A focused study plan for the GRE General Test covering Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, with strategies for adaptive testing and score goals.
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Assess and Plan
Take an official GRE practice test to establish your baseline scores
Use one of the free official practice tests with the actual testing interface. The GRE scores Verbal and Quantitative on a 130-170 scale. The median score is roughly 150 on each section. Record your scores and time per section to identify both knowledge and pacing gaps.
Research GRE score requirements for your target graduate programs
Many programs publish average admitted scores on their websites or in their FAQ sections. A 160+ in your primary discipline section places you in the top 15-20% of test-takers. Some programs weigh one section much more heavily than the other based on the field of study.
Create a study timeline of 8-16 weeks with weekly goals
Most students need 100-150 hours of total study time for a 5-8 point improvement. At 10 hours per week, that is 10-15 weeks. Front-load content review in the first 60% of your timeline and shift to practice tests in the final 40%.
Decide between self-study, a prep course, or a private tutor
Self-study works well if you score within 5 points of your target on the diagnostic. Prep courses cost $500-$1,500 and provide structure. Private tutoring runs $100-$300 per hour but is the fastest way to address specific weaknesses. Most students combine self-study with one supplementary resource.
Verbal Reasoning Preparation
Build your GRE vocabulary with 15-20 new words per day
The GRE tests approximately 1,000-1,500 high-frequency words that appear regularly. Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition. Study words in groups of synonyms and antonyms rather than alphabetically. After 6 weeks at 15 words per day, you will have covered most common GRE vocabulary.
Practice Text Completion questions focusing on sentence structure clues
Before looking at answer choices, read the sentence and predict what word should fill the blank based on context. Transition words like 'however,' 'although,' and 'moreover' signal whether the blank requires a similar or contrasting word. This prediction technique improves accuracy by 30%.
Master Reading Comprehension by practicing active reading of dense academic passages
The GRE uses passages from science, humanities, and social science. Read one challenging article per day from academic journals or quality publications. After each paragraph, pause and summarize the main point in one sentence. This builds the stamina for 400-word GRE passages.
Practice Sentence Equivalence questions to reinforce synonym recognition
Sentence Equivalence gives you one blank and six choices where you pick two. The correct pair always creates sentences with the same meaning. Start by grouping the six choices into synonym pairs, then test which pair fits the sentence. This approach is faster than testing all 15 possible combinations.
Quantitative Reasoning Preparation
Review fundamental math concepts: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
The GRE tests math at a high school level but makes questions tricky through wording and unusual formats. Review integer properties, ratios, percentages, exponents, and basic statistics. If you have not taken math in years, spend the first 2 weeks on pure content review before attempting practice questions.
Learn Quantitative Comparison question strategies
These questions ask which of two quantities is larger. Test extreme values: plug in 0, 1, -1, and a large number like 100. If the comparison changes with different values, the answer is 'the relationship cannot be determined.' This strategy works on roughly 40% of QC questions.
Practice data interpretation questions with graphs, tables, and charts
Data interpretation questions come in sets of 3-4 questions about the same data. Read all questions first before analyzing the data so you know what to look for. Pay attention to units, scales, and whether values are in thousands or millions. Misreading the scale is the most common error.
Memorize key formulas and number properties that save time
Know perfect squares up to 15 squared (225), common fraction-decimal equivalents, and the relationship between percentages and fractions. Memorize the formula for standard deviation conceptually even though you will not need to calculate it. These mental shortcuts save 30-60 seconds per question.
Practice the on-screen calculator but know when mental math is faster
The GRE provides a basic on-screen calculator. It handles the four operations, square root, and sign changes. For simple calculations, mental math is 10-15 seconds faster. Use the calculator only for multi-step calculations or when accuracy matters more than speed.
Analytical Writing Preparation
Study the scoring rubric for both the Issue and Argument essays
A score of 4.0 is adequate for most programs. A 4.5-5.0 makes you competitive at top programs. The rubric values clear reasoning and well-developed examples over vocabulary or length. Read 3-4 sample essays at each score level to understand what separates a 4 from a 5.
