# GMAT Focus Verbal: Format, Scoring and Strategy | topin GMAT guidesGMAT Verbal ![](/mountains/verbal.webp) GMAT Focus Edition # GMAT Focus Verbal Reasoning: the complete guide Verbal Reasoning is 23 questions in 45 minutes, split between Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. There is no Sentence Correction, so the section tests reading and reasoning rather than grammar. [Take a free GMAT mock ](/gmat/login) Updated 29 September 2026 · 3 min read ## At a glance Time 45 minutes Questions 23 Question types Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning Sentence Correction Not tested Format Adaptive question by question Score 60–90, one third of the 205–805 total ## GMAT Verbal question types ### Reading Comprehension A passage of a few paragraphs on business, science, social science or the humanities, followed by three or four questions on main idea, detail, inference, the purpose of a sentence and the author's attitude. Tip: Read for structure first: note in a few words what each paragraph does and where the author's own view appears. Then go back to the passage for every detail question instead of answering from memory. ### Critical Reasoning A short argument followed by one question asking you to strengthen, weaken, find the assumption, evaluate, draw an inference, explain a discrepancy, spot a flaw or identify the role of bolded statements. Tip: Find the conclusion and the evidence before reading the choices, then name the gap between them. The right answer almost always targets that gap; choices that are out of scope or too extreme are traps. ## How GMAT Verbal is scored Verbal is scored 60–90\. The section adapts after every question, so answering harder questions correctly is worth more than answering easy ones. Unanswered questions lower your score. Verbal counts for one third of the 205–805 total, exactly as much as Quant and Data Insights. ## How to prepare for GMAT Verbal 1. 1 ### Spend about two minutes per question, passage time included 23 questions in 45 minutes is just under two minutes each. For a Reading Comprehension passage, allow two to three minutes to read, then about a minute per question. Critical Reasoning questions should take around two minutes each. 2. 2 ### Predict before you read the choices On Critical Reasoning, state in your own words what the answer needs to do, such as 'show the new policy did not cause the drop'. You will reject tempting but irrelevant choices much faster. 3. 3 ### Prove every Reading Comprehension answer For each choice you keep, point to the line in the passage that supports it. If you cannot find support, it is likely an answer that sounds reasonable but goes beyond what the passage says. 4. 4 ### Learn the Critical Reasoning question families Strengthen, weaken, assumption and evaluate questions all turn on the same gap in the argument, while inference questions need an answer that must be true from the text. Practise by type until you recognise the task from the question stem alone. 5. 5 ### Review your wrong answers against the right one For every miss, write one sentence on why your choice was wrong and why the correct one is better. Patterns show up quickly, such as always picking the most extreme option or misreading 'except' questions. ## Common GMAT Verbal mistakes * Choosing an answer that is true in the real world but not supported by the passage or argument. * Picking extreme wording such as 'always', 'only' or 'never' when the passage is more cautious. * Rereading a hard passage several times and losing the time needed for the questions. * Missing words like 'except' or 'least' in the question stem. * Still studying grammar rules for Sentence Correction, which is not part of the GMAT Focus Edition. ## GMAT Verbal questions, answered Is Sentence Correction still on the GMAT? No. The GMAT Focus Edition removed Sentence Correction. Verbal Reasoning now has only Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. How many questions are in GMAT Focus Verbal? 23 questions in 45 minutes, a mix of Reading Comprehension passages and Critical Reasoning arguments. What is a good GMAT Focus Verbal score? A good score is one that fits the programmes you are targeting. Look at your target schools' class profiles, and remember that the total weights Verbal equally with Quant and Data Insights. How do I improve at GMAT Critical Reasoning? Practise identifying the conclusion, evidence and assumption in every argument before looking at the choices, then review each miss by question type. Can I change answers in GMAT Verbal? Yes, within limits. You can bookmark questions and, once you reach the end of the section with time left, review them and change up to three answers. ## See where you stand in GMAT Verbal Your first full-length GMAT mock is free, with every section included. [Take the free mock ](/gmat/login)