Preparing for the GRE can unlock doors to top graduate programs, with over 500,000 students taking the exam annually (ETS, 2023-2024). A strategic study plan is key, as research shows that 1-3 months of prep averaging 15 hours weekly yields optimal score gains (ETS, 2024).
Students aiming for elite schools like MIT, where admitted averages hit 165 Verbal and 167 Quantitative (U.S. News, 2025), need tailored strategies. The mean GRE scores are 150.61 Verbal and 153.39 Quantitative (ETS, 2018-2021), yet top programs demand 318+ for the 75th percentile (ETS, 2023).
A 2023 Kaplan survey found 68% of test-takers improved by 7+ points with structured plans. This article unveils the best GRE study plans, blending flexibility and rigor, backed by data-driven insights.
What is GRE?
GRE Is the abbreviation for Graduate Record Examination, it is one of the globally recognized tests that is conducted to know the level of one’s mental ability by taking assessments in vocabulary, analytical writing, and of course mathematics. The test is usually utilized by a lot of Graduate schools in Canada and the US as a way of evaluating a candidate’s eligibility for a program.
In addition, the GRE is not only accepted in Graduate schools, the GRE is also relevant in law schools and Business schools as well. The exam provides schools with a common comparison measure by using your score obtained in the exam to supplement your records and qualifications in considering you for graduate-level study.
Note that the standard of taking the GRE is through a computer but in cases where there are no adequate computers and network accessibility then the provision will be made for a paper-based exam.
Why GRE Study Plan
To achieve the optimum best score on the GRE, you must adopt a study plan which will be quite useful to pass your GRE. Below are some of the significant reasons you should adopt a strategy for your study.
You Will Learn to Remain Focused
Deciding to plan your study can be one of the best things you have ever done. This is because due to the plan you have set aside, you would want to follow your plan till the end and by doing this there will not be any chance for you to lose focus as much as you have a very detailed study plan.
Helps You Cultivate the Planning Culture
Making a study plan for your GRE test doesn’t just help you pass your exam, it also benefits you in other ways. Once you make a plan for how to achieve success in the GRE and keep to it, with time this soon becomes a habit for you. Having seen the benefit of planning your study, you would want to plan other things other than the exam and the planning culture will help you achieve more.
Study Without Tension
Unlike other graduates taking the examination, once you developed a study plan and kept to the plan till the end then you can be assured that the scare of taking the exam would naturally just go away. It is more like you have been practicing for something and when the time finally comes for the thing you just want to display all you have practiced. Nevertheless, this can only work when you draft out a strategic study plan.
Helps You Create Time for Other Things
Being faithful to the plan you have made about taking your GRE will help you achieve other things as well. A lot of candidates for the GRE make the mistake of studying whenever they are less busy and this is not supposed to be given the fact that you might not be able to cover all the relevant topics but when you create a study plan and keep to it. You know when to apportion time for other things. In other words, it aids you to prioritize your time.
Boosts Your Confidence For Success In The Examination
Going for the GRE test on the specified date, most graduates would start feeling not sure if they would triumph or come out with flying colours, this is one of the ways to know if a person studied for an examination. Although some students would study without actually having a study plan it would require a high level of discipline to achieve this without a study plan.
A person with a study plan from the inception of preparing for the exam and who keeps to it till the exam date will be all confident on the day of the exam because he has covered every possible topic area questions may be picked from and has gone through the past questions.
Best GRE Study Plan
- Understand your score range
- Select Score Target For The GRE
- Develop a Technique while you practice
- Make a plan to check yourself
- Assume actual exam conditions while practising
- Master practising with and without a Calculator
- Become Conversant with GRE Vocabulary
#1. Understand Your Score Range
Before taking the GRE test, in the period of your study ensure you observe your scores after taking several mock GRE tests and know your performance scale. Become conversant with how low your score can go as well as the highest you can get.
#2. Select Score Target For The GRE.
As you read and practice questions for the exam, always ensure you have a score target for the actual GRE test. It is more advisable you set a target score for each course because this will help you remain objective and propel you to study more.
#3. Develop A Technique While You Practice.
In the process of studying for the GRE, over time you get to fully understand yourself and know when and how to study. everybody has a way or pattern they study and the study is effective and productive. This is because the rate at which a person understands something might differ from another person, the cause of the difference most times is because the former understands the technique for study that best works for him/ her.
#4. Make A Plan To Check Yourself
Evaluation is very important when working on any project because it helps determine progress or not. The same applies to the GRE test, in the course of your GRE preparation, fix a particular period you deliberately check to see if you have been following your study plan for the GRE or not. this will help you readjust if you have deviated from the actual plan a little.
#5. Assume Actual Exam Conditions While Practicing
To remain focused on your studies, you should convince yourself you are preparing to take the actual GRE test tomorrow. While following your GRE study guide, and taking periodic mock exams think of the mock exam as the actual GRE test and you must assume the same condition for the exam also.
