GRE General Test Prep Tips

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test commonly required for admission to graduate schools in various fields. It is a critical component of the application process for many prospective graduate students, providing admissions committees with a common measure to evaluate candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. The test is not always mandatory for procuring admission to universities. At the same time, presenting a GRE score report, a recommendation letter, and other qualifying certificates can offer the candidate a better chance at gaining admission to colleges of their choosing.

Once an individual has decided to take the GRE test, it is important to understand the format and the types of questions asked to create an effective study plan. Following this study plan or schedule until the test and giving oneself 3-4 months for preparation can make most candidates ace the test without much trouble.

The three different sections of the test are Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Understanding GRE Question Types

The three sections in the GRE offer three different approaches to their questions, which makes attempting the questions without prior preparation tough. Preparing for the test then requires a very specific understanding of the types of questions they ask and finding materials that can aid the candidates in acing the test, not by having a general idea of the content but by having a general idea of the test. The questions asked in general have been provided here for easy access.

Analytical Writing- Issue task

1. Respond to the given statement- The candidate is required to develop and support the position that they take and explain the reasons for choosing the same.
2. Respond to the given recommendation- The candidate is required to describe circumstances in which following the recommendation will have a positive response or negative response accordingly.
3. Respond to the given claim- The candidate is required to acknowledge the reasons that can challenge the position they have taken.
4. Respond to a policy- The candidate should focus on the problems and benefits of implementing the policy and use this to defend their position.

Tips:
Stick to evidence from the passage when other options seem to be true and confusing. Though seemingly right, the options provided cannot be present in the passage the questions refer to. In this case, it is essential that one sticks to the pieces of evidence from the text and eliminates options that provide information that is accurate yet missing in the passage provided.

Verbal Reasoning

1. Reading comprehension- The questions are crafted to assess the diverse skills necessary for reading and comprehending the types of prose typically found in graduate-level studies.
2. Text completion- These questions involve filling in the blanks in a passage with the most appropriate words or phrases.
3. Sentence Equivalence- These questions require test takers to select two answer choices that, when inserted into a given sentence, create a complete and coherent statement with a similar meaning.

Tips:

• In the Verbal Reasoning section, identify the relationships between different concepts, such as whether they are contradictory, complementary, or if one supports the other. Reflect on whether one concept provides a deeper explanation of another or if one is pertinent to a particular context concerning the other.
• A highly effective strategy for tackling the Verbal Reasoning section is to familiarize oneself with the types of graduate-level writing, logical reasoning, and rhetorical structures commonly present in GRE reading passages. To achieve this, engaging with a diverse range of texts that exhibit these characteristics consistently or for an extended duration before the examination is advisable. Candidates are encouraged to explore feature articles in reputable newspapers like The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as periodicals such as The Economist, Scientific American, and the London Review of Books, along with trade publications authored by experts and journalists aimed at general readers.
• Once candidates have chosen their answer options, they should verify that each option creates a sentence that is logically, grammatically, and stylistically consistent, ensuring that both sentences convey the same meaning.
• The tone of a word plays a crucial role in shaping its overall connotation, which refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Understanding the tone of a word helps to determine whether it is perceived as positive, negative, or neutral. In the GRE, test-takers may encounter questions requiring them to analyze a passage's tone or the connotation of specific words within a given context. By recognizing the tone, students can better interpret the author's intent, the emotional weight of the text, and the nuances of meaning that may influence their answers. For example, if a passage describes a character as "cunning" versus "clever," the tone shifts significantly. While "clever" may imply intelligence in a positive light, "cunning" often suggests deceitfulness or trickery, thus carrying a negative connotation.
• Certain GRE questions require responses to be presented in a specific format. This means that candidates must pay close attention to the instructions for each question, as failing to follow the prescribed format can lead to misunderstandings or incorrect answers. Therefore, candidates should practice formatting their responses appropriately during their preparation, familiarize themselves with the various question types they may encounter, and review any guidelines provided by the GRE to ensure they are fully prepared for the test.

Quantitative Reasoning

1. Comparison question- These questions involve comparing two values, from which one must be selected according to the given instructions.
2. Multiple-choice questions with multiple-answers- The candidate is required to choose all the correct answers (can be up to 3).
3. Multiple-choice questions with one answer- The candidate should choose the one correct answer amongst the five options provided.
4. Numeric entry questions- The candidate is required to enter the answer as an integer or decimal in the slot provided.

