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7 Must-Know Tips Before You Start Your GRE Prep

Preparing for the GRE can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're aiming for grad school in the U.S. or abroad, setting the right foundation early on can make all the difference in your score. Here are 7 essential tips to know before you even start your GRE prep journey.

1. Understand the GRE Format Inside Out

Before diving into your GRE prep, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the test format. Knowing what to expect will help you strategize your study plan, reduce test-day anxiety, and ultimately perform better. Here's a comprehensive breakdown:

Sections:

• Analytical Writing: Tests your ability to articulate complex ideas, support arguments with reasoning and evidence, and maintain a coherent structure in writing.

• Verbal Reasoning: Measures your ability to analyze written material, evaluate arguments, and understand the meaning of words and sentences.

• Quantitative Reasoning: Assesses basic math skills, understanding of elementary concepts, and ability to reason quantitatively. Topics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

Timing: 

The shorter GRE, launched in September 2023, has a total test time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. Here's the section-wise timing breakdown:

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Scoring: 

• Analytical Writing: Scored on a scale of 0–6

• Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: Each scored from 130–170
  
  

Why it matters: Knowing the sections and timing allows you to feel prepared and confident going into the exam.

2. Set a Realistic Target Score

Effective GRE prep starts with a clear goal. Don’t waste time studying without a target in mind. Here’s how to set a target score that maximizes your chances for success:

Research Average Scores for Your Programs: Look up the typical GRE scores of applicants accepted into your desired programs. Each school and program has its own expectations, so tailor your target score accordingly.

Set a Score Based on Your Goals: Consider where you want to apply and set a realistic score that will make you a competitive applicant.

Download Vibrant’s  Goals worksheet for GRE and begin tailoring your prep plan for success.

3. Take a Diagnostic Test Early

Before diving into your GRE prep, take a full-length, timed practice test. This will give you valuable insights into your starting point and help you optimize your study plan from the get-go. ETS offers a free practice test, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of it. Here’s how it helps:

Understand Your Baseline Score: A diagnostic test gives you an accurate starting point, so you can see where you stand in terms of your overall score and which sections need the most attention.

Build Test-Day Stamina: The GRE is long and mentally taxing. Taking a full-length test early will help you get accustomed to the test duration and help build your endurance for the actual exam day.

Expand Your Practice:

To continue refining your skills, consider getting a copy of “Practice Tests for the GRE” to access not just 1, but 6 full-length tests. These additional tests provide more opportunities to simulate real test conditions, helping you refine your timing and test-taking strategy.

4. Create a Study Plan Based on Your Timeline

A well-structured study plan is the backbone of successful GRE prep. The key is to tailor your plan based on how much time you have before test day. 

Choose the Plan That Fits Your Schedule
Vibrant Publishers offers flexible study plans designed to suit different needs and timelines:

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Regardless of the plan you choose, break down your preparation into manageable weekly goals and be sure to allocate time for each section of the GRE.

5. Choose the Right Study Materials

There’s no shortage of GRE prep resources, but not all are created equal. A few recommended options include:

• GRE Verbal Practice Questions: This book focuses specifically on Verbal Reasoning, featuring over 600 questions that strengthen vocabulary, reading comprehension, and sentence equivalence. Emphasis is placed on question-specific strategies and skill development.

• GRE Quantitative Practice Questions: Aimed at mastering Quantitative Reasoning, this book covers key areas of GRE math, including algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and data analysis. Each topic includes step-by-step explanations and varied practice problems to support conceptual understanding and accuracy.

• Practice Tests for the GRE: This book offers realistic full-length practice tests designed to simulate the real test experience, helping you build test-taking endurance and familiarity with the exam format.

• ETS Official GRE Guide: This book includes test questions from past exams, as well as comprehensive test-taking strategies. A must-have resource to understand the structure and difficulty level of the GRE.

Tip: Don’t over-resource. Pick 2–3 reliable sources and stick with them.

6. Build Test-Taking Endurance

The GRE is a mentally demanding test that requires both focus and stamina to complete successfully. It’s important to train your brain to maintain peak performance for the entire duration of the exam.

Take Full-Length Mock Tests Regularly: Simulate test day by completing a full-length, timed practice test every 2–3 weeks. This helps you get accustomed to the test’s length and pacing.

Mimic Real Test Conditions: Create an environment that mirrors the actual test.

• No phone, no distractions.

• No breaks—just like the real GRE.

• Sit in a quiet, comfortable space to eliminate external interruptions.
  
  

Review Your Performance Thoroughly: After each mock test, take the time to analyze your results carefully.

• Identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

• Focus on time management: Were you rushing through any sections or running out of time?

• Review missed questions and understand the reasoning behind the correct answers.
  
  

By training with full-length tests and simulating real test-day conditions, you’ll build the mental stamina and confidence needed to perform your best on the GRE.

7. Plan Your Test Date Wisely

Choosing the right test date is a crucial part of your GRE strategy. Don’t wait until the last minute to register—taking the time to secure your preferred date and location will reduce stress as test day approaches. Here’s how to plan smartly:

Register Early: Secure your ideal test date and location well in advance. This ensures you get the most convenient option and avoid last-minute scheduling stress.

Take the GRE at Least 2–3 Months Before Deadlines: Ideally, you should aim to complete your GRE at least 2–3 months before your application deadlines. This gives you enough time to receive your scores, assess your performance, and plan a retake if necessary.

Bonus Tip: Consider scheduling a backup test date. In case your first attempt doesn’t go as planned, a second chance ensures you're not left scrambling to get your scores in time.

Start Strong, Finish Stronger

The GRE isn’t just a test of intelligence—it’s a test of preparation, strategy, and consistency. By planning ahead, staying focused, and using the right tools, you’re giving yourself the best chance to crush the exam and achieve your desired score. With the right mindset and approach, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge the GRE throws your way and finish stronger than you started. Your future success begins with the steps you take today—so make them count!

GRE® is a trademark registered by ETS, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse these products. More information about the GRE® and ETS is available on their website https://www.ets.org/gre.html.

Also read:

5 Reasons Why You Should Take GRE Mock Tests

GRE Analytical Writing: 8 Tips to Write a Perfect Essay

Tips for Time Management during the GRE test