Are you planning to take the GRE in 3 months? Well, three months is a better timeline to prepare for GRE. But the thing is, never run behind those generic schedules for everyone. Even though GRE is one of the global standardized tests, the scoring pattern is completely different. Based on the career goal, decide your GRE target score. And as per that, create a GRE Study plan for 3 months.
GRE test has three sections- Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing. The GRE score will be given as Total GRE Score = (Verbal + Quantitative) and GRE Analytical score individually. Verbal and Quantitative scores will also be given separately. So, to decide the target GRE score, have the study plan for the Quant and Verbal Section. Here in this article, we will guide you on how to plan the 3 months GRE study schedule.
Essential Materials for the GRE 3 Month Study Plan:
Here are some GRE preparation books which are the most suggested ones. You can also pick the books of your choice. The below books are recommended as they contain the questions which can make you familiar with the questioning model, which can help you create your strategy of answering the questions.
[Read more: Preparation Tips for New Pattern GRE Test for 2021]
- Manhattan 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
- Nova Math Bible
- ETS Official GRE Guide 2nd Edition
- Manhattan 500 Essential Words
- ETS Powerprep Software
- Magoosh GRE Prep
- Barron’s 333 High-Frequency words
- Manhattan GRE Online practice tests
- Princeton 1014 Questions for NEW GRE (Optional)
- Barron’s GRE Workbook (Optional)
3 Months Study Plan for GRE:
Month 1
Week 1 – Take the Diagnostic or a Sample GRE Test:
Many theories are saying the best way to start GRE preparation is by taking a sample test. Because the GRE diagnostic test helps you understand your strengths and weakness in the topics of GRE. As the score is individual for Quantitative and Verbal, it is easy to analyze which section you are doing better.
Consider the sample test as the original GRE test. This way you can have the real-time GRE experience. Only with that environment, you can evaluate the performance.
Week -2 – Start focusing on vocabulary:
Start learning at least 15 new words per day from the list of high-frequency words. Also, start making a hobby of reading Economist kind of articles to improve your vocabulary. So along with high-frequency words identify a new word from the articles you read and make a note of it.
Vocabulary is not just about the words, but also about the meanings. So try to understand the meaning and the usage of the word also. You can use the flashcards also for the practice
Week 3 – Begin the Math Concepts
Parallel with the vocabulary, start revising the Math concepts. There are plenty of online videos and tutorials for the basics of the Quant section in GRE. Or else use some best GRE Prep books to brush up on the basics.
By the end of the third week, make sure you finish revising the math concepts to start the verbal section. If you were busy and unable to complete the Quant section as per the schedule, do not worry. It is okay to stretch a little bit and focus on just the Quant section for the first month.
Week 4 – Start your verbal practice:
It is fine even if you didn’t finish the Math concepts. Work on math for the 4th week as well, because the 2nd month is for the Verbal section only.
By Week 4, start your verbal section revision. GRE Verbal section is not something you can solve by formulas like a quant. You need to understand the concept and know-how to solve quickly and accurately. Just have a quick review of all kinds of questions in the verbal section for week 4.
Month 2
One month is done. Two more months are left for the test. Hope you followed the schedule and ready to get your hands dirty with Verbal Section.
Week 5 &6 – Know the verbal Section Syllabus
GRE Verbal section has the questions on Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension in which most of the test takers feel, reading comprehension is the toughest part in the verbal section. So try to accommodate more time for Reading comprehensions if you feel comfortable with the text completion and Sentence Equivalence questions.
Make sure you remember to learn new words and using them in daily life. Along with that, in your spare time, try answering questions from the GRE Study materials.
Week 7&8 – Coverall Verbal Section
Along with the reading comprehensions, start working on Text Completion and Sentence corrections. Answer the question from the GRE Prep books mentioned above. As we have less time, pick the difficult questions and try to answer them. Same with the quant section as well.
Month 3
- As only one month lest for the exam, start practicing the Analytical writing section. A minimum of band 4 is required for GRE analytical writing section. So make sure to practicing writing on different topics every day and evaluate yourself.
- Make sure you are giving a test every alternative day. And record your score to check your performance. GRE score helps to analyze our test to show on which questions we are performing better and which recorded poor performance. Keep updating your daily tasks based on the scores.
- As per the 15 words a day formula, by the end of three months, you must learn at least 1500 words along with their usage which is good enough for GRE.
A day before the test:
Do Nothing! You read right. Do Nothing. Just pack your essentials and relax. Never stuff up your brain the before day.
Hope this GRE 3-month study plan helps you to score more. For one-on-one training, check our exclusive GRE Coaching sessions.
