It is essential to be fully alert and focused when you work on GRE questions. Even small lapses in attention can have a meaningful impact on accuracy. Two common issues often undermine performance.

The first issue is distraction. At times, a student’s mind drifts to concerns that have nothing to do with the problem on the screen. Perhaps she is replaying a tough day at work, worrying about an upcoming deadline, or second-guessing how she answered the last question. These distractions might feel harmless, but they pull attention away from the task at hand. Accuracy drops when your focus is divided.

The most effective way to address this challenge is by practicing compartmentalization. Compartmentalization means setting aside every concern except the one directly in front of you. It is the habit of narrowing your focus to the present moment. When you immerse yourself fully in the question you are solving, your mind has the clarity it needs. Accuracy improves because you are no longer distracted by unrelated thoughts.

The second issue is a lack of alignment between thought and action. A student may be concentrating on the question, yet the way he works through it does not match the pace of his mind. For instance, he might be writing one part of a solution while already thinking ahead to the next step. It is natural to want to stay a few steps ahead, but this often leads to mistakes. Even small gaps between pen, eyes, and mind can create errors that lower your score.

The solution is to slow down and give full attention to the exact step you are completing. Watch carefully as you write each letter, number, and variable. Keep your pen, eyes, and thoughts in sync. By ensuring that your process unfolds in order, you reduce the risk of careless mistakes. This kind of deliberate focus can make the difference between a wrong answer and a correct one.

In the end, strong performance on the GRE requires more than knowledge of content and strategy. It also requires managing distractions and maintaining alignment between your thinking and your actions. When you develop these habits, you build the foundation for accuracy and consistency across the exam.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep