What Should Be The 10 Day GRE Study Plan?

The GRE exam is a crucial step for many individuals pursuing higher education, with an average score of 150 on both the Verbal and Quantitative sections. However, the pressure to score well can be overwhelming, causing many test-takers to feel underprepared and anxious.

Crafting an effective 10-day GRE study plan is essential to maximize your performance and achieve your target score. Many students struggle to balance work, life, and GRE preparation, often resulting in a haphazard approach that leaves them feeling frustrated and unsure of their progress. By following a structured, strategic plan, you can conquer the GRE and take a significant step towards your academic and professional goals.

How GRE Work?

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates an individual’s readiness for graduate-level study. Unlike many undergraduate exams that focus on specific academic subjects, the GRE is designed to measure a broader range of skills and abilities that are crucial for success in graduate programs.

At its core, the GRE is a test of critical thinking and problem-solving. The exam challenges test-takers to demonstrate their capacity for analytical reasoning, logical inference, and effective communication. Whether you’re aiming to study business, engineering, the humanities, or any other graduate discipline, the GRE assesses the fundamental skills that will be essential for your academic and professional growth.

What Is The GRE Exam Structure?

The GRE exam is structured to assess a wide range of skills and knowledge essential for success in graduate-level studies. The test is divided into three primary sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

Let’s break down each section:

Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates your mathematical skills and your ability to understand and analyze quantitative information. This section consists of two 35-minute sections, each containing 20 questions.  A comprehensive GRE study plan for the Quantitative Reasoning section should include regular practice questions and review of key mathematical concepts. The official GRE guide and other study materials can be helpful in this regard.

Verbal Reasoning (VR)

The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability to analyze and draw conclusions from discourse, understand the meanings of words and sentences, and understand relationships among words and concepts. This section also includes two 30-minute sections, each with 20 questions. To prepare for the GRE Verbal Reasoning section, it’s essential to engage in regular reading, practice with official GRE questions, and use various study materials. Understanding the structure of each question type is crucial to improving your score.

Analytical Writing (AW)

The Analytical Writing section consists of two tasks: an “Issue” task and an “Argument” task. This section is designed to measure your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Each task in this section is allotted 30 minutes. Preparing for the Analytical Writing section involves practicing writing essays on various topics and getting feedback to improve your writing skills.

Here are the key aspects of the GRE exam structure:

Aspect	QR (Quantitative Reasoning)	VR (Verbal Reasoning)	AW (Analytical Writing)
Time per Section	35 minutes per section	30 minutes per section	60 minutes total (30 minutes per task)
Number of Sections	2	2	1
Number of Questions	20 questions per section	20 questions per section	2 tasks (Issue and Argument)
Question Types	Quantitative Comparison, Multiple-Choice, Numeric Entry	Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence	Issue Task, Argument Task
Key Areas Covered	Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis	Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence	Critical thinking, Analytical writing
Focus	Mathematical skills, Quantitative analysis	Verbal reasoning, Text analysis, Vocabulary	Articulation of complex ideas, Clarity and coherence, Analytical skills

Step-By-Step Guide For GRE 10 Day Study Plan

The following study plans incorporate the resources and strategies mentioned down below. The plan is designed to balance all sections of the GRE, ensure thorough preparation, and make the most of the limited time available.

Day	Morning Session (2-3 hours)	Afternoon Session (2-3 hours)	Evening Session (2 hours)
1	Diagnostic GRE Test (ETS Official Guide)	Review diagnostic test results; identify strengths and weaknesses	GRE Vocabulary (Kaplan’s GRE Vocab Flashcards); Practice words
2	Quantitative Reasoning (Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book)	Verbal Reasoning – Reading Comprehension (ETS Official Guide)	GRE PowerPrep Practice Test 1
3	Quantitative Reasoning – Algebra & Geometry (Barron’s GRE)	Verbal Reasoning – Text Completion (Princeton Review)	GRE Vocabulary; Practice words and sentence equivalence
4	Analytical Writing – Issue Task (Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus)	Quantitative Reasoning – Data Analysis (PowerScore’s Quantitative Reasoning Bible)	Verbal Reasoning – Sentence Equivalence (Magoosh GRE Book)
5	Verbal Reasoning – Full-length practice set (Princeton Review)	Quantitative Reasoning – Practice problems (Manhattan Prep)	Analytical Writing – Argument Task (Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus)
6	GRE PowerPrep Practice Test 2	Review practice test; Focus on weak areas in Quantitative Reasoning	GRE Vocabulary; Practice new words
7	Quantitative Reasoning – Mixed problems (Barron’s GRE)	Verbal Reasoning – Practice set (ETS Official Guide)	Analytical Writing – Practice both tasks (Princeton Review)
8	Full-length GRE Mock Test (Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus)	Review mock test results; Focus on weak areas in Verbal Reasoning	GRE Vocabulary; Revise all practiced words
9	Quantitative Reasoning – Timed practice sets (Manhattan Prep)	Verbal Reasoning – Reading Comprehension (ETS Official Guide)	Analytical Writing – Final practice (Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus)
10	Final Review of all sections (ETS Official Guide)	Relaxation and light review; Focus on key areas and strategies	Early sleep for test day readiness

6 Expert Tips For GRE 10 Day Study Plan

Preparing for the GRE in just 10 days can seem like an impossible task. Many test takers find themselves in this situation due to various reasons—unexpected commitments, underestimating the preparation time, or simply deciding to take the GRE at the last minute. The challenge is to make the most of the limited time available without feeling overwhelmed. Here’s how you can create an effective and realistic 10-day GRE study plan.

