Your GRE Study Plan — Pick a Schedule

Select the study schedule that suits your time frame. Follow Plan A if you have 2 days, Plan B if you have one week, Plan C if you have 2 weeks, or Plan D if you have 3-4 weeks.
 

GRE Study Plan A (2 Days)

Okay, you're planning to take the GRE tomorrow or the next day, and you've put off GRE prep until now. Assuming you don't want to (or can't) reschedule your test, here's what you need to do:
1. Work through the various areas of this website in the following order: (1) Teach Yourself, (2) Coach Yourself, (3) Test Yourself.

2. Review the explanations for the Quantitative practice questions and Verbal practice questions that stumped you. This review is the most efficient way to pinpoint and eliminate your problem areas.

3. Download the official GRE Bulletin from the testing service's official GRE website (www.gre.org), or pick up a Bulletin at any 4-year-college testing center. Read the official test-taking tips, and try the practice questions. (You'll find about 2 or 3 of each type.)

4. Work through the sample multiple-choice questions at the official GRE website. There you'll find 5 samples of each question type. At a proper testing pace (about 2 minutes per question, on average), it should take you about 35 minutes to attempt all of the multiple-choice questions. (Be sure to read the analysis for each question you answer incorrectly, so you can avoid making the same mistakes again.)

5. Generate a printout of the following Web pages (11 altogether) from this website:
   • Top GRE Tips and Strategies
   • Taking the GRE — Tips for Coping with GRE Testing Procedures
   • GRE Tips — Exploring Each Question Type (9 pages)

   On exam day, take these tip sheets with you to the testing center. Review them just before you begin the real ordeal.

GRE Study Plan B (1 Week)

After executing Plan A, if you have at least a few more days before exam day, here's what you should do (in order of priority):
1. Take at least TWO full-length practice tests (all sections) under timed conditions. Why are practice tests such a high priority? When it comes to the GRE, building up endurance and finding your optimal pace is half the battle. After each test, review the explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly, but don't dwell on your scores. (Better yet, don't even compute them!)

   The quickest way to get you hands on full-length GREs is to trek over to your local bookstore and pick up a good comprehensive GRE prep book. [GRE book list]

2. Download the official GRE essay questions via my GRE Analytical Writing website. (Two of these questions are the ones you'll respond to on your GRE.) Then read all about the GRE essays at that website.

3. If you have more time, concentrate on your weak areas. For example, if your Quantitative skills are weak, work through the math review in a comprehensive GRE prep book. [GRE book list]

GRE Study Plan C (2 Weeks)

Two weeks of prep time is enough for a comprehensive self-study plan. Spend the first day or two carrying out Plan A, then augment Plan B as follows:
1. Work through the lesson materials in a comprehensive GRE prep book. Find a book that concentrates on skill building lessons, not just practice test questions. Pace yourself so that you complete the lesson materials at least 3-4 days before exam day. [GRE book list]

2. In tandem with performing step 1, take at least four full-length practice tests (all sections) under timed conditions. (Remember: Building up endurance and finding your optimal pace is half the battle on the GRE.) Take one practice test every 2 or 3 days, but not more often; full-length testing day after day can very quickly result in burnout. After every test, review the explanations for the questions you answered incorrectly, but don't dwell on your scores. (Better yet, don't even compute them.) [GRE book list]

3. The day before the exam, unwind. If possible, spend the day engaged in relaxing leisure activities. Don't talk about the GRE; in fact, try not to even think about it.

Here's a sensible 2-week GRE prep schedule:

Day 1:	Work through the "Teach Yourself," "Coach Yourself," and "Test Yourself" areas of this website
Day 2:	Full-length practice test #1 (and review)
Day 3:	Self-study: Quantitative Reasoning (lessons and practice questions)
Day 4:	Self-study: Verbal Reasoning (lessons and practice questions)
Day 5:	Full-length practice test #2 (and review)
Day 6:	Download the official GRE essay questions Self-study: Analytical Writing Practice writing two essays
Day 7:	Take the day off
Day 8:	Full-length practice test #3 (and review)
Day 9:	Self-study: Quantitative Reasoning (lessons and practice questions)
Day 10:	Self-study: Verbal Reasoning (lessons and practice questions)
Day 11:	Full-length practice test #4 (and review)
Day 12:	Self-study: Work on your weakest areas
Day 13:	Full-length practice test #5 (and review)
Day 14:	Take the day off

GRE Study Plan D (3-4 Weeks)

If you have more than two weeks to prep for the GRE, expand the 2-week study schedule to fit your time frame, budget, and needs. Here are some suggestions:
1. Augment your study materials with workbooks aimed specifically at your weakest areas. [GRE book list]

2. Take additional full-length practice tests. (Be sure to stagger them evenly over your 3-4 week prep period.)

3. Follow the 2-week study plan, but take more days off (perhaps every 3 days).