One of the most effective ways to elevate your GRE Verbal performance is to become more precise in how you approach each question. This may sound like a small adjustment, but in practice it can lead to meaningful gains in a short period of time. Precision is especially important in Reading Comprehension because the distinction between a correct answer and an incorrect one is often subtle.

GRE Reading Comprehension questions rely heavily on fine details. An answer choice may differ from the correct interpretation of the passage by only a word or two, yet that slight difference changes the entire meaning. If your reading or evaluation of the choices is even slightly imprecise, you may overlook these distinctions and fall into predictable traps.

Consider a simple example. A passage may state that a researcher failed to understand a theory. An incorrect answer choice may say that the researcher was not aware of the theory. At first glance, these statements appear similar. If you are not reading carefully, you might accept the answer choice as consistent with the passage. Yet the two ideas are not the same. Failing to understand a theory implies exposure without comprehension. Being unaware of a theory implies no exposure at all. The test makers rely on these kinds of subtle differences, and only precise reading will allow you to recognize them.

Precision in Reading Comprehension means reading every answer choice in full, even when part of it seems promising. It means paying attention to the exact wording rather than relying on general impressions or broad similarities. It means avoiding decisions based on tone or familiarity and instead focusing on whether the choice accurately reflects what the passage says and what the question asks.

By training yourself to be exact and methodical, you strengthen your ability to distinguish between answer choices that may initially appear equally plausible. This skill reduces careless errors, improves your accuracy, and positions you well for success on test day. Precision is not a small add-on to your strategy. It is one of the essential habits that leads to consistent improvement.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep