How to Study for the GRE: Best GRE Prep

gray clock icon
7 min read

So, you've decided to continue your education and begin a graduate program, but the only way to do so is to take the Graduate Records Exam, otherwise known as the GRE. Fantastic, more tests!

With the sheer amount of available study resources, beginning your GRE prep can feel suffocating. When should you take a practice test? Is it worth purchasing an enormous GRE study book? Should you take the time to build a study schedule? The truth is, performing well on the GRE exam requires a mix of several factors.

At Varsity Tutors, we fully understand the amount of stress the GRE general test can cause, which is why we've compiled this online prep sheet for you. Feel confident about attaining a good GRE score with these tips.

Breaking Down the Actual GRE

We know, we know, you want the secret recipe to mastering your GRE preparation so you can ace test day. Before we can explore various studying tips, though, it's wise to familiarize yourself with the three different sections of the GRE. After all, you can't build a study plan if you don't know what to study for. There have also been some GRE changes in 2024, so a refresher surely won't hurt! There are three main sections of the GRE: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Here's how the Educational Testing Service defines each section:

Analytical Writing

Your analytical writing skills will be tested in the first section of the GRE with two separate 30-minute essays. The first one is the "Analyze an Issue" task, where you'll be presented an opinion on an issue and instructions on how to respond. The second is the "Analyze an Argument" task, where you'll evaluate an argument according to specific instructions.

Verbal Reasoning

In the verbal reasoning section, expect to solve problems that require text completion and sentence equivalence. You'll be tested on your reading comprehension skills as well, having to read passages and form thoughts based on material.

Quantitative Reasoning

The quantitative reasoning section is going to test your math skills and will come with three different question types: quantitative comparisons, multiple-choice questions, and numeric entry questions.

Creating a Personalized GRE Study Plan

Okay, now that you know what's on the GRE, it's time to start thinking about creating a study plan that adequately prepares you for the exam without negatively impacting your day-to-day life.

The earlier you build and commit to a plan, the better off you'll be. Think of it like training for a marathon—you wouldn't wait until the week before to start jogging, right? The same goes for the GRE. A consistent study schedule early on will help solidify those concepts and make your test prep more efficient.

  • Set SMART Goals
    • Specific: "I want a 160 on the Verbal Reasoning Section."
    • Measurable: "I'll do weekly practice tests to track my progress."
    • Achievable: "I'll study for 2 hours a day during the week."
    • Relevant: "I'll prioritize areas of weakness, such as reading comprehension."
    • Time-bound: "I'll take the GRE in 4 months."
  • Balance the following activities:
    • Practice tests
    • Content review
    • Skill-building activities

How Long Should One Study for the GRE?

Most test takers spend about two to four months studying for the GRE, but the longer answer is...

How long you study for the GRE really depends on what you're hoping to get out of it. For many students, simply getting through the exam with an average score is good enough. For other higher-achieving students, they may have a specific target score they want to reach. If you fall in the latter group, set your target score early so that you give yourself ample time to take a GRE practice test (or two), study prep books, etc.

Of course, no two students study the same. You should consider what your learning style is before you create your study plan; this will help you narrow down how much time you need to set aside for studying. 

Do you benefit most from video lessons? How about 1-on-1 study sessions? Remember, this is YOUR study plan -- you should craft it in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Finally, keep in mind your existing knowledge of each section on the test. If you're already a math whiz, you probably don't need to spend a ton of time prepping for the GRE math section. If you excel at digesting information and creating compelling arguments through writing, maybe you can spend less time studying for the essay section.

Practice Tests Make Perfect

Make no mistake about it: seeing practice questions before the actual test date will significantly improve your chances of doing well on the actual exam. Taking full-length practice tests will give you a good understanding of the exam structure, key you in on potential questions, and help you figure out how much study time you truly need to set aside.

While a practice test by itself won't necessarily help you deepen your knowledge in one of the three subject areas, it will clear up any concerns you have about the format and give you a decent time frame for how long it takes you to complete.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive approach to GRE prep, a GRE prep course can be a valuable asset. These courses often provide a structured study plan, expert instruction, and a wealth of practice materials, including realistic practice tests and detailed answer explanations.

When taking a GRE prep course alongside a qualified tutor, like those offered by Varsity Tutors, they can help review your GRE practice tests and give you invaluable feedback that you wouldn't get otherwise.

Best GRE Prep Books

Those beefy prep books are overwhelming to absorb, but they can provide crucial insight into the GRE if you take the time to study them. They offer a centralized place for you to review relevant material and typically include thousands of GRE practice problems with in-depth explanations. You likely encounter words you've never seen or heard before in these books, which sounds scary, but what better way to condition you for the real deal?

Here are a few of the most commonly used prep books by students in 2024:

  • The Official Guide to the GRE® General Test, Third Edition
  • 5 lb. Book of GRE® Practice Problems by Manhattan Prep
  • GRE Premium Prep 36th Edition (for the new, shorter GRE) by The Princeton Review

GRE Studying Strategies by Section

So, remember those three GRE test sections we told you about at the beginning of this blog? (Verbal, quantitative, and analytical, in case you need a reminder). Well, let's revisit those and identify some specific ways to improve your study habits in each one. Honing your studies in the following areas will make test day feel like just another practice session.

  • Verbal Reasoning: Think of ways to improve your vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Understanding what the question is asking you is sometimes half the battle, and being able to use an expanded vocabulary will set you apart from other test-takers. Subject matter could cover arts & humanities, current events, or even biological and social science.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: The quantitative section is all about math topics. Brush up on your math concepts and practice problem-solving techniques. Consider leveraging resources like PowerPrep online to get the most accurate practice math problems, and familiarize yourself with on-screen calculators so you aren't confused on test day. (The GRE will provide you with a virtual calculator).
  • Analytical Writing: Graduate programs want to see you be able to establish clear and effective communication through your writing. In this section, you'll be tasked with two 30-minute essay assignments, so it's paramount that you not only be able to explain yourself clearly but do so in a timely manner. A wonderful way to prepare yourself for the writing section of the GRE is through practice essays on the ETS official website. They publish the entire pool of potential essay topics, so you aren't caught off guard by the question types. Pretty nice, huh?

Mimic the GRE Test Environment as Best You Can

You'd be surprised how many students are thrown off by the ticking clock and unfamiliar environment. When you decide it's time to sit down and take a practice test, do the absolute most to replicate the environment you'll be taking the real test. You certainly want to study, you want to eat and sleep well, you want to do all of those things.

But more than anything, you want to be comfortable on test day. You don't want to be caught off guard by unfamiliar words, foreign tools, the setting, or time restrictions. When practicing for the GRE general test, keep these things in mind:

  • Choose a quiet, distraction-free zone to take the practice test in. It's best to choose a setting where you won't be interrupted. (Your bedroom, a coworking space, or maybe that dark corner of the library no one goes to). This includes silencing all electronics as well. Music can be a great study partner, but this won't be allowed during test day.
  • Follow the designated time restrictions. Getting used to working under a strict time limit will help build your stamina for test day and give you an idea of how to set your pace. Set your clock, and when you're finished, see exactly where you need to improve.
  • Full-length practice is best. You should practice individual sections, especially those that cause you extra problems, but don't ignore taking full-length tests as well. Again, this is the closest way to mimic the real thing, which is going to help you out in the long term by strengthening your mental endurance.

Varsity Tutors as Your Online GRE Prep Tool

We're hoping this guide is a great jumping-off point for learning how to study for the GRE, but if you're still left wondering where to start, you've got a plethora of options available at Varsity Tutors. Our GRE prep resources, tutoring, and practice tests are designed to help you achieve the highest score. Explore interactive learning materials like our GRE flashcards, or take a diagnostic test to see where your strengths are.

Taking the GRE is a massive step in your educational journey. Reach out to Varsity Tutors today to get the test results you desire!

‍

Tags