👋 Hello, my friends at GRE Prep Club!

One of the most overlooked ways to build strength in GRE Verbal is to read 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 same type of sophisticated writing that appears in GRE Reading Comprehension passages and in many Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions. These sources present ideas from a variety of perspectives, written in a range of tones and styles, and they cover topics across science, politics, the arts, and broader cultural issues. In other words, they mirror the diversity and complexity of the material you will encounter on test day.

The more you expose yourself to GRE-style writing, the more familiar the real exam will feel. Many students read similar articles occasionally, but making this a daily habit is far more effective. If you regularly read one publication, consider adding one or two more. Over time, this consistent exposure builds your comfort and confidence with dense, nuanced writing.

Regular reading also offers a powerful advantage when it comes to vocabulary. As you prepare for GRE Verbal, learning a substantial volume of vocab words is unavoidable. When you read high-quality publications, you give yourself repeated opportunities to see those words used in context, which deepens your understanding of their meanings and shades of usage. You will also encounter unfamiliar words that may not be on your study list but could appear on the exam. Looking those words up as you encounter them allows you to expand your vocabulary in a natural and sustained way.

Beyond vocabulary, this type of reading helps you practice the core analytical skills that GRE Verbal demands. As you work through an article, ask yourself about the author’s tone, purpose, and main conclusion. Consider whether the author is supporting a claim, challenging an existing idea, explaining a process, or presenting a sequence of events. These are the same skills you will rely on when working through GRE passages, and practicing them in real contexts strengthens the habits you need for the exam.

You will also start to recognize Sentence Equivalence style constructions in sophisticated writing. Publications such as The Economist and The New York Times often contain complex sentences that require you to infer missing meaning or anticipate the type of word that would complete the idea. These moments create excellent training opportunities. As you continue reading, you will begin to notice how transitions and context clues guide meaning, and these patterns will become easier to spot during your GRE practice.

Do not underestimate how effective this simple habit can be. You do not need to make every reading session highly structured. You do not need to take notes on every paragraph. The key is to build a consistent routine of reading reputable, intellectually engaging material. The cumulative effect of this exposure is significant. With time, you will find that the more demanding GRE Verbal passages feel less intimidating and more familiar.

This type of preparation strengthens not only your GRE performance but also your broader academic and professional skills. It is an investment that pays dividends far beyond the exam itself.

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

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep