Master the GRE Verbal Section: Top Tips for Indian Students

By Sanket Gupte•2024

Hi, my name is Sanket Gupte, currently pursuing my PhD at Stanford University. I completed my undergraduate studies at BITS Goa and actively write on LinkedIn to help aspiring graduate students and computer scientists navigate their academic journey.

Mastering the GRE Verbal Section

Mastering the GRE Verbal Section

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a critical component of the graduate school application process for Indian students aspiring to study abroad. While many Indian students excel in the Quantitative Reasoning section, the Verbal Reasoning section can be a bit more challenging. In this article, we'll focus on providing concrete tips and examples to help you conquer the GRE Verbal section with confidence.

While I have tried to articulate everything based on my experience and observations, I understand that individual experiences can vary significantly. If you want to connect for any doubts or have questions about graduate studies, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: The opinions and suggestions mentioned in the article are those of the author based upon his experience and observations in graduate education. The article is not meant to endorse any specific university, program, or career path.

1. Strengthen Your Vocabulary

A robust vocabulary is essential to ace the GRE Verbal section. Start by familiarizing yourself with common GRE words, using resources such as the Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards or the Barron's GRE Word List.

Tip: Create a personal vocabulary journal to jot down new words, their meanings, and example sentences. Review this journal regularly to reinforce your learning.

Example: "The judge's verdict was equitable, ensuring that both parties received fair treatment."

Vocabulary Building Strategy:

  • Learn 20-30 new words daily
  • Use spaced repetition techniques
  • Create word associations and mnemonics
  • Practice using words in context
  • Review regularly to retain knowledge

Recommended Resources:

  • Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards
  • Barron's GRE Word List
  • Manhattan Prep GRE Vocabulary
  • ETS Official GRE Vocabulary

2. Read Actively and Widely

To enhance your reading comprehension skills, immerse yourself in diverse reading materials, such as newspapers, magazines, and books from various genres.

Tip: As you read, practice active reading techniques, like summarizing the main idea, identifying supporting details, and recognizing the author's tone and purpose.

Example: After reading a newspaper article, try summarizing the main points and consider the author's perspective on the topic.

Active Reading Techniques:

  • Summarize paragraphs in your own words
  • Identify the main idea and supporting details
  • Recognize the author's tone and purpose
  • Look for logical connections between ideas
  • Practice with diverse reading materials

Reading Materials:

  • The Economist
  • Scientific American
  • The New York Times
  • Academic journals
  • Literary works

3. Practice Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Develop your ability to paraphrase and summarize complex text, a crucial skill for tackling the Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions.

Tip: Choose a paragraph from a challenging text, and try to rewrite it in your own words while retaining its original meaning.

Example:

Original text: "The proliferation of technology has led to a rapid increase in the amount of electronic waste generated worldwide."

Paraphrase: "The growth of technology has caused a swift rise in the volume of e-waste produced globally."

Paraphrasing Practice:

  • Read complex paragraphs
  • Rewrite in simpler terms
  • Maintain the original meaning
  • Use different sentence structures
  • Practice with academic texts

4. Familiarize Yourself with Idiomatic Expressions

English idioms can be confusing for non-native speakers. Learn common idiomatic expressions to avoid misunderstandings in the Verbal section.

Tip: Regularly review idioms and their meanings. Incorporate them into your daily conversations to reinforce your learning.

Example: "Break a leg" is an idiomatic expression that means "good luck."

Common GRE Idioms:

  • "Break the ice" - to initiate conversation
  • "Hit the nail on the head" - to be exactly right
  • "Piece of cake" - something very easy
  • "Spill the beans" - to reveal a secret
  • "Under the weather" - feeling unwell

Learning Strategy:

  • Create an idiom journal
  • Practice using idioms in sentences
  • Read materials with idiomatic expressions
  • Watch English movies and TV shows

5. Master Sentence Structure and Grammar

A strong foundation in grammar and sentence structure is vital for tackling Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions.

Tip: Review English grammar rules and practice identifying grammatical errors in sentences. Websites like Khan Academy and Grammarly offer excellent resources for improving your grammar skills.

Example:

Correct: "The students, tired from a long day, were eager to return home."

Incorrect: "The students tired from a long day was eager to return home."

Grammar Focus Areas:

  • Subject-verb agreement
  • Pronoun usage
  • Parallel structure
  • Modifier placement
  • Verb tenses

Practice Resources:

  • Khan Academy Grammar
  • Grammarly
  • ETS Official GRE materials
  • Manhattan Prep Grammar guides

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

Finally, regular practice is the key to success. Use GRE prep materials, online resources, and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the test format and identify areas that require improvement.

Tip: Take timed practice tests to simulate the actual exam conditions and build your test-taking stamina.

Example: Allocate 30 minutes to complete a GRE Verbal practice test without interruptions.

Practice Schedule:

  • Daily vocabulary practice (30 minutes)
  • Reading comprehension practice (45 minutes)
  • Full-length practice tests (weekly)
  • Review and analysis of mistakes

Practice Materials:

  • ETS Official GRE materials
  • Manhattan Prep practice tests
  • Magoosh GRE prep
  • Kaplan GRE practice tests

7. Test-Taking Strategies

Time Management:

  • Allocate 1.5 minutes per question
  • Skip difficult questions and return later
  • Use process of elimination
  • Don't spend too much time on any single question

Question-Specific Strategies:

  • Text Completion: Read the entire sentence first
  • Sentence Equivalence: Look for words with similar meanings
  • Reading Comprehension: Read questions before the passage
  • Critical Reasoning: Identify the argument's structure

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vocabulary Mistakes:

  • Memorizing words without understanding context
  • Not reviewing learned words regularly
  • Focusing only on difficult words

Reading Comprehension Mistakes:

  • Reading too quickly and missing details
  • Not understanding the author's tone
  • Making assumptions not supported by the text

Grammar Mistakes:

  • Ignoring subject-verb agreement
  • Misusing pronouns
  • Incorrect modifier placement

Conclusion

Conquering the GRE Verbal section as an Indian student requires dedication, practice, and a strategic approach. By following these tips and diligently working on improving your language skills, you'll be well-prepared to ace the Verbal section and pursue your dream of studying abroad.

Remember, consistent practice and a systematic approach are key to success. Good luck!

If you found this article helpful, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights on graduate education and career development in STEM fields.