Practice writing the Issue essay under the 30-minute time limit
Spend 3 minutes outlining, 22 minutes writing, and 5 minutes proofreading. Aim for 4-5 paragraphs with a clear thesis, 2-3 body paragraphs with specific examples, and a conclusion. Write at least 8 practice essays before test day to build speed and confidence.
Practice writing the Argument essay under the 30-minute time limit
The Argument essay asks you to critique someone else's reasoning, not state your own opinion. Identify 3-4 logical flaws such as unsupported assumptions, false causation, or overgeneralization. Each body paragraph should address one flaw with an explanation of why it weakens the argument.
Test Day and Score Reporting
Register for the GRE and choose between test center and home testing
Test center seats fill up 3-4 weeks in advance for popular dates. Home testing is available year-round and requires a private room with a working webcam. Both formats cost $220. Choose home testing only if you have a reliable internet connection and a quiet, private space for 4 hours.
Prepare your identification and know what to bring to the test center
You need one government-issued photo ID with your name exactly as it appears on your registration. No calculators, phones, or watches are allowed in the test room. The test center provides scratch paper and pencils. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
Understand the section-adaptive format and pacing strategy
The GRE is section-adaptive: your performance on the first Verbal and Quant sections determines the difficulty of the second sections. Getting more questions right in the first section of each type is critical for reaching higher score ranges. Spend extra time on accuracy in the first sections.
Review your unofficial scores and decide whether to send or cancel
You see your unofficial Verbal and Quant scores immediately after finishing. You have about 2 minutes to decide whether to report or cancel them. If you cancel, you can reinstate scores within 60 days for $50. Official scores with the Writing score arrive in 10-15 days.
Send official score reports to your target programs
You get 4 free score reports on test day. Additional reports cost $35 each. The GRE allows you to use ScoreSelect to send only your best scores from multiple test dates. Check each program's deadline for score receipt, which is typically 2-4 weeks before the application deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good GRE score for graduate school?
GRE scores range from 130-170 per section (Verbal and Quantitative). The average scores are about 151 Verbal and 154 Quant. For top-50 programs, aim for 160+ in the section most relevant to your field. STEM programs weigh Quant heavily (165+ is competitive), while humanities programs focus on Verbal (160+ is strong). The Analytical Writing score ranges from 0-6, with 4.0+ being competitive for most programs. Check your target programs for specific score expectations.
How long should I study for the GRE?
Plan for 8-12 weeks of preparation at 10-15 hours per week (80-150 total hours). Students starting with strong quantitative backgrounds may need only 4-6 weeks. If your diagnostic score is 10+ points below your target on either section, extend to 16 weeks. The GRE Verbal section requires vocabulary building over time, so starting earlier helps. Take a practice test every 2 weeks to track progress and adjust your study plan.
Is the GRE still required for graduate school?
As of 2025, about 50% of graduate programs have made the GRE optional or eliminated it entirely. This trend accelerated during COVID and has largely remained. However, many top programs still accept GRE scores and some prefer them, especially in STEM fields. A strong GRE score can strengthen an otherwise borderline application. Check each program individually because policies vary by department even within the same university.
How does the GRE adaptive format work?
The GRE is section-level adaptive, not question-level. You get two Verbal and two Quant sections. Your performance on the first section of each type determines whether the second section is harder or easier. Performing well on the first section unlocks the harder second section, which gives access to higher possible scores. This means the first section is the most strategically important: take your time, check your work, and avoid careless errors even if it means leaving the last 1-2 questions for guessing.
Can I retake the GRE and will schools see all my scores?
You can take the GRE up to 5 times per year, with a 21-day minimum gap between attempts. ETS offers ScoreSelect, which lets you send only the scores from specific test dates to schools. Programs see only the scores you choose to send. Most students retake once, with an average improvement of 2-3 points per section. The retake fee is $220. If your first attempt is within 2-3 points of your target, focused study on weak areas usually produces enough improvement on the second try.