GRE Preparation 2025: Tips, Strategy, Practice Test & Books

The Graduate Record Examination or GRE is an essential requirement for candidates seeking graduate studies abroad and an integral part of the application process for graduate schools or business schools. The GRE is also a multiple-choice, computer-based, and standardised exam required for admission to graduate programs and graduate business programs globally. Your high score is simply the result of proper GRE exam preparation. The GRE preparation differs from the preparation one may have for their high school or college exams. Candidates who follow the right preparation strategy can achieve their target scores and secure admission to their dream graduate schools. As a study guide, one only requires effective test preparation.

GRE Preparation Tips 2025

Many students need clarification about the best GRE exam preparation practices and ask how to study for the GRE. An effective GRE preparation strategy is the key to launching your study abroad career. Here are some GRE preparation tips to help students achieve their target scores and gain admission to graduate schools.

• Fix your target score

The essential GRE preparation tip is to decide your target score. Examine the GRE scores of previous year’s applicants admitted to the desired college or university. As a result, one can determine the average GRE scores accepted by these universities.

• Start by taking the GRE practice test

Knowing the current state of the GRE is the first step in preparing for the test. By taking the full-length GRE practice test, candidates should be able to identify their weak areas and sections that require additional attention.

• Prepare ahead of time

Plan for your overseas education at least one year in advance so that you can begin preparing for the test six months in advance. You will have the opportunity to retake the test if you score below the required level.

• Utilise the best resources available

Utilise the best books, guides, and materials to prepare for the GRE. By utilising the best sources, you can develop the best strategies. Aspirants may also take GRE coaching, where they may interact directly with experienced faculty members and clarify any doubts. 

• Prepare to take the exam twice 

You must prepare for the test twice and be practical. Doing this will reduce your nerves and allow you to plan the test a little ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute.

• Develop a smart prep plan

  
  Regardless of whether you choose a test preparation book, online program, or course, you need a smart preparation plan. You will be able to find a suitable environment with a bit of research.

• Simulate real-life GRE scenarios 

You can practice test-taking techniques and concepts by taking paper-and-pencil tests. Refrain from adjusting your methods as you would on the actual GRE. Include online test preparation practice in your study plan to prepare for the computer-based exam.

• Analyse your test results

  
  Review your performance after each GRE practice test. Find out which questions you consistently miss, ace, and slow down. You can improve your GRE score by hiring a GRE tutor to help you assess your performance on practice tests.

   

• Answer every question 

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly. All questions should be answered in order to increase the score.

• Keep track of time

Make sure you answer all the questions correctly. Don’t spend too much time thinking about difficult questions.

The GRE Exam Syllabus: Latest Changes

One of the most frequently asked questions among aspirants is – What are the changes in the GRE syllabus? ETS has introduced many changes in the GRE exam, which are listed below. Do not start your GRE preparation without first understanding all the changes.

1. The general GRE exam duration is half that of the current test. As per the GRE’s new pattern, the overall test duration is about 1 hour and 58 minutes.
2. In the GRE new format, the number of questions is reduced in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections.
3. ‘Analyze an Argument’ task is removed from the analytical writing section.
4. The unscored section is removed from the GRE 2025 exam pattern.
5. The GRE subject test is now being administered on the computer and at home. It will be offered in more GRE test centres, and more test dates will be made available.
6. The GRE subject test duration for the Physics and Psychology exam is two hours. The GRE subject test for Chemistry was discontinued in April 2023.
7. Test takers can now receive their official GRE test scores within 8 to 10 days.

GRE Syllabus: New Pattern 

1. The new GRE syllabus consists of three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
2. The Verbal Reasoning section now emphasises reading comprehension, sentence equivalence, and text completion. Two Sections (27 questions/per section, 41 minutes/per section)
3. The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, and mathematical skills. Two sections (27 questions/ per section, 47 minutes/per section)
4. The Analytical Writing section now features only one essay: Issue Task. (1 essay/ 30 minutes)
5. The scoring scale remains the same as the old pattern, ranging from 130 to 170, with 1-point increments for Verbal and Quantitative sections. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments.

