How to Prepare for the GRE
To pursue an advanced degree, you must first go through the GRE or the Graduate Records Examination. It’s an important component of your graduate school applications, so you must not mess this important exam. If you don’t know where or how to start preparing, here’s how.
What You’ll Need:
GRE study guide
Practice tests
Dictionary
Overall Exam Preparation
Be familiar with how the exam will be laid out. The GRE is divided into three parts: a quantitative section (28 questions), a verbal section (30 questions) and a two-part analytical writing section. Sometimes, there are extra non-graded parts, used for research. Although they are not graded and will not affected your score, you won’t be able to distinguish them from the graded parts, so you still have to work hard on every section.
Known the directions for every sections of the exam. It’s advisable to even memorize them. The GRE is timed, and reading directions for all the exam sections will take up your precious time. Memorizing the directions beforehand saves you plenty of time.
Know the different question formats for the different sections of the GRE. This helps you to quickly make sense of the questions, so you’ll have an easier time answering them.
Practice. Get used to question styles by using GRE study guides. You can also take online practice tests, so you’ll know how it feels to take a computer-based exam.
Quantitative Section Preparation
Know what the layout and the scope of this section. It consists of 28 questions, divided between data interpretation questions, quantitative comparison and discrete quantitative.
Study basic geometry, arithmetic and algebra. GRE don’t require advanced math. All you need is an ability to reason and to understand basic math skills.
Whiz up on graph and chart interpretation, since data interpretation questions will require this. The questions here usually give a graph or chart with percentages.
Verbal Section Preparation
Know what this section consists of. The GRE verbal portion has 30 questions that covers analogy, antonym, sentence completion and reading comprehension questions.
Recognize and understand the style and logic of the questions on sentence completion.
Get a list of GRE words and study them. You can find lists of high-frequency words online, and in your GRE study books. If there are words that you don’t understand fully, add them to your study list.
Know the style of writing on the reading comprehension portion. Fully understanding the subject covered is not required. You only need to read thoroughly and interpret.
Analytical Writing Section Preparation
Know that this section requires two essays: an analytical argument essay and a point-of-view essay. Find out what the structures of these essays are like.
Check the GRE website for a list of the topics available for the point-of-view essay. This will help prepare you.
For the analytical argument essay, avoid bringing personal views. You should also know how to evaluate provided evidence and how it relates to the given argument, and look for questionable underlying assumptions.
On test day, take your time when choosing the topic to write about for the point-of-view essay. You have 45 minutes for this task, and getting the better topic saves you from struggling to write about something you’re not familiar with.
A Few More Tips
Get a good night’s sleep on the day before the exam. A well-rested mind always works better.
Use GRE study guides. You’ll get study tips, sample questions and practice tests.
There are no points deducted for wrong answers, so don’t be afraid to guess.
A good grade on the GRE will definitely come in handy in the future. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll pass that test with flying colors.