If you are considering applying to graduate programs in an English field, you may need to complete the GRE Literature in English subject test, more commonly referred to as the Lit GRE. The GRE Literature in English exam covers American, British, and world literature, including drama, fiction, nonfiction, and plays. It spans from those written in Old and Middle English to works in modern English, as well as older translated pieces. In addition to identification questions that ask you to recall the title, author, or publication date of a literary work based on a passage or quote, the test also asks you to analyze passages and identify specific literary concepts. Other questions will test your knowledge of English grammar, while others still may address the history and ideas of literary theory. Some questions may require extremely specific reference knowledge, such as those that ask about the translation of passages given in Old and Middle English and those that demand knowledge of biblical and classical allusions. Each exam consists of roughly 230 questions, so there is plenty of room for each problem type to appear numerous times, as well as for the test to measure your knowledge of extremely diverse topics.
If this all sounds completely overwhelming to you, that is a perfectly normal response! Do not let this cause you unnecessary stress when your energy could be better spent studying. Work with an experienced instructor via one-on-one tutoring sessions designed to help you give your best performance on test day. One-on-one GRE Literature tutoring can help you master the content and test-taking skills you need in order to achieve your personal best score on the GRE Literature in English test. Lit GRE tutors have all achieved stellar scores on this exam, and they can share their tactics with you while helping you study the material you most need to work on. Sessions can focus on your concerns with the exam and can take place at the times and locations that work best for your schedule.
