GRE Test Preparation

The GRE's verbal section is significantly harder than SAT (more big words), and the GRE's math section is slightly easier. The GRE is approximately three hours long. Only 2½ hours count toward your score; the experimental section is not scored. The experimental section can be a verbal section or a math section. You won't know which section is experimental. You will know which type of section it is, though, since there will be an extra one of that type. Knowing that the experimental section can be disproportionately difficult, if you do poorly on a particular section you can take some solace in the hope that it may have been the experimental section. In other words, do not allow one difficult section to discourage your performance on the rest of the test.

Although time is limited on the GRE, working too quickly can damage your score. Many problems hinge on subtle points, and most require careful reading of the setup. Students miss questions because they either misread the problems or overlook subtle points.

For the vast majority of people, the key to performing well on the GRE is the percentage they solve correctly. On the GRE, the first question will be of medium difficulty. If you answer it correctly, the next question will be a little harder. If you answer it incorrectly, the next question will be a little easier. If your GRE skills are strong and you are not making any mistakes, you should reach the medium-hard or hard problems by about the fifth problem. Although this is not very precise, it can be quite helpful. Once you have passed the fifth question, you should be alert to subtleties in any seemingly simple problems.

Because of the importance of the first five questions to your score, you should read and solve these questions slowly and carefully. Allot nearly one-third of the time for each section to the first five questions. Then work progressively faster as you work toward the end of the section. On the test, you cannot skip questions; each question must be answered before moving to the next question; however, if you can eliminate even one of the answer-choices, guessing can be advantageous. Unfortunately, you cannot return to previously answered questions. Often students become obsessed with a particular problem and waste time trying to solve it. To get a top score, learn to cut your losses and move on. The exception to this rule is the first five questions of each section; you should read and solve these questions slowly and carefully.>

Most people are better off preparing thoroughly for the test, taking it one time and getting their top score.