The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a crucial graduate school application process component. A high GRE score can open doors to top programs worldwide, but achieving it requires strategic preparation, disciplined practice, and effective test-taking techniques.
Piyush Ranjan, the founder of Management Masters, a leading Indian boutique MBA Admissions Consulting firm, says "a high test score is quite critical for Indian candidates as it directly relates to the competitiveness of their candidature especially for the Top B-Schools such as M7."
This step-by-step guide will provide the best strategies, expert tips, and actionable steps to master the GRE and maximize your score.
1. Understand the GRE Structure
The GRE consists of three main sections:
Understanding this structure will help you develop a focused study plan and allocate time effectively to each section.
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Step 2: Set a Target Score
Your target GRE score should be based on:
The average GRE scores of your target programs.
Your personal strengths and weaknesses in verbal, quant, and writing.
How to Determine Your Target Score?
Research the GRE score requirements for your desired universities.
Set a realistic yet ambitious score goal (e.g., aiming for 325+ if applying to top-tier programs).
Step 3: Create a Study Plan
A structured GRE study plan should cover all sections while allowing time for revision and practice tests.
1. Assess Your Baseline Score
Take an official GRE practice test to understand your current level.
2. Allocate Study Hours
4–8 weeks of preparation is ideal.
Dedicate 2–3 hours per day on weekdays and longer study sessions on weekends.
3. Follow a Balanced Study Approach
Focus on fundamentals, Work on advanced problem-solving and essay writing, Take full-length practice tests and fine-tune weak areas, Revise key concepts, take final practice exams, and prepare for test day.
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Step 4: Master the Verbal Reasoning Section
The Verbal Reasoning section is challenging, but the right approach can help you excel.
1. Build a Strong Vocabulary
Learn high-frequency GRE words.
Use flashcards and spaced repetition
Learn word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to decode unfamiliar words.
2. Improve Reading Comprehension Skills
Read articles from The New York Times, The Economist, and Scientific American.
Summarize paragraphs in one sentence to enhance comprehension.
Identify main ideas, tone, and argument structure in passages.
3. Master Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence
Read the entire sentence before choosing an answer.
Identify clue words (e.g., "however," "thus," "despite").
Eliminate choices that change the sentence's meaning.
Step 5: Excel in Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests basic math skills, logical reasoning, and problem-solving.
1. Strengthen Your Math Fundamentals
Review core concepts (algebra, geometry, data interpretation).
Use resources like Manhattan 5lb Book of GRE Practice Problems.
2. Learn Shortcuts & Mental Math
Master percentages, ratios, exponents, and probability.
Learn quick calculation techniques to save time.
3. Improve Problem-Solving Speed
Practice under timed conditions to enhance speed.
Identify common traps in answer choices.
Prioritize easy questions first, then move to harder ones.
Step 6: Develop a Winning Strategy for Analytical Writing
The Analytical Writing section consists of two tasks:
1. Issue Essay Strategy
Clearly state your opinion and support it with examples.
Follow a structured format (Introduction → Argument → Examples → Conclusion).
Use logical reasoning rather than personal opinions.
2. Argument Essay Strategy
Identify flaws in the argument.
Suggest alternative explanations or missing evidence.
Write a concise and well-structured response.
Step 7: Take Full-Length Practice Tests
Taking mock tests is one of the best ways to improve your GRE score.
1. Use Official GRE Practice Tests
ETS PowerPrep tests simulate the real GRE experience.
Aim for at least 5 full-length tests before the actual exam.
2. Review Your Mistakes
Analyze why you got a question wrong.
Identify weak areas and adjust your study plan accordingly.
3. Simulate Real Test Conditions
Take practice tests at the same time of day as your actual GRE.
Avoid distractions and use a timer to simulate test pressure.
Step 8: Develop Time Management Skills
The GRE is a time-sensitive exam, so managing time effectively is critical.
1. Allocate Time Per Section
Verbal & Quant: Aim for 1.5 minutes per question.
Essays: Spend 5 minutes planning, 20 minutes writing, and 5 minutes revising.
2. Use the "Mark and Review" Strategy
Flag difficult questions and return later if time permits.
Focus on answering easy and medium-difficulty questions first.
3. Avoid Overthinking
If stuck, eliminate wrong choices and make an educated guess.
Remember: There’s no penalty for wrong answers.
Mastering the GRE requires smart preparation, consistent practice, and a well-structured approach. By following this step-by-step guide—building vocabulary, refining math skills, practicing essays, and mastering time management—you’ll set yourself up for success.
Stay disciplined, stay motivated, and aim for your target score.