GMAT Advance Verbal Strategy Notes
Author: Brian Galvin
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Language: English
Category : GMAT
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Here's a comprehensive GMAT Advanced Verbal Strategy Guide, covering Sentence Correction (SC), Critical Reasoning (CR), and Reading Comprehension (RC).
Contents
GMAT Advanced Verbal Strategy Notes
1. Sentence Correction (SC) Strategies
Core Grammar Rules to Master
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Subject-Verb Agreement
- Identify the true subject (watch out for intervening phrases).
- Be cautious with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and compound subjects.
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Modifiers & Parallelism
- Misplaced Modifiers: Ensure the modifier is placed next to what it modifies.
- Dangling Modifiers: Ensure the subject of the modifier is explicitly mentioned.
- Parallelism: Maintain parallel structure in lists, comparisons, and paired structures (either/or, not only/but also).
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Verb Tense & Sequence
- Use simple past for completed actions.
- Use present perfect for actions continuing into the present.
- Ensure logical sequence of tenses in conditional and hypothetical constructions.
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Pronoun Clarity & Agreement
- Pronouns must have a clear and logical antecedent.
- Watch out for ambiguous pronouns (e.g., "it," "they") and ensure agreement in number.
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Idioms & Usage
- Be familiar with GMAT-specific idioms. Examples:
- Prefer X to Y (not "Prefer X over Y")
- Not only X but also Y (not "Not only X but Y also")
- Regard X as Y (not "Regard X to be Y")
- Be familiar with GMAT-specific idioms. Examples:
Advanced SC Strategies
- Eliminate wrong answer choices aggressively based on non-essential elements.
- Shorter is better, unless meaning is compromised.
- Focus on meaning, not just grammar. Ambiguous or illogical sentences are incorrect.
2. Critical Reasoning (CR) Strategies
Types of CR Questions & How to Approach Them
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Strengthen
- Find a fact that makes the conclusion more likely to be true.
- Look for causal arguments—correct answers often eliminate alternative causes.
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Weaken
- Find a fact that undermines the assumption or conclusion.
- Attack causal arguments by providing alternative explanations.
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Assumption
- Identify the unstated belief required for the argument to work.
- Use the Negation Test: If negating the assumption destroys the argument, it's correct.
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Inference
- Choose an answer that must be true based on the passage.
- Avoid extreme wording ("always," "never") unless explicitly supported.
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Evaluate the Argument
- Look for an answer that helps determine the argument’s strength.
- Correct answers typically ask for missing information.
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Paradox / Explain the Discrepancy
- Find an answer that reconciles two seemingly contradictory facts.
- Answers often provide a hidden distinction or new piece of information.
Advanced CR Strategies
- Identify argument structure: Premise, Conclusion, Assumption.
- Use prephrasing: Predict what the right answer should say before looking at choices.
- Beware of scope shifts: The answer must align with the argument’s scope.
- Eliminate extreme or irrelevant choices.
3. Reading Comprehension (RC) Strategies
Reading Strategy
- Read for structure, not details.
- Identify the main idea, author’s tone, and purpose.
- Focus on first and last sentences of each paragraph for organization clues.
- Watch for contrast words (however, but, yet) that indicate argument shifts.
Types of RC Questions & How to Solve Them
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Main Idea
- Summarize the passage in one sentence.
- Avoid answer choices that are too narrow or too broad.
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Detail-Based
- The answer must be explicitly stated in the passage.
- Use keyword scanning to locate the relevant section.
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Inference
- Choose the answer that must be true, not just one that is possibly true.
- Avoid extreme wording unless justified by the passage.
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Tone / Function of a Paragraph
- Identify the author’s attitude: Neutral? Supportive? Critical?
- Look for descriptive, persuasive, or analytical tones.
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Application / Strengthen / Weaken
- Treat these like CR questions—focus on argument structure.
- Ensure the answer choice aligns with passage logic.
Advanced RC Strategies
- Skim strategically: Read for structure, not minor details.
- Predict before looking at choices: Keeps you from being trapped by wrong answers.
- Answer in your own words first, then match to an answer choice.
Final GMAT Verbal Tips
- Practice with official GMAT questions (GMAT Official Guide, GMAT Club).
- Time management:
- SC: ~60 sec/question
- CR: ~90 sec/question
- RC: ~2-3 min to read, ~60-90 sec per question
- Eliminate aggressively—incorrect answers are often extreme, off-topic, or distort meaning.
- Trust the process: If two choices seem good, analyze which is clearer and more logical.
Would you like a more detailed breakdown for any section?