All TTP Wednesday Wisdom GMAT Tips at one place

Question

Collection of the weekly helpful and great tips from Scott himself to make sure we do not lose any of the wisdom.

No.  
 
   Topic  
 
   Link to Post

1. 
 
 Doubting Your Intelligence While Preparing for the GMAT? You’re Not Alone! 
  Post  
 
   2. 
 
 Push Through the Discomfort to Boost Your GMAT Verbal Score 
  Post   
 
   3. 
 
 Break Through a Score Plateau with Fresh Approaches 
  Post  
 
   4. 
 
 New Year, New GMAT Goals! Turn Your Effort into Lifetime Rewards! 
  Post  
 
   5. 
 
 Do Some GMAT Quant Studying Every Day 
  Post  
 
   6. 
 
 Reviewing Previously Learned Topics Is Paramount! 
  Post  
 
   7. 
 
 Do Not Expect Perfection on the GMAT 
  Post  
 
   8. 
 
 Maintain Your GMAT Motivation by Prioritizing Your Studies 
  Post  
 
   9. 
 
 Eliminate Inefficiencies in How You Handle GMAT Verbal Questions 
  Post  
 
   10. 
 
 Practice Answering GMAT Quant Questions in More Than One Way 
  Post  
 
   11. 
 
 Build in an Occasional “Cheat Day” into Your GMAT Study Schedule 
  Post  
 
   12. 
 
 Make Incremental GMAT Improvements, and They Build Over Time 
  Post  
 
   13. 
 
 Topical Studying Must Be Your Go-To Study Method for a High GMAT Score 
  Post  
 
   14. 
 
 Is Insufficient Practice the Weak Link in Your GMAT Prep? 
  Post  
 
   15. 
 
 The Power of “No” While Studying for the GMAT 
  Post  
 
   16. 
 
 Why Word-Matching on GMAT Verbal Can Lead You Straight to the Wrong Answer 
  Post

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Doubting Your Intelligence While Preparing for the GMAT? You’re Not Alone!

It’s completely normal to question your abilities while studying for the GMAT. Maybe you’ve struggled with standardized tests in the past, and you’re approaching GMAT prep with a sense of dread about your capabilities. Perhaps you’ve uncovered a surprising weakness in a specific area of the test, leaving you frustrated. Or, it could be that you’ve been out of school for a while and feel rusty on concepts the GMAT requires you to revisit. Let’s be real: GMAT questions feel tough. Even when the concepts are familiar, the GMAT’s unique style of testing can be tricky to navigate.

Whether you’re finding it hard to grasp GMAT concepts as quickly as you’d like, or the content feels completely alien, you might find yourself asking:  Am I too dumb for this test?

I’ll tell you right now: absolutely not.

It’s Not About What You Know—It’s About What You Can Learn

When it comes to the GMAT (and life in general), intelligence isn’t defined by what you already know. It’s about your ability to learn, grow, and adapt—and you absolutely have that ability.

I’ve worked with countless students who started their GMAT journeys scoring in the 500s, 400s, or even as low as the 200s on practice tests. With time, effort, and persistence, these same students went on to achieve 99th-percentile scores. Yes, getting there takes hard work, but it’s 100% possible. Nobody ever said the path to business school would be easy, right?

Focus on the Process, Not What You Don’t Know

Instead of fixating on what you don’t know right now, remind yourself of this: if you weren’t capable of learning and growing, you wouldn’t even be considering business school. You’ve already proven your ability to acquire knowledge and skills—that’s how you got this far. The GMAT is just another opportunity to rise to the challenge.

This isn’t the first time you’ve faced something unfamiliar and conquered it. Approach GMAT prep as you’ve approached past challenges: with patience, persistence, and belief in your ability to improve.

Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Support

If you’re feeling stuck, remember you don’t have to do this alone. Reach out to friends, colleagues, or mentors who’ve successfully tackled the GMAT. Hearing their stories can remind you that overcoming these doubts is a shared experience. Plenty of students have felt inadequate at some point in their GMAT journey—and they’ve all found a way forward. You can, too.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Push Through the Discomfort to Boost Your GMAT Verbal Score

Did you know that developing the determination to find the correct answer—no matter what—can add 5 or more points to your GMAT Focus Verbal score? It’s true! The secret lies in learning to sit with the discomfort you feel when tackling challenging Verbal practice questions. Pushing through that discomfort, rather than letting it overwhelm you, is key to building the mental resilience you’ll need to excel on test day.

