GRE Preparation: Effective Strategies and Tips to Prepare for the General Test
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GRE Preparation: Effective Strategies and Tips to Prepare for the General Test

Shubhankar Das logo

Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jun 19, 2024

Highlights:

  • Resources: GRE coaching centers, online courses, preparation books, and you can join social media groups for discussion with aspirants.
  • Official Website: ETS, the conducting body of GRE, provides free-of-charge and low-cost preparation tools and courses.
  • Preparation Books: GRE prep books include updated and customized study materials, and practice papers with sample answers. 
  • Practice Tests: Regular GRE practice tests familiarize you with the exam pattern and topics.

GRE preparation can be done through joining coaching centers, solving practice papers, or self-study. ETS provides both free and low-cost GRE courses online for effective preparation. Many reputed coaching centers in India offer both online and offline preparation courses. GRE coaching classes include customized courses, expert mentorship, and regular practice tests. Taking regular GRE study tests will help you to understand the exam pattern and question types. If you are opting for self-study, your study plan must include reading books and utilizing free resources. Many GRE preparation websites offer demo classes and free prep materials for beginners to understand the exam pattern.

GRE_Preparation_Tips

GRE Preparation Strategies

Candidates wondering how to start GRE preparation can begin from the first section; the Analytical Writing Assessment section. The next section is the Verbal Reasoning sections, two Quantitative Reasoning sections, and an unidentified unscored section which can be either a Verbal Reasoning section or a Quantitative Reasoning section. The candidates must know the exam pattern of GRE to ace the exam.
Below stated are a few GRE exam preparation strategies to be applied by the candidates while doing GRE preparation.

  • Know the Response Required: GRE Reasoning questions have different formats consisting of a single answer choice, one or more answer choices, and enter a numeric answer. Candidates need to know the response required for each question.
  • Mark and Review Feature:  Candidates must use the mark and review feature to mark questions to review them in GRE test center. This feature enables one to review or change the answer anytime.
  • Answer Every Question: The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are examined by the number of questions answered correctly. To increase the score, it is recommended to answer all questions on GRE exam date.
  • Keep Track of Time: Be quick in answering the questions without making mistakes, do not waste time thinking about individual questions which are quite difficult.
  • Go through the Answers: Have a few minutes in hand to check and review the errors made. Severe errors affect GRE scores, though typographical or grammatical errors don’t affect GRE AWA score.
  • Utilize Scratch Papers: Use the scratch papers provided to do the rough GRE geometry work. The candidate might need additional scratch papers during the scheduled break. So take the papers before you begin the test.

Note: Other than these, candidates can utilize GRE classes online, and give GRE online practice test to cover GRE courses online. There are several free GRE prep available which assist the candidates in GRE preparation. Also, candidates can choose GRE institutes near me option for a better understanding of the course.

Section wise GRE Preparation Tips

To complete GRE study planner, it is recommended to aspirants follow GRE preparation Tips. Below-mentioned are some tips to effectively prepare for GRE syllabus.

GRE Verbal Preparation Tips

Down mentioned are tips to be followed while giving the verbal reasoning section of GRE.

  • Applicants should focus on building vocabulary in the verbal section of GRE. Have a vocab journal (register), flashcards, etymology, and mnemonics, use vocab games, and also utilize online apps and tools to learn words.
  • Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions are important, learn the techniques to solve them. Sentence Equivalence or Text Completion question is difficult due to a lack of understanding of sentence structure.
  • Pay attention to clues and triggers to conclude with your word or phrase. In sentence equivalence questions, the two responses may not be synonyms. Build the skill to understand complex sentence structures.
  • Inculcate a good reading habit for GRE Reading Comprehension. Consider reading good material (preferably non-fiction) that deals with history, sociology, economics, commerce, natural sciences, and the like.

GRE Quantitative Preparation Tips

Below stated are the tips to be followed by candidates while giving the quant section of GRE.

  • Consider practicing free GRE preparation online Math materials, there may be very few questions based on math fundamentals. There are questions related to Math fundamentals, and applicants are needed to go through them.
  • Follow the Official Guide and list the math topics that may appear on GRE; ace every topic ace every topic by solving GRE Maths practice test. Know GRE doesn’t test on esoteric math concepts, questions are often complicated.
  • Use the 'Transfer Display' feature available along with the calculator for juxtaposition with numeric entry math questions. Utilize it whenever required.
  • Consider paying attention to the other topics after practicing the more commonly tested topics. Such as special triangles and Pythagorean triplets that are often examined on GRE.
  • Be familiar with the various common expressions, and word problems, and practice them, this will help in understanding the problems better.
  • Topics like Permutation-Combination and Probability are to be practiced well. It's found that a poor score in the quant section is often because of getting Permutation-Combination and Probability questions wrong.

GRE AWA Preparation Tips

Below stated are a few tips for candidates to ace the analytical writing section of GRE. GRE AWA Preparation can be done by following these tips.

  • Writing responses to the full-length practice test is enough, but reviewing the essays scored got is important.
  • Refer to the Official Guide to know the proper instructions for each AWA task.
  • Candidates must go through the issue and the argument as per the instructions given for each task.
  • Practice writing the AWA responses while taking every practice test.
  • In the argument task, evaluate the effectiveness of the argument as per the specific instructions along with the argument.

