How to Prepare for GRE: Detailed One-Month GRE Preparation Strategy

The GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a multiple-choice, computer-based, and standardised exam required for admission to the world’s top graduate programs globally. Apart from graduate courses spanning STEM and humanities, many business schools also accept GRE scores for admission to their MBA and MiM programs. Your GRE preparation will differ from the way you prepare for your college exams – the GRE is designed to test your reasoning, analysis, and logical skills apart from subject-specific skills that are necessary to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. However, with the right preparation strategy, you can achieve your target scores and secure admission to your dream graduate program.

GRE @ Zero Fee
Start your GRE prep for free
Sign up for a 14-day free trial and get access to:

• 5.5+ hours of GRE Concept Videos
• 6 hours of GRE Strategy Sessions
• 4 hours of Recorded GRE Sessions
• 1 Free Profile Evaluation Session

Sign Up

GRE Preparation – How to Prepare a GRE 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.

1. Take a practice test before you begin your GRE preparation

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. Prioritize your study schedule based on your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Be familiar with the type of questions, GRE scoring process, and type of questions. 

Read our blog on the New GRE Pattern to familiarise yourself with the latest changes in the GRE exam pattern.

1. Analyse 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 the answers you chose and the reasoning behind them.  

1. 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. Also, 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.

Read our blog on the best way to design the perfect GRE study plan.

1. Practice daily by using good study strategies

With a good study strategy, you can cover all the material for the GRE. Test prep strategies should include standard exam content and topics an aspirant struggles with the most.

Read more: GMAT Vs GRE: Which Exam Should You Take?

Best Books for GRE Preparation – GRE Study Material 2024

Your study material will dictate how well you learn your concepts, while the practice sets you use will affect your ability to apply those concepts. That’s why it is critical to invest in good study material. Below is a list of the best GRE preparation books in the market. While some books focus on specific sections of the test, others cover all the topics being covered. 

Quantitative section

1. 
   Manhattan Prep: GRE Math Strategies
   2. Princeton Review: Math Workout for GRE
   3. Be a Human Calculator 

Analytical Writing Section

1. 
   GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topic
   2. Sample Essay for GRE by Andrea Schiralli 

Verbal Section

1. 
   The Vocabulary Builder Workbook: Simple Lessons and Activities to Teach Yourself
   2. GRE Verbal Workbook by Kaplan Test Prep
   3. Manhattan Word Problems GRE Strategy Guide 

Books that cover all the sections

1. 
   Kaplan’s GRE Premier
   2. 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
   3. GRE Big Book
2. Gre Prep 2021 and 2022- Test Prep Books
   5. GRE Prep 2023- Princeton Review
   6. GRE Test Prep- Barron’s

GRE Preparation Tips 2024

Now that you’ve learnt how to prepare for GRE in a month, let’s look at some general tips to enhance your GRE preparation.

1. Fix your target score: The essential GRE preparation tip is to decide on the target score one wishes to achieve. 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.

Read our blog on the score that you should target for the top universities here – What GRE scores do you need to get into top universities?

2. 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.

3. Utilise the best resources available: Utilize 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 they may have.

4. Prepare to take the exam twice: You must prepare for the test twice and be practical. The benefit of doing this is that you will be less nervous and able to plan the test a little ahead of time rather than waiting until the last minute.

5. Develop an intelligent prep plan: Regardless of whether you choose a test preparation book, online program, or course, you need a smart preparation plan. You will find a suitable environment with a bit of research. 

1. 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.

1. 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.
   
2. Answer every question: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are calculated based on the number of questions answered correctly. All questions should be answered to increase the score.

1. Keep track of time: Make sure you answer all the questions correctly. Don’t spend too much time thinking about difficult questions.

Conclusion

The Graduate Record Examination or GRE is integral to the graduate school or business school application process. It helps display your graduate program-ready skills on a standardised measure. If you think you’ll need more help, you can check out our GRE Classroom, GRE Live Online, GRE SLP, and GRE Elite.

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.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide To GRE: Registration, Eligibility, Fees, And Test Structure Explained

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. In high school, quantitative reasoning tests on algebra, geometry, data analysis, and arithmetic. The analytical writing section tests the candidate’s ability to articulate complex ideas more effectively.

3. 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 aren’t ready to take it until they have completed 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 and also depends on their target score, as well as their level of proficiency in English and mathematics. To evaluate your performance, it is best to take a practice test and devise a strategy to help you achieve your target score. Aspirants should take the GRE examination between four and twelve 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, the score 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 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.