Studying for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in a short amount of time can be overwhelming. To help you plan and ace the test, we have listed some important tips and resources to help you crack the GRE:
Understand the Exam Structure and Scoring System
Before you jump into studying, it is important to understand the structure of the test and assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Preparation and Timelines
Experts recommend committing approximately 120 hours (that is two hours per day for 60 days) of preparation time to achieve a competitive score. If you are struggling with English, you may want to take more time than that to prepare. You should plan your study based on two things:
- The number of topics for which you need to prepare: If you take a practice test at the beginning of your studies, you can use the results to identify your weakest areas and focus on them.
- How much time you can commit to preparation: No one knows better than you how much time you can devote to the GRE per day, so, make a proper study plan and stick to it.
Review the Study Materials
After doing some preliminary prep work, look into paid and unpaid resources that will help you excel.
- Paid
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- ETS’s Official Book for GRE
- ETS’s Official GRE Book for Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
- ETS’s Official GRE prep book for Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions:
- Cracking the GRE with 4 Practice Tests, 2020 Edition by the Princeton Review
- Manhattan’s 5lb Book for GRE prep
- Free
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- ETS Powerprep Tests: Free online practice tests from the test-makers themselves.
- Quizlet: Here you will find thousands of flashcards made by other students about the GRE on vocab, math, you name it.
- Manhattan GRE Practice Test: Manhattan is a reputable source of GRE information, so this practice test is of a high standard.
- Khan Academy: Although there is not a section specifically dedicated to GRE prep, you will still find plenty of material that is helpful for your studies, especially for the math portion. Just search for the concept you are having trouble with and you will find a video that explains it perfectly.
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) Essay Topic Pools: Argument and Issue—ETS provides the entire pool of tasks from which your essay prompt will be selected.
Practice
Lastly, practice, practice, practice. Another key aspect of your GRE preparation is repetition. Only when you take regular tests, analyze the results, and make changes accordingly are you going to reach your target. So, plan your practice tests ahead of time, and then decide on the test date.
We hope these tips and tricks help in your GRE test preparation. If you have any other resources that are valuable, be sure to share in the comments below!
