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Pick a Prep Plan
WHETHER YOU'VE GOT one day or one month to get ready for the GRE, make the most of your time (and money) by prioritizing your GRE prep. Here you'll find my candid advice on how to do so. To pick a plan, just click on the links or scroll down.

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 this Website's areas in the following order: (1) Teach Yourself, (2) Coach Yourself, (3) Test Yourself.

    2. Review the explanations for the questions that stumped you in my Mini-Tests for Quantitative Ability and Verbal Ability. (Explanations are on the same Web pages as the Mini-Tests.) This review is the most efficient way to pinpoint and eliminate your problem areas.

    3. Download the official GRE Bulletin (or pick one up at 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 testing service's official GRE website (www.gre.org). 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 my site:

      On exam day take these tip sheets with you to the testing center. Review them in your car just before you begin the real ordeal; you'll be glad you did.

Plan B (1 Week)
    After carrying out 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. You'll find two full-length tests in my book Teach Yourself the GRE in 24 Hours (2000 Edition). (With the CD-ROM version you'll get even more test questions.) Don't worry: None of the questions in my book are duplicates from this Website.
      (You'll find my other picks for practice tests at the GRE Store.)

    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 one of the comprehensive GRE prep books listed at my GRE Store.
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.
      (You'll find my picks for comprehensive GRE books at the GRE Store.)

    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!)
      (You'll find my picks for practice tests at the GRE Store.)

    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 my Website ("Teach Yourself," "Coach Yourself," "Test Yourself")
    Day 2: Full-length practice test #1 (and review)
    Day 3: Self-study: Quantitative Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 4: Self-study: Verbal Ability (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 Ability (lessons and practice questions)
    Day 10: Self-study: Verbal Ability (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

Plan D (3-4 Weeks)
    If you have more than two weeks to prep for the GRE, expand my 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.
      (You'll find my picks among GRE workbooks at the GRE Store.)

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

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