A well-balanced GRE study plan does more than divide your time between Quant and Verbal. It helps you learn more efficiently, retain concepts longer, and maintain steady momentum throughout your preparation. One effective way to achieve this balance is by alternating between Quant and Verbal topics as you move through your studies.
Many students make the mistake of compartmentalizing their preparation too rigidly. For instance, they might focus exclusively on Quant for two months and then shift entirely to Verbal for the next two. While this approach may seem organized, it comes with a significant downside: knowledge decay. The human brain naturally forgets information that is not revisited regularly. So, if you set aside Quant for several weeks while concentrating on Verbal, much of your hard-earned math progress may fade by the time you return to it. The same holds true in reverse for Verbal.
At the same time, there is value in giving your mind short breaks from one type of problem-solving. Studying only one subject for long stretches can lead to mental fatigue, frustration, and diminishing returns. Even if you enjoy math, spending day after day on geometry, algebra, and data interpretation will eventually feel draining. Likewise, focusing exclusively on dense reading passages or vocabulary review can cause burnout. Alternating between Quant and Verbal allows you to recover mentally while still making meaningful progress.
This variation also keeps your study sessions more engaging. When your preparation feels repetitive, motivation drops and focus slips. By switching subjects, you introduce variety that keeps your brain alert and learning active. Moving from numerical reasoning to verbal analysis engages different cognitive processes, giving each area time to consolidate while the other is in focus.
A practical way to structure this balance is to vary subjects across your study week. For example, if you dedicate two days to Quant, follow with a day of Verbal before returning to Quant again. If you study every day, alternate between the two areas daily. Some students prefer to split their sessions within a single day—perhaps Quant practice in the morning and Verbal review in the evening—based on their energy levels and available time. The goal is to find a rhythm that promotes consistent growth in both areas while keeping your preparation manageable and sustainable.
This approach also mirrors the experience of the actual GRE, where you’ll need to transition smoothly between different types of thinking. Alternating your focus during prep helps build that adaptability. Over time, you’ll find it easier to switch between quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning on test day, which can improve both efficiency and confidence.
By weaving Quant and Verbal into your weekly routine, you create a study process that is more balanced, more enjoyable, and more effective. You’ll retain more of what you learn, reduce mental fatigue, and steadily build the diverse set of skills required to perform at your best on the GRE.
Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!
Warmest regards,
Scott Woodbury-StewartFounder & CEO,
Target Test Prep