Ten Tips and Tricks for Tackling the GRE

by Jordan Donson (2023-2024 Chair-Elect)
 
For many people, the GRE is the most daunting part of applying to graduate programs. Listed below are tips and tricks to remember that are designed to make tackling the GRE, and beginning the application process, a little less stressful!

1. Practice makes perfect: An easy thing to remember and to implement into any study routine. Take as many practice tests as you can, including the practice tests offered by ETS, in order to become more familiar with the style of the GRE.
2. Breaks are a useful tool: When studying for something as important as the GRE, it can often become overwhelming creating a study plan and spending time pouring over information. Remember that breaks are not only necessary when studying, but are also a useful tool in the process of learning new information.
3. Work on timing: What can be one of the most stressful parts of the GRE is the fact that this is a timed test with timed writing sections. Making sure you are comfortable with the clock will make the testing process less intimidating.
4. Think ahead: Make sure you adequately plan for the test. You want to give yourself plenty of time to take the test multiple times in case you don’t receive your ideal score on the first attempt. Planning for this by knowing what score you need for programs, and when program application deadlines are, is vital to the process of applying for graduate school.
5. Instructors can help: Signing up for tutoring or extra instruction related to the GRE can be extremely helpful. While this may not be feasible for everyone, there are different means of access. Try tutoring in a group where you can split the cost or reach out to a friend – you may have friends who excel in different areas relevant to the exam!
6. Flashcards are your friend: There is a lot of vocabulary throughout the GRE, and the easiest way to memorize all of these new terms is by utilizing flashcards as the helpful tool that they are.
7. Remember not to overstudy: With a big exam comes big pressure. Remember that spending too much time studying can stop becoming helpful past a certain point and start becoming harmful. Recommendations for studying for the GRE vary between one to three months, so remember to take this into consideration when creating your study plan!
8. Know yourself: Make sure you know yourself as a test-taker and properly invest in the correct means for yourself in order to make the testing process fit your needs.
9. Know your environment: Making sure that you are able to easily find, and are familiar with, your testing location can help reduce any unnecessary anxiety on the day of your exam. Getting to your testing location earlier than you had originally planned will always help.
10. Trust in yourself!: At the end of the day, considering applications for graduate school means you have spent considerable time in school studying for, and taking, different versions of standardized testing. Be sure to trust your instincts and have confidence in your own abilities!

 
Remember the resources available to you – ETS provides numerous free online practice tests as well as practice prompts for the writing section. The Princeton Review offers various GRE practice tests and strategy sessions (free of charge) as well as different instruction courses for the exam. Don’t forget you can also always study on-the-go! Magoosh offers a free app with flashcards and practice questions.