How To Study For The GRE: A Beginner's Guide
12/22/2020
(Vince's 2 main options to help you with your GRE prep are HERE.)
How To Get Started With GRE Prep
Hi! My name is Vince Kotchian, and I've been an independent GRE tutor since 2008. If you're just getting started with GRE prep, this guide is designed for you!
Also, in my opinion, you've just dodged a bullet: by finding me, you now have a chance to avoid big, corporate test-prep companies like Magoosh (read my review here), Kaplan, and The Princeton Review - all of which are mediocre at best, mainly because they rarely use official ETS GRE material.
(Above: GRE companies ranked from worst to best.)
Vince's GRE Study Advice on Reddit
Want to follow my GRE prep advice on a day-to-day basis? I post and comment a lot on the GRE subreddit and I'm also a moderator there - it's a great place to learn about how to study for the test, and there are currently about 100,000 members. Come check it out, and feel free to post a question if you've got one. Unlike most places on the internet, we don't allow ads or promotional posts from test prep companies.
Contents
Anyway - here's what you'll find on this page:
If you have any questions about this guide, please feel free to contact me personally.
Psst... Want to save yourself a lot of time and frustration? Check out my personalized GRE study plan.
TL;DR Version of This GRE Study Guide
What is the GRE, anyway? "GRE" stands for "Graduate Record Examination" - it's a standardized test that is about 2 hours long. Most graduate schools, most business schools, and many law schools accept GRE scores. The GRE tests your writing, reading, vocabulary, math, and logic skills - and also will test your decision making, carefulness, and stamina!
Your 3 main to-dos:
- Get familiar with the GRE by checking out the official sample questions in this article.
- Take an official practice test to get a baseline score.
- Pick a study plan based on official ETS GRE material and get to work. (Link is to one of my free plans.)
Hey, if you're not really in a "to-do" kind of mood right now, check out my funny GRE vocabulary cartoon flashcards! Here's an example:
("Come at me, bro" will always be funny.)
I also publish these cartoons on Instagram: @GRE_vocab_words.
In the below video, I narrate my favorite 93 vocab mnemonics.
(Above: one of my YouTube vocab cartoon shorts)
3 GRE Prep Myths
Here are the top three GRE myths as I see them:
Myth #1: Brand names are good.
Do you like Chipotle? It's decent Mexican food, but I'm just going to make a 100% true statement here: Chipotle is NOT the BEST Mexican food. It's just convenient and easy to find. There are way better options in most cities (if you have the patience to look).
Search for GRE prep on Google or Amazon, and you'll inevitably see companies like Kaplan, Magoosh, and The Princeton Review. These companies have the resources to get onto the top of search results! They're not terrible, but there's no good reason for you to use them. These companies are the Chipotles of the GRE prep industry.
Their Achilles heel? Every video, every practice question, every test, and every strategy they'll give you is based on material they wrote themselves, since it's extremely expensive to license official ETS GRE questions ($450 per question!).
Why is the material written by these companies so bad? It's unrealistic. Math questions are often too easy or too convoluted; verbal questions don't play by the same rules the real GRE does.
So if you care about your GRE score, use official ETS material as your foundation. My free study plans are all based on it. I also offer a personalized GRE study plan.
Myth #2: GRE prep is like school.
I often see people trying to study for the GRE like they'd study for a midterm. Cramming, taking lots of notes, watching tons of videos online, etc.
The trouble is, none of these behaviors are going to help that much.
Think of GRE prep as the accumulation of skills and experience. By nature, the more time you have for that accumulation, the better you'll get at the test. You will probably not be able to make up for lost time by studying extra hard on weekends or the week before the test. All those notes and all that video watching won't matter if you don't get your hands dirty doing lots and lots of official GRE questions and analyzing your mistakes.
Myth #3: GRE prep is one-size-fits-all.
I doubt you really think GRE prep is one-size-fits-all, but I feel compelled to mention it because I see so many people who just copy what their friends are doing when studying for the GRE. This is especially prevalent when people have a friend, or online acquaintance, who does really well on the GRE. Of course, everyone wants to know how they studied!
However, what many people don't realize is that the person might have done well in spite of the product they used!
