The Best Ways to Study and Practice Vocabulary for the GRE Exam

The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, contains three sections. One of those sections tests a student’s verbal reasoning skills. Within the Verbal Reasoning section, students encounter questions that ask them to identify antonyms and synonyms. Also, they must select the appropriate word or words to complete various sentences. In short, many of the questions in this section test your vocabulary skills.

Fortunately, there are several ways that students can practice GRE vocab words as they prepare for this important test.

Review Lists of GRE Vocabulary Words

There are many lists that reveal groups of words that are frequently seen on the GRE. Vocabulary practice can take the form of learning these high frequency words along with their definitions. It’s a good idea to divide a vocabulary list into groups of ten words. Learning ten words every week is a lot more effective than trying to absorb all of the words on a list in a short period of time.

The professional instructors at Varsity Tutors are experts at teaching students how to learn and remember vocabulary words that may appear on the GRE. In addition, tutors provide strategies that narrow down and simplify the possible answers making a question in the verbal reasoning section easier for a student to tackle.

Get GRE Vocab Prep with Practice Tests

Taking a practice GRE is another way of learning vocabulary words that may appear on the actual test. Along with introducing you to the subject matter in the verbal reasoning section, practice exams help you become familiar with the types of answer options offered on the exam. 

Make a list of words you see on the exam and then use that as a jumping off point to study. For instance, seeing the word dissonance can help you add not just that word, but several others to your arsenal by remembering its prefix, “dis”. In Latin, “dis” means to take apart and the word “sonance” means sound. These clues can remind you that the word dissonance means “inharmonious sound.” While you may not see the exact same words on the actual test, the exam may include words that are similar to the ones on a practice test.

Use GRE Vocabulary on Assignments

The best way to study vocabulary words for the GRE is to use them in everyday life. For instance, practice using some GRE vocabulary words on essays and other writing assignments. You are more likely to remember a vocabulary word and its meaning if you use it in context. Using these vocabulary words often keeps them fresh in your memory.

Get GRE Vocab Practice with Flashcards

Making flashcards takes a little time, but they are effective study tools when learning unfamiliar vocabulary words. Create flashcards by writing a word on one side of a card and its definition on the other side or create them via an app like Quizlet. Flashcards provide students with a convenient way to study GRE vocabulary. Practice with the flashcards while on a break at work or between classes at school.

It’s a good idea to quiz yourself using just ten flashcards at a time. Studying ten flashcards at a time is one way to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. You may also want to enlist the help of a roommate or friend when learning new vocabulary words. If you have a friend who’s planning to take the GRE, you can even quiz one another.

Read Newspaper and Magazine Articles

Many of the words used in newspaper and magazine articles are the same ones found on the GRE. Vocab practice can be as easy as going online each morning to read several articles from a news magazine. When you encounter a word you learned from a GRE vocabulary list, you are able to see it used in context. This further solidifies the meaning of the word in your mind. And if you see a word you don’t recognize, use that as an opportunity to find out what it means – and then make a flashcard so you can study it. 

Finally, students who want assistance expanding their vocabulary in preparation for the test can contact us regarding GRE prep courses. We provide students with excellent learning resources and study tips that can help them to master questions on the Verbal Reasoning section as well as the rest of the GRE.

Want to jump-start your GRE preparation? Check out our variety of GRE Course and Private Tutoring options.