The Dream of Studying Abroad
How do you feel when you see pictures of your friends studying at top colleges abroad? You feel happy for them and congratulate them on their successes. However, a voice deep within says, “I too want to experience this.” Subsequently, doubts begin to cloud your mind – Will I ever be able to do this? Can I crack the GRE? Can someone help me with the best GRE test prep strategies? How will I ever prepare for and succeed in the GRE with my full-time job?
At Jamboree, we are here with you through the entire journey – from the day you dream to the day you post your own pictures in front of your dream college! We will handhold and guide you through by making you understand some crucial GRE test prep strategies.
Why is the GRE Required?
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is conducted by the ETS (Educational Testing Service) to measure the competence of students aspiring to study masters or doctoral programs in foreign universities.
It is a standardized test that gives the admission committee a measure of your capabilities as a student compared to the thousands of applicants vying for the seats from various countries. Naturally, since these universities are highly ranked, the number of students who wish to pursue higher studies there is high. However, only a few make the cut. Hence, it is highly recommended to have experienced mentors who can guide you through this journey and help you realize your dreams.
The best part about the GRE is that it is valid for five years. Prepare now, give it a good shot, and keep the score with you. Meanwhile you can continue with your job, until you feel it’s the right time to take the plunge, while being assured that you have a good GRE score ready to help you enter the best master’s programs in the world. In fact, you will have a longer timeframe to choose your exact program and university with the help of our expert admission counsellors. You can also devote more time to profile building, increasing your chances of securing scholarships, which can save you substantial amounts of money.
Understanding the GRE Structure in 2025
The GRE preparation 2025 consists of three major components:
Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning section tests your logical reasoning and reading comprehension skills. Unlike what most people think, verbal reasoning does not equal English. There are no questions on grammar, syntax, or tenses. Instead, this section evaluates how well you can understand and analyze written material.
Quantitative Ability
The quantitative section does not test you on advanced mathematical concepts. Instead, it assesses how you approach and solve problems. Most of the math concepts tested here are what you might have studied in school or college, making it approachable but not necessarily easy. With the right techniques and effective GRE test prep strategy, you can tackle this section effectively.
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
The AWA section is measured on a scale of 0-6 with increments of 0.5 and is marked separately on your GRE scorecard. This section evaluates your critical thinking and analytical writing skills, which are crucial for success in graduate and business schools.
Challenges for Busy Professionals
All said and done, the real challenge is not in ‘what do I need to do’ but more in ‘how do I do it with the scarce amount of free time I have?’
Juggling between personal and professional responsibilities and staying consistent with the preparation isn’t something very easy. Thus, in order to get this sorted one can think of taking help from various GRE coaching institutes. Jamboree is one such institute that can offer you the best GRE course and can guide you through with some of the best GRE test prep strategies.
Best GRE Test Prep Strategies
While it may not be easy, it is surely not impossible either. Thousands of Jamboree students have done it and so can you. What you need to stay at the top of the game is a structured study plan and a seasoned mentor who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
As someone who is working throughout the week, it isn’t practically feasible to attend classes on those days. Look for weekend GRE classes which you can attend with full focus and concentration, which will run for a longer duration in terms of number of days. You need to remember that it’s not a sprint but a marathon, where energy needs to be used at a slower pace but for a longer duration inching the gap towards the finish line one step at a time.
Do not set unrealistic expectations from yourself or hope that you will be able to study the way you did for boards or bachelors. Focus on one step – one word, one passage, one quant formula- at a time. With easy resources available for GRE prep at your disposal like the GRE Vocab app, you can learn a few words while you grab a coffee, in the metro or anywhere you find a couple of minutes.
Suggested Read: GMAT Vs GRE: Which is better?
How to Prepare for the GRE at Home
Many aspirants, especially those who are working full-time jobs, often mistake their work commitments for a hindrance to their dreams of studying abroad. Thanks to technology, we now have online batches for the GRE in various time slots – weekends and weekdays – accessible on your smartphones and laptops. You can prepare for GRE online from the comfort of your home, regardless of where you live and work. GRE online coaching includes online live classes, recorded lectures, practice tools such as a vocabulary builder application, and a portal that tracks your entire journey and helps align your efforts with your goals are all at your disposal to help you succeed in this test. With the right coach, your honest efforts and the right GRE test prep strategy, you can crack the GRE and progress on your journey. It won’t be easy, but it will be totally worth it.
Benefits of Online GRE Coaching
For a working professional who may not be able to make it to offline classes, going for GRE online classes makes a lot of sense. You save on the travel time and avoid logistical issues which leaves you with more time and resources to fuel your studies.
You get access to mentors who can train you, mentor you and course correct you whenever you slack or lose your path.
Comprehensive Resources: Online study programs, such as Jamboree’s, come with a range of tools to help you reach your maximum potential such as a range of study materials, including live classes, recorded lectures, and practice tests. The portal helps you in monitoring your progress and identifying areas for improvement through advanced analytics and feedback.
By incorporating some of these best GRE test prep strategies you can actually win the game of acing the GRE exam.
FAQs
With a commitment of 2 hours of concentrated study each day, 60 days is a good timeframe to finish your GRE preparation. However, this is subjective and each individual might have a different timeframe depending on the reasoning skills he/she possesses and the quality of time they are investing in the studies. Get in touch with an expert GRE trainer to find out.
Yes, hiring a GRE tutor is highly beneficial if you have limited time. A tutor provides personalized guidance, helps you focus on high-impact areas, and streamlines your preparation with efficient strategies. This saves time and ensures you're making the most of your study efforts, boosting your chances of a high score. Jamboree has a team of experienced GRE faculty to guide you through your GRE test prep journey.
To stay consistent with GRE prep, focus on mini habits by setting small, achievable daily goals like solving 5 questions or studying for 15 minutes. Use principles from Atomic Habits to build momentum and reinforce routines. Incorporate deep work sessions by dedicating distraction-free time blocks to high-focus tasks, ensuring quality over quantity in your preparation.