This problem is easy to remedy: give yourself at least 4 months to prepare for the test. This way, you have enough time if you're that person who really needs it. And if you end up crushing your practice tests, you can always take the real GRE sooner than you'd planned.
Here's a video I made about what NOT to do during GRE prep, starring... the cast of Friends:
What is the Format of the GRE? Descriptions of Each GRE Section
I think this easiest way for me to explain the GRE to you is to tell you what you'll experience when you actually take the test, step-by-step.
GRE Issue Essay
Time: 30 minutes.
The very first part of the GRE is writing the "Issue Essay", which is basically your response to a particular prompt. That prompt will be an opinion about something like government, education, the arts, technology, etc.
For example, here's one:
"To understand the most important characteristics of a society, one must study its major cities."
Your job will always be to write a persuasive essay in which you respond to that opinion. You'll be graded on how compelling your argument is, how well you support that argument, your essay's organization, and your use of standard written English.
Fun fact: ETS publishes all possible Issue Essay topics ahead of time, right here.
GRE Verbal Sections
(Actually, it's random whether the first multiple choice section is verbal or math. But let's pretend it's verbal for now.)
Time: 18 minutes for 12 questions in the 1st verbal section, then 23 minutes for 15 questions in the 2nd.
What is the GRE's Verbal Reasoning section? In a nutshell, each verbal section is about fill-in-the-blank vocabulary-oriented questions, and half questions based on reading passages.
"Text completion". These range in length from one to three sentences which contain one, two, or three blanks, and your job is to select the correct words in the answer choices to fill in the blanks.
For example, this text completion practice question is only one sentence.
In parts of the Arctic, the land grades into the landfast ice so _______ that you can walk off the coast and not know you are over the hidden sea.
| (A) permanently |
| (B) imperceptibly |
| (C) irregularly |
| (D) precariously |
| (E) slightly |
BTW, the right answer is Choice B, since the clue in the sentence is "you can walk off... and not know".
(Above: I solve a difficult text completion question from the Official Guide to the GRE.)
"Reading Comprehension", is basically multiple-choice questions asked about reading passages of varying lengths. Most passages are short, but one will probably be longer, with multiple paragraphs.
Sometimes, you will be asked to "select ALL correct answers". These questions will present you with three potential answers and you can pick one choice, two choices, or all three choices.
Note: in addition to comprehension, certain questions are more logical and will ask things like "which answer would resolve the paradox?" or "which choice would best strengthen the argument?". These "critical reasoning" questions will probably comprise about 2 - 3 of the 10 "reading comprehension" questions in a verbal section.
Anyway, here's a quick example of a GRE reading comprehension practice question:
Reviving the practice of using elements of popular music in classical composition, an approach that had been in hibernation in the United States during the 1960s, composer Philip Glass (born 1937) embraced the ethos of popular music in his compositions. Glass based two symphonies on music by rock musicians David Bowie and Brian Eno, but the symphonies' sound is distinctively his. Popular elements do not appear out of place in Glass's classical music, which from its early days has shared certain harmonies and rhythms with rock music. Yet this use of popular elements has not made Glass a composer of popular music. His music is not a version of popular music packaged to attract classical listeners; it is high art for listeners steeped in rock rather than the classics.
Select only one answer choice.
The passage addresses which of the following issues related to Glass's use of popular elements in his classical compositions?
A. How it is regarded by listeners who prefer rock to the classics
B. How it has affected the commercial success of Glass's music
C. Whether it has contributed to a revival of interest among other composers in using popular elements in their compositions
D. Whether it has had a detrimental effect on Glass's reputation as a composer of classical music
E. Whether it has caused certain of Glass's works to be derivative in quality
BTW, the right answer is Choice E, (the last choice) since the passage says "...the sound is distinctly his" - i.e., it's not derivative (unoriginal).
"Sentence Equivalence". These are one sentence in length, and contain one blank. Your job is to pick two answer choices that correctly complete the sentence and make it have similar meanings. These are pretty much like text completion questions, except you're picking two choices to fill in the blank.
Here's a sample GRE sentence equivalence practice question:
It was her view that the country's problems had been _______ by foreign technocrats, so that to ask for such assistance again would be counterproductive.
ameliorated
ascertained
diagnosed
exacerbated
overlooked
worsened
The answers are "exacerbated" and "worsened", since they create similar meanings for the sentence and fit the clue "to ask... again would be counterproductive"
Some "Reading Comprehension" is more logic than comprehension - the GRE doesn't use a special term for these questions, but I call them "critical reasoning".
