ApexGRE
0Studying for the GRE can be nerve-racking and pressuring. Preparing for something that important can be anxiety-ridden. But this feeling is normal. With proper help and planning, your GRE prep can be easier than you think. Before doing anything, getting introduced to the GRE can be very beneficial. Here we let you in on the major Dos and Don’ts of Successful GRE Prep.
1. Do take GRE practice tests
Practice tests give GRE takers a full overview of what to expect during the exam. This includes the types of questions you’ll encounter, time management, or even tricks hidden in certain questions. Taking practice tests while preparing for the GRE has a lot of benefits, but one of its main benefits is identifying certain techniques and gaining an eye to the GRE’s exam questions. After taking mock tests, you will familiarize yourself and your brain with the exam’s style. You will understand the pattern of particular question types and learn how to answer them. This can save you time during the actual GRE.
2. Don’t concentrate on certain sections on the GRE while prepping
Make sure you give every section its well-deserved time. Concentrating and giving your full energy and time on one section of the exam while studying can be meaningless and wasteful. While taking the practice exams, make sure the questions you are answering are diverse and different. That way, you are getting all that you need to ace your GRE.
3. Do know your weaknesses and strengths
By reviewing your answers and results, your weak and strong points will be revealed. What is great about that is that you can know what you should be focusing on early on in your successful GRE prep. Daily practice of questions which challenge your weak areas, will help you reach the end of your GRE prep ready to tackle almost anything! That way too, you can construct a tailored GRE study plan.
4. Don’t underestimate the vocabulary in the GRE
Vocabulary on the GRE verbal section is like the charger to your phone. And your phone without the charger is pretty much useless, right? And that is the case here too. The more vocabulary you know, the more points are guaranteed. However, memorizing the words and their definitions, simply extracted from the dictionary, is not enough. GRE takers should be able to know how to use and understand the words in certain contexts. It is about understanding and benefiting from the usage of the words learned, not just memorizing their meanings without being able to effectively use the words later on.
5. Do know what you are working for
Setting goals is scientifically proven to keep us, humans, on track. Having a solid target will remind you of why you are going through this process when things get tough! The power of goal setting is underestimated. When you have a vision, you will have the power and motivation to go through anything to get to it. All the long hours of studying can be sweetened with the help of a vision.
6. Don’t stress
The last and most important Don’t is, Do. Not. Over Stress. Regardless of the situation, stressing will do more harm than benefit. Stressing to the point of hair loss, sleepless nights, and restricting your personal life will make you underperform on the GRE. Successful GRE prep means you have a healthy work-study-life balance. Always remember, whatever you are stressing about, is probably not as bad as you think it is.
Closing Thoughts
Your GRE prep is the foundation of your performance for the actual GRE. Having a solid start is crucial. You need to know what you should focus on first, then divide your time and be able to manage all the tasks at hand. Your successful GRE prep can be simple and easy if you make it so.
Contributor: Lilas Al-Sammak