How to Start Studying for the GRE
Most students who intend to go to graduate school understand that taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an important step in the process. But, many of them wonder how to start studying for the GRE. At Varsity Tutors, we offer online courses that can help you prepare for this critical exam. And as you get started, here are some valuable tips for starting the process of studying for the GRE.
Complete a Practice Exam
If you’re wondering how to start studying for the GRE, you can take a step in the right direction by completing a practice test. Doing this allows you to see the type of material that’s on GRE: you’ll get a sneak preview of the types of geometry and algebra questions on the Quantitative section of the exam as well as the reading comprehension and vocabulary skills tested in the Verbal Reasoning section.
A practice exam can also help on the Analytical Writing section, which requires students to write two essays: an issue piece and an argument essay. And after you’ve finished a practice GRE, you can look at the results of the test to gain insight on what skills you need to improve.
Identify Weaknesses and Strengths on the GRE
Because they reveal your strengths and weaknesses, practice test results are invaluable if you want to make the most efficient use of your study time. Students working with one of our Varsity Tutors instructors have the advantage of reviewing the results of their practice test with an expert. If you need to brush up on your geometry skills, you can learn lots of practical tips from their instructor to make geometry questions more manageable. Alternatively, if you need help in reading comprehension, you can garner strategies from your instructor that serve to simplify lengthy written passages.
Enhance Study Time Using Various Resources
While you’re studying for the GRE, you can use aids to help strengthen various skills. For instance, it’s a good idea to make flashcards to learn vocabulary words found in the Verbal Reasoning section of the test. One way to do this is to find lists of vocabulary words on the GRE and then make a flashcard for each unfamiliar word and its definition. By quizzing yourself every day with five or ten flashcards, you’ll be able to absorb a reasonable number of new words each week.
Newspapers and magazines are other study aids that can help you prepare for the GRE, too. If you get into the habit of reading newspaper and magazine articles, you are likely to encounter some of the vocabulary words they are learning for the GRE. Seeing these words in context is tremendously helpful for remembering those same words on test day.
Finally, our instructors can be invaluable to students preparing for the GRE. Studying tips, strategies, and encouragement are just three of the things that we offer to our students at Varsity Tutors. We are happy to answer questions about our services and encourage students to contact our team with inquiries about our online GRE prep classes. Students who sign up with Varsity Tutors are giving themselves an advantage on the GRE.
Want to jump-start your GRE preparation? Varsity Tutors has everything you need, from GRE courses to private tutoring and self-study options .