GRE Math Sections
Time: 21 minutes for 12 questions in the 1st quant section, then 26 minutes for 15 questions in the 2nd.
What math subjects are tested on the GRE? The GRE tests math concepts from arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and "data analysis", but does so with wordy questions that will not always be easy to solve, even if you understand the underlying concepts.
For more on this, check out my video: "The GRE is not a math test".
If you want to learn which math concepts might appear on the GRE, make sure to check out my guide to learning GRE math with the ETS math review and Khan Academy.
What are the most commonly tested math topics? It's really hard to say; the GRE is pretty good at randomizing its questions. But based on all of the GRE's recently released practice tests, I've created a mindmap to show you which math topics appeared more than others (bigger font = appeared more).
Most GRE quant questions will be multiple choice, but for one or two per section, you'll actually have to type in the exact answer into a box. And like verbal, some questions will be "select ALL correct answers".
The first half or so of a quant sections is "Quantitative Comparison". There will be a "Quantity A" and a "Quantity B", with four possible answer choices:
A. if Quantity A is always bigger
B. if Quantity B is always bigger
C. if they're always equal
D. if you can't definitely tell (i.e. with one trial A is bigger but with another, A is smaller or equal, for example).
Here's an example of a GRE quantitative comparison practice question for you:
|
Lionel is younger than Maria. |
|
|
Quantity A |
Quantity B |
|
Twice Lionel's age |
Maria's age |
Quantity A is greater.
Quantity B is greater.
The two quantities are equal.
The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
The right answer is D (the relationship can't be determined). Here's one way to tell: If Lionel is 2 and Maria is 4, Quantity A will equal 4 and so will Quantity B.
But if Lionel is 1 and Maria is 450 (maybe "Maria" is a pine tree), then Quantity A is smaller than Quantity B.
Since two different possibilities occurred, we pick D for "can't be determined".
The 2nd half or so of a GRE quant section will be multiple choice questions on a variety of topics. The exception to this is the 1 or 2 "type the exact answer into a box" questions.
Important note: You don't get penalized for wrong answers on the GRE. This means you should fill in an answer to every single question, even if that answer is just a guess. You might get a few right just from lucky guesses.
Can you use a calculator on the GRE? You sure can! An onscreen calculator. It's a lil' baby one that just does addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root - and it only can hold 8 digits in its display. But you'll be happy you have it!
GRE Difficulty Level
Now, you'll get one more verbal and one more math section. There is one interesting thing to note, however.
The first verbal and math sections are medium-ish difficulty. But the difficulty of the next sections will depend on how well you did on the first ones.
For example, let's say you get 10 out of 12 correct on the first verbal section. The next verbal section will be harder. Don't worry - this is a good thing, since now the software thinks you're a high scorer, and even if you get fewer correct on the harder section, you'll still end up with a good score.
Another example: Let's say you get 3 right out of 12 on that first verbal section. The next verbal section will be easier. This is not good. Even if you get more right this time, your score will still, most likely, be below average.
And finally: If you get between 4 and 7 or so right on the first verbal section, the next verbal section will be average difficulty.
Hopefully, when you're taking the test, you won't be thinking too much about what difficulty the section is, since A. you won't know for sure, and B. you'll just want to do your best, regardless.
How many questions are on the GRE? Well, considering our discussion of the experimental section, there are 4 total sections and 54 total questions.
How is the GRE Scored?
After you're done with the test, you'll click "Report Scores", which will give you your unofficial scores for verbal and math.
Note: ALWAYS click "Report Scores", since you can then decide if you want to send your scores to a particular school. The GRE offers score choice, so if you end up retaking the test, you can decide what test date's scores to send. If you mistakenly click "Cancel Scores", you can actually reinstate those scores, but you'll have to pay ETS another 50 bucks. Don't ever click "cancel scores"!
How is the GRE scored? Both verbal and math are scored from 130 (which is like a zero) to 170 (a perfect score) in one-point increments. Your unofficial verbal and math scores will appear on the screen when the test is over, and you'll get your essay score online in about 10-15 days. That essay score will range from 1 to 6, in half-point increments.
