Free Practice Questions for GMAT Verbal
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Key Facts: GMAT Verbal Exam
23 questions in 45 minutes
GMAT Focus Verbal section format
GMAC, mba.com
2 question types only
Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning (Sentence Correction removed)
GMAC GMAT Focus Edition design
60–90 section score range
GMAT Focus Verbal scaled score range
GMAC scoring guide
205–805 total score range
GMAT Focus Edition total score
GMAC, mba.com
~117 seconds per question
Average time budget per Verbal question
Calculated from 45 min / 23 questions
$275 USD
GMAT exam fee at a US test center ($300 online)
GMAC, mba.com
The GMAT Verbal Reasoning section has 23 multiple-choice questions and a 45-minute time limit, about 117 seconds per question (GMAC). It contains only Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions, mixed throughout the section, after Sentence Correction was removed in the Focus Edition; GMAC does not publish a fixed split between the two types. Reading Comprehension tests main idea, supporting idea, inference, application, logical structure, and style, while Critical Reasoning uses short passages, usually under 100 words, to test making and evaluating arguments and plans of action. The section is scored 60–90 and counts equally toward the 205–805 Total Score.
Sample GMAT Verbal Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GMAT Verbal exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 118+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Passage: The rise of behavioral economics has fundamentally challenged the classical economic assumption that individuals act as perfectly rational agents who maximize utility. Researchers such as Kahneman and Tversky demonstrated through systematic experiments that human decision-making is riddled with cognitive biases — mental shortcuts that often lead to predictable errors. Loss aversion, for example, causes individuals to weight potential losses roughly twice as heavily as equivalent gains, leading to risk-averse choices that a purely rational actor would never make. Anchoring bias causes people to rely disproportionately on the first piece of information they encounter, even when that information is irrelevant to the decision at hand. The primary purpose of this passage is to:
2Passage: The rise of behavioral economics has fundamentally challenged the classical economic assumption that individuals act as perfectly rational agents who maximize utility. Researchers such as Kahneman and Tversky demonstrated through systematic experiments that human decision-making is riddled with cognitive biases — mental shortcuts that often lead to predictable errors. Loss aversion, for example, causes individuals to weight potential losses roughly twice as heavily as equivalent gains, leading to risk-averse choices that a purely rational actor would never make. Anchoring bias causes people to rely disproportionately on the first piece of information they encounter, even when that information is irrelevant to the decision at hand. According to the passage, anchoring bias occurs when a person:
3Passage: The rise of behavioral economics has fundamentally challenged the classical economic assumption that individuals act as perfectly rational agents who maximize utility. Researchers such as Kahneman and Tversky demonstrated through systematic experiments that human decision-making is riddled with cognitive biases — mental shortcuts that often lead to predictable errors. Loss aversion, for example, causes individuals to weight potential losses roughly twice as heavily as equivalent gains, leading to risk-averse choices that a purely rational actor would never make. Anchoring bias causes people to rely disproportionately on the first piece of information they encounter, even when that information is irrelevant to the decision at hand. The author's tone in this passage can best be described as:
4Passage: Throughout the nineteenth century, historians largely treated history as a narrative of great men and pivotal political events. The 'history from above' model emphasized the actions of kings, generals, and statesmen as the primary engines of historical change. By the mid-twentieth century, however, social historians began shifting focus toward the experiences of ordinary people — workers, women, and marginalized communities. This 'history from below' approach drew on demographic data, court records, and oral histories to reconstruct everyday life. Critics of the new social history argued that it fragmented the coherent narrative that gave history its explanatory power, while proponents countered that such narratives had merely disguised whose experiences were deemed worthy of remembering. The passage implies that proponents of 'history from below' would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
5Passage: Throughout the nineteenth century, historians largely treated history as a narrative of great men and pivotal political events. The 'history from above' model emphasized the actions of kings, generals, and statesmen as the primary engines of historical change. By the mid-twentieth century, however, social historians began shifting focus toward the experiences of ordinary people — workers, women, and marginalized communities. This 'history from below' approach drew on demographic data, court records, and oral histories to reconstruct everyday life. Critics of the new social history argued that it fragmented the coherent narrative that gave history its explanatory power, while proponents countered that such narratives had merely disguised whose experiences were deemed worthy of remembering. Which of the following best describes the structure of this passage?
