GRE Exam Preparation Guide with Tips and Study Materials

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is just the right step for students seeking to take their education and career a notch higher. But do you know why these exams are essential for admission? Since, students from all backgrounds seek admission to B-schools, this standardized test enables universities to evaluate and compare the critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills of applicants. With the right GRE exam preparation, the applicants can achieve a high score and potentially qualify for merit-based scholarships or fellowships. 

Required for admission to most graduate school programs such as specialized master's in business, MBA, JD or doctoral degree, the GRE scores are evaluated in concurrence with other factors like college GPA, professor recommendations, and job history. Read on to understand the details of the GRE exam and how you can ace your exam preparation.

GRE Exam Preparation: Details That You Must Know

GRE Preparation Tips & Strategies 

Preparing for the GRE can seem to be intimidating. But you can do it right with the right strategy and study pattern from the very beginning. 

Foremostly, it depends on the GRE preparation time you have and your personal preferences for how to prepare. Success in the GRE depends on your ability to structure the information given to you and how efficiently you solve the problem. So, if you are wondering how to prepare for the GRE, you must follow the below-mentioned tips and tricks.

1. Understand the format: The GRE question paper has three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Ensure that you understand the format and the types of questions that each section would consist of. 
2. Create a GRE study plan: Plan out your study schedule depending upon the time you have until the test. Do allocate time to each section, including practice tests and reviewing the questions you have missed.
3. Learn the art of time management: The GRE is a timed test, so sticking by the clock is very important. During the practice tests, ensure that you’re quick so that you have enough time to complete and review each section.
4. Practice is the key: Practice makes a man perfect, and it holds true for the GRE exam too. Practice with various available resources, including practice tests, study guides, and online courses. 
5. Build your vocabulary: The verbal reasoning section of the GRE examines your vocabulary. Read novels and newspapers & use flashcards for vocabulary-building apps to improve your vocabulary.
6. Improve your mathematics: The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE consists of math. One of the very useful section wise GRE preparation tips is to improve your algebra, geometry, and basic arithmetic. 
7. Get feedback: Review your performance after taking practice tests. Working with a tutor or study group to get feedback will really help you improve your GRE exam preparation.

In a nutshell, the above mentioned GRE preparation tips can definitely help you ace your exam results.

Recommended Books for your GRE Study Plan

1. The Official Guide to the GRE® General Test, Third Edition ($40 USD plus shipping)

The third version of the official study guide offers two practice exams that are already in the book plus two simulated POWERPREP Online practice exams that you can access for free with your ETS account.

The guide given you an access to:

• authentic GRE test questions
• explanations for answers
• test-taking strategies
• quantitative reasoning problem-solving steps

2. Official GRE® Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition ($20 USD plus shipping)

This guide offers 150 actual Verbal Thinking questions that have never been published along with thorough justifications and helpful hints. Also, it offers fresh GRE Analytical Writing practice.

3. Official GRE® Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition ($20 USD plus shipping)

This guide includes 150 actual, previously unpublished quantitative reasoning questions, each with a detailed explanation and helpful ideas and pointers. A review of the math concepts that will probably be covered on the test is also included.