What Should Be The GRE Study Plan?

Taking the GRE exam? Great! You’ve just signed up for months of study time, stress, and probably googling “how to get a good GRE score” late at night. Sound familiar? We’ve all been there. The truth is, balancing vocab, practice problems, and building the perfect GRE study plan can feel like playing with flaming swords. And on top of that, GRE test date gets closer every second.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to burn yourself out. A smart GRE action plan doesn’t mean reading every GRE book or spending hours every day on test prep. It’s about making the most of your time—focusing on the question types that really matter, taking practice tests like PowerPrep, and using free GRE resources to your advantage. With the right approach, you’ll not only take the test, but walk in with confidence, knowing you’ve done the prep that matters.

How Hard Is It To Crack The GRE Exam?

To be honest—cracking the GRE exam in 2 months isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s also not impossible. The difficulty really depends on how you prepare for the GRE. If you plan to invest at least a couple of months into daily study, with a solid prep plan like a 2-month GRE study plan, you can make real progress. Start by reviewing the test structure, understanding the test sections, and using resources like the Official GRE Practice Guide and PowerPrep test Online for actual GRE practice.

Full-length GRE practice tests, such as the two free ones offered by the GRE test maker, are essential to get a feel for the timing and types of questions that show up on the GRE. Don’t skip on GRE vocab or the math section—both can be tricky without the right focus. Use free GRE study materials, practice GRE questions, GRE flashcards, and premium options for the GRE if needed. Whether you have months of diligent study or just 1 week left, remember to learn how to study smart, not just hard. Practice tests, free GRE diagnostic tools, and the best GRE prep books can help you sharpen your skills and achieve a target score of 280.

What Is A Good GRE Score?

A good GRE score depends on your target schools and programs. Typically, a combined score of 310-320 is considered competitive for many graduate programs, but for top-tier schools, you might need to aim higher—around 325 or more. For context, the GRE is split into three sections: verbal, quantitative (GRE math conventions), and GRE analytical writing.

A good verbal and quant score typically falls between 155-165, depending on your field of study. GRE AWA is scored separately, with a 4.0 or above being strong. However, always check with your specific program to see what they consider a competitive score. Ultimately, a “good” GRE score is one that helps you stand out while meeting or exceeding the average for your target program.

What Should Be The GRE Study Plan For 2024?

Again, it depends on what timeline you’re on. Whether you have just a month or a luxurious six months to prepare, your GRE study plan needs to fit your schedule and goals.

Let’s break it down:

1-Month GRE Study Plan (Urgency Mode)

If you’ve got only 1 month to prepare for the GRE, things need to move fast. Your focus will be on efficiency and covering the essentials—no time for distractions. Plan to invest at least 4-6 hours of study time daily, including weekends. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Week	Focus	Actions	Goal
Week 1	Familiarization & Diagnostics	Take a free GRE diagnostic test, identify weak areas, review GRE math & vocab	Understand the test sections, prioritize weak areas
Week 2	Intensive Study & Practice	Daily study of weak areas, begin taking full-length practice tests	Complete 2 full-length practice tests
Week 3	Review & Improvement	Focus on GRE vocab, review test sections, take more practice tests	Aim for 2-3 more full-length practice tests
Week 4	Final Prep & Simulation	Take final round of practice tests, simulate test day conditions	Be comfortable with test timing & structure

3-Month GRE Study Plan (Balanced Approach)

With 3 months, you’ve got a solid amount of time, but you still need to stay focused and efficient. Here, you can spread out your prep, but consistency is key. Plan to invest around 2-3 hours a day, 5-6 days a week.

Month	Focus	Actions	Goal
Month 1	Foundations & Diagnostics	Take a free GRE diagnostic test, start studying vocab, math, and key test sections	Build a strong foundation, identify weak areas
Month 2	Targeted Practice & Full-Length Tests	Focus on weak areas, start taking full-length practice tests (1 per week)	Improve weak areas, get comfortable with test structure
Month 3	Final Review & Test Simulation	Review remaining weak areas, take 2 full-length practice tests	Build confidence, improve test timing and pacing

6 Month Plan For GRE (Slow & Steady)

If you have 6 months to prepare GRE, you’ve got the luxury of time. This is ideal for a less stressful, steady study plan. You can afford to spend about 1-2 hours per day, with a flexible schedule that gives you breaks.

Month	Focus	Actions	Goal
Months 1-2	Foundations & Familiarization	Familiarize yourself with GRE sections, focus on vocab and math concepts	Build basic understanding, start with slow-paced study
Months 3-4	Sectional Focus & Practice	Focus on one section at a time, take 1 full-length practice test per month	Improve on each test section at a steady pace
Months 5-6	Intensive Review & Simulation	Increase study time to 2 hours/day, take full-length practice tests every 2 weeks	Finalize timing, review weak areas, and prepare for test day

What Are The Best GRE Books And Study Materials?

Choosing the right GRE books and study materials is essential for an effective prep plan.

Here’s a rundown of some of the best resources available to help you prepare for the GRE exam:

1. Official GRE Guide (ETS)

• Why it’s great: Written by the test makers themselves, the Official GRE Guide is the most reliable resource for authentic test questions and practice.
• What it includes: Real GRE test questions, strategies, and full-length practice tests (available through PowerPrep Online).

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

• Why it’s great: Known for offering an extensive range of practice questions, this book covers every section of the GRE.
• What it includes: Over 1,800 practice problems with detailed explanations, covering everything from GRE math to analytical writing.

3. Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus

• Why it’s great: Kaplan’s study materials offer a good balance of practice questions and strategies, along with access to online content.
• What it includes: A comprehensive prep book with practice questions and strategies, plus access to online practice tools and full-length GRE practice tests.

4. Magoosh GRE Prep

• Why it’s great: Magoosh offers one of the best online GRE prep coaching with premium features, making it highly interactive and customizable to your study plan.
• What it includes: Video lessons, thousands of practice questions, and a study plan to guide your daily prep.

5. Barron’s GRE Prep Book

• Why it’s great: Barron’s offers excellent test-taking strategies and a variety of practice problems, making it a solid choice for test prep.
• What it includes: Practice questions, two full-length practice tests, and review sections for GRE math, verbal, and writing.

6. The Princeton Review’s Cracking the GRE

• Why it’s great: It’s designed for students who want targeted strategies for the GRE, along with practice questions and mock tests.
• What it includes: Strategies for tackling tricky GRE questions, two full-length practice tests, and access to online practice tools.

Conclusion

In the end, the resources you choose, like the Official GRE Guide or Magoosh GRE Prep, matter just as much as how you use them. Full-length practice tests will give you an edge, but it’s consistency that will carry you through. You don’t have to aim for perfection, just steady improvement. The best part? Whether you’re weeks away or still months out, you’ve got plenty of tools at your disposal to make sure you show up on test day confident and ready to perform.

Mostly, it’s about finding a study plan that works for you—whether you have a month or six months. The GRE isn’t just a test of knowledge; it’s a test of strategy, time management, and how well you’ve prepared in a way that fits your lifestyle.

Elevate your GRE prep with Ambitio’s expert guidance. Our platform provides a tailored study experience, combining adaptive learning technologies with expert insights to improve your performance in analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning.

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