The present disclosure generally relates to a tape drive including a tape head. The tape head comprises at least one same gap verify (SGV) module comprising a plurality of write transducer and read transducer pairs disposed on a substrate. In each pair, the write transducer comprises a write pole having a height, and the read transducer comprises a first shield disposed adjacent to the write pole. The write pole and the first shield of each pair are spaced apart a distance greater than or equal to about 20% of the height of the write pole. The SGV module is configured to write data to a tape using the write transducer of each pair and read verify the data written on the tape using the read transducer of each pair such that the write transducer and read transducer of each pair are concurrently operable.