👉 Tip #1: Don’t Seek Perfection
Too many student experience anxiety regarding the number of questions they have to answer correctly. First, worrying about your performance never improves your performance; being alert to the problem at hand can do that. Second, realize that you can probably get more questions wrong than you think and still get a good score. Remember, you don’t have to answer every question correctly to earn a good score. To be clear, your goal is to correctly answer as many questions as you can. Just stay focused on that goal.

👉 Tip #2: Don’t Worry If You Struggle With the First Question or Two
Often, students who perform below their goals on the GRE say that they had a hard time with the first few questions and, as a result, lost their focus on the following questions. Of course, it would be desirable to recognize and easily solve the first few questions you encounter, but if you can’t, or if the first few questions seem unusually abstract or difficult, don’t worry. Just keep your focus. Put your energy into the questions to come; don’t ever think back. Stay engaged.

👉 Tip #3: Warm Up Your Brain
Before the test starts, it’s a good idea to do a light warm up. For example, sit in your car and solve 5 quant and 5 verbal problems. Review your formula sheets or a few tough vocabulary words. This way your brain will be focused and ready to work analytically when the test begins.

👉 Tip #4: Hydrate Properly in the Days Leading Up to the Test
Your brain and body perform their best when they are properly hydrated. On the days leading up to your test, make sure to drink enough water and other healthy fluids. On test day, drink an amount of water that you can comfortably tolerate, considering you’ll be sitting for a long test.

👉 Tip #5: Relax the Day Before GRE Test Day
The day before GRE test day is not the time to try to cram in final GRE lessons or do tons of practice questions. Rather, use that time to relax and clear your head for the test. Do something fun but not overly strenuous. Get some light exercise. See a movie. Go out for dinner. Do anything that makes you feel good, but don’t spend the day immersed in GRE books. You’ll need a fresh mind tomorrow. If every bone in your body is telling you to study for the GRE on the day before your exam, remember: the GRE is the mental equivalent of a marathon. Would a marathon runner ever run 25 miles the day before the race?

Reach out to me with any questions or concerns. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,
Scott