Reading Comprehension Question Types, Strategies, Books, and Samples

    Sayantani Barman Sayantani Barman
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    Reading Comprehension is part of the GMAT Verbal section which consists of a total of 36 questions. There are three to four passages in GMAT Reading Comprehension which have multiple choice questions. Each Reading Comprehension consists of 9-16 comprehension questions. For attempting GMAT reading comprehension, candidates can improve through practice. Any improvement in GMAT reading comprehension is going to require a lot of hours of work. GMAT Passage would include three short passages and one long passage in general. The GMAT Syllabus can be distributed roughly into three common categories including Business, Science, and History. GMAT Online is available for candidates to take GMAT from home for safety measures.

    Table of Contents

    1. GMAT RC Overview 
    2. RC Question Types 
    3. GMAT RC Strategies 
    4. Approach to GMAT RC Questions
    5. GMAT RC Practice Papers 

    GMAT Reading Comprehension Overview 

    Reading Comprehension passages take advantage when students encounter unfamiliar words. It can be a real blow to confidence, making them question whether they can complete the task at hand. Practice can help candidates learn some of the jargon associated with weaker areas. Candidates can also go through GMAT Syllabus to help them understand the exam better. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions. Reading Comprehension passage would require you to do the following:

    1. Understanding the words and statements
    2. Identify the relationships between ideas and concepts logically
    3. Drawing inferences
    4. Pointing out flaws in assumptions and reasoning
    5. Understanding the concepts of quant and follow it in writing

    Reading Comprehension Question Types 

    GMAT Comprehension questions requires candidates to understand the given passage and encounter certain questions. The questions are of the following types which candidates would find while attempting this section:

    1. Main Idea
    2. Supporting ideas and details
    3. Inferences
    4. Out-of-Context
    5. Logical structure and organization
    6. Style and tone

    GMAT Reading Comprehension Strategies 

    The reading comprehension questions on the GMAT are designed to understand, analyze, and apply information and concepts presented in written form. Candidates can follow the below GMAT reading comprehension tips:

    • Understand words and statements provided - Candidates need to summarize the given passage or evaluate the overall purpose in the given passage. Candidates’ response is analyzed in terms of recognising whether they have been able to identify the central theme or idea of the passage without getting into details of the subject.
    • Identify logical relationships between ideas and concepts - The supporting ideas and details in the GMAT reading comprehension passage requires candidates to focus on facts of the passage. The candidates are required to notice the explicit ideas and details within the passage. These questions focus on analyzing how much the candidate is able to understand the words and statements given in the passage.
    • Draw inferences from the passage - GMAT Comprehension based on inference is typically an unwritten conclusion that needs to be true and relevant to the given passage. The inference question type does not require to state explicitly something from the passage. It requires the candidates to answer about what is implied through the statement. Candidates must learn how to derive inference from the passage before answering the question. There are GMAT reading comprehension free pdf download available online for candidates to practise.
    • Point out flaws in assumption and reasoning - Out-of-context questions ask candidates to apply information from the passage to a different context. They often ask to identify a parallel situation or analogous example. These types of GMAT Reading Comprehension examples includes a question type where candidates need to apply information that is not from the passage. Accordingly, from the given passage, candidates need to identify relationships of ideas and find similarity with information that is not in the passage.

    The following examples of the GMAT reading comprehension question could be found in the exam:

    1. The author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about…
    2. The author of the passage would be most likely to disagree with which of the following statements about…
    3. The relationship between…is most similar to which of the following?
    • GMAT RC Logical structure and organization - GMAT Reading Comprehension passages include questions based on the logical structure. Candidates need to analyze the function and purpose of the key elements. These are based on evaluating the purpose of the information given in the passage based on a sentence, a term or a paragraph. The questions which are included in the GMAT RC passage for logical structure type of questions are the following:
    1. The purpose of the last paragraph of the passage is to
    2. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the highlighted sentence?
    3. Which of the following, if true, would most clearly undermine…
    • GMAT Reading Comprehension Style and tone - GMAT Passage includes style questions which require candidates to choose an answer which best suits the author’s opinion from the passage. Candidates need to identify the tone of the author in the passage and accordingly, determine the correct choice of answers. This implies the ability of the candidate to decode the attitude or emotions of the author in the passage.

    Best Book for GMAT Reading Comprehension

    GMAT Reading Comprehension books are considered the best study material for GMAT RC strategy. The following are the best GMAT preparation books for practicing different GMAT passages. These books contains GMAT reading comprehension passages with answers, RC strategy GMAT, and more. 