1. Take a Diagnostic Test

Start your preparation by taking a diagnostic GRE test. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses across different sections of the GRE. Use this initial test to gauge the amount of GRE material you need to study and to set realistic goals for each section of the GRE. Knowing where you stand will allow you to allocate the right amount of GRE study time to each area.

2. Create a Study Schedule

Devote specific hours per day to each section of the GRE. For instance, spend two hours on GRE math, two hours on GRE reading comprehension, and one hour on GRE vocabulary. Balance your daily study sessions to ensure you cover all areas and maintain consistency. A structured study plan for the GRE will help you manage your total study time efficiently and cover all necessary content within the week and a half you have.

3. Use Official GRE Materials

Rely on official GRE materials such as the GRE official guide and GRE PowerPrep to prepare for the test. These resources provide a realistic representation of what you’ll see on the GRE. Incorporate free GRE practice tests and GRE blogs for additional support. Using the right materials is crucial to simulate the real GRE and to understand the type of GRE questions you’ll encounter.

4. Focus on High-Yield Topics

Prioritize studying high-yield topics that frequently appear on the GRE. For the quantitative section, concentrate on key areas like algebra, geometry, and data analysis. For the verbal section, work on GRE words, text completion, and sentence equivalence. This targeted approach will help you maximize your study time and improve your score significantly.

5. Simulate Real Test Conditions

Complete at least one full-length GRE mock test under real test conditions. This means adhering to the timing and taking the test without interruptions. Simulating the actual GRE will help you build endurance and get a feel for the test format. Make sure to review your performance and focus on areas needing improvement. Real test conditions will help you manage time and stress when you give your GRE.

6. Review and Refine

In the final two weeks, focus on refining your knowledge and test-taking strategies. Use your last practice test to identify any lingering weaknesses. Spend extra time on difficult concepts and practice with GRE vocab flashcards. Ensure you are comfortable with the type of GRE questions you’ll encounter. The final review sessions should consolidate your learning and boost your confidence for the test date.

10 Books For GRE Study And Test Prep

Books are invaluable resources and it is true in case of preparing for the GRE. They provide comprehensive coverage of test topics, offer practice questions, and deliver strategies that can significantly boost your score. Here are 10 books that can help you in your GRE study and test prep.

1. The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test by ETS

This is the most authoritative source for GRE preparation. Written by the test makers, it includes real test questions, detailed explanations, and two full-length practice tests. It’s an essential resource for understanding what you’ll see on the GRE.

2. Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus 2024

Kaplan’s guide is known for its detailed strategies and test-taking tips. It includes five full-length practice tests, one of which is online, and over 500 practice questions. It also provides access to online resources and video tutorials.

3. Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems

This book is perfect for those looking to practice extensively. It contains over 1,800 practice problems covering all GRE sections. Detailed explanations and strategies accompany each question, making it a great resource for intensive practice sessions.

4. Princeton Review’s Cracking the GRE Premium 2024

This comprehensive guide offers six full-length practice tests, including one online. It provides thorough reviews of all GRE sections and includes access to online content like drills and additional practice questions.

5. Barron’s GRE

Barron’s GRE is known for its exhaustive content review and practice questions. It offers two full-length practice tests and a diagnostic test to help you identify areas of improvement. The book also includes a GRE vocabulary list and tips for tackling each section.

6. Magoosh GRE Book

Magoosh’s guide offers a streamlined approach to GRE prep with clear explanations and strategies. It includes access to Magoosh’s online resources, which feature additional practice questions and video tutorials. This book is particularly useful for those looking for concise, targeted preparation.

7. The GRE Test For Dummies with Online Practice

This book provides a friendly, easy-to-understand approach to GRE prep. It includes six full-length practice tests and plenty of practice questions. The online component offers additional practice and customizable practice sets.

8. Manhattan Prep’s GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides

This set of books is ideal for those who want an in-depth review of each GRE section. Each book focuses on a specific topic, such as GRE math or GRE reading comprehension, providing detailed strategies and practice questions.

9. PowerScore’s GRE Quantitative Reasoning Bible

This book gets deeper into the quantitative section of the GRE. It offers detailed explanations of math concepts and strategies for tackling quantitative comparison and data interpretation questions. It’s a great resource for those who need to improve their GRE math skills.

10. ETS’s GRE Big Book

The GRE Big Book, though older, is a collection of real GRE questions from past exams. It includes 27 full-length GRE tests with detailed answers and explanations. This book is a goldmine for practice questions that reflect the actual GRE test.

Conclusion

So… it is not that hard to prepare for the GRE in just ten days if you have a solid plan. Focus on understanding your strengths and weaknesses, use official materials, and practice under real test conditions. Keep a consistent and balanced study routine, and make sure to review and refine your knowledge regularly. Remember, quality study time and strategic practice are key to hitting your target score. Stay focused, trust your preparation, and you’ll be ready to tackle the GRE with confidence. You’ve got this—good luck!

Master the GRE and take a significant step toward graduate school admission with Ambitio as your strategic partner. Our platform provides a comprehensive suite of resources, from expertly designed lessons to personalized feedback, all aimed at helping you secure a score that reflects your true academic ability.

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