How do I increase the verbal score in GMAT?
There are two things to consider to enhance score in GMAT verbal section
- Knowledge and approach
- Time pressure
Knowledge and approach: To score high in GMAT, a student needs to have an optimum knowledge of concepts tested in GMAT Verbal section. I said optimal knowledge because more knowledge creates confusion. To succeed in GMAT test, a student has to take quick decisions because of time constraints. A cluttered mind does not help. The mantra is to work with optimum information.
Once a student has gained optimum knowledge, the next step is to follow right approach. In a time bound test that GMAT is, elimination based approach is more effective. It gives an edge to your performance and is known to improve your GMAT score remarkably. So, instead of seeking the correct option, eliminate the wrong to arrive at the right.
Time pressure:
Most students struggle to perform well in time pressure. A student assumes that he has to get all questions right in verbal section to score high. To attempt all questions a student compromises on accuracy and gets questions wrong at continuous intervals. If a student gets questions wrong at continuous intervals he will never score high in GMAT. Rather than rushing to complete the section, if a student focuses on accuracy and aims to get 100% accuracy, he will score high even if a student gets 27–28 questions correct out of 36 questions. So, the best way to handle time pressure is
- Out of 65 minutes allotted for verbal section, do not look at the clock for 60 minutes
- In 60 minutes, try to attempt 27–30 questions
- Out of 27–30 questions, try to get at least 90% accuracy. In verbal section, accuracy goes up if we invest more time per question
- In the remaining 5 minutes, complete the section by marking any option for the remaining questions.