Here’s the Best Way to Prepare for the GRE (Tried & Tested!)
GRE preparation works best when it follows a clear sequence: understand the test format, set a realistic score target, study each section with the right material, and simulate test conditions...
GRE preparation works best when it follows a clear sequence: understand the test format, set a realistic score target, study each section with the right material, and simulate test conditions before exam day. The GRE General Test was shortened in September 2023 to approximately 2 hours with one AWA essay, two Verbal sections, and two Quantitative sections. This guide covers the full preparation plan with a study timeline, section-by-section strategy, and resource recommendations.
The GRE General Test is the primary admissions test for most Masters programs and a growing number of MBA programs globally. Getting a strong score requires understanding exactly what the test measures, building the right skills for each section, and practicing under real test conditions.
This guide covers the complete preparation process in four steps. It is written for someone starting their GRE preparation from scratch, but the section-level guidance is equally useful for someone retaking the test and targeting a specific improvement.
If you want a foundational overview of the GRE before getting into preparation, the guide on all about the GRE covers registration, fees, score validity, and how the test compares to the GMAT.
Talk to a GRE expert who can assess your current level, recommend a target score based on your program list, and build a plan around your timeline.
Understand What the GRE Tests
The GRE was shortened by ETS in 2023 — knowing the new structure is step one of any preparation plan.
The GRE General Test was updated by ETS in September 2023. The current format is significantly shorter than the previous version: approximately 1 hour 58 minutes, down from nearly 4 hours. The key changes were the removal of one AWA essay (the “Analyze an Argument” task), the removal of the unscored experimental section, and a reduction in the number of questions per section.
| Section | Tasks / Questions | Time | Score scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (AWA) | 1 task: Analyze an Issue | 30 minutes | 0 to 6 (half-point increments) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 sections, approx. 12 questions each | ~18 minutes per section | 130 to 170 (1-point increments) |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 sections, approx. 15 questions each | ~21 minutes per section | 130 to 170 (1-point increments) |
The GRE is section-adaptive, not question-adaptive. This means the difficulty of your second Verbal section is determined by your performance in the first Verbal section. The same applies to Quant. This is different from the GMAT, which adapts question by question.
What this means for your preparation: Because section-level performance determines your difficulty routing, accuracy in the first section of each type matters significantly. A strong first Verbal section routes you to a harder second section, which gives you access to higher scores. This is not the same as “the first few questions are more important.” The entire first section matters equally.
Many Indian test takers underestimate Quant because they assume their engineering background is sufficient. The GRE Quant section tests problem-solving and reasoning under time pressure, not formula recall. The questions are designed to look simple and contain traps. The gap between “I know this topic” and “I can answer this GRE question correctly in under 2 minutes” is where most scores get lost.
Set Your Score Target Before You Start Studying
Your target score determines what to prioritise, how long to prepare, and when you’re ready to test.
Most GRE test takers start preparing without a clear target. This is a mistake. Your target score determines which areas to prioritise, how long to prepare, and when you are ready to take the test.
GRE scores for Masters admissions vary significantly by program type and school. Use the tool below to get a baseline target range.
What GRE score do you need?
Select your program type to see typical score expectations at competitive programs.
For a detailed breakdown of GRE score requirements at specific MBA programs, including ISB and top US schools, the guide on GRE scores for MBA programs covers the full picture.
Understand Each Section and How to Approach It
Verbal, Quant, and AWA test fundamentally different skills — each needs its own preparation strategy.
Select each section below to see what it tests, how much time you have per question, and what the preparation strategy looks like.
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal section tests three question types. Text Completion presents a sentence or short paragraph with one, two, or three blanks and asks you to select the word or phrase that best fits the meaning of the passage. Sentence Equivalence gives you a single blank and asks you to pick two words that both fit and produce sentences with equivalent meaning. Reading Comprehension gives you a passage and asks questions that test both explicit understanding and inference.
Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence are primarily vocabulary-driven at the harder levels. At easier levels, eliminating obviously wrong answers using context is often enough. At harder levels, you need a working knowledge of less common vocabulary to distinguish between plausible options. The GRE does not ask for direct definitions. It tests words in context, which is a different skill from memorising a word list.
