8 Tips and Tricks to Ace Your GRE
Published 12 February, 2022
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The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is part and parcel of university admission in the United States. This entrance exam was developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS) as a standardized method of measuring the knowledge and academic readiness of graduate program candidates.
The GRE General Test consists of three major sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. At first glance, the exam may seem daunting but ample preparation can help you to pass easily. Here are some tips and tricks to help you plan your studies and ace your GRE.
1. Find Your Baseline
Understanding how the GRE works is the best way to prepare yourself for the exam. Many online education providers have free full-length practice tests that you can sign up for. These tests are conducted under realistic conditions so that you have an accurate idea of what is in store on examination day. Do not be disappointed with the result of your first practice test! It is an important exercise that shows you which areas you can improve on.
2. Focus On Your Weakness
Now that you know which areas you are weakest in, you can make an efficient study plan to target them. Some people are great in language skills but poor in arithmetic. Others may be excellent in logic and critical thinking but weak in vocabulary. Whatever your situation, studying the entire curriculum instead of focusing on key areas can squander valuable time. Your weakest subjects have the most potential for improvement in terms of scoring points, so work on getting them up to scratch.
3. Set a Study Plan
Studying outside of a school environment can be difficult and distracting. Signing up for a quality online prep program can help you to put in place an effective study plan. Most programs are self-paced and they typically include assigned homework and prescribed progression. This breaks down the required revision into manageable blocks. If you study well in short bursts, allow yourself ample breaks. Similarly, if you concentrate best over long periods, make sure that you set aside quiet time to study daily.
4. Improve Your Vocabulary
Vocabulary is a large part of the GRE test. It may seem like ‘just words’, but many candidates underestimate the complexities of the GRE vocabulary portion. Many of the words used in the examination only have subtle differences. Thankfully, there are many GRE vocabulary guides online and included in prep programs that can help you to expand your vocabulary range. You can create flashcards of unfamiliar words that appear in the exam and give yourself spontaneous reminders throughout the day.
5. Learn How to Write
The Analytical Writing section is one of the more stressful portions of the GRE as students have to formulate a written essay instead of simply choosing from multiple choice answers. Prepare yourself for this section by reading as many editorials in newspapers and magazines as you can. Consider the standard essay structure of these pieces and take note of the way the writers present evidence to argue their position. Keep in mind the use of varied vocabulary to capture attention and compel reason.
6. Do the Math
There is no substitute for a strong foundation in mathematics and logic in the Quantitative Reasoning section. However, you can use certain tricks to get better results. Drawing diagrams to help visualize data is a great way to convert abstract information into a more digestible format. Replacing variables with actual numbers can also help you to understand equations better, particularly for quantitative comparison questions. Some questions are deliberately full of extraneous information; Write them out on your scratch paper and underline the important parts.
7. Hone Your Strategy
By now you should know that strategy plays a huge part in the GRE. Bad time management will negatively affect your results in a big way. You have less than two minutes to answer each question in the Verbal and Quantitative sections, so keeping a steady pace is essential. Tackle the easy questions first and come back to the tough ones later. If you have read a question carefully several times and still cannot decide on the answer, use the process of elimination to find the most probable one.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice
Not to flog a dead horse but practice does make perfect. Doing and redoing GRE questions and taking practice exams will help you to become more comfortable with GRE question formats and enhance your confidence on exam day. There are useful resources on the My GRE Exam Preparation official website that can help you to choose the right online prep program and find the support that you need.
To do well in the GRE, you not only have to study hard—you also have to study smart. The best online prep programs have accurate practice questions, in-depth answer explanations, and private live tutoring options. Many programs even include a score increase guarantee! By using all the tools at your disposal, you can ace the GRE and look forward to a bright and successful future. Good luck!