Tips:

• Candidates are advised to refrain from making unnecessary calculations when comparing the two quantities. It is sufficient to simplify, transform, or estimate one or both quantities only to the extent necessary for comparison.
• In cases where certain elements of a geometric figure remain undetermined, consider redrawing the figure. Maintain the aspects clearly defined by the provided information while altering the undetermined elements.
• When working with algebraic expressions involving one or more variables, candidates can simplify their analysis by substituting straightforward numerical values for these variables. By assigning simple values to the variables, candidates can effectively evaluate the expressions and observe how changes in the input values affect the output.
• When both quantities consist of algebraic or arithmetic expressions and candidates struggle to identify a relationship between them, it is advisable to simplify the comparison. Candidates should approach this by employing a methodical step-by-step simplification process akin to the techniques used in solving equations.
• In certain questions, the conditions may impose specific limitations on the range of potential numerical answers. These restrictions can arise from various factors, such as physical constraints, logical requirements, or predefined criteria. In such cases, it can be highly advantageous to systematically identify the minimum and/or maximum possible values that can be derived from the given conditions.

General Tips to Crack GRE

The trick in cracking the GRE is following the directions and instructions provided in the questions to the word. Candidates can go back and forth in the question paper, which allows them to sort out the questions according to the difficulty level and to deal with the difficult ones after they are done with the easy ones.

• Attempt easy questions in the beginning, and mark the questions that can be skipped for review. The candidate can always revisit the questions marked for review once they complete answering all the easy questions.
• Eliminating incorrect options to reach the correct answer while the candidate is not certain about the answer is good practice. Even if the candidate is uncertain about the last two options available after applying elimination, they will have better odds of choosing the right answer.
• Do NOT skip questions altogether. Even if the candidate is unsure about the question, they ought to still answer it. Making a calculated guess when one is unsure about the answer and even randomly guessing answers when there is no time left will help one gain points since there is no negative marking.
• Learn time management. Developing effective time management skills while preparing for the GRE is crucial for maximizing their study efficiency and ensuring that candidates cover all necessary material before the test date. It is understood that one cannot spend specific time per question but taking longer for a question should be compensated by quickly solving others to balance out the time.
• Take down necessary information in the scratch paper provided when it comes to the quantitative section. This is necessary since the verbal content in the questions can be a little overwhelming enough to make one lose focus on the numbers provided. Writing them down can make analyzing the questions easier concerning the content. >Draw diagrams for problems when the questions in the quantitative section seem too confusing. Write down the numbers and their immediate purpose, along with the links they have between themselves and the questions that have to be solved. Drawing a Venn diagram, if possible, can also give a simpler idea of the question and help the candidate solve it in less time than usual.
• Improve general vocabulary by reading and actively finding words that are academically used along with their meanings. Candidates can find similar words on this Vocabulary List.
• Practice for the test studiously after applying for it. Since this isn’t a language-based test, it is important to have technical knowledge regarding the subjects and extensive practice when it comes to the quantitative section. The analytical section, on the other hand, requires one to practice questions similar to the ones asked for the test since any other form of practice may leave one clueless during the test. Prepare according to the specific skills they demand in the test.

Retaking the GRE test

Candidates can choose to retake the GRE test if the grades they have received are not satisfactory or enough to enter the college of their choice. Candidates can take the GRE up to five times within a calendar year, with a required interval of at least 21 days between each attempt. This 21-day period is applicable even if the candidate has canceled their previous score right after the test.

Registering for a retest follows the same procedure as registering for the GRE test for the first time, except the candidate would already have an ETS account. However, while applying for the retest, one must take college admission deadlines into account. One may be able to secure admission without including the GRE score report as long as their undergrad score and college application are exemplary.

The candidate will have the option of sending select scores from different tests they have taken, which implies that candidates can focus on one section they need to improve while giving the retest.

When to Retake the GRE Test?

Retaking the test is recommended if the candidate is 1-3 points away from their score goal. The score goal of any candidate will be the score required in the college they are applying to. Sometimes, if the candidate has missed the required score by one or two points, it is possible that they can still get the admission they require, which will nullify the need for the retest in the first place.

If the candidate is almost 15 points or more away from the score goal, it is recommended that they do not take the retest. Even if they do, they must prepare for the test months in advance, finding new methods and formulating new study plans. It isn’t easy to make a 15-point difference to achieve the score goal. But this is not impossible either.

The ideal range between which a candidate can aspire to improve is between 5 and 14 points above the score they received during their last attempt.

Here are several factors to consider when making this decision:

• Candidates must evaluate their initial GRE scores about the requirements of the programs they are interested in. Research the average scores of admitted candidates to determine if their scores meet, exceed, or fall short of these benchmarks.
• Candidates must consider their current commitments, such as work, school, or personal responsibilities, and determine if they can allocate sufficient time for focused study.
• Candidates should analyze their performance on the initial GRE to identify specific areas of weakness.
• Consider seeking additional resources, such as tutoring, prep courses, or study groups, to address these weaknesses before retaking the test.