How to Prepare for the GREs
The Graduate Records Examination, popularly known as GRE, is an accredited test required for admission in most graduate schools in the United States and Canada. In 2016, the average annual GRE registrars estimated the number of registered candidates to be 584,577.
The candidates are tested for knowledge or skills in Quantitative reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Verbal reasoning. The GRE test is usually computer-based, but there's the option for paper tests in places where computer testing is unavailable. The paper-based test is offered only thrice a year, but the computer-based test is offered throughout the year and can be retaken up to five times in a year, any time after three weeks of a previous trial.
Within 3 hours 45 minutes, candidates are expected to answer Analytical Writing, Quantitative, and Verbal Reasoning questions, so it is expected that candidates are well prepared to ace the GRE test. In preparing for the GRE test, a candidate will need sufficient practice time, usually about 4 to 12 weeks to the actual test date, depending on the candidate's learning adaptability. The steps below should be employed for excellent GRE test practices recommended by expert instructors and past GRE candidates. However, candidates are advised to take a GRE prep test for better preparation, and Testvibes's GRE Prep Course list will help you pick the right course, as there are several virtual and physical GRE Prep courses.
How to Prepare for the GRE
For self-preparedness on the GRE tests, the following steps apply to yielding excellent results:
Determine your Incipiency (Baseline)
To properly prepare for the GRE, you should determine your initial knowledge of the subjects examinations are required for on the examination. This way, your baseline score is determined, and you will get a guide on subjects/courses you should focus on during preparation as the mock tests are taken under the same conditions as the actual GREs.
Set yourself a target GRE score
You can determine your target score for the GRE by compiling graduate programs that you are interested in, comparing your baseline score to the minimum required score of the graduate programs that interest you, and setting a target score that will meet the score or fall in the range of scores you need to get into your preferred institution. You can find this information on your selected school website, and be sure to scrutinize recent classes for more reliable content.
Create a unique program to fit your schedule
You might have chosen to practice for the GREs on your own or with the use of a trusted GRE Prep course. Whichever of these is your resort; you should set a learning program that will fit your daily schedule and hold you accountable for missed lessons or learning hours.
Practice for a unique approach to questions
Stalling on questions you do not know the answers to is one way to destabilize you during the exams. In the course of preparing for your GREs, try out techniques to approach questions by taking practice tests and regular drills that will help you improvise on more straightforward ways to tackle problems instead of managing your time poorly and leaving several questions unattended.
Practice Questions under real GRE Conditions
Although some areas may accept paper-based test due to a lack of adaptive computer testing skills, ensure you practice for the GREs under the most popularly acceptable conditions (computer-based testing) so that you get familiar with the terms of computer testing and can quickly adapt to the requirements under which computer-based tests are taken.
Practice for the GREs often and always review your performance
You have to practice for the GREs as often as possible by taking past GRE questions under the same conditions as the actual GREs. You shouldn't only practice to answer questions better but also to improve your pace, as the GREs are taken on a timeline. Review your results and determine how well you improve in the area that needed improvement after the baseline test you did initially.
Take diagnostic tests that help you focus on "what's on the GREs."
Although the GRE is grouped into three different sections, when practicing for each section, get familiar with the type of questions asked and where these questions are gotten from, so in fact, you aren't preparing for Quantitative, verbal reasoning, or analytical writing test, but for the GRE.
Practice to improve your vocabulary
Vocabulary is a fundamental study goal for the GREs that falls critically on verbal reasoning and takes a leap on Analytical writing since the grammatical structure is a part of analytical essay. In preparing for the GREs, you should practice words that are likely to come out in the GREs. Such practices can be done using academic journals, prominent journals and magazines, and other journals related to educational materials. There are other online materials that help build you up for GRE vocabulary, like the GRE Power Vocabulary.
It would help if you also practiced for the GREs with and without a calculator. Although a calculator is provided on-screen for the computer-based exams and provided for candidates offering the paper-based tests, you should learn to work with and without the calculator in case of technical issues that may arise during the exams cause distractions and waste of time.
We have researched and discovered that you should revise topics like probability, arithmetic, algebra, and geometry when preparing for the GREs, as questions are frequently set from these areas, and the values -1, .0, and +1 should be paid proper attention. Reading comprehension passages should be practiced for the verbal reasoning section, and when writing essays, you should remember that examiners are focused on a sensible writing structure articulation, as well as grammar correctness, rather than creativity, so you must place your priorities rights since you aim to pass the GREs.
The practice method above can be employed for candidates who will like to practice without GRE course preps. Still, if you are interested in preparing for the GRE with the help of a reliable GRE prep course, you should visit Testvibes's GRE Prep course list, which will help you pick the right course for proper GRE preparations.