Major Changes in the GRE Syllabus

The most significant change in the GRE syllabus occurred in the Verbal Reasoning section. The removal of Antonyms and Analogies, known for testing vocabulary memorisation, was a notable shift. Instead, the new pattern focuses on assessing your ability to understand complex texts, sentence structure, and vocabulary in context through reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence questions.

In the Quantitative Reasoning section, the emphasis on data interpretation and real-world problem-solving has increased. The questions in this section often require you to analyse and interpret data from various sources, making it more practical and relevant to graduate-level studies.

Analytical Writing consists of only one Issue Task assessing your ability to critically analyse and construct well-reasoned arguments.

With so many changes, your GRE preparation must evolve as well. Click on one of our banners to see how.

GRE Subject Test Preparation

The GRE Subject test is intended for graduate-level courses. Candidates should complete the respective undergraduate course if they aim to attempt the test. There are no specific eligibility requirements for the GRE. Unlike the general test, the GRE subject tests assess a student’s knowledge of a particular field or subject. The following are some general tips for preparing for GRE subject tests: 

• Try attempting every question. All questions have a similar weighting, so it is unnecessary to devote excessive time to difficult or tricky questions. In addition to preventing candidates from answering easy questions, this will also leave unanswered questions.
• Prepare a pattern to solve the question paper first: Students can benefit from the pattern of answering the questions. As part of the GRE subject test preparation, it is recommended that candidates begin by answering questions about which they feel confident and then move on to more challenging ones.
• Revision to undergraduate content: GRE subject tests are based on undergraduate knowledge levels. Aspirants should be familiar with these topics.
• The aspirant should not focus on a particular type of question: Instead of focusing on one type of question, candidates should pay attention to various questions, including directions. Decoding it will save aspirants a lot of time during the test when solving answers.
• Keep notebooks only for taking important notes, and don’t use them for anything else: Use the test booklet only for note-taking and organising. Don’t forget to write the answers in the answer booklet.
• Ensure that the undergraduate-level content for specific subjects has been revised since the subject test pattern is based mainly on it.
• Prepare a study plan that aligns with the syllabus and pattern of the chosen subject test.
• Solve as many sample questions and papers as possible.
• Go through the old UG-level books and notes.
•  Familiarise yourself with the types of questions that will be asked in the exam. 

GRE Preparation Practice Tests

The GRE is a standardised test required by many universities in the US and other countries as part of their application process for graduate programs. The test aims to measure the student’s readiness for graduate-level coursework and evaluate skills in like analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. With proper preparation, students can achieve a perfect score on the GRE. 

Reasons for taking GRE preparation practice tests 

The following are a few reasons why you should take more GRE practice tests before taking your actual GRE:

1. Set a target GRE score that you would like to achieve. You should take the GRE practice test to predict your score. This is an excellent way to determine where you stand and how close you are to achieving your goal.
2. Take more GRE tests to know your strengths and weaknesses. This will also help you improve yourself. 
3. To manage the time allotted for each question or section on the GRE, you must solve sample or practice tests.
4. Practice analytical writing questions is the best way to improve your writing skills. Measure your skills with an advanced and high-quality GRE practice test.
5. To determine your average score, ensure that you take all the available free practice tests provided by different sites or academic platforms.

How to complete your GRE preparation in one month?

To prepare for the GRE in a month, you must improve your scores significantly and use your time efficiently. When you are short on time due to other commitments, a study plan can help you stay on track. Below are some of the best recommendations for a study plan for a month’s worth of GRE questions.