    There are several books containing GMAT Reading Comprehension questions that the candidates can use like:

    • Manhattan Reading Comprehension GMAT
    • Reading Comprehension GMAT Preparation Guide Manhattan Prep
    • Aristotle GMAT Reading Comprehension
    • GMAT Official Guide 2021 – Check PDF
    • Manhattan Prep GMAT – All the Verbal – Check PDF
    • Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus – Check PDF
    • McGraw Hill’s GMAT Practice Test – Check PDF

    Approach to GMAT Reading Comprehension Questions

    Considering that there are several types of RC questions GMAT which candidates need to answer for which it is important for them to follow effective strategies. Effectively, approaching the GMAT RC passage should include active planning and certain strategies which could be undertaken by the candidates for attempting this section. GMAT Reading Comprehension strategies would help students to enhance their GMAT Preparation. The following GMAT RC strategy can be considered effectively by the candidates:

    1. GMAT Reading Comprehension practise: Considering that GMAT RC passages in which candidates require a bit longer time. Accordingly, candidates need to ensure that they are able to undertake active practice for their GMAT Reading Comprehension
    2. Watch for transition Words and Phrases: candidates can consider focusing on the transition words including cause and effect, agreeing upon the same argument, adding evidence, contrast or opposition, conclusion.
    3. Abbreviate jargon: it is important that candidates are able to abbreviate jargon and make a mental map of their technical term.
    4. Make a Mental Summary: While reading the passages it is important to make a mental summary. Candidates must consider the important points in GMAT RC questions notice the key ideas and find relationships and concepts.

    Read More Reading Comprehension Passage Samples

    GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Papers 

    In order to ace their GMAT Reading Comprehension and achieve a higher GMAT Score, it is important for candidates to undertake that GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice. GMAT RC practice is important for candidates to enhance their abilities in successfully attempting the GMAT RC passages. With the help of the 1000 GMAT RC practice papers it is possible for the candidates to actively prepare for the exam.

      A few GMAT reading comprehension practice free PDFs are given provided below:

      GMAT RC Practice Test 1GMAT RC Practice Test 2
      GMAT RC Practice Test 3GMAT RC Practice Test 4
      GMAT RC Practice Test 5GMAT RC Practice Test 6

      The way to make the most possible improvement in GMAT Reading Comprehension is to use these categories. Candidates can use them to recognize and break down the sources of your current errors and try to continually address those issues. Above all, the most important strategy for approaching the passages is to always read with the main idea in mind. Whether the author is making an argument or simply laying out information, there will always be a main idea that governs the passage’s content and organization. Candidates should use GMAT Practice papers to improve their possibility of a much higher score.

      GMAT 2024 : 27 Answered QuestionsView All

      • Top Answer By Uday Pawar on 30-Jan-2023

      Ans. Generally speaking anything above 750 is a good score for admission to IBS Hyderabad. But even a high GMAT score does not guarantee admission to IBS Hyderabad because the shortlisting is profile-based. GMAT score is just a part of the entire selection process. You need to improvise your profile by working on other aspects also like  essays profile academics extracurricular activities Academics: Your 12th class marks graduation grades, post-graduation, and certification scores along with the GMAT cutoff is considered in your academic profile. Leadership: The leadership skills of the aspirants are tested on the basis of their prior achievements and roles. Personal attributes: This comprises your personal qualities like hobbies, talents, and extracurricular skills. Aspirants from diverse work experiences, cultures, and educational backgrounds are welcomed at IBS Hyderabad. So along with preparing well for GMAT, give importance to these parameters as well to increase your chances of admission. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Akanksha Sharma on 30-Jan-2023

      Ans. In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile. There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Yash Bhati on 30-Jan-2023

      Ans. Yes, it certainly is worth paying a hefty fee of 30k for GMAT coaching at Crack ISB Hyderabad. The quality of trainers and the certainty of admission is what draw the candidates here. While there are many institutes that specialize in training for the CAT, very few institutes offer training for GMAT.  Crack ISB Hyderabad has many features that have made it so popular and demanding among GMAT aspirants The peer group is a productive and effective group discussion is possible The institute gives the admission essay reviews free of cost while most institutes charge around 20-25k The quality of editing is much better at this Institute mainly because the faculty comprises alumni of top B Schools  So it’s better to pay more for quality education than pay less or the same for substandard education. But remember an Institute can just prepare you for your entrance exam. It’s upon you to put in maximum effort and achieve your goals. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Nia Malhotra on 17-May-2021

