The GMAT's Sentence Correction Section is not a Grammar Test

Yes, I'm one of those annoying people you always meet at parties, who will correct you if you commit even the most minor grammatical infraction. I'm unapologetic about it because words are something in which I have many years of experience, and I therefore assumed that I would have no trouble with the sentence correction section of the GMAT. I was shocked to learn just how deluded my assumptions were. I found myself consistently humbled by incorrect answers to sentence correction questions during the GMAT preparation process. I couldn't seem to figure out what I was doing wrong, but I was unwilling to admit defeat and sacrifice an entire section of the exam. I swallowed my pride and sought professional help (from a GMAT tutor, not a psychiatrist). My tutor quickly helped me realize that I was, to paraphrase a certain ex-president, 'misunderstanding' the purpose of GMAT sentence correction.

Why the 'English teacher' approach to GMAT sentence correction doesn't work  

The GMAT is not an assessment of a student's readiness for English-teacher certification. It is an evaluation of analytical and critical thinking skills, which are much more valued in the business world (even I have to concede that few deals hinge on the correct usage of 'who' and 'whom'). Every aspect of the GMAT is intended to compel the test taker to choose the most logical answer. Just as the GMAT's quantitative section is constructed in a way in which math becomes a tool of logic, GMAT verbal exercises are built to test reasoning skills. Correct answers to GMAT sentence correction exercises are therefore the most rational options, not the most grammatical. Once I understood this concept, the folly of my earlier ways became clear. When a sentence was presented to me as being incorrect, I had to suppress my internal editor and avoid making choices based on grammar or aesthetics. I had to constantly remind myself that I was not being asked if the grammar was correct, I was being asked if the message was clear. You can avoid my mistakes if you always remember that the goal is to identify the intent of the author and select the answer that best represents that intent.

Now that we understand the ideas behind GMAT sentence correction, how can we use this knowledge in practice? The answer to this question involves a series of three steps, which can be easily recalled with the acronym 'BAD'. These steps are:

1. Break down

Start by breaking down the underlined portion of the provided statement. This underlined section is either correct as written or in need of revision with the best logical alternative. Identify the words used and what those words represent. Which words are nouns, prepositions, modifiers, and so forth? Also, pay attention to the tense, and don't forget to consider punctuation. How are the commas used? Apply the same analytical procedure to the other sections of the text. By breaking down both the underlined and non-underlined portions of the sentence, you can easily identify the word that is the focus of the sentence correction question. Sentence correction exercises generally ask test takers to determine which word most effectively conveys a particular message. 

2. Analyze

Once you have broken down the sentence, analyze the intended message. Who is the center of attention? What is the subject of the text? If the subject is underlined, analyze and identify every specific detail. If the subject is an animal, for example, ask yourself if it is a single specimen, a group, or an entire species. The quicker you can identify who or what is being described, the quicker you can identify which parts of the text need to match.

3. Decide

After the text has been broken down and analyzed, the last step is to choose the best answer. You don’t need to break down and analyze each answer choice. If you followed the first two steps when reading the provided text, you should already know what you are looking for. Your focus should be on key words and your decision should be dictated by what the text requires in order to make sense. In this context, 'sense' refers to the intended message rather than grammar.

The key to mastering GMAT sentence correction is practice. It will probably be a challenge to recondition literary instincts developed over many years. Students also tend to read passively and accept a text as correct if the language is easily understood. Success on GMAT sentence correction exercises requires active reading. Remember that you are not reading for fun in this situation, you are analyzing and reasoning, which can be hard work. It is important to practice implementing the BAD system during an ample preparation period. With sufficient repetition, you will develop new instincts and become more confident. You may have noticed that the sentence correction chapter in the current GMAT Official Guide begins on page 666, but with your new skills, you will see this as a coincidence rather than any evil intent on the part of the test's creators.