Useful Tips for GRE Exam

GRE is a quite popular standardized test which is required to be taken up by anybody who wishes to pursue their graduate studies abroad. It tests a candidate’s skills in Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Quantitative Reasoning domains.

Since higher education nowadays is taken up by many, educational institutions prefer choosing the candidates who make the most of their educational and research facilities. GRE targets at proclaiming a candidate’s ability to study further irrespective of the candidate’s educational background.

Here are some detailed tips for GRE exam which will help you give your best in the exam:

• Know the GRE

GRE is mostly taken on a computer where the verbal and quantitative sections follow computer-adaptive testing (CAT). All the three sections have a time limit in which a candidate has to complete each section. To know about the changes in Revised GRE refer to our article here. For details about the sections and time allocation, visit http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/aboutWT.ac=grehome_greabout_b_130807

• Start Early

Starting your preparation early is probably the most important of all the tips. Last-minute studies do not work with exams like GRE. You ought to have at least 3 months for preparation before you decide to take the GRE.

However, if start preparing in advance then you might get sufficient time to cover the syllabus and practice by solving a number of GRE mock tests. This would save you from any sudden stress and will in fact add to your confidence regarding your preparation.

• Plan Your Preparation

Whether you decide to join a coaching class or buy a study material for self study, you'll definitely require some help in your preparation. You have to make a plan like, which sections should you focus on first, based on your weaknesses and strengths.

• Learn Time Management

Since each section in GRE has pre-defined time constraints, it is highly important to manage your time. You can learn time management by practicing mock tests and analysing your sectional performance with respect to your time consumption for each section.

The key to score well in GRE is how many questions you attempt correctly in as much less time as possible. One wise move could be to focus more on the early questions in the quant and verbal sections. If you could answer them correctly, you will be provided with more high-value questions which can aid you in attaining a higher score. Thus, for the early questions, be slow and double check your answers. Never forget to keep an eye on the clock.

Remember: Don't waste your time figuring out if the level of questions is getting tougher or easier.

• Work upon Your Vocabulary

Vocabulary is the key attribute which is tested in GRE. Your vocabulary is tested in two ways: you will require good vocabulary to answer the questions in verbal section as well as to understand the meaning of complex words in that section.

To get better with your vocabulary, you can start by learning 4-6 words every day. Relating the words with pictures can help you memorize them easily.

• Know Your Weakness

Review your performance while solving mock tests and analysing your scores in each section. If, for example, your quantitative reasoning score is relatively lesser than your score in other sections, you ought to spend more time working on your quantitative aptitude. Keep tracking your progress regularly to figure out where you are improving and which areas still need to be worked on.

• Make a Strategy

As already mentioned, you would have to go through the exam in a way which helps you finish the test one time and attain a higher score. This generates the need for strategies. One such strategy could be to save time by using the Elimination Rule as much as possible. Another strategy could be to skip the tricky questions and attempt the easier ones. This could be followed by another strategy which is not to skip every question which seems tough to solve. This might lower down your overall score.

• Sleep matters more than what you perceive

Most of us overlook the inclusion of sleeping habits into the exam preparation tips. This is no joke. Sleeping habits have a key role in affecting your GRE score. There have been numerous studies which state that students, who don't get sufficient sleep, are likely to forget up to 35% of what they've learnt on the previous night/day. This is possible even when a student spends endless hours studying for the exam.

• Practice

Practice would always be the strongest factor to help you learn. It is important for the candidates to solve as many mock tests as possible. These tests, like the actual GRE, should have sectional time constraints so that the candidate can experience the pressure and limitations.

What if you’re told that to get through any test in life, you don’t just need preparation? It’s the attitude which gets you though everything. Thus, on the final day your confidence plays a much bigger role than your preparation. It is thus very essential to stay relaxed on the day of exam. This will play a major role in bringing out the best of your preparation. If you wish to join a coaching class for GRE, you can post your GRE requirement here. Please leave your  estions and feedback in the comments below