If you’re thinking about going to graduate school, you’ve probably been wondering how to start studying for the Graduate Record Examination, otherwise known as the GRE.
Most graduate programs require that applicants take the GRE, a roughly four-hour test that resembles the structure of its college entry precursor, the SAT, with three sections that assess verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills. So, if you’re worried that your standardized test-taking abilities are rusty, don’t be. The GRE is designed to evaluate your critical thinking skills, which is something you have probably already developed over the course of years of schooling; you won’t need to recall any random facts from, say, freshman year biology.
That said, you do need to increase your ability to problem solve, think critically, and sharpen your writing skills prior to taking the GRE. As long as you give yourself several months in advance to get familiar with the test and take steps every day towards acing the GRE, you should have no problem approaching your GRE test day with confidence.
With this in mind, let's discuss a few practical, actionable ways to improve your approach to GRE test prep.
1. Don’t cram! Set a study schedule that spaces out material over the course of a few months.
As mentioned earlier, the GRE is geared towards aspiring students who have honed critical thinking skills throughout high school and college. Your GRE prep should expand on these skills, but that can’t be done overnight. Do yourself a favor, and get an early start.
2. Invest in a GRE test prep class, tutor, or a respected GRE prep workbook.
Consulting an expert can help introduce you to the types of questions and problem-solving methods you will find on the test so that you can tap into those relevant skills more easily. Whether it is through a GRE test prep course, tutor, or a study guide, take some time to get to know the ins and outs of the test from a trustworthy and reputable source.
3. For GRE test prep, practice makes perfect.
Most GRE tests are administered on a computer, with a unique question model in which correct responses will be followed by harder questions that are worth more points. Wrong responses will be followed by easier questions that won’t give you as high of a score.
It is crucial that you take a several practice tests in order to become familiar with both the contents of the test and the challenging length of the test.
4. Throw it back to high school math class.
If you’ve taken a college math or statistics class, you're on your way to being prepared for the GRE’s quantitative section, which is relatively the same difficulty as the SAT’s math section, but if it’s been a while since you brushed up on your math knowledge, dig up your notes from high school or find a review book that goes over basic concepts in algebra and geometry.
In other words, save yourself some time, and use work you’ve already completed as a study method.
5. Find a fun way to grow your vocabulary.
Remember the SAT’s vocabulary questions? The GRE vocab section is like the SAT’s well-read older sibling. Read as much as possible to learn new words or try an app or set of flashcards that will teach you a set number of words every day.
Pro Tip: You can even subscribe to Word of the Day to receive a word every day via email from Dictionary.com!
6. If you’re still in undergrad, take classes that you think will help prepare you for the GRE's essay section.
For instance, if you opt to take an advanced English class in undergrad, it will help you with the analytical writing skills section, during which you will be required to write two persuasive essays. An advanced English class will expose you to the level of reading comprehension and analytical writing that will be required on the GRE.
If you have already graduated, be sure to devote some of your GRE test prep time to practice timed essay writing.
7. Allow WVU to help you with your GRE test prep:
At West Virginia University, we understand that in order to enroll in graduate school, many graduate students need to first take the GRE. In an effort to help guide you as you navigate GRE test prep, we have developed a sought-after guide: The GRE Cheat Sheet — A Guide to Acing the GRE. You're invited to download it for more information.
Join West Virginia University's community of driven experts:
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Download WVU's GRE Cheat Sheet — A Guide to Acing the GRE.
