It is very common for GRE students to believe that their main obstacle in the Verbal section is timing. They assume that if they could simply read faster or move through questions more quickly, they would finish the section comfortably. While this belief is understandable, it is often misplaced. In most cases, the real issue is not timing but skill. The truth is that GRE Verbal speed is a byproduct of strong reading, reasoning, and decision-making abilities. When those skills improve, speed tends to follow naturally.

Many students search for shortcuts to move faster, but the more effective path is to become better at the underlying tasks that the Verbal section demands. These tasks include identifying key words and structural clues in Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions, locating and interpreting information in Reading Comprehension passages, and analyzing arguments logically in Critical Reasoning questions. These are skills built through deliberate practice, not through constant attention to a stopwatch.

This advice may seem counterintuitive, but it reflects how learning actually works. When you rush during practice, you often reinforce shallow habits. You may guess too quickly, overlook subtle wording, or fail to understand why an answer is correct or incorrect. Over time, these habits limit both your accuracy and your confidence. On the other hand, when you slow down and work through questions methodically, you build a stronger foundation. You begin to recognize patterns, notice nuances in language, and understand the reasoning behind each correct answer.

As your understanding deepens, your efficiency improves without conscious effort. You start making decisions more quickly because you truly know what you are looking for. You spend less time second-guessing yourself because your logic is clearer. In other words, you are not forcing speed; you are allowing it to emerge from competence.

So, if you want to move faster on GRE Verbal, resist the urge to obsess over the clock during your early and middle stages of preparation. Focus instead on accuracy, comprehension, and reasoning. Allow yourself the time to learn deeply rather than quickly. When your skills are strong, pacing becomes far easier to manage, and completing the section within the allotted time becomes a natural result of your preparation rather than a constant struggle.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep