Retaking GRE, best study approach

[ahiggins999]

I have taken a MP course a few months back (it was great!) and took the GRE 2 months ago and again yesterday: got 146V and 154Q (1st time) and 148V 150Q (2nd time). The second time I took the GRE I ran out of time and was rushed to randomly pick answer choices. Between studying 8 hours the day before, test anxiety, and not taking a practice test within 2 months; my mistakes are clearly evident in the scores I received. I will once again take the GRE in 30 days because I know with all the preparation I put into studying my scores should improve greatly. I have been making study guides with all the quant questions I got wrong on MP practice exams the past several weeks, but this is very time consuming. I do learn a lot from making the study guides. What do you recommend for an efficient way to study and prepare for the GRE leading up to the exam? I was considering taking weekly practice exams to work on time management, stamina, and confidence along with reviewing my study guides, vocab, and practice problems.
My goal is to achieve at least 155V and 156Q.

Thanks in advance for any advice :)
Amanda

[tommywallach]

Hey Amanda,

I think your plan sounds fine. The only thing I hope you're doing lots of is reading and vocabulary memorizing, because you're looking for that much bigger leap in verbal than in quant. Getting better at quant is relatively straightforward. Do lots of math questions. Make sure you are learning applicable RULES for changing the way you approach questions (focus on methodology as a holistic thing, not just question by question as if each one were isolated). But improving at verbal is much harder, because you must improve at reading itself, and also expand your vocabulary. Make sure you have a plan for both of those, in addition to your quant plans.

Good luck!

-t