The GRE Verbal guide covers all three question types with strategy frameworks and worked examples. For vocabulary specifically, the guide on GRE vocabulary preparation covers how to build word knowledge efficiently rather than through brute-force memorisation.
Build vocabulary through contextual reading (The Economist, The Atlantic, academic writing) alongside a structured word list. For RC, practice identifying the author’s main point and tone before attempting answer choices. For TC and SE, practice elimination: identify what the sentence is trying to convey, then eliminate options that contradict the intended meaning.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quant covers four topic areas: Arithmetic (including number properties, fractions, percentages, ratios), Algebra (linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, functions), Geometry (coordinate geometry, plane geometry, 3D shapes), and Data Analysis (statistics, probability, data interpretation).
The GRE Quant question types include Problem Solving (standard multiple choice), Quantitative Comparison (compare two quantities and determine their relationship), and Numeric Entry (fill in the answer without options). Quantitative Comparison questions are unique to the GRE and require a specific approach.
The GRE Quant overview covers the specific strategies for each question type and the most commonly tested sub-topics. For data interpretation specifically, the GRE data interpretation guide is worth reading separately.
Revise the fundamental formulas for all four topic areas before attempting GRE-level questions. The formulas themselves are not complex. What trips up test takers is applying them quickly and correctly under time pressure with traps built into the answer choices. After establishing the foundations, practice Quantitative Comparison questions extensively since they are the most unfamiliar question type for most test takers.
Analytical Writing
The AWA section asks you to write a structured essay responding to an issue prompt. The prompt presents a claim or recommendation, and you are asked to discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree, with reasoning and examples to support your position.
AWA scores have less impact on admissions decisions at most programs compared to Verbal and Quant. However, a score below 4.0 can raise concerns about written communication ability, particularly at programs that require extensive research writing. A score of 4.0 to 5.0 is considered solid for most programs. Perfect 6.0 scores are rare and not typically required.
The most effective preparation approach is to develop a consistent essay structure (claim, reasoning, supporting examples, consideration of opposing views, conclusion) and practice applying it to a range of issue prompts. ETS publishes the complete pool of Issue prompts, which means you can practice on real prompts and occasionally encounter the exact prompt on test day.
Do not over-invest in AWA at the expense of Verbal and Quant. Develop one solid essay template, practice it on five to ten prompts from the ETS pool, and focus the majority of your preparation time on the scored sections. For most test takers, AWA preparation should occupy no more than 10 to 15 percent of total study time.
Build Your Study Plan
The right timeline depends on your current level, target score, and how many hours you can study each week.
Select your available preparation window below.
4-week plans require 3 to 4 hours of daily study. This is feasible but intensive. If you have significant weaknesses in either Verbal or Quant, consider whether an 8-week window is more realistic for your target score.
8 weeks at 2 to 3 hours per day is the most common preparation window for a score improvement of 10 to 20 points. This is the recommended timeline for most test takers.
12 weeks at 1.5 to 2 hours per day gives you the most thorough preparation. This is ideal for test takers starting from a low baseline or targeting a score of 325 or above.
Our GRE online coaching program starts with a diagnostic session to establish your baseline, identify your weak areas, and build a week-by-week plan around your exam date.
GRE Study Materials: What to Use and What to Skip
Official material first. Supplementary resources should only fill the gaps official content doesn’t cover.
One of the most common preparation mistakes is accumulating too many resources and then studying from the wrong ones. The principle is simple: official material first, supplementary material only to fill gaps the official content does not cover.
ETS Official Guide and PowerPrep Tests
The ETS Official Guide is the primary source of real GRE questions. The two free PowerPrep practice tests from ETS are the most accurate indicators of your likely test score. Use both. ETS also sells additional full-length practice tests (PowerPrep Plus) if you need more simulation material.
ETS Official Question Banks
ETS offers separate official question banks for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. These contain real GRE questions and are the closest thing to the actual test. Work through these after establishing your baseline with the Official Guide.
GRE Vocabulary Resources
For Verbal, a structured vocabulary program is necessary if you are targeting Verbal 160 or above. The Crackverbal GRE Flashcard set, Khan Academy videos for Quant topics, and contextual reading from serious publications (The Economist, Foreign Affairs) are effective supplements to official practice material.
Third-Party Preparation Books
Manhattan Prep and Princeton Review GRE guides are useful for concept explanations and additional practice questions. Use them for the conceptual clarity and strategy frameworks, not as a replacement for official practice questions. Third-party question quality varies and is generally less representative of the real test.
For vocabulary specifically, rote memorisation of word lists is the least efficient approach. The guide on GRE vocabulary mnemonics covers how to build lasting word recall using visual and contextual memory techniques instead.
Practice Tests and Test Day Preparation
Full-length, timed simulation is what closes the gap between practising questions and performing on test day.
The gap between performing well on individual practice questions and performing well on a full test is significant. Test conditions (timed sections, no external help, sustained focus for two hours) affect performance in ways that question-by-question practice does not replicate.
This gives you a real baseline rather than an estimate. Most test takers are surprised by the results in one direction or the other. The baseline determines where to invest your preparation time.
Same time of day as your scheduled test. No pausing. No looking up answers mid-test. The mental stamina component of the GRE is real and only built through simulation.
The goal is to understand the error type: concept gap (you did not know the material), process error (you knew but applied it incorrectly), or time error (you rushed and misread). Each error type has a different fix.
Two ETS PowerPrep tests plus at least one PowerPrep Plus test. Track your section-level scores across all tests to confirm that improvement is holding under pressure.
Rest, light activity, and a normal night’s sleep are more valuable than any additional preparation at this stage. Cognitive performance on the test day is directly affected by sleep quality.
If your GRE does not go as planned, ETS offers score cancellation before you see your result. If you cancel and later want to reinstate, that option is available at a fee. ETS’s ScoreSelect feature also lets you choose which test attempt’s scores to send to schools, so one poor performance does not permanently constrain your options.
For a detailed plan on what to do differently if you are retaking, the guide on retaking the GRE covers diagnosis, timeline, and strategy adjustments for a second or third attempt.
If you are unsure where to begin, our guide on where to start your GRE preparation walks through the first two weeks in detail. For a personalised plan, our GRE coaches can build one around your diagnostic results and application timeline.
If you are unsure where to begin, the guide on where to start your GRE preparation walks through the first two weeks in detail.
Still have questions?
Crackverbal mentors have helped 50,000+ students work through GRE preparation since 2006. Get a specific answer for your prep questions.
Talk to a Crackverbal MentorWhere to Begin
The four steps in this guide form the complete preparation framework. The order matters. Starting with practice questions before understanding the format and setting a target is the most common way to waste preparation time.
Take the first practice test this week. Set your target score based on your program list. Build your plan around the study timeline that fits your schedule. Review every wrong answer. Simulate test conditions throughout.
Those five things, done consistently, account for the large majority of score improvement in any GRE preparation cycle.
Once you have a preparation plan in place, checking GRE exam dates, fees, and registration details will help you lock in your test date and work backward to confirm your study timeline.
Format, then target, then plan, then simulation. In that order. Skipping straight to practice questions is the single most common way GRE preparation time gets wasted.
Our GRE coaching program covers all sections, includes regular mentor check-ins, and is built around your specific target score and application deadline.
Nitha Jayachandran is the Verbal Head at Crackverbal, where she leads GMAT and GRE verbal training. A Cambridge CELTA-certified educator with over a decade of teaching experience, she has a background that cuts across test prep, copywriting, and brand strategy — which means she thinks about language the way most people think about arguments: carefully, and with some suspicion of the obvious. When she is not pulling apart a Critical Reasoning question, she is likely pulling apart a recipe, analysing a novel, or planning her next trip. Years spent in copywriting gave her a storyteller's instinct, and she brings that to her teaching — which turns out to be a considerable advantage for anyone trying to make sense of a dense RC passage or a word that refuses to stick.
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