GRE opens a plethora of opportunities for undergrad students who plan to pursue their masters abroad. Leading colleges in the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, and Europe consider GRE scores an essential element of the college application.

The average GRE score worldwide ranges from 300 to 311. Any score above this can be considered an above-average score. But there is more to what makes a ‘good GRE score,’ depending on your target course and university, preparation time, and individual profile. It is, therefore, always a good idea to aim for more than a 320 on your GRE.

Your GRE preparation strategy will determine your exam score to a great extent. This blog will brief you about the various resources, tips, and techniques you can use to ace the GRE.

1. Know the exam

Before you strategize your exam preparation, you must learn the in and out of the test. Spend ample time getting familiar with the GRE pattern, question types, and GRE-related reading material.

Read about the various resources other GRE aspirants have used and the mistakes they made so that you can avoid falling into the same pit. All this will help you formulate a stellar strategy for your GRE preparation.

2. Take a diagnostic test

Before diving deep into GRE preparation, take a diagnostic test to see where you stand. A GRE diagnostic test will help you understand your strong and weak areas and how to improve your test scores.

Make sure to simulate an actual exam environment when taking the diagnostic test. It will give you an idea of the time you have on your hands during the test. It will also help you evaluate how you may perform in the actual exam setting.

Smart analytics on Jamboree’s online portal helps you track and evaluate your performance. Additionally, the powerful adaptive technology further streamlines your GRE preparation. There’s more- Score predictor, advanced analytics, interactive HD videos, and endless doubt-clearing sessions, all to level up your GRE prep.

3. Mastering the basics

Knowing the basics of cooking can help you nail a perfect recipe! It’s the same for everything, including GRE test prep – mastering the basics can also help you ace the GRE! Getting hold of the basics of the quant and verbal section will subsequently help you solve complex problems quickly and accurately. Moreover, having math formulas and grammar rules at your fingertips brings efficiency.

GRE quant mainly comprises four sections- Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, and Data Analysis and the verbal section is centered around three types of questions- Sentence Equivalence (SE), Text Completion (TC), and Reading Comprehension (RC). The best way to score high on the GRE is by mastering the basics. Sharpening your mental math skills leads to efficiency.

4. Practice! Practice! Practice!

GRE is a four-hour exam, and you have to be well prepared to sit for that long to answer the questions correctly. You can easily make silly mistakes if you’re not alert enough throughout the exam.

Taking mock tests (a lot of them) will help you build up that concentration and alertness. Practice tests also help you evaluate your performance and assess how you have improved in various sections of the GRE. When you’re ready, take a fully computer-adaptive test to test your overall efficiency and time management.

You’ll find several GRE practice tests on the internet, but it isn’t easy to find reliable and relevant ones. Jamboree’s GRE practice tests are the closest thing you can get to an actual GRE.

5. Ace GRE words

The buzz in the market is that if you master typical GRE words, you are much closer to acing the GRE. Well, it’s true. Mastering those words will set you in tune with the words on the actual GRE test and help you better differentiate between similar answer choices in Sentence Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions.

You might not be able to cover all the 3500-4000 words, especially if you are pressed for time. A smarter way to approach the word bank is to target the 1000-1200 words on High Priority/Frequency Lists.

Tip: Learn and remember the words better by associating them with memorable pictures.

Give yourself sufficient time to prepare for the GRE test. Submit your college applications with a stellar GRE score, a strong profile, and winning application essays along with the required IELTS/TOFEL score.

Jamboree guides GRE aspirants to schedule a Test prep plan and build speed, accuracy, and stamina for the test. Jamboree′s Online Test Prep packages like GRE live for Online classroom like prep, GRE online, which provides prep flexibility, and GRE Test series with dedicated Vocab Tool- Optimized for the GRE.

Book a free fifteen-minute session with our expert counsellor to know more about the importance of GRE scores in your college applications.

Universities do take a holistic look when assessing your admission application, but an excellent GRE score catches the admissions committee’s attention. It paints a picture of your dedication, determination, and sincerity.

Wait… there’s more; a good GRE score can help you land scholarships and push your application up the admissions ladder. In this blog, we’ve got just the thing for you–tips to ace the GRE test.

IN THIS BLOG:

1.    Map the Passage-Reading Comprehension
2.    Word Tone for Vocabulary Questions
3.    Filter out the Useful Information
4.    Eliminate Extremes in Sentence Equivalence
5.    Backsolve by Plugging-in Answers
6.    Answer in Correct Format
7.    Strategise your GRE Test Prep

Map the Passage- Reading Comprehension

If you are preparing for the GRE, you’ll spend a lot of time reading and understanding things for the test. The reading comprehension passages on the GRE have to be approached differently. Irrespective of the subject matter of the passage, GRE predictably asks from a specific set of questions.

To successfully attempt these questions, you must engage in selective reading and active note-taking. The most effective way to do this is by Mapping the Passage. A passage map entails noting the passage’s central idea(s), the structure of the passage, and any opinions and sources of these opinions. This will help you understand and tackle the passage with greater ease.

Suggested Reads: GRE: When & How to take it?

Word Tone for Vocabulary Questions

Here is an elimination trick you can use for the vocabulary questions on the GRE. Based on the tone of the word, you can rule out whether the word would make an appropriate answer choice or not. The word tone helps determine whether a word carries a positive or negative connotation.

Words with similar meanings can denote different intentions. For example, the words ‘persevere’ and ‘obdurate’ have similar meanings, but the former has a positive connotation while the latter has a negative connotation. Persevere means to not waver from our path, whereas obdurate means not to waver even when you are wrong.

Another example is the words ‘easygoing’ and ‘lackadaisical’, and both are used to describe a person’s demeanor. Lackadaisical has a negative connotation and describes a person who might be easygoing but also careless and disengaged.

Judging from the context of a blank, you can figure out whether the blank should have a positive or a negative word.

Filter out the Useful Information

Word Problems and Data Interpretation questions on the GRE exam are, at times, overflowing with information. All those facts and figures can boggle your mind, and you may mess up an easy question. It is, therefore, crucial that you filter out the essential information.

So, how do you know what info to keep and what not to? This comes with practice. Solving enough questions and taking ample mock tests will help you hone your skills to filter out the useful information in a question. GRE mock tests put you through exam-like situations, introducing you to challenging questions and stepping up your regular test prep.

Take a GRE mock test now!

Eliminate Extremes in Sentence Equivalence

We know we’ve already talked about the elimination trick, but this one is different; it particularly concerns the sentence equivalence questions. In these questions, you have to choose word(s) to use in a sentence that should have a similar meaning. The words might not be direct synonyms, but they need to be somehow related or have close meanings.

Words that seem to be on the spectrum’s extremes can be eliminated from the answer choices. This means that you can rule out the words that do not seem to match any of the other words at all. This helps you cut down on options, and you have fewer answer choices to worry about.

Backsolve by Plugging-in Answers

When the way forward is not working, you might want to try another way. If you are stuck on an MCQ, you can try figuring out the answer by plugging the choices into the question. The answer choices given are usually in numerical order. You can start by plugging in the middle choice on the list and then move up and down the options, depending on whether you need a bigger number or smaller.

This strategy could be time-consuming, but it does the job when you’re stuck. GRE is just concerned ‘if’ you have found the answer and not ‘how’ you found it. By learning how to plug-in options effectively, you could easily hack your way to the solutions. This shall come with learning the strategies and practicing them enough.

Answer in Correct Format

Answers to some of the questions on the GRE exam have to be stated in a specific format. You may be asked to answer after converting it into the specified units. For instance, the units mentioned in the question are in meters, and the answer is required in centimeters.

You need to be wary when asked to do so; otherwise, you might pick the wrong answer choice. Read through the questions carefully and double-check what the question is asking. You wouldn’t want to lose easy points on the GRE because you forgot to convert meters into centimeters.

Strategise your GRE Test Prep

The key to acing a standardized test is to strategize your test prep. Before jumping deep into the GRE test prep, ensure you have a stellar preparation strategy and a solid study plan to ace this exam. You don’t want to find yourself all over the place in the middle of your preparation. Therefore, at Jamboree, we have customized a study plan befitting your convenience.

Learning the tips and techniques to help you reach your target score is essential. This is where expert guidance comes in. Whether you are a student or a working professional, we understand the time crunch & miss in regular practice. At Jamboree, we have the options of online, live, or private classes to choose from. Set your study schedule as per your convenience with us.

Do not delay your GRE prep any further. Get in touch with our expert counselor at Jamboree to learn more about GRE and its test prep.

The GRE General Test enjoys wide popularity among students and universities alike because of its worldwide acceptance for admissions to Masters and Phd Programs. Before you immerse yourself in GRE preparations, let’s brush up on the exam’s structure.

Educational Testing Service or ETS administers and conducts the GRE General Test. It is a 3-hour and 45-minute long computer-adaptive test and has a total score of 340 marks.

IN THIS BLOG:

1.    Sectional Breakup of GRE Test
2.    Section-level Adaptive GRE test
3.    Study Guide for GRE Test

Sectional Breakup of GRE Test

GRE consists of three sections: Analytical Writing (AW), Verbal Reasoning (VR), and Quantitative Reasoning (QR).

Besides these, two sections: unidentified unscored section and identified section may also form a part of the GRE General Test. The unscored section serves two purposes:

• tests questions for possible use in the future GRE tests
• make scores on future and past editions of the GRE more comparable.

The Analytical Writing section will always come first, and the remaining sections may appear, in any order, after it. The identified research section is included sometimes in place of the unscored section. ETS uses the questions in this section for research purposes only, but it is still essential to approach every section as if it counts towards your final score.

Section-level Adaptive GRE test

Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning further consists of two sections each. The difficulty level in these subsections varies because of GRE’s section-level adaptive nature. For instance, under the Verbal Reasoning section, your performance in the first section determines the difficulty level of your next section.

The first section is of average difficulty for both Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning. If you perform well in the first section, the questions in the second section will be more difficult. It should be noted that while scoring the QR and VR sections, the difficulty level of the GRE General Test and the total number of correctly answered questions are both considered.

Let us look at the individual sections on the GRE General Test.

1. Analytical Writing

This section consists of two essay-writing tasks: Argumentative Writing Task and Issue Writing Task. ETS comprehensively evaluates your essay tasks, so make sure to accommodate both quality and quantity. Additionally, the essays should be well-structured, efficient, and relevant.

The Analytical Writing section tests you on:

• Clear and effective articulation of complex ideas
• Presentation of a well-focused and coherent discussion
• Ideas supported with relevant reasons and instances
• Correct use of standard written English
• Examination of claims and supporting evidence

2. Verbal Reasoning

This section consists of three types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. The Reading Comprehension asks analytical questions to test your understanding of the passage. The difficulty level of the passage is high to match the challenging level of material you will be studying as a graduate student.

The remaining two types- Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, are designed to test your vocab knowledge.

The Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to:

• Analyze sentences and comprehend passages
• Understand basic vocabulary concepts
• Creatively think around the questions
• Understand sentence structure and formation
• Read through multiple meanings

3. Quantitative Reasoning

This section consists of four types of questions: Quantitative Comparison Questions, Numeric Entry, Multiple Choice (one answer), and Multiple choice (one or more answers). In the quantitative comparison section, you will have to compare the two given quantities. For Numeric Entry questions, you must enter your answer in the given text box. While attempting the Multiple Choice questions, separate the questions with a single answer from those with multiple answers.

The Quantitative Reasoning section design is to test your:

• Understanding, interpretation, and analysis of quantitative data
• Ability to use mathematical models to solve questions
• Application of basic mathematical concepts

Study Guide for GRE Test

While diving into any test prep, it is important to follow a well-defined approach. Here is your official guide to the GRE General Test:

1. Determine Your Target GRE Score

To determine the GRE score you should be targeting, look at the average GRE score of the previous year’s incoming class for the course and universities you have shortlisted. A clear vision of your goal will make reaching it easier.

2. Take a GRE Practice Test

Taking the GRE Practice test will give you an idea of the test structure, the types of questions you’ll get, and where you stand in the various sections. The practice test will familiarize you with the GRE’s format and timing and help you build a sound study plan.

3. Develop your Study Plan

The first step toward developing a sound study plan is to understand how to approach various questions. Students in Jamboree’s classes have effectively developed robust study plans and scored a complete 340 on their GRE General Test.

4. Set your Study Schedule

Whether you are a student or a working professional, setting up an effective study schedule will help you ace the GRE test. We understand the time crunch & miss in regular practice; therefore, at Jamboree, we have the options of online, live, or private classes to choose from. Set your study schedule as per your convenience with Jamboree.

Do not delay your GRE prep any further. Get in touch with our expert counselor at Jamboree to learn more about GRE and its test prep.