1. Schedule your exam
   Choose a convenient date for your GRE test. Develop a study strategy that allows you to dedicate a reasonable amount of time to each test section. Choose a date when one has plenty of time to prepare so that on exam day, one feels prepared.
2. Take a practice test
   The GRE practice test is a key to designing a comprehensive one-month study plan. The full-length practice exam can aid you in:
          1. Finding out where you are now and where you need to be to achieve your goal.
          2. Prioritise your study schedule based on your strengths and weaknesses.
          3. Be familiar with the questions, GRE scoring process, and type of questions.
3.  Analyze your weaknesses and strengths
   The practice exam should be assessed within a day or two of completion to keep the material fresh in your mind. This will allow you to remember your chosen answers and their reasoning.  
4. Plan your study schedule for one month
   Prepare a one-month study plan for the GRE. With only one month to prepare, plan on studying five to six days a week. Divide your daily study plan into sessions or take small breaks between them. Spend around an hour and a half to three hours studying each day. One can plan to review specific sections of the test using a calendar. It is possible to divide one’s study plan into sessions or to take small breaks between them. 
5. Practice daily by using good study strategiesWith a good study strategy, you can cover all the material for the GRE. Test prep strategies should include both standard exam content and topics an aspirant struggles with the most.

Exam Day Tips for GRE Exam 2025

• Don’t study on the test day itself
  Studying on the day of the test or the day before will only add to your stress level. Additional study is not required if you are well-prepared for the GRE. One more day will not help if you are not ready. Stay calm and relaxed before test day.

• Take a break
  There are many instructions like this. Many students don’t take breaks. Breaks should be used to visit the bathroom and wash the face with cold water.

• Set more alarms
  On the morning of the GRE test, you should set your alarm one hour in advance. In addition, you can set several alarms so that you won’t fall asleep during the test.

• Stretch your body
  Exercise or practice yoga early in the morning. Don’t overdo it with exercise. If you have a gym membership, go there.

• Solve puzzles to keep yourself active
  Play puzzles or crossword puzzles on the GRE test day to warm up your brain. Go on your way after eating your snacks.

• Eat healthy food
  To avoid feeling sleepy during the test, eat healthy food on the day of the test, such as fruit juice or salad. One can eat whatever they want after completing the exam.

FAQs on GRE Preparation 

1. What is the importance of the GRE?
   GRE, or the Graduate Records Examination, is one of the most critical components of the graduate school application process. In most cases, it is one of the most important factors directly related to the field for which the applicant is applying.
   
   2. How does the GRE assess skills?
   Analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning are all tested on the GRE.  In the verbal reasoning section, the aspirants are tested on reading comprehension, argument construction, evaluation, and vocabulary. Quantitative reasoning tests high-school-based algebra, geometry, data analysis, and arithmetic skills. The analytical writing section tests the candidate’s ability to articulate complex ideas more effectively.
    
2. Who is eligible to take the GRE entrance test?
   Everyone can take the GRE. Since the GRE is used for graduate school admissions, most people are ready to take it after completing most of their undergraduate studies.
   
   4. When should one study for the GRE, and how long should preparation take?
   It is entirely up to the aspirant to answer this question. It is also dependent on their target score, as well as their level of proficiency in English and mathematics. It is best to take a practice test to evaluate your performance and subsequently devise a strategy to reach your target score. It is suggested that aspirants should take the GRE exam between four and twelve weeks before the test date. 

5. How many times can I take the GRE?
   Aspirants can take the test up to five times within a rolling 12-month period without restriction.

6. What is a good GRE score?
   Getting a good GRE score depends on the program one is applying to and the scores of other students applying to the same program.

7. Will I be allowed to use the calculator on the test?
   You can use an online calculator for the quantitative reasoning sections of the GRE. Among the basic functions of the calculator are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. It is not permitted to bring one’s own calculator.

8. Which colleges and programs accept GRE scores?
   Business and graduate schools usually require GRE scores for admission. For business-related programs, many colleges also accept GMAT or GRE scores.

9. Can aspirants retake the GRE?
   Aspirants can take the computer-based GRE up to 5 times yearly every 21 days. Paper-based tests can be retaken whenever they are offered.

10. How long is the GRE score valid?
    Aspirants’ GRE test scores are valid for five years following the testing year. 

Conclusion: 

The Graduate Record Examination or GRE is vital in the graduate or business school application process. It is often required for admission to graduate programs and graduate business programs globally. If you need more help, check out our GRE Classroom, GRE Live Online, GRE SLP, and GRE Elite. Using this comprehensive guide, you will be able to get a good score and be able to attend university worldwide. Just click on one of the banners and fill out the form to schedule a call with our Education Advisor.