoid making the same mistakes every time, and you will be good to go.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

GRE updated 2022 : 6 answered questions

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Ques. What is the percentile required to get into ISB Hyderabad?

● Top Answer By Akanksha Sharma on 30 Jan 23

In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile. There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780....Read more

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Ques. Which exam to opt for admission in ISB hyderabad, GMAT or GRE?

● Top Answer By Arvind Verma on 30 Jun 22

ISB Hyderabad accepts both examination scores. So, you can opt for either of GMAT or GRE. Your chances of selection or rejection will remain the same. Go through the examination pattern and syllabus and choose the one in which you feel that you will be able to score better. Ultimately having a good score is what matters during admission. As per the recent trends, ISB Hyderabad cutoff for GMAT is 600, while for GRE it is 311. ...Read more

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Ques. I am an IIT Bhubaneswar 3rd year student looking for a classroom coaching centre for the GRE in Bhubaneswar. Which one is the best to join?

● Top Answer By Suranjana Ghosh on 14 Aug 20

There are a few institutes that offer classroom coaching for GRE preparation in Bhubaneswar. Given below are information about a few such institutes: Offshore Education Academy This institute is a one-stop point for good counseling and preparation of GRE exams in Bhubaneswar. Merit scholarships are given to students who perform well in the online admission test. The minimum time to be devoted will be 4 months although it can be extended to 5 months in case an individual wants more time to prepare. Prajna Prep Prajna Prep offers comprehensive class sessions on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing. You can also take GRE Practice Tests to improve your preparation. Manya-The Princeton Review Manya-The Princeton Review is another excellent choice for GRE preparation. This institute offers different types of GRE courses and you can choose the one which suits you best. There is also an option for learning in groups or in one on one sessions. Besides classroom coaching, self-preparation is also a good option if your current academics are above average....Read more

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Ques. Which exam to opt for admission in ISB hyderabad, GMAT or GRE?

● Top Answer By Dhwani on 30 Jan 23

Of the two entrance exams, GMAT and GRE, the former is a better option. ISB Hyderabad has recently started accepting GRE scores. This doesn’t mean that taking the GRE is a bad idea. Many business schools apart from ISB are now accepting GRE scores. The best part is that ISB won’t be converting your GRE scores to GMAT for comparison during the MBA admissions. GRE is suitable for students who are considering other PG options apart from MBA like MS or MA.  For someone who is sure of their career in an MBA, the GMAT is a better choice because GRE is much more dynamic. GMAT shows your commitment to MBA and thereby increases your chances of admission in comparison to GRE which shows that you are open to various options. ISB Hyderabad prefers GMAT over GRE also because the former is a more quantitatively challenging exam than the latter.  Certain firms may ask for your GMAT score before shortlisting you for your interview. These include the biggest firms in the corporate world like McKinsey So from these points, we can safely conclude that GMAT is a better option for MBA students provided that you are sure of your course....Read more

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Ques. What sort of a GRE score would warrant a call-up from IIM Ahmedabad?

● Top Answer By Deepak Mehta on 12 Dec 22

Firstly, GRE scores are not accepted for the PGP MBA program . Only CAT/GMAT scores are accepted. To apply through the GMAT route you need sufficient work experience in a foreign country. For the FPM program , like any other doctoral program, the quality of the application matters the most and there is no cut-off for the GRE scores . Other factors that are actually considered are Profile Past research Publications There is no specific GRE score that would guarantee a call-up from IIM Ahmedabad....Read more

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