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GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips Tricks and Strategies
GMAT reading comprehension tips include learning how to speed-read. Get your words per minute around 400, without sacrificing comprehension. In GMAT RC you will have to encounter about three or four reading comprehension passages, each with three to four multiple-choice questions associated with it. So that makes for 9-16 reading comprehension questions, or roughly one-third of the GMAT Verbal section includes reading comprehension. In the reading comprehension questions on the GMAT you’ll need to:
- Understand words and statements
- Identify logical relationships between ideas and concepts
- Draw inferences
- Point out flaws in assumption and reasoning
- Understand and follow quant concepts as presented in writing
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Tips and Tricks for GMAT Reading Comprehension
GMAT Reading Comprehension Test needs proper practice. Few preparation tips for GMAT Reading Comprehension that will ace your score are as follows:
Here we share some tips to improve reading comprehension GMAT so that you are all set to answer the questions at the end.
The tips for reading comprehension GMAT include that when you sit down to read a passage you must set a time limit, the initial read-through should not be more than 2 or 3 minutes. When you are reading the passage try to take some short notes.
In the initial read-through, you must be able to infer the central idea of the passage.
The next step is to understand the purpose of each paragraph in the passage. Each paragraph will usually have a distinct purpose or message which can be found in the first or second sentence of the paragraph.
This will also help you make a mental picture of the main point in each paragraph. This will be of great help when you are reading the questions because you will know where you can find the answers.
Make it a habit to take notes with abbreviations. Remember the point of taking notes is to just remind yourself of the main points so that you can answer the questions. You will not come back to the passage in the future, so you do not require detailed notes.
One of the major difficulties of GMAT reading comprehension is the options of each question appear identical at a glance. So, the candidates are advised to read all the answer choices given so that they can eliminate choices easily.
Transition words track the relationship among ideas—as well as among the bits of reasoning and evidence that support or negate them. There are five main categories of transition words that you should know and recognize for the GMAT:
- Cause-and-effect: words like “consequently,” “because,” and “thus” and phrases like “as a result.”
- Agreeing/further expounding upon the same argument: words like “similarly” and “furthermore” and phrases like “in addition.”
- Adding evidence: phrases like “for instance” and “in fact.”
- Contrast or opposition: words like “yet,” “however,” and “nevertheless” and phrases like “on the other hand” or “in reality.”
- Conclusion: Phrases like “all in all” and “in essence,” indicate what the author is about, to sum up, or conclude their point. “Thus” can sometimes be used as a conclusion word as well.
Paying close attention to these words will help you follow the logical progression of a passage as you’re reading.
Sometimes a passage will contain multiple viewpoints—the viewpoint of the author and a viewpoint he/she disagrees with, multiple disparate viewpoints that the author is trying to mediate, etc. Mark and make notes as there will almost be a question or two that tests your ability to distinguish, compare, or apply the different viewpoints presented. So these viewpoints should be a part of your note-making if they’re there, they’re there for a reason.
GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips for Answering the Questions
Now that we’ve discussed how to approach reading the passages, let’s get into how to attack Reading Comprehension GMAT questions themselves. Here are a few GMAT preparation tips to remember while dealing with the reading section:
Make Sure You Answer the Question Being Asked
The GMAT loves to give you answer options that are factually correct given the information in the passage but which don’t answer the question being asked.
For instance, if the question is asking you to identify an “assumption” behind a particular statement, the answer isn’t going to be something explicitly laid out in the passage. Likewise, if you’re being asked to identify a “main idea,” it’s not going to be a piece of supporting evidence.
Stick to Your Point
When answering a factual question, keep in mind that they are the most straightforward kind of question. The “right” answer should always be 100% supportable by the passage alone.
Read All the Answer Choices and Use Process of Elimination
Getting rid of wrong answers is an integral part of the process of getting the right answer. Even if you’re absolutely 100% sure of your chosen answer, you should always take the time to briefly check the other options and make sure you can discount them before moving on.
Familiarize Yourself with Incorrect Answer Types
In your test prep, don’t just find the right answer and move on: practice asking yourself why the other answer options are incorrect. You’ll start to see patterns in the wrong answers that are given, including:
- Too broad: In main idea questions especially, you’ll need to watch out for answer options that take the main idea of the passage just a little bit too far. Sometimes this can hinge on a single word: something like “all,” “never,” or “every” that makes it too extreme of a statement given what’s in the passage.
- Too narrow: A cousin of “too broad,” the “too narrow” answer options might get at a specific detail but not the main idea, making them incorrect answer GMAT reading comprehension for the main idea question.
- Reversed causal or temporal relationship: Some answer options will “flip” a relationship. They’ll say that B caused A when the passage states that A caused B, or they’ll say something came first in the process when it came later on.
- Not supported by the passage: The easiest to eliminate, these answer options bring in information or ideas that weren’t mentioned at all in the passage.
- Supported by the passage but doesn’t answer the question being asked: As we said above, this is a very common wrong answer type, which is why it’s so important to make sure you fully understand what the question is asking before picking an answer. “Too narrow” falls into this broader category, but there are other kinds of decoy answer options that come up as well: options that are too much inference for a detailed question, options that are too explicit for an inference question, and so on.
Best Book for GMAT Reading Comprehension
There is a huge number of GMAT books in the market. We are here to help you with some books that will enhance your score with GMAT reading comprehension tips and tricks and practice you learn GMAT reading comprehension strategies and shortcuts:
- Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus
- Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides
- The Official Guide for GMAT Review- Check PDF
- Beyond the MBA Hype
GMAT 2024 : 27 Answered QuestionsView All
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College
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