How to Prepare for GRE Exam

GRE General Test Format

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test is the standard admission test for most graduate programmes (MS, PhD, MBA at some schools) in the USA and increasingly worldwide. It is administered by ETS.

GRE General Test sections: Verbal Reasoning: 2 sections, 27 questions each, 41 minutes each. Tests vocabulary, reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Quantitative Reasoning: 2 sections, 27 questions each, 47 minutes each. Tests Maths up to Class 10–12 level — arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation. Analytical Writing (AWA): 1 essay task (Analyse an Argument), 30 minutes. Tests critical thinking and writing.

Total score: 260–340 (Verbal 130–170 + Quant 130–170). AWA scored 0–6 separately. Total time: approximately 1 hour 58 minutes.

GRE at Home: Available in most countries including India. Same scoring validity as test-centre GRE.

Target GRE Scores for US Universities

GRE score requirements vary by programme and university:

Top US universities (MIT, Stanford, CMU, Caltech) for MS CS/Engineering: Quant 165–170 expected (170 is perfect). Verbal 155+. AWA 4.0+.

Top universities for MS in social sciences, humanities, business: Verbal 160+, Quant 155+.

Mid-tier US universities: Quant 155–160, Verbal 150–155 generally competitive.

PhD programmes (STEM): Most funded PhD programmes want Quant 160+. Very high Quant (168+) makes you significantly more competitive.

Social sciences PhD: Verbal 160+ is more important than Quant for humanities/social science programmes.

Note: Many top MS CS programmes (MIT, Stanford, CMU) have made GRE optional or permanently dropped it post-COVID. Always check the specific programme's current requirements. Some programmes that dropped GRE are gradually bringing it back.

Quantitative Reasoning — Strategy for Indian Students

Indian students (especially engineering and science graduates) typically score very high in GRE Quant — 165–170 is achievable with focused preparation.

Topics tested: Arithmetic (number properties, ratios, percentages), Algebra (equations, inequalities, functions), Geometry (lines, circles, triangles, 3D shapes), Data interpretation (tables, graphs, charts), and Word problems.

All topics are Class 9–12 CBSE/state board level. The challenge is not the difficulty but the unfamiliar question formats: - Quantitative Comparison (compare two quantities A and B) - Multiple correct answers (select all that apply) - Numeric entry (type the answer, no choices)

Strategy: Buy the ETS Official GRE Quant book. Focus on Data Interpretation — it is the most common trap. Practice mental estimation — the GRE provides a basic on-screen calculator but it is slower than mental arithmetic for simple operations.

Common trap: Assuming things not stated. GRE Quant questions are carefully worded — a variable can be negative or fractional unless stated otherwise.

Verbal Reasoning — The Hard Part for Indian Students

GRE Verbal is where most Indian students struggle, primarily due to advanced English vocabulary and nuanced reading comprehension.

Question types: Text Completion: Fill in one to three blanks in a passage. Tests whether you understand the logical flow of the text. Sentence Equivalence: Choose two answer options that complete a sentence to give equivalent meanings. Reading Comprehension: Short and long passages, multiple question types.

Vocabulary strategy: GRE uses obscure academic vocabulary (laconic, perfidy, obsequious, etc.) not found in everyday English. Build a vocabulary of 500–1,000 high-frequency GRE words. Apps like Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards are useful. Understand words in context, not just memorise definitions.

Reading Comprehension strategy: GRE RC passages are dense and academic. Practice reading slowly and carefully. The correct answer is always defensible from the text — never bring outside knowledge.

Target for Indian students: Verbal 155 is achievable with 2–3 months of focused vocabulary building. 160+ requires sustained reading of complex academic texts (The Economist, academic journals, literary essays).

Preparation Plan and Best Resources

3-month preparation plan:

Month 1: Week 1–2: Learn GRE format, take a diagnostic test (ETS PowerPrep free). Week 3–4: Quant fundamentals review (ETS Official Quant book, Manhattan Prep Quant). Vocabulary: 20 new GRE words daily.

Month 2: Week 5–6: Verbal strategy (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, RC approach). Week 7–8: Mixed practice, 1 full section daily. Vocabulary: Continue 20 words daily, review prior weeks.

Month 3: Week 9–10: 2 full mock tests per week (ETS PowerPrep, Magoosh). Week 11–12: Review weak areas. AWA practice (1 essay every 2 days).

Best free resources: ETS PowerPrep (2 official full tests), ETS Official GRE Guide. Best paid: Manhattan Prep GRE (Quant strategy), Magoosh GRE (excellent video explanations, good value), Gregmat (excellent affordable verbal resource).

AWA: Practise analysing arguments — identify flaws in reasoning. A score of 4.0 is sufficient for most programmes; a 5.0–6.0 is exceptional.