GRE Study Planner

The answer to when to start GRE preparation varies from candidate to candidate. Moreover, the answer to how much time is required for GRE preparation is 30 days. If a candidate is determined and focused, a 30-day GRE plan can help to ace GRE. Below-mentioned is the two weeks GRE study plan. Candidates can do GRE self-preparation by a study planner. Candidates won’t require any GRE classes if they follow a  GRE preparation timetable. Candidates can use the below mentioned plan to learn how to prepare GRE:

Sun

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

Review practice test and initial self-review

Reading Comprehension strategy guide – Chapter 2

Algebra strategy guide 1-2, practice question sets and vocabulary

Magoosh’s online GRE program and complete guide

ETS’s Powerprep Online

Manhattan’s GRE book

Review timed paper test 1 argument and issue essays

Inequalities

Review notes and read old problems

Sample papers and practice tests

Reading materials and journals

Study verbal test completions and sentence equivalence

Exam overview quant, AWA, and

Take practice test 2, and tactical review

GRE Preparation Books

The answer to how to prepare GRE is through the official test GRE preparation books. Moreover, GRE preparation for beginners study plan should include time to practice questions given in books. The book incorporates a copy of the POWER PREP II, Version 2.2 Software CD. Below are a few GRE preparation books - Manhattan prep GRE, Kaplan GRE prep, and Magoosh GRE prep for GRE test prep. The books help to do GRE preparation online.

GRE Coaching Center

GRE preparation can be done through GRE coaching online free or offline. Candidates can opt for GRE coaching centers near me an option for preparation or take GRE preparation online coaching. GRE Coaching center fees range from INR 6,000-INR 30,000. Below-mentioned are a few GRE coaching centers in India for GRE preparation. These coaching centers provide the best GRE preparation course.

GRE Practice Tests

GRE practice test papers are an important mechanism for aspirants. There are several options for getting GRE question papers like online sites, preparation books, and also coaching. GRE Practice Test free, GRE online practice test, and sample papers help to assist candidates in GRE preparation. Moreover, POWER PREP for computer-delivered general test, and www.ets.org/gre website for subject tests is beneficial.

GRE Verbal Preparation Practice Papers

Below stated are a few preparation papers for GRE Verbal reasoning. Candidates can use these for preparation of GRE. GRE verbal preparation practice papers help to do GRE preparation online.

GRE Quantitative Preparation Practice Papers

Below mentioned are a few practice test free for GRE Quant Reasoning papers. Candidates can go through these for GRE preparation. Sample papers are also recommended by GRE coaching for GRE preparations.

GRE AWA Preparation Sample Papers

Below stated are a few GRE AWA practice papers. Candidates can go through these to ace GRE preparation.

The candidates can ace GRE by following GRE preparation tips, opting GRE coaching near me option. Moreover, reading books for GRE preparation is a great way to prepare for the exam.

FAQs

Ques: What is the best way to prepare for the GRE?

Ans: Aspirants can do GRE exam preparation via coaching centers, practice papers, or self-study. GRE Preparation requires the candidate’s knowledge about exam patterns, types of questions, the total number of questions, and time to be invested in each question. 

Ques: Is 2 months sufficient for GRE preparation?

Ans: GRE preparation time depends on the candidate’s academic skills and study plan. With a proper mentorship and customized study plan, candidates can clear GRE within 2 months.

Ques: How long does it take to prepare for GRE?

Ans: Most of the candidates need 2 to 4 months to take GRE preparation. With a proper study plan and expert mentorship, candidates can easily prepare for GRE

Ques: What is the syllabus of GRE?

Ans: GRE syllabus includes 3 sections; verbal reasoning, quantitative, and analytical writing section. Candidates need to do effective GRE preparation to achieve their targeted results.

Ques: How long does GRE preparation take?

Ans: The amount of time needed for GRE preparation varies depending on the candidate’s study plan. Most students spend 2-3 months preparing for the GRE, studying for 1-3 hours per day.

Ques: What's the best way to study for the GRE?

Ans: GRE Preparation is important for aspirants to achieve a good score. ETS provides candidates with both free-of-charge and low-cost preparation tools to assist with GRE exam prep. Aspirants can do GRE exam preparation via coaching centers, practice papers, or self-study.

Ques: How many practice tests should I take?

Ans: Take as many practice tests as you can. GRE practice tests make candidates familiar with GRE syllabus and question types and help to achieve their targeted score.

Ques: How do I improve my GRE verbal score?

Ans: To boost your verbal score, focus on building vocabulary through flashcards and practice reading comprehension passages.

Ques: What's a good GRE score?

Ans: Achieving a score of 320+ is considered a good GRE score. Candidates need to do effective GRE preparation to achieve their targeted results.

Ques: How long are GRE scores valid?

Ans: GRE scores are valid for up to 5 years after your test date. Candidates need to send their additional score report within this valid period.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Comments


2 Comments
A
ashish singh
Please tell the GRE at Home guidelines?
R
rubab

To take the GRE test at home, you must meet all the Equipment, Environment, and Testing Space Requirements. If your computer and testing room don't meet the requirements, you will not be able to sit for the test or receive a refund or a free reschedule. All at-home GRE tests are monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU.

N
nafisa khatoon
Are there any online GRE preparation platforms?
R
rubab

GRE online coaching is high in demand by the candidates like you for being able to have the convenience of taking preparation. Some of the best online courses for GRE are as follows - Magoosh GRE, Princeton Review GRE, Kaplan GRE, PrepScholar GRE, Jamboree, etc.

For more details, you can refer to this link: Best GRE Online Coaching Courses, Duration, and Fees


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