GMAT™ Reading Comprehension Tips for Non-Native English Speakers
Preparing for the GMAT™ exam is a challenge for many aspiring business school students. English as a second language (ESL) test takers, like many of the prospective business mater’s and MBA applicants I advise, face additional challenges that native English speakers typically do not. Often, I find that a hurdle for ESL test takers is the lack of exposure to the topics presented in the GMAT™ exam, which ultimately leads to gaps in comprehension.
Recognizing these issues, test takers can prepare for such passages by familiarizing themselves with content and vocabulary within these topics.
At MBA Key, we believe the best way to train for the GMAT is with the GMAT itself. The practice questions from the GMAT Official Guides provide the best resources to gain mastery of the GMAT content, language, style, and vocabulary.
Here are some of my personal tips for success in GMAT Reading Comprehension.
Leverage the GMAT reading passages
There’s nothing better than practicing with the real thing! Find out which topic areas you have the most trouble with. I typically find that our students are often unfamiliar with vocabulary in certain social science passages: archaeology, law, and politics.
The best way for better comprehension, and thus efficiency in parsing through a passage, is to get a “feel” for these passages. Start by reading the passages for the pure joy of reading and learning about the topics, rather than pressuring yourself with time limits and questions that you have to answer.
As you read more and more of the same types of passages, you will find that the content hovers around similar issues. Build your own vocabulary list for each topic and you will prove to yourself that the same vocabulary is used over and over, and with practice you’ll recognize the patterns you need to quickly grasp the text.
Gain exposure to topics foreign to ESL students
If you didn’t matriculate from a Western, English-speaking high school or university, you most likely did not have the same history and cultural lessons that would help you efficiently comprehend legal, historical, or cultural passages.
Beyond familiarizing yourself with GMAT Reading Comprehension passages, take a short history lesson on YouTube or Wikipedia on topics such as Native American history, women’s rights, and US voting. You are not expected to become an expert on these topics; instead, aim to get exposure and familiarity with the vocabulary used in these topics.
These are some tried and tested recommendations that have worked for many ESL students. Sure, it takes a bit of extra work—but if you can get invested in these topics (at least for the sake of your GMAT success), the payoff is well worth it.
The GMAT is already a challenging undertaking; MBA Key believes that if you can find your inner curiosity to spark the interest that will get you invested in the arguments presented – you’ve put yourself in a position that is focused and ready to attack the questions!
April Thanarat is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the Director of MBA Key.
She has over 20 years of experience teaching GMAT and counseling MBA candidates. Her passion and expertise have made her the most sought-after GMAT instructor in Thailand. As Director at MBA Key, April leverages her diverse, international background to help students build and achieve their academic and professional goals.
Free GMAT prep! Get your free GMAT™ Official Starter Kit + Practice Exams 1 & 2, which includes a sampler of 90 past exam questions and the first two full-length GMAT™ practice exams that match the real exam format, increase in difficulty, and help you manage your pacing.