GRE Prep for dummies

Update: Since publishing this article, I went ahead and designed my very own prep program. While researching to deliver the best service possible, I realized there was a more effective study plan than I had adopted to prep by myself. You can read more about it here: Best GRE Resources. Improvements are part of the process and I still look back fondly to this approach I used and I still taste the passion I felt while writing about it! Enjoy.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't consider myself an overachiever in terms of GRE preparations or testing, but I do consider myself a master procrastinator (especially in regards to big undertakings like the GRE prep). So when I stumbled onto this process and it actually worked out (I was the first among my friends to take the GRE) and did pretty well (Verbal 163, Quantitative 163 i.e. Total: 326), I felt like I should spread it around so more people can take advantage of it.

THE SMASH AND DASH METHOD

A. Books:

Buy these two books-

1. ETS GRE Official Guide
2. Manhattan 5 lb (this one's a mammoth, don't get spooked by the size).

I recommend tearing off the cover and stapling pages into bite sized sections. That way your GRE prep can happen on bus rides, when your internet's down and when your laptop/phone is dead. I actually did one section on the way to BUP and one on the way back almost everyday (really proud of myself).

N.B: Start solving the practice questions from the get-go. The problems are always accompanied by explanations. If you make mistakes, the explanations should help you learn better. Also, keep a note of them for final week prep.

After you've solved enough practice questions, you'll have identified which concepts you need clarification on. That's when you use the introductory chapters. Approach these books like encyclopedias, NOT textbooks.

B. Vocabulary:

I went through the Magoosh and Barron's GRE vocabulary lists on vocabulary.com. I highly recommend using this site because you'll practice using the words as you learn their definitions. That adds value not only to your verbal score but also your essay writing. (not to mention your personal vocabulary)

C. About studying concepts vs practicing:

A lot of GRE students, including myself, start by learning the mathematical/grammatical concepts required to solve the practice questions. They may subscribe to magoosh for video lessons or read through the introductory chapters in the books I recommended. Most often than not, they run out of motivation and that almost always results in a hiatus in their GRE prep.

My advice is to take the practice questions head on, no dipping your toes in the metaphorical pool. (When I used to take SAT classes, I always told my students to attack the reading passages like they were our enemies. Scribble, underline, strike through the comma phrases-- whatever it takes for you to intimidate the material than vice versa)

N.B: Yes I was at a higher prep level when I first faced the material because of my SAT prep and tutoring experience. I also cannot leave out Mohammad Sadman Sakib bhai's crash course that made it possible to go through the entire GRE syllabus in 14 classes. But it is very possible to get the same score as me. It might require longer prep time is all. So plan your schedule accordingly.

D. Essay:

It's a shame how low the average scores are for South Asian students in the essay section, considering how easy the prep is. Most GRE prep classes and video lessons gloss over the essay section although it's an equally important part of the test. My approach here was exactly the same as that of quantitative and verbal sections - DO NOT read through the introductory chapters. Just take an essay question, and write what you can. Then compare with the sample student responses that accompany the question. See where you are and what you did wrong. Aim where you want to be by the end of your prep and try to emulate their writing techniques. As always, the introductory chapters help only after you've exposed yourself to the real material.

E. Registering for the test:

Deadlines keep us honest. I registered for my test first and then I seriously started prepping for the test. My advice is to first take a practice test, assess your current level and set a target score. You'll have a rough estimate of your prep time. Then register for the test and start prepping.

Good luck for your GRE preparations everyone. Hope this helps.