      Ans. There is hardly any B-school in India that accepts GMAT scores for full-time MBA. IIMs, FMS, XLRI, JBIMS, IIFT, MDI, etc. are some of the institutions that accept GMAT scores.  However, students applying through a foreign national quota or NRI quota are eligible for GMAT score. ISB on the other hand accepts the GMAT for its full-time program MBA program. Here is the list of some B-Schools that accepts GMAT scores in India XLRI, Jamshedpur XIM, Bhubaneswar VIT Business School TISS, Mumbai TERI School of Advanced Sciences, TERI University TASMAC, Pune TAPMI, Manipal School of Management, Udaipur School of Management, NMIMS, Mumbai School of Management, International Institute of Management This is why most students go for CAT, XAT, SNAP, and other management exams for admission in MBA. Only foreign nationals or students with NRI Quota can apply through GMAT. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Bejoy John on 30-Jan-2023

      Ans. Yes, ISB Hyderabad’s PGP program requires a minimum of 2 years of full-time paid work experience. This criteria came into force on 31st March 2016 and is still a necessity. For candidates who lack in this aspect, there is a back door entry called the Early Entry Option or the EEOs. Under this, you can apply right away, go through the selection process, and receive the admission offer but join only after working for 2 years. This can also be referred to as Deferred admission.   Read more

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      • Top Answer By Mahak Nigam on 30-Jun-2022

      Ans. More than 140 Business Schools in India accept GMAT scores. Here is a list of popular B-School that accept GMAT scores. IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX) IIM Bangalore (EPGP) IIM Calcutta (PGPEx) IIM Indore (EPGP) IIM Kozhikode (EPGP) IIM Lucknow (IPMAX) XLRI Jamshedpur MDI Gurgaon IMT Ghaziabad IIFT Delhi FMS Deli ISB Hyderabad/Mohali Many other reputed B-School across the country also accept GMAT scores. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Debadrita Sinha on 10-Feb-2022

      Ans. Very few universities in Canada offer MBA without GMAT scores. They will consider other factors as eligibility criteria such as work experience for selection.  York University’s Schulich of School of Business, McMaster University’s Degroote School of Business are some of the most reputed business schools in Canada that offer MBA without GMAT. Other than these, other universities offering MBA without GMAT are New York Institute of Technology, Thompson Rivers University, Lakehead University, Wilfrid Laurier University.  You have the option to apply for executive MBAs without a GMAT score, too. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Nishant Shouri on 16-Jan-2023

      Ans. IIM Shillong accepts GMAT scores of only for International students for the PGP flagship program The Executive PGP program For International students who are targeting the PGP flagship program, the cutoff is as follows Category  SSC Percentage  HSC percentage  General  80 80 EWS 80 80 DA 50 50 ST 50 50 SC 55 55 So a good GMAT score for an International student is anything above 700. For the Executive program too, a GMAT score of 700+ is a good target. If your profile is average you can target a higher GMAT score. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Aditi Sen on 12-May-2021

      Ans. There are many business schools in India that require GMAT scores at the time of admission. Some of the top business schools with requiring GMAT scores in India are: Institute Name GMAT Score ISB, Hyderabad & Mohali 730 or higher S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai 550 IIM Ahmedabad 711 School of Management, NMIMS Mumbai 600 IIM Bangalore 710 Great Lakes Institute of Management 600 IIM Calcutta 701 XLRI Jamshedpur 710 IIM Lucknow 680 IMT (All campuses) 720 IIM Indore 700 ICFAI Business School (Hyderabad & Mumbai) 700 IIM Kozhikode 700 A few other institutes include - MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, Sunstone Business School Noida, ISB Indore, and more. Read more

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      • Top Answer By Aditya Mahatha on 06-Jan-2023

      Ans. I know this decision is a bit difficult to make. What you need to keep in mind is that these two colleges should not be compared to other great IIMs or even ISBs. Those B Schools are at another level and cannot be on par with Kashipur or Raipur. To facilitate a better decision, I will mention the circumstances of these B Schools then you can choose after considering all options. IIM Indore and IIM Kashipur: Both these colleges are not worth a year drop as they will help you earn only an extra 1.5-2 LPA. Moreover, in the coming years, Kashipur and Raipur will have almost the same brand value as that Indore and Kozhikode. IIM Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow and Bangalore: All these top IIMs are definitely worth a year's drop provided that you are confident enough to cope with the cutoff. All these IIMs consider your academics while selecting so if that is your reason for the year drop I don’t think it will help. There is no surety of admission even after a percentile of 100.  ISB: This one is at a whole different level and is in the category of elite B Schools like UCB, NYU, HBS, etc. The top-notch faculty offers amazing pedagogy at relatively low fees. CAT is sufficient for IIMs. But if you want to go for ISB, a work experience of 4+ years and a GMAT are a must.  Read more

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