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How long should you study for the GRE?
[#permalink]
29 Jan 2022, 08:06
29 Jan 2022, 08:06
Expert Reply
So, you have decided to pursue a graduate degree and are now wondering how long to study for the GRE? Preparation time for the GRE averages between 3 to 6 months for an average score improvement of 10 to 35 points,, depending on how well you do in your diagnostic test and how much you are aiming for in the real GRE.
The GRE is a different type of test–cramming books will not result in effective scores. Thus, below is a breakdown of steps to determine how long to study for the GRE:
Step 1: Set a baseline score (Diagnostic test):
The first step in starting preparation is to assess your current position. A FREE diagnostic test is available on Scholarden which you can use. A diagnostic test simulates the real GRE, albeit shorter (20 questions), so it is a good measure of how well you would do in the real GRE and helps in identifying weak spots.
This test will also be a good practice in how to take the GRE since it will familiarize you with the test format.
Step 2: Set a target score:
Once your baseline is established from the diagnostic test, you will set a target score. This target score is dependent upon you and your requirements i.e., the university or scholarship you are targeting.
For example, your target score will depend upon your major field and university choice. Generally, for top-tier CS and Engineering programs, you should aim for 165+ or ideally a perfect score in the math section of the GRE. Similarly, if you are opting for English or Education programs, the math score may not be as important, and you can set a target of 150 in the math section.
On the other hand, if you are opting for scholarships, such as Fulbright, opt for a total GRE score of 310+ if you are opting for Social Science majors, and 320+ if opting for Engineering majors.
You should be ambitious but not overambitious. Set a target that you will definitely be able to achieve in the time that you have, as it is key in your preparation. .
The gap between the target score vs current score
The gap between your diagnostic test score and your current score is how much you want to improve. This gap also determines the amount of time you need for preparation.
Let’s consider the analogy of Google Maps, your current score is the current location, your target score is your target location; the distance defines the travel time, i.e. the gap defines your preparation time.
Based on thousands of students experiences on GRE preparation, below is a list of some example current and target scores along with the preparation time needed to improve:
Current score = 260
Target Score = 300
Gap = 40 Points
Prep Time = 6 months
Current score = 280
Target Score = 300
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 310
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 300
Target Score = 320
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 320
Gap = 30 points
Prep Time = 5 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 325
Gap = 35 points
Prep Time = 6 months
Current score = 315
Target Score = 330
Gap = 15 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Some Important Factors to Consider
How much time can you prep during the day?
As the GRE is taken by current students, fresh graduates, and professionals so this means that the amount of time available during the day is not equal for everyone. Students may have extra time during the summer, while professionals will still only have time available after work hours or on weekends.
Other than that, there are also real-life commitments, family, friends, functions to attend, exams, travelling, projects etc.
Study time during the entire week
If you are a student in the middle of their semester, chances are that you can only spare time on weekends, and not so much during the week. In that case, an ideal preparation time for you would be 2-3 hours on working days, while 6-7 hours during weekends. This may be the case for working professionals as well.
In the case of recent or fresh graduates who are not working and are focusing solely on their GRE preparation, you may be able to spare more hours every day. You may be able to go as far as 10-12 hours per day.
Your current skills
Needless to say, the third most important factor that will guide your preparation time is how skilled you currently are in the quantitative, verbal, and writing skills of the GRE tests, as well as, in soft skills such as test-taking.
On the basis of GRE diagnostic test, try giving yourself a number on a scale of 1-10 for all of the skills tested (mathematical, verbal, and writing). Diagnostic test will help you self-evaluate how you can divide your study time between Quantitative and Verbal, particularly helpful in deciding how to prepare for the GRE.
Reading Skills
Within reading skills, you can assess how quick you are able to read and understand, how much you can skim while still getting the answers right. To build this skill, read as widely and as deeply as you can. If you are an avid reading, your vocabulary will be good too.
Math Skills
Of course, mathematical skills involve calculation, statistics, conceptual knowledge, etc. Test-takers from Engineering and CS backgrounds generally have much better math skills due to their major fields. So your preparation time will be dependent on how good is your maths skills?
Logical Skills
Within the Quantitative section, the questions are worded as word problems. Thus, logical skills and problem-solving skills are most required to tackle such “real-life” problems. Also, on the verbal side, your critical reasoning skills are also tested.
Test-Taking Skills
Lastly, assess how comfortable and well you adjust with testing conditions and environment. Simulate the testing conditions while practicing to build up this skill more.
Say, according to your current and target score, you need 3 months of study time. Now, you feel that your math skills are pretty good as compared to your reading skills. Then, roughly 2 months will be spent studying reading and comprehension, while 1 month will be devoted to practicing math questions.
Conclusion:
So whenever you find yourself asking,, “how long should I study for the GRE?” remember these important points and factors. Divide your preparation time according to your diagnostic test results, starting from your weakest points and working your way up from there. Good luck!
If you still need a study plan, do contact our experts for a step-by-step free GRE mentoring via www.scholarden.com/mentoring
The GRE is a different type of test–cramming books will not result in effective scores. Thus, below is a breakdown of steps to determine how long to study for the GRE:
Step 1: Set a baseline score (Diagnostic test):
The first step in starting preparation is to assess your current position. A FREE diagnostic test is available on Scholarden which you can use. A diagnostic test simulates the real GRE, albeit shorter (20 questions), so it is a good measure of how well you would do in the real GRE and helps in identifying weak spots.
This test will also be a good practice in how to take the GRE since it will familiarize you with the test format.
Step 2: Set a target score:
Once your baseline is established from the diagnostic test, you will set a target score. This target score is dependent upon you and your requirements i.e., the university or scholarship you are targeting.
For example, your target score will depend upon your major field and university choice. Generally, for top-tier CS and Engineering programs, you should aim for 165+ or ideally a perfect score in the math section of the GRE. Similarly, if you are opting for English or Education programs, the math score may not be as important, and you can set a target of 150 in the math section.
On the other hand, if you are opting for scholarships, such as Fulbright, opt for a total GRE score of 310+ if you are opting for Social Science majors, and 320+ if opting for Engineering majors.
You should be ambitious but not overambitious. Set a target that you will definitely be able to achieve in the time that you have, as it is key in your preparation. .
The gap between the target score vs current score
The gap between your diagnostic test score and your current score is how much you want to improve. This gap also determines the amount of time you need for preparation.
Let’s consider the analogy of Google Maps, your current score is the current location, your target score is your target location; the distance defines the travel time, i.e. the gap defines your preparation time.
Based on thousands of students experiences on GRE preparation, below is a list of some example current and target scores along with the preparation time needed to improve:
Current score = 260
Target Score = 300
Gap = 40 Points
Prep Time = 6 months
Current score = 280
Target Score = 300
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 310
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 300
Target Score = 320
Gap = 20 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 320
Gap = 30 points
Prep Time = 5 months
Current score = 290
Target Score = 325
Gap = 35 points
Prep Time = 6 months
Current score = 315
Target Score = 330
Gap = 15 points
Prep Time = 3 months
Some Important Factors to Consider
How much time can you prep during the day?
As the GRE is taken by current students, fresh graduates, and professionals so this means that the amount of time available during the day is not equal for everyone. Students may have extra time during the summer, while professionals will still only have time available after work hours or on weekends.
Other than that, there are also real-life commitments, family, friends, functions to attend, exams, travelling, projects etc.
Study time during the entire week
If you are a student in the middle of their semester, chances are that you can only spare time on weekends, and not so much during the week. In that case, an ideal preparation time for you would be 2-3 hours on working days, while 6-7 hours during weekends. This may be the case for working professionals as well.
In the case of recent or fresh graduates who are not working and are focusing solely on their GRE preparation, you may be able to spare more hours every day. You may be able to go as far as 10-12 hours per day.
Your current skills
Needless to say, the third most important factor that will guide your preparation time is how skilled you currently are in the quantitative, verbal, and writing skills of the GRE tests, as well as, in soft skills such as test-taking.
On the basis of GRE diagnostic test, try giving yourself a number on a scale of 1-10 for all of the skills tested (mathematical, verbal, and writing). Diagnostic test will help you self-evaluate how you can divide your study time between Quantitative and Verbal, particularly helpful in deciding how to prepare for the GRE.
Reading Skills
Within reading skills, you can assess how quick you are able to read and understand, how much you can skim while still getting the answers right. To build this skill, read as widely and as deeply as you can. If you are an avid reading, your vocabulary will be good too.
Math Skills
Of course, mathematical skills involve calculation, statistics, conceptual knowledge, etc. Test-takers from Engineering and CS backgrounds generally have much better math skills due to their major fields. So your preparation time will be dependent on how good is your maths skills?
Logical Skills
Within the Quantitative section, the questions are worded as word problems. Thus, logical skills and problem-solving skills are most required to tackle such “real-life” problems. Also, on the verbal side, your critical reasoning skills are also tested.
Test-Taking Skills
Lastly, assess how comfortable and well you adjust with testing conditions and environment. Simulate the testing conditions while practicing to build up this skill more.
Say, according to your current and target score, you need 3 months of study time. Now, you feel that your math skills are pretty good as compared to your reading skills. Then, roughly 2 months will be spent studying reading and comprehension, while 1 month will be devoted to practicing math questions.
Conclusion:
So whenever you find yourself asking,, “how long should I study for the GRE?” remember these important points and factors. Divide your preparation time according to your diagnostic test results, starting from your weakest points and working your way up from there. Good luck!
If you still need a study plan, do contact our experts for a step-by-step free GRE mentoring via www.scholarden.com/mentoring
gmatclubot
How long should you study for the GRE? [#permalink]
29 Jan 2022, 08:06
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