Verbal reasoning

Verbal reasoning (VR) on the current GMAT is a 45-minute, 23-question section of Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. It scores 60–90 and counts equally with Quant and Data Insights in the 205–805 total. You do not need specialized subject knowledge. Sentence Correction is gone from this exam (mba.com content; mba.com structure).

Is GMAT Verbal the same as GRE Verbal?+

No. GRE Verbal Reasoning is 130–170, heavier on vocabulary-in-context and text completion, and section-level adaptive. GMAT VR is item-adaptive and built on passages plus argument questions. A GRE 165 does not print as a GMAT VR 85. Neither score is a TOEFL or IELTS substitute; English-proficiency tests are a separate requirement.

What VR measures on the GMAT

Feature	Current GMAT VR	GRE Verbal	Source / date
Questions / time	23 in 45 minutes	Two sections, 12 then 15	mba.com / ETS
Scale	60–90	130–170	GMAC / ETS
Main tasks	Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning	Reading, text completion, sentence equivalence	mba.com / ETS
Grammar rewrite (SC)	Not on the current exam	Not GRE’s design	mba.com

GMAC says Reading Comprehension checks whether you understand statements, logical relationships, inferences, and the development of ideas, including quantitative concepts in prose. Critical Reasoning tests evaluation of arguments. Old GMAT books stuffed with Sentence Correction will not raise a current VR score.

Example: VR 80, Quant 86, Data Insights 84. The total is capped by Verbal. Prep belongs on passages and arguments, not on idiom lists. A 10th Edition Verbal 42 is a different scale; use concordance for sections if you need a bridge, not a digit match.

Common errors

• Drilling Sentence Correction for the current GMAT
• Using GRE vocab decks as GMAT VR prep
• Treating a high VR as a TOEFL waiver
• Comparing 10th Edition Verbal 40–51 to current 60–90 as if they share a ceiling

FAQ

Did GMAT drop Sentence Correction?+

Yes. The current Verbal section is Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning only, per GMAC’s content page. Official prep that still leads with SC is describing the 10th Edition. Drop those drills unless you are taking a leftover 10th Edition practice test. Current official prep leads with passages and arguments.

How much does Verbal affect the total?+

One equal third of the 205–805 score. GMAC weights Verbal with Quant and Data Insights. A 90 in Quant does not offset a 72 in Verbal. Section scores run 60–90 in one-point steps, and Verbal is one equal third of the total.

Can a strong GMAT Verbal replace TOEFL?+

No. MBA English-proficiency rules are separate from GMAT or GRE Verbal. Stanford GSB and peers still list TOEFL or IELTS minima for applicants who are not exempt. A VR 86 will not fill a TOEFL field. English-proficiency minima are a separate checkbox on the application.