MGRE Flashcards
Manhattan GRE has a useful set of
flashcards. Clear definitions, well-written example sentences and interesting tidbits (such as a “backstory” on certain words) make these a necessity. Words are broken up into two levels, so you can make sure that you are studying the words that are right for you.
Magoosh Flashcards
Magoosh GRE flashcards cover high-frequency GRE words and have clear definitions . The flashcards are free. You can print them out, or you can download the flashcard app, which makes learning words easy (there is some newfangled algorithm it uses that makes words more likely to stick).
Barron’s 1100 Words
For those who like the old book approach, this
Barron’s vocabulary workbook is great. Learn the definition of words by inferring how they are used in context (an indispensible skill on the GRE); take weekly practice quizzes; peruse the glossary to see how each of the words is used in context (example sentences are taken from a variety of reputable resources).
Blank flashcards (quizlet.com)
Not all the words you’ll encounter as you do GRE vocab exercises and read (see below) are in the resources above—so make sure that you have blank flashcards. Quizlet.com makes it easy for you to make flashcards online for any words you stumble across during your prep.
Vocabulary.com
Speaking of new words, instead of using a straightforward dictionary, with its dry, and often abstract definitions, try vocabulary.com. Each word gets a little story along with an example, so words are more likely to stick (it’s sort of like my Vocab Wed., posts but in condensed form).
Read, read, read
There is no better way to reinforce vocabulary than be encountering it unexpectedly. Since, you aren’t going to bump into the word “prosaic” as you walk down the street, a great place to see GRE words are from reading. Nytimes.com, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic are great places (all offer many articles for free online).
Don’t just read the breaking news or the sports score; choose long form stories (usually 3 pages or longer). And remember to have a set of blank flashcards, Quizlet or paper-based, for those unknown words you encounter.