#6. Master Practicing With and Without A Calculator
for the quantitative aspect of the GRE test, ensure you have the precision or a GRE study guide on taking the mathematical aspect of the test without the use of a calculator. Although an on-screen keyboard will be available for you when taking the test you should strive to understand when using the calculator will be of the most advantage to you and when mastering the key rules for some math topics will be better.
#7. Become Conversant With GRE Vocabulary
Knowing most of the vocabulary constantly used in the GRE is an added advantage. To save time and perform quite well after having followed your GRE study plans, understanding and making the GRE vocab yours will go a long way in helping you finish early by helping you better understand the questions.
GRE Study Plan 3 Months
The RE comprises 3 sections and these sections are made up of two parts each of which are referred to as primary and secondary. Listed below are the sections
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
Month 1
In the first month, effort should be concentrated on familiarizing yourself with the questions and the pattern they are structured.
Week 1
Deliberately source for past questions on Verbal Reasoning and answer them. Look for questions from years back and answer them and after answering check for the correct answers and note your mistakes so as not to repeat them.
Week 2
Get the quantitative reasoning past questions and a note you will use for solving. Try as much as possible to see most of the questions and do well to check your textbooks for clarification on anything you seem not to understand.
Week 3
Practice Analytical Writing properly and mark relevant questions that are mostly recurring or that have higher marks than others.
Week 4.
Take a test that consists of the 3 sections. set the conditions as though you were taking the actual RE exam. This is done to know your score range and how much more effort you need to put in to perform better.
Month 2
In the second month, you should put in all your efforts towards understanding and developing a strategy that works best for you in the GRE preparation.
Week 1
Create your study timetable in a way that does not affect the other duties you do. This will help you learn how to prioritize your time. Also, set a target for each day on what you seek to learn or accomplish. In addition, you can also make a broad target for the week.
Week 2
Continue studying with your timetable as your study guide.
Week 3
While you study for the RE test appraise yourself to know if the strategy you are adopting is paying off or not.
Week 4
Prepare for and take the’ online RE prep test to determine if you are making progress or not as regards your score.
Month 3
Week 1
Do a comprehensive revision of what you have been learning in each section.
Week 2
Meet with friends who are also studying for the GRE like you and share knowledge and ideas.
Week 3
Prepare and take a final overall test to see how many marks you have progressed from when you started taking the study.
Week 4
Have a good resting time and do frequent quick recaps on all you have studied before the exam commences.
GRE Study Plan 2 Months
Month 1
Get the required past questions, prepare a GRE Study Guide, and be diligent in using the guide for your study. While you study also note that you should periodically take tests to check your progress level.
Month 2
Organize or attend a GRE group study session where you get to meet people wishing to take the exam like you and you learn from each other.
GRE Study Plan 4 Months
Month 1
Get the past questions and try answering them and for the ones you fail study more on those topics.
Month 2
Plan and prepare your study timetable in a way that covers all the topics in all sections and you still have time to take practice questions.
Month 3
Attend as many group studies that concern the GRE test as possible as there are some things that you may have overlooked and someone else has studied about them.
Month 4
Begin doing a constant test in all sections to know how much you have learned and master using your calculator as it will help increase your speed when calculating in the actual exam. In addition, try as much as possible to cover all the topics.
GRE Study Plan 6 Months
Month 1
Source for all the relevant study materials related to the RE test. Also, note that the resource materials can be in both hard and soft copies.
Month 2
Begin familiarizing yourself with the past questions.
Month 3
Take an assessment test with the past questions to determine your strengths and weaknesses to prepare your timetable appropriately.
Month 4
Schedule your study timetable using the results obtained from your assessment test. schedule more time for sections or topics you performed poorly on the assessment.
Month 5
Frequently set tests for yourself and do the online GRE prep test also invite friends and family over who are writing the exam as you or who have written the exam before so you all can share ideas and learn more.
Month 6
Check to confirm if you have been able to touch all topics and ensure you do if you have not. Also, try answering the past questions again for the second time to know how far you have improved and how much more you need to study.
Conclusion
Scoring high marks in the GRE is not by magic or luck as many would put it. Passing the GRE requires nothing more than your commitment, diligence, and discipline to stick to your self-prepared Study plan for the GRE.
Frequently Asked Questions on the GRE Study Plan
What is a GRE study plan?
The study plan is a detailed map of how to go about your reading toward the GRE and strategizing on covering all relevant topics.
Can I take the GRE by self-study?
You can actually take the test after following your self-structured study plan and working with it.
How do a write my GRE study guide?
- make a goal and practice test
- determine an amount of time to use for study per week or day
- get all relevant study material
- Plan your weekend’s study activities.
Can I take GRE at home?
You can choose to take your test at home rather than at a test center however, the student will be monitored using the ProctorU
References
- Princeton– How to study for the GRE
- Investopedia– Graduate record examination (GRE)
- PrepScholar– How to make GRE study plan
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