One of the most effective yet often underutilized ways to prepare for GRE Verbal is to make a habit of reading high-quality newspapers and magazines on a regular basis. Publications such as The Economist, The Atlantic, Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times expose you to the kind of sophisticated writing and range of subject matter that closely mirrors what you will encounter in GRE Reading Comprehension passages as well as Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions.

These sources cover diverse topics in the sciences, politics, economics, the arts, and the humanities. They also employ a variety of writing styles and tones, sometimes objective and analytical, other times argumentative or interpretive. Developing comfort with this kind of material will make GRE passages feel less unfamiliar and will better prepare you to analyze their structure and content under timed conditions.

Exposure is key. If you already read some of these sources occasionally, consider turning that into a daily routine. If you consistently read one, add a second or third from a different domain. Over time, this breadth of reading will train your mind to adapt quickly to new subject matter and will improve your ability to extract main ideas and evaluate arguments, which are central to success on GRE Verbal.

Reading these publications is also an excellent way to broaden and reinforce your vocabulary. Vocabulary development is an unavoidable part of GRE preparation, and one of the most powerful ways to deepen your knowledge of words is to encounter them in context. When you see a word you have studied used in a new article, you gain additional insight into its nuance and usage. You will also come across unfamiliar words that may not appear on your formal study lists but could still appear on test day. Looking them up and making note of them strengthens your overall foundation.

You can take this a step further by actively practicing GRE reading skills as you engage with these articles. Pay attention to the author’s purpose and tone. Identify whether the writer is presenting a thesis, responding to an opposing view, or illustrating a process or historical event. Ask yourself what conclusion is being drawn and what evidence supports it. Consider whether the author makes assumptions or connections that deserve scrutiny. This type of deliberate practice will translate directly to stronger performance on GRE Reading Comprehension.

Finally, remember that not all reading has to be highly structured or analytical. Even casual but consistent reading of reputable publications builds familiarity with the kinds of material you will encounter on the test. The key is consistency. With time, you will find that dense or technical passages feel less intimidating, and you will approach them with greater confidence and efficiency.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep