Topical learning is an essential part of GRE preparation. You need focused time to learn individual concepts, understand how they work, and practice applying them in isolation. That said, topical study alone is not enough to fully prepare you for the GRE. On test day, the questions will not be grouped neatly by topic. Instead, you will be asked to shift constantly from one concept to another, sometimes from one question to the very next.

For example, you might see an algebra question that requires factoring, followed immediately by a statistics question involving medians or averages. Then you might be asked to work with ratios, geometry, or exponents. If your practice has been limited to working on one topic at a time, these transitions can feel jarring and slow you down. To perform well on test day, your brain needs to be comfortable switching gears quickly and confidently.

This is where mixed problem sets become valuable. By working through questions from a variety of topics in a single session, you train yourself to identify what each question is testing and select the appropriate approach without hesitation. Over time, this skill becomes more automatic. You spend less time figuring out what kind of question you are facing and more time solving it accurately.

Mixed sets also serve as an effective review tool. As you move deeper into your study plan, it is easy to forget material you learned weeks or months earlier. Completing mixed problem sets helps bring older topics back into focus. For instance, if it has been several weeks since you last studied linear equations, percents, or ratios, a mixed set that includes those topics can quickly reveal whether your understanding is still solid or whether you need a refresher.

In addition, mixed practice allows you to begin developing a sense of pacing. You start to notice which types of questions slow you down and which ones you handle more efficiently. This awareness is an important step toward managing your time effectively under test conditions.

A strong study plan balances both approaches. Use topical practice to build and refine individual skills. Then use mixed problem sets to reinforce retention, improve flexibility, and prepare your mind for the way the GRE actually presents questions. When you combine these methods consistently, you give yourself a far better chance of performing smoothly and confidently on test day.

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep