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Content Curator | Updated On - Feb 12, 2024

GMAT Reading Comprehension is part of the GMAT Verbal section, which consists of 36 questions. In the GMAT Reading Comprehension section, there are three to four passages with multiple choice problems. There are 9–16 comprehension questions in each Reading Comprehension. You can become better via practise when taking the GMAT reading comprehension section. It will take several hours of practise to improve one's GMAT reading comprehension.

GMAT Reading Comprehension is one of the most important aspects of the GMAT exam, but also one of the most misunderstood. In general, the GMAT section would consist of three short passages and one long passage. Business, Science, and History are the three broad divisions into which the GMAT Syllabus can be generally divided. For added security, candidates can take the GMAT online from their homes.

GMAT Reading Comprehension can be improved through practice and required a lot of hours of work. The three common catagories include Business, Science, and History. You will encounter unfamiliar words and hence, improving your vocabulary is important. Practice can help you learn some of the jargon associated with the weaker areas and hence bringing improvement. 

Types of GMAT RC

There are a total of three different types of GMAT Reading passages which may be short or long comprehensions. Students have to complete these passages within time by answering the questions that follow. Solving passages doesn't require any extra knowledge of the candidate and GMAT Reading Comprehension time is ample to solve the section. Applicants can opt for MBA in USA without GMAT if scores are not appropriate. The following chart shows the types of passages included in GMAT Verbal reasoning:

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GMAT Reading Comprehension Questions Type

There are six different types of questions given in the GMAT Reading Comprehension. The type of answer required for each of these question types is different within GMAT Reading Comprehension articles. This will help with understanding of GMAT Reading Comprehension time per question. Understanding GMAT exam pattern is crucial as it allows applicants to consider MBA in USA. Following are the details for GMAT Reading Comprehension question type along with examples:

  • Tone
    These questions demand an understanding about the writer's intentions of using certain words and phrases. These questions often contain words like 'tone', 'style', 'feeling' etc.
    Example: which of the following options best describe the tone of the passage 2?
    The author's attitude towards women empowerment can be best described as which of the following?
  • Details
    These questions are based on important details and information mentioned in the reading passages. These questions might include dates, names, places and more.
    Example: when was the first time Author started researching plants?
    Where was the antidote for the poison discovered by the author?
  • Main Ideas
    The main idea type question is based on an overall understanding and interpretation of the GMAT Reading passage. These types of questions might contain words like main idea, thesis, summary etc.
    Example: What is the main idea of the passage?
    The passage 2 summarizes which of the following topics?
  • Structure
    Structure type questions deal with the who, where, what, how and when. These questions are based on the roles performed by certain subjects in the passage.
    Example: The author explains the volcano effects primarily in order to?
    Which of the following functions is related to passage 3?
  • Outside of the Box
    These types of questions relate the information provided in the GMAT Reading passage and ask about the similarity related to outside of the passage. The question statement contains words like 'similarity', 'same meaning' etc.
    Example: The relationship of trees and flood in the passage is similar to the relationship of which of the following?
    The word 'Go through' means the same as in the paragraph in which of the following sentences?
  • Inference
    These question types ask for conclusion or interpretation of the passage or certain lines of the GMAT Reading comprehensions. These questions contain words like implies, inferred, concluded etc.
    Example: it can be inferred from the passage that which of the following is a correct statement about volcano eruptions?
    According to the passage, which of the following conclusions is most common after a volcano eruption?

GMAT Reading Comprehension Scoring

The scoring of GMAT Verbal reasoning is done on a scale of 6 to 51. These scores also include the scores of the reading comprehension section of GMAT. The GMAT scores depend upon the Questions that are asked based on the passage. Post acquiring appropriate GMAT scores, applicants are required  get study visa for respective countries like; Study in UK. Following factors determine the scores of GMAT Reading passage:

  • Total number of correct answers
  • Understanding of the relationship between facts and concepts
  • Drawn out conclusions from the passage
  • Understanding of the written English

GMAT Reading Comprehension Strategy

The time limit for verbal reasoning in GMAT exam pattern is limited which makes it difficult for students to solve Reading comprehensions. Students must follow GMAT RC strategy to effectively answer the questions of Reading passages. The basic strategy which help students in GMAT reading comprehension is given below:

  • While reading GMAT Reading Comprehension, do not memorize anything. Try to memorize the location of the information.
  • Skim the passage. Read the first and last lines of the passages and read the conclusion.
  • Understand the main idea and purpose of the passage
  • Divide the time for each passage.
  • Understand the questions and then answer. Avoid answering questions based on a few specific similar words in the question and passage.
  • Interpret the relationship between the time of the author and the words.

GMAT Reading Comprehension Tips 

There are several GMAT tips and tricks which help students to score high on GMAT Reading Comprehension. GMAT Reading Comprehension example are crucial when undertaking GMAT reading comprehension practice. Reading comprehension of GMAT requires certain specific skills of candidates to solve the questions provided along with the passages. Appropriate GMAT scores are necessary for MBA scholarships in UK. Following are a few tips which help in solving GMAT Reading Comprehension:

  • Solve GMAT reading comprehension practice free available on reading comprehension GMATclub
  • Read about different topics and understand the question types.
  • Do not read fast but understand the information given in passage in a short time duration.
  • Read the questions carefully.
  • Take help from GMAT RC Book
  • Search for the meaning of words which are unfamiliar
  • While practicing, highlight the important information.

GMAT Reading Comprehension Study Resources

There are several online resources available for GMAT Reading Comprehension preparation. GMATclub reading comprehension provides free practice passages with questions and solutions. There are several mock tests, practice tests, GMAT books  and courses which provide training for GMAT Verbal reasoning and reading comprehension. Following are books to read for GMAT Reading Comprehension and for GMAT reading comprehension strategies:

  • Proficiency in Reading Comprehension by Arihant
  • Wiley ExamXpert GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • Decoding Reading Comprehension
  • Powerscore GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • Manhattan GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • Magoosh GMAT Reading Comprehension
  • Powerscore GMAT Reading Comprehension Bible PDF

GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

GMAT reading comprehension practice improves the solving and text-interpreting skills of the candidates. Students can solve GMAT club reading comprehension which provides more than 1000 RC GMAT. Following are a few GMAT reading comprehension passages for RC GMAT Practice tests giving an idea of GMAT Reading Comprehension question types:

GMAT club reading comprehension practice allows students to understand the passages and interpret information easily. There are several online websites that provide free practice papers for GMAT Reading Comprehension. GMAT Reading Comprehension does not check the speed of reading of the candidate but it evaluates the interpretation and reasoning skills of candidates. Students must try to complete all the reading comprehension within 20-25 minutes. GMAT Reading Comprehension practice PDF are also available for download which can be considered by applicants. Articles for GMAT Reading Comprehension are available which can also be considered by aspirants. 

FAQs

Ques. How to crack GMAT Reading Comprehension in GMAT?

Ans. To crack GMAT reading comprehension in GMAT requires applicants to undertake appropriate practice. Resources must be considered for GMAT prep like; books, study materials, and other relevant documents.

Ques. How to prepare for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. Certain tips must be considered in order to prepare for GMAT reading comprehension like; Focus on keywords, Summarize the passage, Take notes, Pause and predict, Skim the details, Abbreviate big words, and Understanding questions.

Ques. What is the most important skill for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. The most important skill for GMAT Reading Comprehension is the ability to identify the main idea of a passage. This is because the other skills, such as understanding the author's purpose, analyzing the structure of a passage, interpreting figurative language, and drawing inferences from the text, all depend on your ability to identify the main idea.

Ques. How much time should I spend on each GMAT Reading Comprehension passage?

Ans. The amount of time you should spend on each GMAT Reading Comprehension passage will vary depending on your individual skills and the difficulty of the passage. However, a good rule of thumb is to spend about 2-3 minutes per passage.

Ques. What is the average score for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. The average score for GMAT Reading Comprehension is 600. However, the average score can vary depending on the year and the difficulty of the test.

Ques. What is the highest possible score for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. The highest possible score for GMAT Reading Comprehension is 800. However, it is very rare for anyone to score a perfect 800 on this section.

Ques. What are some common mistakes people make on GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. Some common mistakes people make on GMAT Reading Comprehension include:Not reading the passage carefully enough. Like- Not paying attention to the main idea of the passage, Not understanding the author's purpose, Not analyzing the structure of the passage, Not interpreting figurative language, Not drawing inferences from the text.

Ques. What are some tips for answering GMAT Reading Comprehension questions?

Ans. Mentioned are some tips for answering GMAT Reading Comprehension questions; Read the passage carefully and take notes, Read the questions carefully before you answer them, Use the passage to answer the questions. , Eliminate the wrong answers, and Don't be afraid to guess.

Ques. What are some resources available to help me prepare for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. There are many different resources available to help you prepare for GMAT Reading Comprehension, such as: GMAT prep books, Online practice tests, GMAT tutoring services.

Ques. Should I read the passage first or go straight to questions?

Ans. You should skim the passage first to grasp the main idea, then read more closely as you answer questions. Understanding the passage is very important to answer all the questions and answers.

Ques. What should I focus on while reading in GMAT RC?

Ans. You should focus on the main idea, author's purpose, key supporting points, transitions, and tone while solving GMAT Reading Comprehension questions. You should focus and concentrate and take notes so that there is no mistake while selecting answers.

Ques. Should I highlight or take notes while solving GMAT RC?

Ans. Yes, you should take highlights and notes while solving GMAT RC questions. You can also use techniques that work for you, but don't spend too much time on it. Spending too much time on taking notes might hamper your time management skills.

Ques. What's the best way to eliminate answer choices?

Ans. The best way to eliminate answer choices are looking for options that contradict the passage or are overly extreme. You should eliminate the absolutely incorrect answers first and then select among the best possible answers.

Ques. Should I always pick the "closest" answer?

Ans. No, you should not always pick the closest answers since they might not be correct. You must choose the option that best matches the information and context. You can eliminate the absolutely incorrect answers to make your choices easier.

Ques. What if I run out of time on a passage?

Ans. If you run out of time on a passage, you must move on to the next one and avoid dwelling on any single passage. You can recheck the answers later if you have extra time left at the end.

Ques. How much practice is needed for GMAT Reading Comprehension?

Ans. You need regular practice using official GMAT materials and other materials available online. GMAT RC practice is very crucial. The more you practice, the more you understand the source of the questions and important points.

Ques. What are some good resources for practicing RC?

Ans. Some of the good resources for practicing GMAT RC are Official GMAT guides, online test prep platforms, and GMAT prep books. You can also download practice papers from third party websites which provides them for free.

Ques. Should I time myself during practice?

Ans. Yes, you should definitely practice under timed conditions to simulate the actual test experience. This will help you understand how much time you can take to solve 1 question or one section of the GMAT RC.

Ques. What if I find the topics boring or unfamiliar?

Ans. If the topics are unfamiliar or boring, you must focus on understanding the passage structure and author's message, not the specific content. Once you have understood the basic, you must go into the details of the passage.

Ques. What if I get frustrated or anxious during the test?

Ans. If you get frustrated during the test, you must take deep breaths, remind yourself to stay focused, and trust your preparation. getting frustrated will not land you anywhere. You must stay calm and read the questions again and again to find the answer.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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