The verbal section of the GRE, in particular, can be challenging. So, it’s important to pay more attention to it during the preparation phase, allotting more time and better techniques to get better.
To help you navigate in the right direction and ace the GRE verbal section, here are seven techniques you should practice:
1) Use Context Clues
Context clues are hints in a sentence or passage that can help you determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
By paying attention to the words and phrases surrounding an unfamiliar word, you can often infer its meaning. This will make you a more efficient reader and reduce the time spent looking up definitions.
2) Learn Root Words and Prefixes
By learning root words and prefixes, you can quickly decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Many English words have Latin or Greek roots, and by memorizing these common roots and prefixes, you can improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Resources such as GRE vocabulary flashcards and online vocabulary quizzes can help achieve this.
3) Analyze Sentence Structure
To improve your writing skills and better understand the meaning of a sentence, it’s important to analyze sentence structure.
This involves breaking down complex sentences into their component parts, identifying subordinate clauses, and analyzing their relationships to the main clause.
By understanding the structure of a sentence, you can identify errors and improve your writing skills.
4) Identify the Author’s Purpose and Tone
To become a more sophisticated reader and writer, it’s essential to identify the author’s purpose and tone. This will help you better interpret the meaning of a passage.
Common types of author’s purpose include informing, persuading, entertaining, or describing. Similarly, authors may use a variety of tones, such as serious, sarcastic, or humorous.
By analyzing the author’s purpose and tone, you can become a more effective reader and writer.
5) Practice Active Reading and Note-Taking
Active reading involves actively engaging with a text instead of just reading it passively. When you read actively, you are looking for main ideas, key details, and supporting evidence.You can improve your active reading skills by underlining or highlighting important passages, taking notes, and summarizing the text in your own words.
By taking an active approach to reading, you will improve your comprehension and retention of information.
6) Improve your Time Management Skills
To achieve a good score on the GRE, it’s essential to manage your time effectively. When you start the exam, carefully read the instructions and allocate your time accordingly.
In the verbal section, don’t spend too much time on a single question. If you’re unsure about an answer, skip it and come back to it later.
This will ensure you have enough time to answer all the questions and improve your chances of achieving a good score.
7) Read Widely
The more you read, the more your verbal skills will improve. Reading widely will expose you to a variety of writing styles, authors, and genres.
This will improve your vocabulary, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Make it a habit to read articles, newspapers, and books regularly.
This will not only help you prepare for the GRE but also enrich your knowledge and understanding of the world.
Need Help?
The verbal section of the GRE can be challenging, but by applying these analytical techniques, you can ace it.
If you still need help, sign up for the GRE program or course and get personal assistance from experienced tutors. They can help you better prepare for the GRE, as well as help with different parts of planning to study abroad.