What is a good GRE score? The average GRE verbal score is about 150, and the average GRE math score is about 153. The average GRE essay score is about a 4. Of course, the numbers that really matter are the ones that your desired graduate school program considers to be competitive. If I'm a man of average height (5'9"), but the average height of the guys Taylor Swift dates is 6'3", then being average doesn't help me if I want to date Taylor Swift!
(Above: Vince explains GRE scoring.)
You'll also get a percentile score for each section of the test which tells you how you rank against ALL of the people who took the GRE for that particular section. If you're really interested, you also can look at ETS's data for percentiles specific to intended graduate majors on page 32 of this PDF.
Pro Tip: CALL your programs, tell them you're studying hard for the GRE, and say it would be helpful to get a specific sense of what scores would be competitive. I say to call, since they will probably give more info away over the phone than via email. And their website often will not provide any specific numbers other than minimum scores, which aren't very helpful.
How long are GRE scores valid? 5 years.
When Should You Take The GRE?
The good news is that the answer to this question is really flexible since the test is computer-delivered and available year-round. There really is no "should".
But let's work backwards, perhaps, from your program application due date - here's a really basic sample timeline. Keep in mind you can take the GRE more than once and decide which test date's scores to send to your programs.
January 1st 2026: application deadline
Dec. 15th, 2025: take the real GRE again
Nov. 15th, 2025: take the real GRE for the 1st time
September 15, 2025: start studying
If someone asks me this question, I always have four questions so I can fine-tune the above sample:
- When are your applications due?
- What's your goal score?
- What's your current score?
- When will you have a few months or so during which you won't be swamped with other responsibilities?
The answers to these questions will help me advise someone about a basic timeline (BTW, if you email me with the answers to these questions, I'll give you a quick opinion on an ideal timeline).
How To Study For The GRE?
In a nutshell, you'll need to do several things to prepare:
- Build your vocabulary
- Learn math concepts that will be tested
- Learn some basic GRE math strategies
- Learn strategies for each type of verbal question
- Learn essay strategies for both essays
- Get a ton of experience doing real ETS GRE math questions
- Fully understand the ETS verbal questions you work on
- Take timed official ETS practice tests
- Thoughtfully analyze your mistakes
Since there is a lot to do, your biggest problem when studying for the test, especially at first, might be organization and feeling overwhelmed. Don't worry! I've got your back. I have detailed study plans that will walk you through everything. I also offer a personalized GRE study plan.
Warning: my study plans are not as convenient and simple-looking as those you'll find from the big test prep companies, but that's because I wanted them to be as effective as humanly possible for people studying on their own. Be patient with the tasks as you get into them - you'll get the hang of it after a week or so!
It's just like any recipe: you want the full version, not the "quick and easy" version, if you want the finished product to be as good as it can be!
Also, unlike the study plans offered by test prep companies, mine focus on official ETS GRE material and won't waste your time with unrealistic prep company questions. The only thing you'll really need to buy are the ETS books and practice tests.
How Long Do You Need To Study For The GRE?
In general, the longer you study, the more you can improve, since you'll have more time for things like vocabulary building and math experience building. I highly recommend using ALL the time you have. Find out when your applications are due and plan to take the test about 6 weeks before that - this gives you a 2nd chance to take the test if the first score is disappointing.
How many times can you take the GRE? You can take the GRE every 21 days up to five times each year.
How much does the GRE cost to take? $220.
So you can spend up to $1100 per year! Lol. Don't take it 5 times.
Of course, there is a caveat to spending as much time preparing as you can - if your program uses rolling admissions, it will probably be easier to get accepted the sooner you submit your application - so you'll have to balance that against spending more study time to try to raise your GRE score.
I also probably wouldn't spend more than six months studying for the GRE. After that, there are probably diminishing returns - plus I seriously doubt you'll want to study that long! It's not like this process is fun for most people... :)
Ok, That's All I've Got For Now!
Good luck, and happy GRE studying! If you enjoyed this free guide, check out Vince's other free GRE resources.
I also offer a personalized GRE study plan.
Reminder that we help people prepare for the GRE who are applying to graduate school, business school, and law school. We also specialize in GRE prep for LD / ADHD students as well as older and non-traditional students.
- Vince