Many people dread the thought of sitting for standardized tests (not to mention the test prep beforehand), and the GRE is no exception. So, it’s no surprise that graduate school hopefuls often ask us, “Is the GRE hard?” Of course, the answer is not so cut and dried. The fact is, how difficult the GRE is for YOU depends on the gap between your current skill level and the skill level necessary to get your target GRE score. The good news is, anyone who is motivated to put in the time and effort necessary CAN close that gap — however wide it is — and earn a competitive GRE score.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some aspects of the GRE that can present challenges for test-takers and answer some of the most common questions related to the difficulty of the GRE. Plenty of test-takers worry that they won’t be able to excel on the GRE, but rest assured, with a smart study plan and a winning mindset, you can overcome the GRE’s challenges!

To start, let’s discuss some aspects of the GRE that can seem intimidating to test-takers, and why they’re not as “scary” as they seem.


As with all standardized tests, preparing for and taking the GRE can feel like an overwhelming and intimidating task for many reasons, which may or may not have to do with the content that the GRE tests. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why “the intimidation factor” of the GRE is high for many test-takers, and how we can deal with these challenging features of the exam.


Challenge:

A hard chair, fluorescent lighting, air conditioning on full blast — GRE test centers can be pretty uncomfortable settings for a long exam. Even the commute to the test center and the check-in process can produce a fair amount of anxiety, so it’s no wonder that test-takers often feel stressed and nervous in the unfamiliar environment of the test center.

Solution:

There are plenty of easy and effective strategies you can use to prepare yourself for the test center environment. For example, you can (and should) mirror test conditions when taking full-length practice tests, you can do a dry run of your commute to the test center, and you can put together a checklist of the items that you’ll need to bring to the test center. All of these simple tactics can help take the nerves down a notch before test day and during your exam.

Remember also that if you’ve already taken standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect at a test center and how you can make the experience as comfortable as possible for yourself.

Of course, test-takers nowadays also have the option of taking the online GRE, so if you think you’ll be better able to focus and do your best work at home, certainly look into the online exam.


Challenge:

For most test-takers, the fact that every section of the GRE is timed adds a significant layer of difficulty and anxiety to the exam. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of how the sections are structured:


As we can see, test-takers are not given much time to answer each GRE question. So, part of the challenge of the GRE is being economical and strategic with your time.

Solution:

GRE questions are designed to be answerable by well-prepared test-takers in the time allotted. So, with the right training and practice, you will be able to answer GRE questions in a reasonable amount of time.

First and foremost, if you want to be able to answer GRE questions quickly, you have to know the material well. So, a smart test prep plan will build your knowledge of the content and skill at answering practice questions before attempting to build your speed. Don’t put the cart before the horse!

For more expert advice on tackling the challenges of time restrictions on the GRE, check out these timing strategies for a higher GRE quant score and this article on how to get faster at GRE math.