Top 10 Quick GRE Prep Tips
Do you have any of these common GRE issues? Here are two tips for each: one quick move you can make right away, and one longer-term change to help you study in the future.
1. GRE Time Management
If you’re struggling with finishing the GRE within the time limit…
- Try this immediately: Give yourself three “free passes” on each section of the test. Guess immediately on three tough or time-consuming problems, even if you’re not behind when you see them.
- Then, try this: Start doing timed sets of three practice problems, scaling the amount of time to match the GRE time limit. No matter what, don’t go over your time limit! Next week, switch to sets of five problems. Keep doing longer timed sets until you’re basically doing a full section of the GRE.
2. Focus During the GRE
If you’re struggling with losing focus during the test or while studying…
- Try this immediately: As you start reading each problem, take a few seconds to stretch, take a deep breath, and adjust your posture so you’re sitting up straight.
- Then, try this: Improve your sleep quality. For the next week, stay away from screens for a half-hour before you go to bed. Bonus: one good alternative is to read a book, and reading may also improve focus!
3. Nerves During the GRE
If you’re struggling to manage test-day nerves…
- Try this immediately: Try a simple technique called “anxious reappraisal”: all you have to do is say a few words to yourself.
- Then, try this: Get prepared. Learn everything you can about the look and feel of the test (take an official PowerPrep practice test!) and the test-center experience. There are many videos online with students discussing all kinds of experiences, and you can even visit the test center ahead of time.
4. GRE Math Mistakes
If you’re struggling with making careless math mistakes…
- Try this immediately: Keep your scratchwork large, clear, and organized. The extra time it takes to write neatly will pay off by reducing the odds of careless mistakes.
- Then, try this: Change your “math language.” Stop using vague, non-mathy terms when you think or talk about math problems. Here are two of the worst offenders.
5. Study Time
If you’re struggling to find regular time to study for the GRE…
- Try this immediately: Download the Manhattan Prep GRE App today and squeeze in a couple of five-minute study sessions. Here are some ideas on using the app to its fullest.
- Then, try this: Set aside an hour or two to build a study calendar for the next two weeks. This will take time right now, but you’ll end up getting more done if you never have to wonder what to study next.
6. Quantitative Comparisons
If you’re struggling with quantitative comparison problems on the GRE…
- Try this immediately: Guess boldly. QC is one of the easiest problem types to guess on: do the two quantities look different? Eliminate (C). Are the two quantities numbers, not variables? Eliminate (D).
- Then, try this: Adjust your scratch work. Read tip 6 in this article (actually, just read the whole thing while you’re there!). Then, start using tables to organize your scratch work while you do Quantitative Comparisons problems.
7. Word Problems
If you’re struggling with word problems on the GRE…
- Try this immediately: Nobody’s checking your work on the GRE, so it’s fine to guess and test the answer choices. In fact, this makes many word problems easier.
- Then, try this: Open the 5lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems to the chapter on Two-Variable Word Problems. Then, read this article, which outlines a method for translating tough problems into math. Try it out on a dozen or so word problems, without timing yourself.
8. Vocabulary
If you’re struggling in particular with vocabulary on the GRE…
- Try this immediately: Don’t shy away from an answer choice just because you don’t know the word. An unknown vocabulary word is just as likely to be right as a familiar one is, so if you don’t like any other answer choice, pick the mystery word with confidence.
- Then, try this: Create a spaced repetition calendar. GRE instructor Céilidh Erickson explains the process in this article.
9. Running out of Practice Tests
If you want to keep practicing but are running out of practice tests to take…
- Try this immediately: Download PowerPrep, which includes two free and three paid practice tests.
- Then, try this: You don’t need to do a practice test to work on timing and recognizing problem types. Follow the instructions in this article to create your own “half-section” for practice. You can string several of these together to simulate the mental fatigue of test day.
10. Performing Better in the Class than on Test Day
If you’re struggling with not performing as well on the test as you do in the classroom…
- Try this immediately: One way GRE class is different from test day is that in GRE class, you get to try every single problem you see. On test day, doing that will eat up your time. On your next test, assign each problem to one of three categories: good, bad, or ugly. Use this to prioritize the problems that are most likely to gain you points.
- Then, try this: Even if you feel like you “get” a topic, you may not have the level of fluency you need to perform under pressure. In other words, the GRE can’t tell the difference between “I don’t get it at all” and “I totally get it, but I made a tiny mistake.” The solution is “overlearning,” or continuing to frequently practice topics you already understand. So, crack open your book to a chapter you already feel confident about, and do some timed practice problems.
Chelsey Cooley
is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Seattle, Washington. Chelsey always followed her heart when it came to her education. Luckily, her heart led her straight to the perfect background for GMAT and GRE teaching: she has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and history, a master’s degree in linguistics, a 790 on the GMAT, and a perfect 170Q/170V on the GRE. Check out Chelsey’s upcoming GRE prep offerings here.