Understanding Your GRE Starting Point
Before you build a study plan, you need to know where you stand. Your current GRE score is the key. If you haven't taken a diagnostic test, do one first. This tells you how much time you need.
Creating a 3-6 Month Plan Based on Your Level
If You Have a Strong Foundation
If you already score well on verbal and math, you might need only 3 months. Focus on daily practice with challenging questions. Spend extra time on your weakest areas.
If You Are Starting from Scratch
If your diagnostic score is low, plan for 6 months. You'll need more time to build vocabulary and reading speed. Start with basic concepts and gradually increase difficulty.
Daily Tasks for Verbal and Reading
Your daily plan should include specific tasks for verbal reasoning and reading comprehension. Here's a sample breakdown:
Verbal Reasoning Tasks
- Learn 10 new vocabulary words each day.
- Complete 5 text completion questions.
- Practice 5 sentence equivalence questions.
Reading Comprehension Tasks
- Read one passage and answer its associated questions.
- Review the passage structure: identify the main idea, tone, and logical flow.
- Time yourself to improve speed.
Adjusting Your Plan Over Time
As you study, track your progress. If you find that your verbal score is improving but reading is lagging, shift your daily tasks to give more time to reading. If you consistently master a task type, do fewer of those and add more challenging ones.
Tips for Staying on Track
- Set a consistent study schedule: same time every day.
- Use a timer for each task to simulate test conditions.
- Review your mistakes daily to understand why you got questions wrong.
Final Advice
A 3-6 month GRE plan requires discipline. But with a daily routine that focuses on verbal and reading, you can improve your score. Remember, the plan should change as you improve. Good luck!