Douglas Olsen
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. International students may need to prove their English skills, depending on the program. There is no one-size-fits-all study plan for the GRE, as it depends on various factors, including the student's learning style, schedule, and target score. However, it is generally recommended that students treat it as a full-time job and dedicate a significant amount of time to studying, with some sources suggesting a minimum of 50 to 200 hours of preparation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Study time | There is no one-size-fits-all prep plan. The time depends on the student's learning style, the amount of time they can dedicate to studying, and the university programs' application deadlines. |
| Study time range | Students have studied for as little as two months to as long as five months. |
| Study hours | Students have reported studying for 80 hours total, or 20 hours per week. Magoosh recommends studying for at least three months, with schedules ranging from one to six months. Kaplan estimates that hitting your target score will take somewhere between 50 and 200 hours. |
| Factors influencing study time | The number of hours will depend on the student's baseline score, their target score, their learning style, their English language proficiency, their reading habits, and their math skills. |
| Practice tests | Students are advised to take a full-length GRE practice test under realistic testing conditions to assess their baseline score and identify areas for improvement. Practice tests can also help students understand the psychology of the test. |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of English comprehension for international students
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, as well as analytical writing and critical thinking skills. For international students, English comprehension is of paramount importance.
English is a global language, connecting people from diverse countries and cultures. It is the primary language used in international business, science, technology, and diplomacy. Proficiency in English enhances career prospects, providing access to a vast array of information, academic resources, literature, and entertainment. English fluency enables individuals to engage in diverse cultural experiences, build international relationships, and embrace new social opportunities.
For international students, English comprehension is crucial for success in the GRE exam and their overall academic journey. The exam requires the analysis and evaluation of written material, demanding a strong grasp of the English language. A good understanding of English helps international students improve their performance on the exam and achieve their desired scores.
Additionally, English comprehension is essential for practical reasons. International students need to be able to communicate effectively with their peers, professors, and support staff during their studies. English proficiency facilitates better social integration, enabling students to make friends, seek help, and fully participate in campus life.
Furthermore, English skills are beneficial beyond the academic sphere. International students often seek to improve their language abilities as part of their overall experience of studying abroad. Strong English comprehension can enhance their daily lives, making tasks such as shopping, travelling, socialising, and enjoying leisure activities easier and more enjoyable.
Preparing for the GRE as an international student may involve additional time and effort dedicated to improving English comprehension. This includes enhancing vocabulary, reading comprehension, and familiarity with the English language. It is beneficial to assess one's current English proficiency and create a study plan that focuses on improving language skills alongside exam-specific knowledge.
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How to create a study plan
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking skills. For international students, English comprehension is especially important.
Determine your target score
Before you make a study plan, take a full-length GRE practice test under the same testing environment as the real thing. This will be your baseline score. Then, determine how many points you need to increase your score by to reach your target score. The higher the target score, the more time you will need to spend studying.
Assess your schedule
Consider how much time you can dedicate to studying. If you have a full-time job, you may only have a few hours a week to spare. If you have more time, such as during the summer, you can devote more hours to studying. Be mindful of the university programs' application deadlines.
Outline your schedule
Once you know how much time you have, write a list of tasks you need to complete to feel prepared. You can divide your study time into parts. During the first month, focus on mastering the strategic approaches to each type of question, as well as vocabulary and math content. In the second month, focus on answering questions more quickly and challenging yourself with tougher questions.
Choose your resources
There are many resources available to help students prepare for the GRE, such as practice tests, flashcards, tutoring, and prep books. Find out what works best for you. Official GRE practice books from ETS are available as eBook downloads. You can also connect with other test-takers online to stay motivated.
Practice under test conditions
When taking practice tests, try to replicate the conditions of the actual test as closely as possible. This will help you become familiar with the test's format and timing. It will also help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, so you can design your study plan accordingly.
Creating a study plan for the GRE will help you use your time efficiently, reduce stress, and improve your test experience.
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GRE practice tests
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, as well as analytical writing and critical thinking skills. For international students, English comprehension is especially important.
Practice tests are an effective way to prepare for the GRE. They help you understand the exam format, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your test-taking skills. Here is a guide to GRE practice tests:
Types of Practice Tests
There are various types of GRE practice tests available. Some sources offer free practice tests, such as those provided by Kaplan Test Prep, Princeton Review, and Mometrix. These practice tests typically include a mix of question types and cover all sections of the GRE, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
Additionally, official practice tests are available through POWERPREP, offered by ETS, the company that administers the GRE. These practice tests are designed to familiarise test-takers with the test format, design features, and help tools available during the actual exam. The POWERPREP practice tests include both timed and untimed options, allowing users to practice their time management skills.
Taking Practice Tests
When taking GRE practice tests, it is important to treat them as realistic simulations of the actual exam. This means creating a similar testing environment and timing your responses.
It is recommended to take the first practice test without time constraints, using your notes and study guides as reference. This helps you focus on applying test-taking strategies and understanding the exam format. For the second practice test, set a timer and practice pacing yourself to finish within the allotted time.
Analysing Practice Test Results
After completing a practice test, it is crucial to review your performance. Identify the types of questions you consistently miss and those that you tend to answer correctly. This analysis will help you understand your weak areas and guide your subsequent study sessions.
Additionally, pay attention to the explanations provided for each answer choice. While the explanations can be helpful, they may only cover part of the broader context. Ensure you investigate every concept related to the question until you have a thorough understanding.
Study Schedules and Plans
Creating a study schedule and plan is essential for effective GRE preparation. Assess your current schedule and determine how much time you can comfortably dedicate to studying each week. Multiply this by the number of weeks until your exam to calculate your total available study time.
Magoosh offers various GRE study schedules, ranging from one to six months, catering to both new and seasoned students. They also provide schedules focusing on specific exam sections, such as math. It is generally recommended that beginners study for at least three months.
Additional Tips
In addition to taking practice tests, here are some extra tips for GRE preparation:
- Improve your vocabulary by reading academic journals, high-quality newspapers, and magazines.
- Strengthen your verbal skills by reading in your spare time.
- Focus on areas where you need improvement, such as vocabulary or mathematical concepts.
- Utilise flashcards and practice questions to reinforce your learning.
- Consider working with a tutor or coach to review your performance and create a study plan.
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The different versions of the GRE
The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is a standardised test used as part of the admissions process for many graduate schools in the United States, Canada, and a few other countries. The test is designed to evaluate a student's verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. The test is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is offered as a computer-based exam at testing centres worldwide.
The GRE General Test is a computer-delivered test that allows test-takers to skip questions within a section, go back and change answers, and choose which questions they want to answer first. The overall testing time is about 3 hours and 45 minutes, with five sections. The Analytical Writing section is always first, followed by the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, which may appear in any order. The Analytical Writing section consists of two different essays, an "issue task" and an "argument task", graded on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments. The Verbal Reasoning section is particularly challenging for non-native English speakers. The Quantitative Reasoning section includes an on-screen calculator.
In addition to the standard GRE General Test, there is also an at-home version offered by ETS, identical in content, format, and on-screen experience to the standard version. The at-home version is available everywhere the computerized General Test is offered.
In 2024, the GRE was shortened to be about half as long, clocking in at just under two hours. This change was intended to make it easier for students to take the test and send their scores to schools, without changing the content or score scale of the exam.
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How long students should study for
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates your verbal and quantitative reasoning, as well as analytical writing and critical thinking skills. For international students, it is also a test of English comprehension and proficiency.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how long one should study for the GRE. It depends on several factors, including your learning style, the time you can dedicate to studying, your target score, and the university program's application deadline.
If you are a non-native English speaker, you will likely need to increase the amount of time you spend studying for the GRE, especially if you are also working on improving your English language skills. The GRE Verbal section can be incredibly difficult for those who do not speak English as a first language.
Similarly, if you are not an avid reader, you will need to spend more time studying vocabulary and reading comprehension. The GRE Verbal section is not just about vocabulary; it also tests how well you can understand and interpret written material.
The same goes for the quantitative section. If you work with math in your daily life, you may not need to spend as much time prepping in that area. However, if it has been a while since you have used math, you will need to spend more time refreshing your understanding of various math concepts and practicing with numbers.
Before creating a study plan, it is recommended to take a full-length GRE practice test under the same testing environment as the actual exam. This will help you identify your baseline score and the content areas you need to focus on. You can then compare your practice test score against the average GRE scores of the graduate programs on your wishlist.
Based on your practice test score and target score, you can estimate the number of hours you will need to study for the GRE. According to one source, hitting your target score will take somewhere between 50 and 200 hours, depending on your efficiency and the number of points you need to improve.
In addition to the number of hours, you should also consider the duration of your study period. For example, you might be able to dedicate 20 hours per week to studying during the summer, or you may only have 3 hours per week if you have a full-time job and family commitments.
Some students prefer to study intensively over a shorter period, while others opt for a longer study period with fewer hours per week. The key is to be realistic and create a study schedule that fits comfortably into your current weekly schedule. Magoosh offers GRE study schedules ranging from one to six months, with the most popular being the 1-Month and 3-Month schedules for Beginners. Advanced students usually go for the 1-month version, while beginners are encouraged to study for at least three months.
In conclusion, the amount of time international students should study for the GRE depends on various factors, including their English language skills, reading habits, math proficiency, target score, available time, and learning style. A combination of practice tests, study guides, and a well-structured study schedule will help students effectively prepare for the GRE and achieve their desired scores.
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Frequently asked questions
The GRE exam is a standardized exam that evaluates your potential for advanced study. The exam fee is $220 in most countries and can be taken at home or at ETS-authorized testing centers worldwide. The test duration depends on the student's learning style, availability, and target score.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The study duration depends on several factors, including the student's learning style, availability, target score, and English proficiency. On average, students study for 1-6 months, with some studying for as little as 2 months and others for up to 5 months.
International students should consider their learning style, availability, and target score when preparing for the GRE. Students with a busy schedule may have less time to study, while those aiming for a higher score may need to spend more time preparing. Additionally, English proficiency can impact the study duration, especially for the verbal section of the exam.
International students can prepare for the GRE by taking practice tests, focusing on vocabulary and reading comprehension, and creating a study schedule that suits their learning style and availability. It is also important to consider the weight of the GRE in the application process, as some universities may emphasize holistic evaluation, including academic records, recommendation letters, and research experience.
