Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
Reviewed: 11/29/23
If you’ve decided to write the GRE for your law school application, it’s essential you craft an effective study plan. Read on to find out the top study tips for the GRE.
Since the LSAT was created in 1948, it has been the only form of standardized testing accepted by law schools. But, within the last few years, more and more schools have begun accepting the GRE instead of the LSAT to encourage a more diverse applicant pool.
Many different kinds of medical schools accept the GRE, including nursing school, vet school, and PA school.
If you’ve decided to write the GRE instead of the LSAT, this guide will go over everything you need to know about how to study for the GRE.
The time needed to study for the GRE varies based on your starting point, target score, and available study time. On average, it takes 1-3 months of preparation, with most students studying for 2-3 hours a day.
For moderate improvement, 4-8 weeks (40-80 hours total) may be enough, while those aiming for significant score increases or starting with less knowledge might require 3-4 months (100-200 hours).
Adjust your study plan based on your goals and the time you can commit each week.
If you’re wondering how to take the GRE, start with a practice test and set a target score to see where you stand. Use free resources like online materials like our GRE pop quiz and tutorials to focus on areas you need to improve.
Get comfortable with the digital format, work on expanding your vocabulary, and practice using the calculator effectively. If you need help, consider reaching out to tutors.
Take the guesswork out of your study plan with our GRE tutoring. Having a GRE expert by your side can improve your test mastery and final score.
Also, make sure to learn from your mistakes to prepare for the test day.
Begin by taking a full-length practice test to gauge your current level of readiness. This initial assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of how to prepare for the GRE with an overview of your strengths and weaknesses.
Research the average GRE scores of the graduate programs you're interested in. A total score of around 300 is considered average. A score of 310-320 is competitive for many programs you’re likely looking at.
Aim to achieve a score that aligns with or exceeds these program averages. Having a clear target score in mind helps to direct your study efforts effectively.
Consider your preferred method of study–whether it's enrolling in a structured course, utilizing online resources, or self-guided study with prep books. Create a detailed study plan that outlines specific goals, study materials, and a realistic timeline for preparation.
Practice regularly, but also focus on quality over quantity. Instead of simply completing GRE preparation questions, pay attention to the strategies and techniques required to tackle different question types effectively. Practice smart by identifying patterns in your mistakes and addressing them systematically.
While traditional paper-and-pencil practice tests are beneficial, make sure to incorporate online practice tests into your study routine as well. Familiarize yourself with the computer-based test format, including the navigation tools and on-screen calculator, to feel confident on test day.
Practice tests are a must for GRE prep. They simulate the actual test with timing and an on-screen calculator. They also help you familiarize yourself with the format, find out what you're good at and what needs work, and refine your strategies for the test.
Once you’ve taken a practice test, you’ll have an understanding of what your basic abilities are. Use your final score to figure out how far off you are from the average GRE scores of students accepted into your desired program.
After completing practice tests and drills, take the time to review your performance thoroughly. Identify recurring mistakes, weak areas, and time-consuming question types. Adjust your study plan accordingly to focus on areas needing improvement.
Strengthen your GRE vocabulary by engaging with challenging reading material, such as academic articles, reputable publications, and high-quality literature. Keep a running list of unfamiliar words encountered during practice sessions and make a concerted effort to learn their meanings and usage.
Understand the role of the on-screen calculator as a tool during the GRE. Practice using it effectively for calculations while also developing your ability to solve problems mentally when appropriate. Recognize scenarios where the calculator can streamline calculations and when relying on fundamental math skills is more efficient.
Start with the ETS website, where you'll find a helpful 47-page math review with practice exercises. Khan Academy offers free videos on math concepts similar to ETS material. For verbal and writing, ETS has free questions, explanations, tips, and sample essays.
Studying for the GRE on your own and staying motivated can be difficult, especially if you aren’t reaching your target score even after following all the steps above. Rest assured, there are easily accessible experts who can help you get your perfect score.
Inspira has a team of 99th-percentile tutors who hone in on your improvement areas through one-on-one personalized tutoring. These experts know exactly how to ace the exam and can give you tried and true GRE tips to boost your score.
Building a comprehensive vocabulary can help you feel confident on every step of the test. Focus on learning high-frequency GRE words using apps like Magoosh or Quizlet. Use spaced repetition to retain vocab over time.
You should also learn root words, prefixes, and suffixes to familiarize yourself with unusual words during the test. Ensure you understand many different types of words so that nothing stumps you on test day.
Is a difficult question stumping you? Spend only one minute figuring out the answer. If you’re still unsure, mark it and move on.
This helps you prioritize everything you do know and get it out of the way first. As you work through the questions you’re confident about, the answer to the difficult questions might come to you.
Also, you don’t want to run out of time and have obvious questions unanswered.
To get the best score possible on the GRE, you’ll need to create a solid study plan. Here are some steps you can take to prepare the best study plan you can.