6Passage: Photosynthesis in C4 plants differs markedly from the process in C3 plants. In C3 plants, carbon dioxide is fixed directly by the enzyme RuBisCO in the mesophyll cells; however, RuBisCO also catalyzes a competing reaction with oxygen — photorespiration — that wastes fixed carbon and reduces efficiency. C4 plants have evolved a biochemical 'carbon pump': they first fix CO₂ in mesophyll cells using the enzyme PEP carboxylase, which has a much higher affinity for CO₂ than RuBisCO and does not react with oxygen. The concentrated CO₂ is then shuttled to bundle sheath cells where RuBisCO operates in a high-CO₂ environment, effectively suppressing photorespiration. As a result, C4 plants such as corn and sugarcane show higher photosynthetic efficiency, particularly in hot, dry climates. According to the passage, C4 plants suppress photorespiration primarily by:
7Passage: Photosynthesis in C4 plants differs markedly from the process in C3 plants. In C3 plants, carbon dioxide is fixed directly by the enzyme RuBisCO in the mesophyll cells; however, RuBisCO also catalyzes a competing reaction with oxygen — photorespiration — that wastes fixed carbon and reduces efficiency. C4 plants have evolved a biochemical 'carbon pump': they first fix CO₂ in mesophyll cells using the enzyme PEP carboxylase, which has a much higher affinity for CO₂ than RuBisCO and does not react with oxygen. The concentrated CO₂ is then shuttled to bundle sheath cells where RuBisCO operates in a high-CO₂ environment, effectively suppressing photorespiration. As a result, C4 plants such as corn and sugarcane show higher photosynthetic efficiency, particularly in hot, dry climates. It can be inferred from the passage that photorespiration is most problematic for plants in environments where:
8Passage: Urban heat islands (UHIs) occur when cities experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas. The primary drivers of UHIs include the replacement of natural vegetation with impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete, which absorb and retain more solar radiation than soil and plants. Additionally, waste heat from vehicles, air conditioning units, and industrial processes contributes to elevated temperatures. Studies show that UHIs can raise city temperatures by 1–7°C above surrounding areas. Policy responses have included green roofing programs, urban forestry initiatives, and the use of high-albedo ('cool') pavements that reflect more solar radiation. Critics of cool pavements, however, note that they can increase glare and may redirect heat rather than eliminate it, potentially warming adjacent buildings. The passage most strongly suggests that critics of cool pavements are concerned that:
9Passage: Urban heat islands (UHIs) occur when cities experience higher temperatures than their surrounding rural areas. The primary drivers of UHIs include the replacement of natural vegetation with impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete, which absorb and retain more solar radiation than soil and plants. Additionally, waste heat from vehicles, air conditioning units, and industrial processes contributes to elevated temperatures. Studies show that UHIs can raise city temperatures by 1–7°C above surrounding areas. Policy responses have included green roofing programs, urban forestry initiatives, and the use of high-albedo ('cool') pavements that reflect more solar radiation. Critics of cool pavements, however, note that they can increase glare and may redirect heat rather than eliminate it, potentially warming adjacent buildings. Which of the following best describes how the last sentence functions in the passage?
10Passage: The concept of 'creative destruction,' coined by economist Joseph Schumpeter, describes the process by which innovation continuously disrupts existing economic structures. New technologies and business models displace older ones, destroying jobs and industries while simultaneously creating new forms of economic activity. Schumpeter viewed this cycle as the defining characteristic of capitalism — an inherently unstable but dynamically productive system. Critics argue that creative destruction imposes disproportionate costs on workers and communities that lack the resources to adapt, and that the benefits of new industries often accrue to capital owners rather than to those displaced. Proponents counter that historically, economies have always generated new employment over time, even if transition periods are painful. The passage indicates that proponents of creative destruction would most likely respond to critics by arguing that:
About the GMAT Verbal Exam
The GMAT Focus Edition Verbal Reasoning section consists of 23 multiple-choice questions completed in 45 minutes. It tests only two question types: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Sentence Correction was removed in the Focus Edition (effective November 2023), shifting the emphasis entirely to higher-order analytical reading and argument evaluation skills relevant to graduate business study.
Exam sponsor: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
23 questions
Time Limit
45 minutes
Passing Score
Section score 60–90; total GMAT Focus score 205–805
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Critical Reasoning
Short arguments, usually fewer than 100 words, followed by questions on assumptions, strengthening, weakening, flaws, evaluation, inferences, discrepancies, argument structure, and plans of action.
Reading Comprehension
Passages on subjects such as business, science, and social science, testing main idea, supporting idea, inference, application, logical structure, and style, plus quantitative concepts presented in prose.
Preparing for the GMAT Verbal Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Section score 60–90; total GMAT Focus score 205–805
- Exam length: 23 questions
- Time limit: 45 minutes
- Exam / certification fees: $275 USD Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 118 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
GMAT Verbal: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the GMAT Focus Edition Verbal Reasoning section?
The GMAT Focus Edition Verbal Reasoning section contains 23 multiple-choice questions, completed in 45 minutes. This works out to approximately 117 seconds (about 2 minutes) per question on average.
Is Sentence Correction still on the GMAT?
No. Sentence Correction was removed when the GMAT Focus Edition launched in late 2023. The Verbal Reasoning section now contains only two question types: Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Test-takers no longer need to study grammar rules for the Verbal section.
What is the score range for the GMAT Verbal Reasoning section?
On the GMAT Focus Edition, each section (Verbal, Quant, Data Insights) is scored from 60 to 90. The total GMAT Focus score, combining all three sections, ranges from 205 to 805.
What question types appear in GMAT Critical Reasoning?
GMAT Critical Reasoning question types include: Strengthen the Argument, Weaken the Argument, Identify the Assumption, Evaluate the Argument, Inference/Most Strongly Supported, Explain the Paradox/Discrepancy, and Boldface/Argument Structure. Each requires identifying the premises, conclusion, and logical gaps in a short argument.
How long are the reading passages on the GMAT Verbal section?
GMAC does not publish a passage length or a set number of passages for the current exam. Passages range from a single paragraph to several paragraphs, commonly on business, science, and social science topics, and each is followed by a group of questions. No outside knowledge is needed, because everything required is in the passage.
What is a competitive GMAT Verbal score for top MBA programs?
GMAC does not set a passing or cutoff Verbal score, and schools usually publish averages of admitted students' Total Scores rather than section scores. Compare your Verbal score with the current percentile tables on mba.com and with the score ranges your target programs report, and remember that GMAC reports a standard error of about 3 points for the Verbal score.