GRE Study Plan: Our Step-by-Step Guide

The GRE, or graduate record examination, is used throughout the country to help admit students into master’s and doctoral programs. This exam is designed to be general enough to assess the skills needed in a variety of fields but specific enough to determine readiness for graduate studies. 

If you have a GRE scheduled and have never taken it before, you may feel uncertain about how to prepare. Fortunately, if you’ve taken other standardized exams like the PSAT and SAT, you’ll be able to apply many of the same study strategies to the GRE. 

At Jantzi Test Prep, your success on test day is our ultimate goal. That’s why we’ve broken down GRE preparation into a few easy steps so you can tailor your study plan to your needs and timeline. 

Determine How Much Study Time You Have

The first thing to do when you’re preparing for the GRE is to map out exactly how much time you have until test day. Start by counting the months, and if the dates don’t line up exactly, note the extra weeks and days you have in addition to your month count. 

If you have only a few months to prepare for the GRE, don’t panic. Many students can achieve impressive scores with just a couple of months of study as long as they create an effective plan to use their time wisely. 

Take a Practice GRE Test

Before you actually start studying, take a practice GRE to determine where you stand without any preparation at all. The GRE usually takes about four hours to complete, so your practice test should take around the same amount of time. 

This practice test will help you understand what your strong and weak points are, and this will make it easier to create a personalized study plan. Additionally, you’ll be able to get a feel for the GRE’s format, so you won’t be caught off guard or confused on the official test day.

Allocate Your Study Time

Now that you know what the GRE is like, what your weaknesses and strengths are, and how many weeks or months you have to study, it’s time to take a closer look at your schedule. 

Find the available pockets of time in your weekly schedule and write in GRE test prep just like you would an appointment or social plan. It’s generally better to spread out your studying across the weekdays for a few hours each day rather than planning two or three days of long, intensive studying.

Create a Weekly Study Plan

Now that your study time is booked in your calendar make a plan for each study session around what topic you will focus on that day. Dedicate extra time to your weaker subjects, but make sure even the stronger ones get plenty of refreshing. 

Jantzi Test Prep: Developing the Skills You Need to Succeed

Need some help with your GRE prep? We’re here to help you achieve the scores you’re looking for. Contact us at Jantzi Test Prep today.