Strategies for Aligning Sentence Correction and Critical Reasoning Skills in GMAT Preparation

Achieving a high score on the GMAT Verbal section, particularly in sentence correction and critical reasoning, is critical for a competitive edge in business school admissions. If you are aiming to improve your GMAT Verbal performance or need strategies to boost your scores, this guide will provide you with actionable tips and resources.

Introduction to the Importance of GMAT Verbal Reasoning

Business schools heavily rely on GMAT Verbal scores to gauge a candidate's abilities in critical thinking, logical reasoning, and written communication. Your performance in the Verbal section directly impacts your overall GMAT score, which is a crucial factor in the admissions process. Therefore, honing your skills in sentence correction and critical reasoning is essential.

Section 1: Sentence Correction

Sentence correction questions on the GMAT test your ability to recognize and correct errors in sentence structure, grammar, and style. Mastering the rules of sentence correction can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and resources, you can significantly improve your skills.

Tackling Sentence Correction

1. Choose the Right Resources:

Consider purchasing books from reputable publishers such as MGMAT SC, PowerScore SC, or VeritasPrep SC. MGMAT SC and PowerScore SC have a high degree of similarity, so it's usually recommended to stick with one. VeritasPrep SC and the Kaplan Verbal Workbook can provide additional practice if needed. For a more targeted approach, you can use VerbalHub, which offers specific practice based on the foundations of sentence correction and individual section strategies.

2. Brush Up on Grammar:

If you are not well-versed in formal standard English, you should strengthen your understanding of English grammar. Some recommended resources include:

GMAT Club's Grammar Book MGMAT Verbal Foundations: Doing Grammar Kaplan Verbal Foundations

3. Practice, Practice, Practice:

Regular practice is key to improving your sentence correction skills. Engage in exercises that cover various grammar topics, including modifiers, comparison, tenses, and parallelism. Utilize VerbalHub for targeted practice and feedback. Reinforce your learning through practice questions and sectional tests.

Section 2: Critical Reasoning

Critical reasoning questions on the GMAT assess your ability to analyze logical arguments, identify assumptions, and evaluate evidence. Effective preparation requires a structured approach and consistent practice.

Mastering Critical Reasoning

1. Adopt the Official Strategy:

It is crucial to follow the specific strategies and directions provided in official GMAT books, such as those from Manhattan Prep and PowerScore. Attempting to answer questions without understanding the proper approach can be misleading and counterproductive.

2. Practice with Real Questions:

Finish your prep with practice from the official GMAT guide or GMATPrep questions. These are the most authentic and reliable sources for critical reasoning practice.

3. Understand the Underlying Logical Structures:

Focus on understanding the structure and flow of the arguments in the questions. The ability to identify underlying assumptions and logical fallacies is key to success in critical reasoning.

Conclusion

Preparing for the GMAT Verbal section, especially in sentence correction and critical reasoning, is an achievable goal with the right strategies. Every practice question and technique you master brings you closer to your objective. Moreover, there is no ceiling on your GMAT Verbal score, and your performance in this section is uncapped. By following the strategies outlined in this guide and utilizing the recommended resources, you can build the necessary skills to achieve your desired score.

Tips for Preparation

Sentence Correction:

Intended meaning plus standard writing grammar and precision. Focus on intended meaning first, then standard writing grammar and precision.

Critical Reasoning:

Understanding of argument is everything, as all lies in the argument. Logic and structure of the argument are crucial. Practice and repetition are key to improvement.

Reading Comprehension:

Ability to get the meaning, guess the hidden meaning, and implement the meaning. Improve your reading technique for better comprehension.