Eight tips to prepare for the GRE Test

GRE test content

In addition to the GRE General Test, there is also a GRE Subject Test. For most schools, the GRE General Test is enough. The time allotted to the paper version of the GRE General Test is 3 hours and 30 minutes, whereas the computer-based version takes 3 hours and 45 minutes (including short breaks). The test score is directly available online after you took the computer-based test. For the paper version, you receive your score within five weeks. In addition, the ETS gives you the option to send your test score to up to four universities, when the score is available. If you want ETS to send your score to more than four organizations, you have to pay an extra fee of 27 U.S. dollars (price in 2019) for each organization. If you are not happy with your score, you can retake the test. You can retake the computer-based test after three weeks with a maximum of five times a year. You can redo the paper-delivered test as much as you want, or when it is offered. The GRE General test consists of three components:
⦁ Verbal reasoning;
⦁ Quantitative reasoning;
⦁ Analytical writing.

The verbal reasoning section includes reading comprehension, sentence equivalence and text completion. To measure your ability analyze and evaluate written material, you get a short text from which you must draw a conclusion. The questions are multiple-choice questions. You need to select the answer with the best conclusion. For sentence equivalence, you need to fill in the blanks to complete a sentence. There are two correct answers.  You need to select the two answers with the alternative that gives a sentence the same meaning. The text completion questions are similar to the sentence equivalence questions. You need to select one answer to fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. The verbal reasoning section consists of 40 questions. The allotted time to this section is 40 minutes in total.

Another section with multiple answer choices is the quantitative reasoning section. The designated time to the quantitative reasoning section is 70 minutes in total, and you get 40 questions in total. The questions are about the basic concepts of algebra, geometry, data analysis, and arithmetic.

The questions in verbal reasoning section and the quantitative reasoning section are computer-adaptive, which means that the difficulty of the questions is based on the accuracy of the answers given to previous questions. Part of the analytical writing section is writing two essays in 30 minutes each about a topic that is given. Your score for the analytical writing section is based on how well you express your ideas and arguments to the topic.

Eight useful tips to prepare for the test

1.Use flashcard apps
Flashcard apps could be useful to brush up your theoretical knowledge of math or to build your vocabulary. Especially for non-native English speakers, flashcards are an excellent way to expand your vocabulary. A popular flashcard app is the Magoosh GRE Flashcards app. You can install this app on your tablet or smartphone for free.

Magoosh provides flashcards with words you should know for the test. Each flashcard has a word, a definition of the word, and an example sentence with the word on it. If you already know the word, you have mastered the word. When you do not know the word, the app marks the word as ‘learning’. The app has classified the words based on difficulty and common words. You can choose to learn and master common words, easy words, intermediate words, and advanced words. Furthermore, Magoosh also offers a vocabulary app to choose the best definition for a word. If you choose the wrong answer, you are still ‘learning’ a word. The app tracks your progress as you study.

To brush up your math knowledge, Magoosh has introduced the GRE Math Flashcards app. Each flashcard has a mathematical statement on it. An explanation of the statement is included on the back of each flashcard. If you do not know the information provided on the back of the flashcard, the app marks the card as ‘learning’. 

Did you gain enough background knowledge through the flashcards? The Magoosh GRE Prep & Practice app provides practice questions. There are other apps as well to review your math skills or vocabulary, such as:
⦁ The pocket GRE math app;
⦁ The GRE Test Prep by Galvanize app;
⦁ The GRE Flashcards by Kaplan app;
⦁ The GRE Essentials app;
⦁ The Barron’s Essential GRE Words app.

2.Read editorials in newspapers and magazines
To improve your analytical writing skills, read editorials of newspapers such as ‘The New York Times’! By reading more editorials, you find out how writers use vocabulary and different arguments to convey their message. The essay, you have to write at the test, is evaluated on issues such as how well you respond to the topic presented, how well you consider the complexities of the topic, how well you express your ideas of the topic, and how well you support a position with relevant examples. In addition, the use of standard written English is important. Avoiding to come up with relevant arguments results in zero points!

3.Focus on weak subject areas
Spend more time on reviewing sections with the lowest score at a practice test. Keep in mind that you still need to practice for things you are good at. Make sure that you review the theoretical facts before you start practicing. Concentrate on why you answered the questions incorrectly.

4.Start studying way before the test date
It is important to know how you want to study for the test. Make a schedule of what you want to do in the next 12 to 16 weeks! It is recommended to start studying for the test 3 or 4 months in advance. Starting at the last minute easily results in a low or unsatisfactory test score! You will simply be deluged with information, so that you forget what you have already learned so far. Also, study during weekdays! Consistent immersion helps you to remember things you need to know for the test. Cramming the night before the test or at the test date does not lead to a higher test score. It only makes you anxious for the test. Instead of studying hard just before you take the test, try to relax as much as possible.

5.Take a practice class or prepare the test with other students
Test preparation courses, tutoring services, or preparing for the test with other students may help to get a satisfactory test score. Kaplan and Princeton Review offer various online tutoring services and in-person classes to improve your score. Most in-person classes take place at universities. You may gain other insights from other people. At in-person classes, the tutor extensively discusses how to answer a question and why the answer to a question is correct.

6.Create a healthy lifestyle
Neuroscientists believe that physical activities are good for your brain. Physical exercise has a positive effect on your brain function. According to researchers of the University of Georgia, physical exercise facilitates the information processing and memory functions of your brain. Being physical active before studying for the GRE test, even if it is only for 30 minutes, may help you to remember things better. 

Besides exercising, make sure you get enough sleep. Good sleeping habits may help to improve focus. College students who do not get adequate sleep forget up to 30 percent of the material learned in the previous week, even if they spend lots of time studying. Also, try to avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages such as coffee. Consuming alcohol and coffee, especially in large amounts, causes sleeping problems. Furthermore, drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages in large amounts deteriorates concentration and memory. Green tea is a perfect alternative for coffee. It contains the amino acid ‘theanine’. The amino acid positively affects mental alertness and focus.

Additionally, eat well-balanced food before making the test. Your body and brain need to be fueled properly. When you do not eat enough well-balanced food, it affects your performance. Food high in proteins and food with complex carbohydrates provide a long-term source of energy. Whole-grain food, such as whole-grain cereal, is a source of complex carbohydrates, whereas dairy products contain many proteins. Complex carbohydrates are also in fresh fruit and vegetables. The most perfect brain fruit is a banana. The fruit is a rich source of complex carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamin B6. Potassium and vitamin B6 are essential in the transportation process of oxygen to the brain to keep your mind sharp. Try to avoid food containing lots of sugar and fat. This type of food makes you feel sluggish.

7.Take a close look at the structure of the questions
To succeed the GRE Test, make sure that you know how the questions are built up. For the data sufficiency questions in the quantitative reasoning part, the answer choices are the same for each question. Often, you have to compare two things. Let’s say that you have to compare column A and column B. If column A is greater than column B, choose A as the correct answer. If column B is greater than column A, choose B as the correct answer. Choose C as the correct answer when the columns are equal. When there is insufficient information to answer the question, choose D. To answer the problem solving questions in the quantitative reasoning section, make sure you become familiar with different types of charts and graphs. For these questions, try to find the answer by calculating it first before looking at the answer choices.

The verbal reasoning part includes sentence equivalence questions and text completion questions. You need to fill in the missing word. First, read the sentence carefully and then try to guess what the missing word should be. Key connector words, such as although, because, and however, may help to find the meaning of the sentence. Also, try to find out whether the missing word is a negative word or a positive word. Select the answer with the same meaning as your guess. For the reading comprehension questions, read the question first. Try to find the information given in the question when you read the passage.

8.Do not worry about time
A key element to succeed in the test is time management.  When preparing for the test, make sure that you try practice tests under time constraints. Read all questions carefully. Being in a hurry easily results in misreading the questions.

Questions in the verbal and math section are computer-adaptive. If you answer a question correctly, the computer gives you questions that are more difficult. The more difficult questions you get, the higher the score you can achieve. Do not waste time on trying to find out whether or not a question is a hard or easy one. When you do not know the answer at all, try to guess.

Also, read the test directions in advance. During the test, you do not get extra time to read the directions. Make sure that you are familiar with those before taking the test.