The GRE Verbal Reasoning section is one of the most misunderstood parts of the entire exam. Many students assume that being a strong English reader is enough but that assumption costs them precious points on test day. Whether you're preparing for GRE Verbal independently or working with a GRE tutor, understanding exactly what to do — and what to avoid — can be the difference between an average score and an exceptional one.
This guide breaks down the essential do's and don'ts for the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section, covering every major question type so you walk into exam day fully prepared.
Understanding the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section
Before diving into strategy, let's establish the basics. The GRE Verbal Reasoning Section contains 27 questions and tests three core question types:
- Text Completion Questions — Fill in the blanks within a passage using the most contextually appropriate word or phrase.
- Sentence Equivalence Questions — Choose two answer choices from six options that both logically complete a sentence and produce sentences similar in meaning.
- Reading Comprehension Questions — Analyze reading comprehension passages and answer questions about meaning, structure, tone, and argument.
Strong GRE Verbal Scores require mastery across all three. Let's look at the do's and don'ts for each.
THE DO'S
1. DO Read the Entire Passage Before Answering
When tackling GRE Reading Comprehension, always invest time in reading the passage fully before jumping to the questions. Skimming may seem efficient, but the GRE is designed to reward genuine comprehension. Reading comprehension passages on the GRE are dense and argument-driven — missing a key transition or qualifier can completely change your interpretation.
A good GRE tutor will always tell you: understand the author's purpose first, then tackle the questions.
2. DO Focus on Keywords in Text Completion Questions
For text completion questions, the sentence almost always contains a structural clue — a contrast word like however, despite, or although, or a supporting word like furthermore or consequently. These keywords tell you the direction the blank should take. Train yourself to spot them instinctively during GRE Verbal Practice.
3. DO Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices First
On multiple choice questions, use process of elimination aggressively. Even if you're unsure of the correct answer, ruling out two or three clearly wrong answer choices significantly improves your odds. This is especially valuable under time pressure.
4. DO Treat Sentence Equivalence Questions as Pairs
Sentence equivalence questions are unique — you must select two answers that both complete the sentence and create sentences with equivalent meanings. Don't just look for words that fit individually. Ask yourself: do these two words produce sentences that mean roughly the same thing? If not, keep looking. Practicing sentence equivalence and text completions regularly is the fastest way to build this instinct.
*Also Read: *Why Students Choose The Princeton Review for GRE Preparation
5. DO Build Your Vocabulary Consistently
The GRE uses sophisticated, often archaic vocabulary across text completion questions, sentence equivalence questions, and even reading comprehension passages. Dedicate time daily to learning high-frequency GRE words in context. Reading articles from publications like The Economist, The Atlantic, or Scientific American is one of the most natural ways to absorb advanced vocabulary while sharpening your GRE Reading Comprehension skills simultaneously.
6. DO Practice the "Select in Passage" Question Type
The Select in Passage question asks you to click on a specific sentence within the passage that answers a given question. This question type rewards careful, active reading. Highlight sentences that express the main idea, offer evidence, or signal a shift in argument as you read — they are frequent targets for Select in Passage questions.
7. DO Work With a GRE Tutor for Personalized Feedback
One of the most effective ways to improve your GRE Verbal score is working with an experienced GRE tutor. A qualified tutor identifies your specific weak points — whether it's reading comprehension questions, vocabulary gaps, or time management — and builds a targeted plan around them. Generic self-study rarely addresses individual blind spots the way one-on-one coaching does.
❌ THE DON'TS
1. DON'T Rely on "What Sounds Right"
The GRE is designed to trap test-takers who rely on intuition. Answer choices are carefully crafted to feel correct even when they're wrong. For every question, ask yourself: does this answer actually answer the question based on what the passage or sentence says? — not just what feels natural.
2. DON'T Ignore the Passage Structure
Many students dive straight into reading comprehension questions without noticing how the passage is structured. Is the author presenting an argument? Comparing two viewpoints? Describing a historical event? Understanding the structure instantly makes reading comprehension passages easier to navigate and the questions easier to answer.
3. DON'T Spend Too Long on One Question
Time management is critical in the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section. If a question — particularly a long reading comprehension passage — is taking too long, mark it and move on. Return to it if time permits. Losing three questions because you spent eight minutes on one is a costly mistake.
4. DON'T Try to Memorize Answers from Practice Tests
During GRE Verbal Practice, the goal is to understand why the correct answer is correct — not to memorize it. Re-doing practice questions without reviewing your reasoning builds false confidence. After every practice session, review every question you got wrong and identify the exact reasoning error.
5. DON'T Neglect Any of the Three Question Types
Students often gravitate toward text completion questions or sentence equivalence and text completions because they feel shorter and more manageable. But reading comprehension questions carry significant weight in determining your GRE Verbal Scores. Neglecting any question type leaves points on the table.
6. DON'T Skip Regular Full-Length Practice Tests
Isolated question drills are useful, but they don't prepare you for the mental stamina the full exam demands. Regularly taking timed, full-length GRE Verbal Practice sessions under real exam conditions is non-negotiable if you want consistently strong GRE Verbal Scores.
Final Word: The Right Guidance Makes All the Difference
Preparing for GRE Verbal is a skill — and like any skill, it improves dramatically with the right instruction, consistent practice, and expert feedback.
At The Princeton Review Singapore, our certified GRE tutors work with students across all question types, from fill in the blanks to complex reading comprehension passages, using proven strategies developed over 40+ years of global test prep experience.
Whether you choose our Live Online classes, In-Person coaching, or 1-on-1 private GRE tutor sessions, we provide everything you need to improve your GRE Verbal score and walk into test day with total confidence.
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