GMAT Vocabulary: Words, List, Strategy

Mastering GMAT vocabulary is essential for achieving a top score on the GMAT. The verbal section is GMAT will assess your ability to interpret and analyze written content. A strong vocabulary not only aids in understanding complex passages but also boosts your performance in sentence correction and critical reasoning questions.

Rather than just memorizing rare words, it’s more effective to develop a thorough understanding of essential GMAT vocabulary and how to apply it correctly in different contexts. This article explores the nuances of GMAT vocabulary, offering practical tips and strategies to help you succeed.

GMAT Vocabulary

A strong vocabulary is essential for success on the GMAT. To excel, students need a solid command of language, which involves not just learning new words but using them regularly in everyday communication. Simply memorizing words won’t suffice; real progress comes from consistently incorporating new vocabulary into daily conversations. Actively using these words deepens comprehension and helps build fluency.

Students should develop the habit of using newly learned GMAT vocabulary in their daily conversations. Each new word, whether captivating or ordinary, offers a chance to cement its meaning and improve its application.

GMAT Vocabulary List

By adding new GMAT vocabulary into your conversations, you can significantly enhance their language abilities and better prepare for the GMAT. To help boost your score, we’ve put together a list of key GMAT vocabulary words in the table given below:

Word	Meaning	Example
Adamant	Being extremely determined and steadfast in one’s opinions and not influenced by others.	The boy was adamant in his decision of going abroad.
Assertion	Refer back to your source or reasoning.	How can you assert such a statement without any solid evidence?
Benefactor	A benefactor is someone who supports a cause, organization, or individual, often by making a financial contribution	a benefactor might donate money to a local charity to help fund its programs and services.
Cite	To conclude based on the given evidence/information.	Whilst writing articles, you should always cite your sources to avoid plagiarism.
Contention	Conflict or clash.	The two parties indulged in an aggressive contention.
Corroborate	Verify/Confirm	She corroborated the turn of events in front of the jury.
Derogatory	It describes language or remarks that show a low opinion of someone or something, often intended to belittle or insult	Calling someone “lazy” in a derogatory manner undermines their efforts and shows a lack of respect.
Imply	Suggest	After analysing the clues, it can be implied that the man was not the perpetrator in the crime.
Infer	To conclude based on the given evidence/information.	The event was in itself paradoxical as it contradicted itself.
Mitigate	To lessen, diminish, or render less extreme or severe.	He mitigated the tension between the opposing gangs.
Paradox	Something that is seemingly contradictory or doesn’t make sense.	The event was in itself paradoxical in nature as it contradicted itself.
Posit	To present an argument or hypothesis about something that is currently unknown or uncertain.	The scientists explained their position to the general board about time travelling.
Undermine	To weaken or invalidate	Bad management and leadership really undermined Rajat’s talents.
Validate	To confirm	A wide range of professional bodies validate courses leading to these awards.

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How Does the GMAT Exam Test Vocabulary?

While the GMAT exam does not directly evaluate how many words you know, a comprehensive understanding of the English vocabulary remains crucial for success in the verbal section. Rote memorization of obscure vocabulary proves unnecessary; instead, mastery lies in the precise application and nuanced understanding of familiar words. Unlike traditional English proficiency tests, the GMAT does not require synonym identification, definition provision, or analogical completion.

 However, a diverse and well-integrated vocabulary proves invaluable in tackling reading comprehension and critical reasoning questions. The correct application of familiar vocabulary, rather than the mere possession of esoteric terms, holds the key to achieving better scores in GMAT’s verbal section. Therefore, cultivating a nuanced understanding and purposeful utilisation of existing vocabulary should be prioritised over the expansion into unnecessarily complex lexical territory.

Importance of GMAT Vocabulary

A strong GMAT vocabulary is crucial for several reasons. It aids in understanding reading passages, enhances your ability to spot and correct grammatical errors, and improves your chances of accurate evaluation in context. Review the following points for a clearer understanding:

1. Enhanced Comprehension: A broad vocabulary allows you to better understand and interpret passages in the reading comprehension section. Recognizing and understanding challenging words can help you grasp the nuances of the text.
2. Improved Sentence Correction: The sentence correction section tests your ability to identify grammatical errors and improve sentences. Knowing advanced vocabulary helps you select the most appropriate words and phrases, ensuring clarity and correctness.
3. Better Critical Reasoning: In the critical reasoning section, you’ll need to analyze arguments and evaluate the strength of evidence. A strong vocabulary helps you better understand the context and make more accurate evaluations.
4. Increased Confidence: Mastering GMAT vocabulary boosts your confidence. When you are familiar with the words you encounter, you can focus more on the test’s strategy rather than struggling with unfamiliar terms.

Books To Improve GMAT Vocabulary

Given the critical role of vocabulary in the GMAT verbal section, which assesses a student’s command of English language comprehension and expression, utilising effective resources to strengthen and enhance their vocabulary becomes paramount.

For those seeking top-tier preparation materials, several highly regarded GMAT vocabulary books exist. Carefully choosing among these resources can significantly enhance one’s vocabulary development and, consequently, boost performance in the verbal section.

Name of the Book	Name of the Author/Publisher	Price	Purchase Link
Word Power Made Easy	Norman Lewis	INR 111	Click Here
The Vocabulary Builder Workbook	Chris Lele	INR 912	Click Here
GMAT Vocabulary 3000	Official Test Prep	INR 8,011	Click Here
504 Absolutely Essential Words	Murray Bromberg	INR 5,858	Click Here
Ultimate Verbal and Vocabulary Builder for SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT	Lighthouse Review Inc	INR 2,194	Click Here

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Tips and Tricks to Improve GMAT Vocabulary

The effective application of vocabulary forms a cornerstone of success in the GMAT’s verbal section. With a solid hold of vocabulary, you can ace the sentence correction, reading comprehension, and critical reasoning questions in GMAT’s verbal section.

As previously established, a robust understanding of English vocabulary plays a pivotal role in enhancing one’s score. That being said, here are some tips to help you improve your vocabulary for the GMAT. 

• Developing a consistent reading habit constitutes a cornerstone of effective GMAT vocabulary preparation. Immersing yourself in diverse materials, including books, magazines, and newspapers, fosters not only vocabulary expansion but also a nuanced understanding of word usage and context.
• Mastery of the GMAT’s verbal reasoning section necessitates familiarity with the intricacies of the English language. Regular reading provides invaluable exposure to sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures, equipping you with the tools to navigate the complexities of the exam.
• Compile curated lists of high-frequency and impactful vocabulary words specifically relevant to the GMAT. This focused approach streamlines your study by prioritising words likely to appear on the exam, maximising your return on time invested.
• Apart from that, you can create personalised flashcards containing the targeted vocabulary words. Include not only the definitions but also illustrative sentence examples demonstrating the words in context. Regularly reviewing these flashcards reinforces your understanding and promotes long-term retention.
• You can use different apps for your GMAT vocabulary practice. There are numerous apps that can help you study on the go. Some of the popular apps are Manhattan Prep, GMAT exam prep, Economist GMAT tutor and so on. 

So that was all about GMAT vocabulary. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

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FAQs on GMAT Vocabulary

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