GRE 2020: Preparation tips for a successful attempt!

Here comes the rapid-fire question - What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think of GRE? Let’s be honest with it. Was it how to take GRE 2020? How long does it take to prepare for it? Is GRE difficult? Has the pattern of the exam changed? Can anyone prepare for GRE in 30 days? If yes, then what are those GRE preparation tips? If your answer lays onto similar lines, we have got everything under control!

While much harm has been done by the pandemic; varsities, schools, examination conducting bodies, and other educational institutes are bracing up for its lasting backlash. ETS, the conducting body of GRE has also jumped on the bandwagon along with GMAT, JEE, NEET, and other exams to bring reforms in their strategy. The entire education industry is shifting faster than ever before. Events, classes, and exams are swiftly transforming into a virtual one and so is the GRE General Test at Home. Words to that effect, we are here with GRE preparation tips that you need this year to ace the exam from home and fly off to your dream college.

Do the groundwork

First things first, understand the GRE format and pattern. Read it by yourself, do NOT rely on the word-of-mouth. This will give you a fair insight into the structure of the exam, sections, the number of questions, duration, marking scheme, and every other fine detail. Once you get the first-hand knowledge of it, you are ready to plan a strategy and put your best foot forward.

Calibrate your calibre

Before you hop into devising your personalized GRE preparation tips, know your current proficiency level in all the sections. Here comes the significance of taking a diagnostic test. Various GRE preparation institutes provide these tests for free. They will let you know your strengths, weaknesses, the areas demanding more attention, your time management, and other measures that can be taken into consideration while preparing a solid strategy. 

Play with numbers

The Quantitative section basically comprises of questions from the high school and are based on:

Among these topics, just like CAT Arithmetic and Algebra have a lion’s share in the Quantitative section. Geometry generally always holds a tricky angle. So, now as per your strengths, play with these sub-sections. Devote considerably more time and effort to the topics you are apprehensive about. One easy way out to tackle this section is to memorize all the formulae to the core. This will save you time and give you the confidence to attempt more number of questions.

Pro Tip: One of the best GRE preparation tips is to write the formulae you find difficult to grasp on a sheet of paper and stick it at a place you see often. It can be the sidewall of your bed, besides the mirror or the door of your refrigerator. And see the magic after a month!

Get your jargon correct

Students with a weaker grip on the Verbal section as compared to Quant, often find scoring a 330+ score in GRE a daunting task. But this section can be made easy to deal with if you know the brass tacks. Around 50% of the question in the Verbal section are based on Reading Comprehension followed by Sentence Equivalence or Text Completion. As said and observed, the exam focuses a lot on your vocabulary. So, get your ball rolling and devise a periodic target to get a hold on the high priority GRE words. Set your own benchmark and gradually increase your target. You can start with as low as 20 words in a day!

Pro Tip: Try using GRE apps, they come in handy and can help you enhance your vocab database easily. For this, check out the links mentioned at the end of the article.

Practice tests are the holy grail

As soon as you complete the basics of any topic, take a test. Give as many sectionals as possible but make sure you analyze it well and come up with at least 2 strategies to perform better in the next one. Judge critically whether your strategy is working or not and then again tweak it accordingly. Do not wait for the day you complete the revision of the entire syllabus to give full-length tests or sectionals. In the heat of preparation from various free and paid resources available on the net, do NOT forget to look at GRE official preparation material.

Pro Tip: Make it a habit to give your tests at the same time as your final GRE 2020 exam is scheduled. 

Brace your inner-self

Let’s be practical, there will be times when you will be as busy as a beaver and will be slammed with your GRE preparations, college tasks, household chores, and other unforeseen things. But drive this message home: your mental well being and health is equally important as your career. Do not let your peer’s performance in mocks get on your nerves. Focus on your improvement, set parameters based on your capability, and devise your own strategies. Indulge in physical activities, give time to your hobby, practise Yoga or any form of exercise that can boost your mood. 

If you want to be tickled pink in the journey of taking admission to your dream college, get your foundations right. We hope that these GRE preparation tips will act as a catalyst and will give you a direction to proceed further. 

Here are some other helpful resources:

• GRE 2020: Everything you need to know about it
• 6 GRE apps and courses to increase your score 
• Confused between GRE and GMAT! Clear the CLOUD
• 5 Government scholarships for every graduate and postgraduate students
• Looking abroad? Tick off this checklist for an international scholarship