Think of it as strengthening your GMAT Verbal "muscles." Just like lifting heavy weights in the gym helps build physical strength, persevering through tough questions sharpens your analytical and critical thinking skills. The more you practice navigating through the discomfort of uncertainty, the stronger and more confident you’ll become in solving even the trickiest Verbal questions.

Scientific studies back this up. Research shows that mindset plays a crucial role in test prep. For instance, reframing anxiety as excitement has been shown to improve test performance, and grit—the ability to persevere through challenges—is a major predictor of success. If we avoid discomfort when something doesn’t come easily, we never give ourselves the chance to grow to a point where it does. Discomfort is often the first step toward mastering something new, and embracing it can turn frustration into a powerful tool for improvement.

When practicing for GMAT Verbal, expect to feel confused or challenged at times. Instead of letting that feeling discourage you, welcome it. Recognize that it’s a natural part of the learning process. Every time you push through those moments of discomfort, you’re rewiring your brain to think more critically and efficiently. These are the very skills that will help you tackle the heavy lifting of GMAT Verbal on test day.

So, the next time you’re stuck on a tough question, resist the urge to give up. Say to yourself, “This is hard, but I can figure it out.” Remind yourself that confusion is not a sign of failure but a signal that you’re challenging yourself in the right ways. With each question you work through, you’re not just practicing—you’re growing, learning, and moving closer to your target score.

Remember, growth happens in the moments of discomfort. Embrace those moments, persevere through the challenge, and watch your GMAT Verbal score soar to new heights!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Break Through a Score Plateau with Fresh Approaches

Hitting a plateau in your GMAT score can be discouraging, but it’s a sign that your current methods have reached their limit. To move forward, it’s time to innovate and pull new levers—untapped strategies and resources that can reignite your progress and elevate your performance.

For instance, consider incorporating new practice techniques, such as the Streaks Method, which focuses on building consistency by solving multiple questions correctly in succession. This method helps you develop rhythm and confidence while identifying patterns in question types. Additionally, try approaching questions from fresh perspectives. If you’ve heavily relied on traditional or formulaic approaches to Quant problems, challenge yourself to explore more creative, efficient paths to the answers. Sometimes, thinking outside the box can uncover solutions faster than rigid methods allow.

A powerful way to discover these new levers is to learn from others who have succeeded. Read debriefs from test-takers who scored 715+ on the GMAT—they often share transformative strategies that made a difference for them. You might even come across unconventional yet effective tactics, such as hiring a reading coach to improve comprehension and speed or using hypnotherapy to tackle test anxiety. These examples illustrate that the right adjustment can unlock your potential.

The key takeaway is this: something will work. Whether it’s a small tweak to how you approach questions or a broader change in your preparation strategy, you can find an impactful solution to overcome your plateau.

If your current study routine feels monotonous, break free by introducing variety. If test anxiety or negative self-talk is limiting your performance, address those issues head-on by practicing mindfulness or building a growth mindset. Similarly, if slow reading speed is holding you back in Verbal, devote time to reading complex materials, such as scholarly articles, and practice summarizing key points to improve both speed and comprehension.

Remember, effective preparation always delivers results. By embracing new strategies, addressing weak areas, and remaining persistent, you’ll not only see your GMAT score improve but also gain the confidence needed to conquer the test and achieve your goals.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

New Year, New GMAT Goals! Turn Your Effort into Lifetime Rewards!

As we welcome 2025, it’s time to think big about your goals—and preparing for the GMAT could be the most rewarding step you take this year. Why? Because the payoff for your hard work isn’t just a great test score; it’s a brighter, wealthier future.

Here’s why your GMAT prep is an investment worth making:

Higher starting salaries : According to a 2023 US News survey, graduates from the top 132 MBA programs earn an average starting salary of $101,034, including bonuses. That’s about $40,000 more per year than someone with just a bachelor’s degree in business. Over 30 years, that adds up to an extra $1.2 million.

