Think about all the minutes in your day that pass almost unnoticed. Time spent on routine tasks like walking the dog, filling up your car, waiting in line, or brushing your teeth may feel insignificant. Yet these small pockets of time add up quickly. Instead of letting them slip by, you can turn them into valuable opportunities for GRE practice.

During these brief moments, challenge yourself to recall GRE concepts mentally. You do not need flashcards or notes. Run through the quadratic formula in your head, define a word like “attenuate,” or visualize the formula for the volume of a right circular cylinder. Even a few seconds of focused recall reinforces the material in your memory and improves your retention. Over time, these tiny efforts accumulate, creating stronger familiarity with essential GRE concepts.

The benefits go beyond just memorization. Regular mental practice in short bursts helps your brain stay engaged and sharp, improves recall under pressure, and reduces anxiety on test day. It also keeps previously studied material fresh, so you do not lose ground on topics you practiced weeks ago. The cumulative effect of using idle moments wisely is a more confident, prepared, and resilient approach to the GRE.

By being intentional about these small pockets of study time, you can maximize every day and make steady, meaningful progress without needing long, uninterrupted blocks of study. It is the consistency of these small actions that often separates high scorers from the rest.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep