Verbal Reasoning is the subtest that catches out strong readers. You get eleven passages, each with four questions, and only 22 minutes in total. That’s two minutes a passage, including reading.
If you try to read every passage properly from top to bottom, you’ll run out of time. The trick is to stop reading for the passage and start reading for the question.
Start with the question, not the passage
Read the question first so you know exactly what you’re looking for. Then pick out the key words, like a name, a date, a number or an unusual term, and scan the passage for them.
Once you find the right spot, slow down and read that part carefully. That’s usually where the answer is.
True, False or Can’t Tell
Some questions ask you to decide whether a statement is True, False or Can’t Tell based on the passage. This is where careful reading matters most.
- True: the passage clearly supports the statement.
- False: the passage clearly contradicts it.
- Can’t Tell: the passage doesn’t give you enough to say either way.
The most common mistake is choosing True or False because the statement sounds right, or matches what you already know. Only the passage counts. If it isn’t there, it’s Can’t Tell.
Watch the small words
Words like all, some, always, never, only and most change the meaning of a statement completely. “Most patients improved” and “all patients improved” are not the same claim. When a statement feels slightly off, check these words first.
When two answers both look right
In the multiple-choice questions, you’ll often narrow it down to two. When that happens, go back to the passage and find the exact sentence each answer relies on. The right answer is the one the passage actually supports, not the one that seems most reasonable.
Know when to move on
Some passages are just harder than others. If a question is eating your time, make your best choice, flag it and keep going. Every question is worth the same, so don’t let one tricky passage cost you three easy ones later.
Two minutes a passage. Find, read closely, answer, move on.
How to practise
Start untimed and focus on getting the method right: question first, key words, find the spot, read closely. Once that feels natural, bring in the clock one passage at a time, then a full section.
If VR is your trickiest subtest, you’re definitely not alone. It’s very fixable with the right approach, and I’m always happy to help you work through it.
