How do you prepare for GRE verbal reasoning?

Question

Jhanvi S. Kumar · Accepted Answer

Preparing well in GRE Verbal starts with the ETS Official GRE Verbal Practice Book. It includes real questions and explains how each type works, especially reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. These are the three key areas that appear on the test and can be tricky without the right approach.
Many students find it helpful to read short articles from trusted sites like The New York Times or The Economist for daily practice. For vocabulary, tools like Magoosh&rsquo;s free vocab flashcards or Quizlet word decks are easy to follow and help build a strong word list. These are best used for 15&ndash;20 minutes each day.
By solving one Verbal practice section every 2&ndash;3 days and reviewing your mistakes carefully, you can see steady improvement. You don&rsquo;t need too many resources, just 2&ndash;3 good ones and a clear routine. With regular effort, reaching a 160+ Verbal score is possible, just like many applicants do at the schools mentioned above.

Hema A · Answer

Verbal Reasoning on the GRE checks how well you understand complex English, not just how many words you know. The best way to prepare is by working on two things: strong reading skills and knowing how words behave in real sentences.
You can start with the official GRE Verbal Practice Book from ETS. It includes real GRE-style questions and shows how answers are structured. They also explain why certain answers are wrong, which helps you avoid those traps in the exam.
It&rsquo;s also smart to build your vocabulary slowly and in context. Magoosh&rsquo;s free word lists or Barron&rsquo;s 333 High-Frequency Words are trusted by many. But just reading words isn't enough&mdash;you need to use them in sentences or test them with flashcards daily. Apps like Quizlet or Magoosh Flashcards work really well for this.
Daily reading helps the most. Reading newspapers like The Hindu or New York Times will make you comfortable with long and tricky paragraphs. It also builds your focus, which is key for the Verbal section.

V Ritik · Answer

The best way to start your GRE  preparation for verbal reasoning is by using ETS&rsquo;s official GRE Verbal guide. It covers reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence which are the three key areas of the Verbal section. These question types test how well you understand arguments, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
For vocabulary building, tools like Quizlet or the Magoosh GRE Vocabulary App can help you learn 10&ndash;15 new words daily. Reading editorials from newspapers like The Economist or The New York Times also builds comprehension over time. Always practice with official ETS material to stay close to the real test pattern.
Once your basics are clear, take a full-length verbal mock every week to test your speed and accuracy. The goal should be not just to memorize words, but to understand how they work in context, that&rsquo;s what schools like MIT and Yale look for when reviewing scores.

Mansih K · Answer

Improving your GRE Verbal score starts with one thing: building strong reading and vocabulary habits. You&rsquo;ll face long passages, tricky sentence equivalence, and text completion questions that test how well you understand words in context.
Your first step should be downloading the ETS Official Verbal Reasoning Practice Book. It includes real sample questions and detailed explanations perfect for beginners and advanced learners alike. Stick to official ETS material in the beginning because it matches the test format exactly.
Once you&rsquo;ve understood the question types, focus on vocabulary. Use reliable word lists like the Magoosh 1000 or Barron&rsquo;s high-frequency words. But don&rsquo;t just memorize, learn how each word fits into a sentence. Apps like Quizlet or Magoosh Flashcards are helpful here.
Finally, make reading a daily habit. Pick editorials from newspapers like The Hindu, New York Times, or magazines like The Economist. This will train you to read complex sentences and build comprehension speed, something GRE Verbal requires.