You can apply every GRE Verbal strategy you’ve learned with perfect precision, but if you do so only occasionally, your performance will reflect that inconsistency. To succeed on test day, your execution needs to be steady and automatic. Thinking in the GRE way is not something that happens overnight. It is a skill that has to be practiced consistently.

In a high-pressure, timed environment such as the GRE, there is a real risk of slipping back into old habits if your newer, more effective approaches are not deeply ingrained. That is why consistency is so important. When you practice using the right methods on a regular basis, you train yourself to think in a way that aligns with how the test is built. Over time, this kind of thinking becomes second nature.

This process is similar to developing muscle memory. If you put in the work to use GRE-style logic every time you tackle a verbal question, you will reduce the likelihood of falling for common traps. You will start to see patterns in how the test is constructed. You will become more confident in how you approach questions and in how you eliminate wrong answer choices.

In the beginning, don’t rush into timing yourself. Give yourself the space to build a solid foundation first. Once your accuracy is consistent, then you can begin to focus on working more efficiently. Over time, speed will come naturally as a result of your familiarity with the question types and your confidence in applying the right approach.

The key is showing up to your practice consistently and with focus. If you do, you will be in control on test day, not the other way around.

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

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep