Winning Strategies for the GRE

Preparing for the GRE can feel intimidating.

A higher score often means a better chance of getting into your dream graduate school.

We all know this is not an exam you can cram for at the last minute. We also know there is not enough time in the day to waste on test-taking tactics that do not produce positive results.

What matters is finding the study plan that works best for you and helps you track your progress.

Rather than getting lost in a rabbit hole of fringe test-taking tips, methods, and tactics, break down some of the most widely accepted and useful strategies. Who knows? These approaches may be exactly what you need when you begin your preparation plan.

Focus on Your Weaknesses

First, taking a few realistic GRE practice tests will help you measure where you stand as you begin your GRE journey. Finding a test that closely matches the one you will take on exam day is key, but it is also important to practice on a computer or with a paper-based test. Only you know which version makes the most sense for you, based on your location, interests, and abilities.

Identifying your weaknesses and making a list of them, not only by section but also by question type, will help you understand where your GRE knowledge needs extra work.

Ask yourself the following questions. Do my answers show any patterns? Is there a common source of confusion behind these mistakes?

Value your strengths in the sections and questions you answer correctly, but remember that you only need to reinforce what already makes sense. Sharpen your weaknesses so you can eventually turn them into strengths.

Remember: You Are Basically Back in High School

The GRE tests high school-level math, including algebra and geometry. Knowing the difference between the x-axis and the y-axis is important, because familiar concepts and math problems will appear. Spend some time reviewing the subjects you covered in high school math to help you on the quantitative section of the GRE. But remember, you do not need to go too deep or too advanced, because the test does not involve high-level mathematics.

Although most of us have little interest in reliving high school, try to separate those terrible yearbook photos from the math fundamentals you need to know for the GRE. When it comes to vocabulary, however, you may want to learn more advanced words and read more articles. It is widely understood that the GRE is easier for math and harder for reading comprehension, grammar, and new vocabulary.

Either way, when it comes to both areas, review, review, review.

Map the Reading Passages

Most people preparing for the GRE tend to want to skim the dense reading comprehension passages quickly so they can get to the questions faster.

Mapping each reading passage is a top strategy for improving your verbal score on the GRE. Note the passage’s main idea, structure, and any points, opinions, or attitudes presented throughout.

This is called active reading, not passive reading. Naturally, you probably would not take notes while reading the latest Stephen King novel, because that is leisure reading with no comprehension questions attached, unless, of course, you are in a demanding book club.

More often than not, the topic of a reading passage, whether it is about art, history, or politics, will not be especially interesting to you. But by taking notes and mapping the passage as you read, you reduce the risk of getting confused or failing to find the information you need to answer each question.

Practicing passage mapping is easy, and over time it will become second nature. Build this strategy into your study plan, and by the time exam day arrives, it will be something you do instinctively when reading actively.

Study the Test Format

Spending time learning the GRE format is one of the best ways to reduce stress on test day. Let’s face it: no one wants surprises, so becoming familiar with the order of the tasks and sections will help you feel more in control of your time, energy, and effort. Keep in mind that this will differ slightly depending on whether you are taking the computer-based GRE or the paper-based GRE.

For the computer-based test, remember these design features: preview and review functions within a section, a "mark" and "review" feature for flagging questions so you can skip them and come back later if time allows, the ability to change or edit answers within a section, and an on-screen calculator for the quantitative reasoning section.

Ultimately, there are many strategies for success on the GRE, and hopefully these will help you find the study methods that work best for you.

Keep reading and ask others what works for them, but also pay attention to what works for you. Remember, you want a positive GRE experience, so it is important to put strategies in place that support that outcome.