One of the most common reasons GRE scores stall is the continued use of overly basic strategies. This issue shows up most clearly in GRE Verbal, though it can limit performance in Quant as well.

Simple strategies are effective up to a point. They are often enough to handle straightforward questions, but they break down as soon as the test demands deeper reasoning. As a result, test-takers relying on these methods tend to perform well on easier questions while struggling inconsistently on harder ones, which creates a natural ceiling on their score.

Take GRE Verbal as an example. Many test-takers can answer easier Text Completion questions by scanning for keywords and matching ideas. However, this approach quickly falls apart on higher-difficulty questions, where subtle logic, tone, and structure matter far more. Achieving a strong Verbal score requires moving beyond surface-level cues and applying more nuanced, deliberate techniques.

More broadly, if you consistently feel confident on easy questions but feel uncertain or lost when facing harder ones, that is a strong signal that your strategies need to evolve. Raising your GRE score at that stage is not about more practice alone; it is about practicing with better methods.

To develop these advanced skills, it is essential to use GRE prep resources that teach refined, high-level strategies designed specifically for tackling difficult questions and not just the easy wins.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep