What is the core skill in Critical Reasoning?

Separating the conclusion from the evidence and identifying the assumption that links them.

How should you read GMAT Reading Comprehension passages?

For structure — main point, each paragraph's function and tone — then return to the text for specifics.

How do you weaken an argument in Critical Reasoning?

Attack its assumption — for example, by naming an alternative cause the argument overlooked.

Why is understanding a passage upfront efficient?

Each Reading Comprehension passage serves several questions, so upfront understanding pays back across the set.

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GMAT Verbal: Reading Comprehension & Critical Reasoning

GMAT Focus Verbal dropped Sentence Correction — it's now 23 questions of Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning, all about logic.

The big picture

GMAT Verbal (23 Qs, 45 min)
- Reading Comprehension — Passages + detail/inference/purpose questions
- Critical Reasoning — Evaluate a short argument
- No Sentence Correction — Grammar item type removed in Focus
- Logic over grammar — Reasoning is the whole game

Grammar's gone — it's reasoning now

GMAT Focus Verbal has just two question types: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Sentence Correction was removed, so pure grammar drills no longer help — the section is entirely about understanding and evaluating arguments.

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Real example: If your old prep leaned on memorising idiom and modifier rules for Sentence Correction, redirect that time to Critical Reasoning logic — those points don't exist anymore.

🧠 Memory hook: No more Sentence Correction. GMAT Verbal = reading + reasoning only.

Critical Reasoning — find the argument's skeleton

You read a short argument and answer a question: strengthen it, weaken it, find the assumption, or spot the flaw. The key skill is separating the conclusion from the evidence, then seeing the assumption that links them.

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Real example: 'Sales rose after we changed the logo, so the logo caused the rise.' The unstated assumption is 'nothing else changed'. Weaken it by naming another cause (a price cut, a holiday).

🧠 Memory hook: Split conclusion from evidence, then attack the assumption between them.

Reading Comprehension — map, don't memorise

Passages are dense but short. Read for structure — main point, how each paragraph functions, the author's tone — rather than memorising details. Then return to the text to answer specific questions; every answer must be supported by the passage.

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Real example: Jot a two-word label per paragraph ('problem', 'counter-view', 'author's fix'). When a question asks about paragraph 3, your map sends you straight there instead of rereading everything.

🧠 Memory hook: Map the passage's structure. Answers hide in specific lines, not your memory.

Pace: about two minutes each

23 questions in 45 minutes is roughly under two minutes each, and Reading Comprehension passages serve several questions, so time spent understanding a passage pays back across its question set. It's adaptive — steady accuracy beats rushing.

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Real example: Invest 3 minutes truly understanding a passage that has 4 questions, and each question then takes 45 seconds — far better than skimming and re-reading for every question.

🧠 Memory hook: Understand the passage once; it pays back across all its questions.

Frequently asked questions

What two question types make up GMAT Focus Verbal?: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning — Sentence Correction was removed.
What is the core skill in Critical Reasoning?: Separating the conclusion from the evidence and identifying the assumption that links them.
How should you read GMAT Reading Comprehension passages?: For structure — main point, each paragraph's function and tone — then return to the text for specifics.
How do you weaken an argument in Critical Reasoning?: Attack its assumption — for example, by naming an alternative cause the argument overlooked.
Why is understanding a passage upfront efficient?: Each Reading Comprehension passage serves several questions, so upfront understanding pays back across the set.

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