First, decide how much time you’ll need to prepare. Consider how quickly you typically learn new concepts and memorize material. Set a realistic timeframe, factoring in the possibility of needing to retake the test. Once you've determined a total study period, block out a specific number of study hours each week, treating it like a non-negotiable commitment.
Don’t waste time on irrelevant material. Use GRE-specific practice tests to familiarize yourself with the question format and types. Understand the sections—Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing—and tailor your study materials to focus on these areas. This ensures you're studying what's directly applicable to the GRE.
Start working through practice materials using your schedule. Take full-length practice tests regularly to build your endurance for the nearly four-hour test. After each test, review your mistakes carefully. This will help you identify your weak points and fine-tune your study focus.
Your study plan should be flexible. As you practice, you may discover that certain areas need more or less attention than you originally thought. Adjust your schedule as needed, but maintain a consistent study habit. The key is to keep making progress, even if you adjust your focus along the way.
By following this plan, you'll prepare effectively and maximize your chances of achieving a good GRE score.
It’s important to make an action plan when preparing to take the GRE. We recommend taking as much time as you can to study so that you can achieve the highest score possible.
Here are some study plan recommendations for the GRE:
Two weeks to study for the GRE may be challenging, but it’s doable. We do not recommend using a shorter timeline than two weeks to study, as this schedule may conflict with full-time employment or school.
Check out our 2-week study schedule to help you out!
Similar to our 2-week timeline, leaving only one month to study for the GRE may prove a challenge, but with this schedule, you can handle it! Remember to keep our tips in mind as you study.
Download our month-long study schedule for the GRE test!
Giving yourself two months to study is more feasible. This way, you’ll feel far less hectic and can spend more time going through your study materials carefully.
Our 2-month study plan is available to download here!
With three months to study, you’ll be able to take your sweet time. You can spend more time sharpening up your weak areas and hammering down your strengths. By the time the GRE rolls around, you’ll be more than prepared!
Here’s how we recommend you create your 3-month GRE study plan!
If you have many other commitments in your life, this 6-month study guide is for you. It can be difficult to manage your time well, especially if your schedule is full and you have very little free time. This guide makes it simple to carve out time for studying well in advance so that you can ace your GRE test.
Take a look at our 6-month GRE study guide!
Keep these tips in mind if you want to learn more about how to study for the GRE test.
While the majority of your studying should involve completing practice tests, you can also practice your verbal reasoning and analytical writing by reading and writing.
Since these sections require you to read quickly, you should spend time reading complex academic writing, synthesizing this information, and creating sample essay questions to answer.
With the GRE, it’s important you focus on getting the right strategies down to answer the questions correctly and punctually. Don’t waste time memorizing content unless you find yourself struggling with it.
If you have a good grasp on certain math equations, give yourself the benefit of the doubt! While you should continue practicing them through sample tests, use your time to memorize content you aren’t comfortable with.
Of course, you know how to read, but you also need to know when not to read; you need to know which information is important in a question and which isn’t. Look for main arguments, supporting details, and evidence rather than context or background information that has little real relevance to the questions.
On test day, even if you feel like you’re stuck on a question, don’t leave it blank! Points aren’t taken off for wrong answers, and you might just get lucky and guess correctly.
The GRE contains five different sections:
This section requires you to write an essay articulating complex ideas clearly while supporting your ideas with evidence. You must get straight to the point and avoid flowery language. You will have 30 minutes to complete this section.
The Verbal Reasoning section is divided into two subsections and requires you to analyze and draw conclusions, identify the author’s perspective, understand multiple meanings, summarize and synthesize text, and understand the meaning of words and concepts. This section involves complex vocabulary.
This section is also divided into two subsections and requires you to understand and interpret quantitative information and solve mathematical problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
What is the GRE? How do I prepare for it? Keep reading for the answers to learn more about how to study for the GRE below.
To prep for the GRE, start by assessing your current skills with free practice tests. Focus on strengthening your weak areas while consistently practicing. Seeking help from GRE experts can further improve your chances of reaching your target score.
The GRE can be challenging, but its difficulty is subjective. With sufficient preparation and study time, most students can handle the test and achieve a passing score.
Yes, you can prepare for the GRE through self-study, but it requires discipline and motivation. While you can make progress, consulting GRE experts may be necessary to overcome score plateaus and reach higher goals.
Yes, the GRE includes one essay section, known as Analytical Writing, where you'll write a single essay.
Take the GRE at least a few months before your application deadlines, allowing ample time for study and potential retakes if needed.
You can take the GRE up to five times per year, with no lifetime limit on the number of attempts.
The GRE test takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to write. This is split up into five different sections with a 10-minute break after the third section.
Yes, you can use the on-screen calculator provided during the GRE, but personal calculators are not allowed.
A good GRE score depends on the programs you're applying to. A total score of around 300 is considered average. A score of 310-320 is competitive for many programs.
Whether you choose to self-study or study with the help of skilled GRE tutors, you must create a comprehensive study plan to ace your GRE. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you should be able to get the most out of your GRE studying.
Good luck!
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