Top 10 MBA programs mean even bigger rewards : Graduates of the top 10 full-time MBA programs earn an average starting salary of $172,265. Over 30 years, that’s an additional $3.2 million in lifetime earnings.

Now, think about the effort you put into preparing for the GMAT. If you spend 400 hours studying, those hours are “worth” $8,000 each when you consider the potential earnings boost from a top MBA program. That’s a lot of value for your time!

Plus, a high GMAT score doesn’t just open doors to prestigious MBA programs—it can also help you earn scholarships that reduce or even eliminate the cost of your MBA. Business schools are eager to reward strong candidates, and a stellar GMAT score is often the key to those opportunities.

So, the next time you sit down to study and feel the urge to groan, remember this: every hour you spend is a step closer to acceptance at a great school, a fantastic job, and a significantly higher salary. Make 2025 the year you turn your GMAT dreams into reality.

Happy New Year 2025!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Do Some GMAT Quant Studying Every Day

I know one thing about GMAT studying — it can be grueling! And I completely understand why you may want to choose other aspects of your life over GMAT studying. Here’s the thing.  Your daily level of dedication, motivation, and discipline will bring you either closer to or further away from your GMAT goal .

So, to ensure you are always progressing toward your goal, don’t let too many days pass without studying GMAT Quant. Sure, I get it. If you study hard for a few weeks straight, then you may want to give yourself a cheat day. Just don’t let one day turn into two or three.

As a minimum, pull out your flashcards for a quick review if you can’t bear the thought of a full study session. Or do a 20-question mixed review. The important thing is to keep your forward momentum even on days when the last thing on earth you want to do is study for your GMAT. Keeping your GMAT prep front and center will ensure that you constantly progress toward GMAT Quant success.

Remember, the time you spend studying to get a great GMAT score is an investment that will pay big dividends for the rest of your life.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Reviewing Previously Learned Topics Is Paramount!

As time passes and you learn more and more GMAT concepts and formulas, keeping everything ready for quick recall will be challenging. Thus, you must incorporate weekly review sessions into your study plan.

One fantastic and flexible review method is to use your flashcards. Flashcards are great because you can fit in a study session even if you are not sitting at your desk. Indeed, you can flip through your flashcard deck anytime, anywhere. Use them while you’re waiting for an appointment, commuting to work, or in line at the grocery store.

No review is more effective than doing mixed problem sets on previously learned topics. So, for example, let’s say it has been several weeks since you studied functions and inequalities. It makes sense that completing a 20-question quiz on those two topics would be a great idea. The results will clearly show you whether any knowledge gaps in functions or inequalities have occurred. As can be seen, bringing older topics back into the spotlight is important to limit the knowledge deficiencies that occur as you move through your study plan.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Do Not Expect Perfection on the GMAT

Problematic Thinking : I have to be perfect every day.

Constructive Thinking : If I can improve even 1% each day, I’ll make great progress.

We all have days when we feel on point. We have it all together, and everything runs like clockwork. On the other hand, we sometimes have days when we have to work a little harder to accomplish our goals. And that’s okay.

Striving for perfection isn’t a bad thing. However, when you have many balls in the air, it’s okay to go easy on yourself. In order to grow, you must be willing to be imperfect, and, at times, fail. The healthiest way to approach this? Realize that between success and failure is a space where you are at your best that day. If you can identify the areas where you can improve some, you are already succeeding.

Remember to set realistic, quantifiable standards that can truly help you grow and succeed. Think about this quote from Sheryl Sandberg: “Done is better than perfect.”

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Maintain Your GMAT Motivation by Prioritizing Your Studies

Have you ever heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind”? A big part of maintaining a high level of motivation while studying for the GMAT is not allowing yourself to take too many days off. Of course, taking a day off here or there is no problem. However,  don’t allow one day off to turn into two, and two to turn into four, and so on .

To ensure that the GMAT does not become a distant memory, you need to prioritize things in your life and make frequent use of the simple answer of "no.” While you are preparing for the GMAT, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do things other than study. Here are some common scenarios, and how you should respond to them:

Happy hour on Thursday: “Thanks but no thanks. I need to study for my GMAT.” 
 Brunch on Sunday: “Sounds yummy, but I need to study for my GMAT.” 
 Weekend road trip: “Some other time. I need to study for my GMAT.” 
 Binge-watching Netflix: “Nope! I need to study for my GMAT.”

Remember, the fewer nonessential and non-GMAT-related activities you partake in, the more time you’ll have for your GMAT studying. Thus, the smaller the chance you’ll have of losing motivation. Once you knock the GMAT out of the park, you’ll have plenty of time for dining out or ski trips.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Eliminate Inefficiencies in How You Handle GMAT Verbal Questions

Many GMAT students don’t realize that they’re using inefficient methods to answer Verbal questions. Some of these time-wasting strategies may be the result of bad advice, while others may simply be a student’s default mode of handling a particular question type.

Part of training for the GMAT is rigorously evaluating each technique we use to answer questions . If, for example, we read about a particular strategy online, we should ask ourselves, does this strategy make sense? If we incorporate the strategy into our practice, we should periodically analyze whether it’s bringing the results we expect. If there are ways we’ve never thought much about that we naturally work through certain types of questions, we should stop and ask ourselves, is this really the best way, or is it simply the way I’ve always done it?

For example, many GMAT students mistakenly believe that reading a Critical Reasoning question stem before reading the passage saves time. Yet, these students inevitably read the question stem a second time after they read the passage. So, they end up adding time to their work. A more efficient method is to simply read the passage first, and then read the stem.

In Reading Comprehension, students may skip reading large portions of a passage only to find that they have a lot of trouble locating the information they need to answer questions. Perhaps counterintuitively, it’s actually more efficient to read the entire passage. That way, you have a sense of where different discussions are within it. Additionally, looking for structural keywords in a passage can help you locate needed details far more efficiently than trying to memorize exactly where details appear.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Practice Answering GMAT Quant Questions in More Than One Way

One thing the GMAT tests is our skill in finding ways to answer questions. In other words, GMAT questions aren’t simply straightforward math or verbal questions. Many GMAT questions are designed to require us to come up with a creative path to the solution. So, developing skill in finding paths to solutions can help us achieve a high GMAT score.

One way to develop such skill is to answer GMAT Quant practice questions in multiple ways. While it doesn’t make sense to answer all Quant questions in multiple ways, many are appropriate for identifying different paths to solutions.

For example, you could answer an Overlapping Sets question first using a diagram and second using only a formula. You could answer an Inequalities question first by using algebra and next by plugging in numbers. You could first answer a Combinations question using the combinations formula, then answer using the box and fill method.

If you don’t see a way to answer a question, stick with it! Try to find a path to the answer. Even if you don’t find an elegant solution, you can likely find some way to answer. Worst case, you’ll at least be able to eliminate answer choices. By doing so, you’ll be getting good practice in coming up with ways to solve questions.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Build in an Occasional “Cheat Day” into Your GMAT Study Schedule

We generally suggest that GMAT students study for 10 hours during the week and 5+ hours on the weekend. If you follow that GMAT study plan, you should be studying for about 15+ hours per week. While in theory it should be straightforward to study for 15+ weekly hours, actually doing so is not always easy.

So, to keep yourself on track, create a study schedule and stick with it. You likely have a busy schedule, so you will need to be disciplined and creative with your study time. The key is to find a GMAT study schedule that works for you.

Also, reward yourself for consistent studying. Give yourself a cheat day occasionally by taking a day off from studying to do something fun and relaxing. Go to the movies, splurge on a spa day, or hang out with friends. Do something that will give your mind a rest from your GMAT prep.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Make Incremental GMAT Improvements, and They Build Over Time

We all have days when we feel on point. We have it all together, and everything runs like clockwork. On the other hand, we sometimes have days when we have to work a little harder to accomplish our goals. And that’s okay.

Striving for perfection isn’t a bad thing. However, when you have many balls in the air, it’s okay to go easy on yourself. In order to grow, you must be willing to be imperfect, and, at times, fail. The healthiest way to approach this? Realize that between success and failure is a space where you are at your best that day. If you can identify the areas where you can improve some, you are already succeeding.

Remember to set realistic, quantifiable standards that can truly help you grow and succeed. Think about this quote from Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg: “Done is better than perfect.”

Not every study session is a breakthrough. Make incremental improvements, and they build over time.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Topical Studying Must Be Your Go-To Study Method for a High GMAT Score

Consider the huge amount of material you need to learn for the GMAT. First, you have to face the monumental task of mastering 19 major math topics. Even if you are talented at math, you know that keeping on top of all this material is a feat in itself. Next, add to this the intricacies of Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning. Even if you consider yourself experienced at answering RC questions, you probably have not learned the ins and outs of the logic of CR questions. Finally, it is quite likely that you have never encountered the types of questions contained in the Data Insights section, most notably the Data Sufficiency question type, which is unique to the GMAT.

Keep in mind that having only a passing acquaintance with the material tested on the GMAT is not sufficient. You must master each topic. Thus, you need to use a learning technique that allows for gaining mastery of a large number of topics: topical learning.

Topical learning is one of the most effective techniques for learning the huge amount of material tested on the GMAT. Namely, you’ll focus on just one topic at a time, learning all aspects of the topic and answering practice questions, until you have attained mastery.

For example, when you study problems involving probability, you will study only probability: the addition rule, the multiplication rule, conditional probability, mutually exclusive events, and independent events. You should learn every aspect of probability. Before moving on to the next topic in your study schedule, you will make sure that you have a solid understanding of probability.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Is Insufficient Practice the Weak Link in Your GMAT Prep?

Possibly the most common reason why people don’t get the results they want from their GMAT prep is that  the way they’re practicing isn’t effective .

One issue is that doing just a handful of practice questions for each topic may not be sufficient. Instead, you may need to answer many questions involving a topic to master it.

At the same time,  quantity of practice questions isn’t the only variable that matters . In fact, you can answer hundreds of questions without strengthening your skills significantly because how you answer questions matters as well. For instance, if you take the approach of simply answering many practice questions timed, and then checking to see which questions you missed and reading explanations, your results may be unsatisfactory.

The solution if practice is the weak link in your prep is to improve the way you’re practicing. To get the results you want from your GMAT preparation, practice in the following way:

Practice one GMAT topic at a time. 
 Start practicing a topic by doing easy questions untimed. Do easy questions untimed until you achieve high accuracy. In other words, keep answering as many easy questions as you need to in order to become skilled enough to get easy questions correct 90 to 100 percent of the time. 
 Do the same with medium questions. Answer them untimed until you’re achieving high accuracy, such as 80 to 100 percent. 
 Do the same with hard questions, achieving accuracy of at least 60 percent in Quant and at least 70 percent in Verbal. 
 Once you’re achieving the above accuracies consistently, work on answering questions involving the topic at test pace. You can do so by working the time per question down bit by bit or by simply seeking to answer questions in an average of 2 minutes each.

Possibly the most important of the above steps is practicing untimed with as many questions as necessary to become skilled enough to achieve high accuracy. Any time you miss a question during this step, identify the reason you missed it. Then, address the issue, so that it doesn’t cause you to miss questions going forward.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

The Power of “No” While Studying for the GMAT

Heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind”? A big part of maintaining a high level of motivation while studying for the GMAT is not allowing yourself to take too many days off. Of course, taking a day off here or there is no problem. However, don’t allow one day off to turn into two, and two to turn into four, and so on.

To ensure that the GMAT does not become a distant memory, you need to prioritize things in your life and make frequent use of the simple answer of “no.” While you are preparing for the GMAT, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do things other than study. If you’re not careful, those opportunities can start piling up fast, and before you know it, your study momentum will be gone.

Here are some common scenarios and how you should respond to them:

Happy hour on Thursday: “Thanks, but no thanks. I need to study for my GMAT.”  
  Brunch on Sunday: “Sounds yummy, but I need to study for my GMAT.”  
  Weekend road trip: “Some other time. I need to study for my GMAT.”  
  Binge-watching Netflix: “Nope! I need to study for my GMAT.”  
  Spontaneous movie night: “Tempting, but I need to study for my GMAT.”  
  Video game marathon: “I'll save that for after I crush the GMAT.”

Remember, the fewer nonessential and non-GMAT-related activities you partake in, the more time you’ll have for your GMAT studying. Thus, the smaller the chance you’ll have of losing motivation. Once you knock the GMAT out of the park, you’ll have plenty of time for dining out or ski trips — and you’ll enjoy them all the more knowing you stayed disciplined and got the job done.

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

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

https://targettestprep.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/forums/Creative+-+5-wednesday+wisdom.png

Why Word-Matching on GMAT Verbal Can Lead You Straight to the Wrong Answer

GMAT Verbal question writers do their darndest to make incorrect answers attractive to test-takers and correct answers not so obvious. One way they can accomplish this feat is by using wording in incorrect Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension choices that matches the passage wording and switching up the wording in the correct choice.

Naturally, when answer choices look, on the surface, as if they say something the passage says, we’re drawn to them. We may even assume that a choice that isn’t related at all to what the passage says—or possibly even to what the question is asking—must be relevant simply because it echoes familiar terms. And when a choice uses wording that doesn’t exactly match the passage, we may wrongly dismiss it, assuming that a shift in language equals a shift in meaning.

Of course, the GMAT writers aren’t going to make things so easy for us that we can simply play a word-matching game to ace Critical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Think about it: would your reasoning or comprehension skills really be tested by such a game?

The truth is, you will not perform well in CR or RC by selecting answer choices on the basis of whether they include words that appear in the passage. In fact, you’re likely to fall for many trap choices—some of which may mirror the passage so closely in language that you miss the subtle logical flaw hiding beneath the surface.

So, how do we avoid taking the bait?

We have to dig below the surface of CR and RC answer choices. We can’t stop at the words used. Rather, we must focus on the logic and meaning of what they say. For instance, an incorrect choice could mirror language from the passage but actually contradict what the passage says is true. If we stay at the surface level in evaluating such a choice, we won’t catch that contradiction. We might walk right into the trap, thinking, “It sounds right,” when in reality, it’s subtly but significantly wrong.

Additionally, we might overlook a correct answer just because it’s phrased differently from the passage. The GMAT often tests whether we can recognize valid logical connections even when the wording changes. That’s part of the skill we’re being tested on—flexibility of thought, not memorization of phrasing.

So here’s the fix: Make logic and meaning—not just wording—your north stars. If a choice restates the idea in a new way but is logically consistent with the passage or argument, that’s a green flag. If a choice uses familiar words but introduces a new, unsupported, or contradictory idea, it’s likely bait.

Engaging in this kind of deeper-level analysis is how you rise above the traps and consistently select the correct answers on CR and RC.

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

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart 
Founder & CEO,  Target Test Prep

	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $79 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $325 $200 Discount + $79 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

All TTP Wednesday Wisdom GMAT Tips at one place

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

No.	Topic	Link to Post
1.	Doubting Your Intelligence While Preparing for the GMAT? You’re Not Alone!	Post
2.	Push Through the Discomfort to Boost Your GMAT Verbal Score	Post
3.	Break Through a Score Plateau with Fresh Approaches	Post
4.	New Year, New GMAT Goals! Turn Your Effort into Lifetime Rewards!	Post
5.	Do Some GMAT Quant Studying Every Day	Post
6.	Reviewing Previously Learned Topics Is Paramount!	Post
7.	Do Not Expect Perfection on the GMAT	Post
8.	Maintain Your GMAT Motivation by Prioritizing Your Studies	Post
9.	Eliminate Inefficiencies in How You Handle GMAT Verbal Questions	Post
10.	Practice Answering GMAT Quant Questions in More Than One Way	Post
11.	Build in an Occasional “Cheat Day” into Your GMAT Study Schedule	Post
12.	Make Incremental GMAT Improvements, and They Build Over Time	Post
13.	Topical Studying Must Be Your Go-To Study Method for a High GMAT Score	Post
14.	Is Insufficient Practice the Weak Link in Your GMAT Prep?	Post
15.	The Power of “No” While Studying for the GMAT	Post
16.	Why Word-Matching on GMAT Verbal Can Lead You Straight to the Wrong Answer	Post