GRE Exam Preparation Tips 2025 - Tricks & Strategies to Crack General Exam

GRE Preparation Tips - Every year, lakhs of candidates appear in the GRE General Test. The preparation time for the test will depend on the amount of time they have available, and it also depends on their personal preferences on how to prepare. The student who takes the GRE test should know what to expect from the test, including the administrative procedures, types of directions and questions, number of questions in the test, and time allotted for each section. Preparing for the GRE can be a daunting task due to its competitive nature. With a proper GRE 2025 preparation strategy in place, candidates can easily ace the exam with a good GRE 2025 score.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is the GRE General Test?
2. Top GRE Preparation Tips 2025
3. GRE 2025 Preparation for the General Test: Section Wise
4. GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Analytical Writing Section
5. GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Verbal Reasoning Section
6. GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Quantitative Reasoning
7. How to prepare for the GRE 2025 at home?
8. GRE 2025 Preparation Books
9. GRE 2025 Study Material

GRE 2025 is a standardised test accepted by thousands of B-schools across the world. Candidates can complete their GRE 2025 preparation in 4 to 6 months if they begin from scratch. Referring to test content, and timely solving GRE mock tests 2025 are some of the ETS GRE General Test prep tips. This article covers top GRE preparation tips and how to focus on the GRE prep section-wise.

What is the GRE General Test?

The GRE General Test establishes itself as a standardised admission exam that universities worldwide accept for admissions to graduate, MBA, and specialised master’s programs. The current GRE time stretches to 1 hour 58 minutes to assess candidates on Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, as well as Analytical Writing skills. The GRE tests your capability for critical thinking, together with analytical reasoning and idea communication, which represent essential abilities for graduate school success.

GRE Pattern 2025 Highlights

Top GRE Preparation Tips 2025

Candidates preparing for the GRE often have the question in mind - how to study for the GRE? Or how do I plan my GRE preparation? The GRE preparation for 2025 demands a specific planning method because of changes in the exam format and growing examination pressure among students. The guide provides comprehensive GRE preparation advice that includes timed studies along with practice tests and qualified resources to secure high scores. This will help test takers strategise their ETS GRE test prep and ace the exam with good scores.

1. Plan early - Giving enough time for GRE exam preparation is important. In general, three to four months of GRE test prep is enough, given that the candidate is dedicating at least 4 hours daily. Candidate must book their GRE exam date, keeping the exam prep duration in mind. Participants should register at the official ETS GRE website in advance to get their preferred testing date and location.

2. Select universities and courses - Prepare a list of targeted universities and desired courses. Now, check the previous year’s cut-off marks and what is a good GRE score to get admission into these selected universities. Students must review eligibility criteria, program requirements, and language test needs, like IELTS or TOEFL, if applicable.

3. Fix targeted score - It is ideal to keep a goal in mind to start the GRE preparation. By checking the GRE cut-off marks of the desired universities, candidates can easily set a target score and start their preparation accordingly.

4. Check the syllabus and exam pattern - Going through the GRE Exam syllabus and pattern 2025 in the first place is highly recommended. The candidate must know the sections, topics, subtopics, and types of questions asked in the GRE exam. Refer to the updated GRE General Test pattern effective 2023, there are many changes introduced in the exam pattern.

5. Decide the GRE preparation mode - Once the candidate is well-versed with the syllabus and GRE pattern, the next step is to think of the preparation mode, i.e. self-study, coaching classes, or GRE preparation online. A good number of resources are available in both online and offline modes for free as well as paid.

6. Practice with the GRE mock test - Solve the GRE 2025 mock tests in an exam-like environment and within the stipulated time frame. This way, candidates can get to know where they are lacking in the GRE preparation and work on it in the meantime. Also, students benefit the most from completing official GRE tests both through ETS and well-known platforms to develop testing speed and accuracy while building up endurance.

7. Use the official resources - ETS provides many free as well as paid resources to prepare for the exam. For GRE test prep, free candidates can download the GRE syllabus and sample questions. Full-length GRE study tests and many other beneficial resources are available for candidates on the ETS website. The best books for the GRE are really helpful for students if used effectively. The ETS GRE PowerPrep materials include practice questions, analytical writing samples, and exam simulations.

For more information, download the GRE 2025 Preparation Tips & Strategy PDF

GRE 2025 Preparation for the General Test: Section Wise

The general test of the GRE evaluates a candidate's performance in three sections, namely, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. The GRE preparation strategy for all three sections is different, and candidates must adopt different approaches to prepare for these sections. Section-wise GRE tricks and tips are discussed below.

GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Analytical Writing Section

This section comprises one “Analyse an Issue” task, which is to be completed in 30 minutes. Test takers must evaluate the given issue and write an argument with reasons and examples. The task in analytical writing measures can be from a range of subjects like fine arts, humanities, physical or social sciences. This section does not test subject-specific knowledge, but the ability to respond to a given issue. Read the pointers below to know how to prepare for the GRE Analytical Writing.

• Check the sample topics and sample responses to understand the evaluation criteria.

• ETS releases an ‘Issue Topic pool PDF’ on its official website. Candidates will be given one issue topic from this PDF. Read it thoroughly and practice as much as possible.

• Practice in a timed manner. Candidates have to complete the given task in 30 minutes, hence, it is crucial to keep this time frame in mind while preparing for analytical writing tasks.

• Focus on sentence formation, grammar and spelling errors as it might affect the scores.

• Take time to edit and improve the essays. Reviewing the response will lower the chances of any possible error.

GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Verbal Reasoning Section

This section of the GRE syllabus includes reading comprehension, text completion and sentence equivalence. Half of the questions in verbal reasoning require test takers to read the passage and then answer the questions accordingly. Your skill in vocabulary and comprehension, along with your command of grammar, must be demonstrated in the verbal section to attain entry into top universities. The rest of the questions will require reading, interpretation, and completion of the existing sentences and paragraphs. Below are some prep tips for the GRE verbal reasoning section.

• Develop a reading habit, and observe the author's point of view. To excel in reading comprehension, it is important to go through the passages carefully and figure out their inherent meaning.

• Read featured articles from newspapers like The New York Times, The Guardian or The Wall Street Journal.

• Read books by experts and journalists to gain exposure to various topics.

• For text completion and sentence equivalence questions, make it a point to read through the passage before attempting any questions.

• Vocabulary plays an important role in the verbal reasoning section. So, one of the major GRE tricks for verbal is to learn new words from various newspapers and magazines along with their synonyms and antonyms.

• Use GRE-specific vocabulary apps or flashcards to regularly revise high-frequency GRE words.

GRE 2025 Preparation Tips for Quantitative Reasoning

This section evaluates the basic mathematical skills of the candidate. The GRE maths syllabus includes high school mathematics and statistics. The questions asked in this section can be tricky and require a lot of practice. Below are some GRE quantitative tricks.

• Check the GRE syllabus for Mathematics and understand the topics and subtopics from which questions are asked.

• The syllabus is mostly at a high school level, so learn the fundamental concepts thoroughly.

• The quantitative reasoning section requires a lot of practice; hence, make sure to solve sample problems. Solve different types of question formats for various topics.

• Test takers will be provided with a basic on-screen calculator for the quantitative reasoning section. However, using a calculator for basic calculations can be time-consuming. So learn to solve questions without a calculator and use it only for difficult calculations.

• Check the GRE maths review and GRE math convention PDFs available on the official website of ETS. These resources will help candidates get familiar with the questions and syllabus.

• Revise concepts such as percentages, ratios, coordinate geometry, and probability. Focus on data interpretation for chart-based questions

How to prepare for the GRE 2025 at home?

Many GRE aspirants have this question in mind: Can I study GRE by myself? Or how to Crack the GRE Without Coaching? Well, to prepare for the GRE exam at home, candidates first need to have a proper GRE preparation strategy. Some tips to prepare for the GRE Exam at home are discussed below.

• Browse the official website and gather all the information and resources available.

• Thoroughly check the GRE syllabus and pattern, and understand the type and difficulty level of the questions.

• There are multiple YouTube channels, GRE preparation online forums and apps. Go through them and learn about the GRE content for free.

• Enhance your learning by reading daily newspapers and magazines.

• Focus on learning fundamentals and concepts. Do not jump directly to solving questions.

• There are various GRE 2025 preparation books available in both online and offline modes. Candidates can refer them to GRE preparation at home.

• Once the concepts are all clear, then only solve the GRE mock tests. By solving the GRE Mock within a stipulated time, candidates can learn time management.

GRE 2025 Preparation Books

• Kaplan's GRE Prep Plus: This is a popular book for GRE preparation. The book contains more than 1500 practice questions, online access to a question bank of more than 500 questions and video tutorials. The highlight of this book is the 5 full-length practice tests, which are in a computer-based format which simulates the actual test environment.

• Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep: This is another book that counts among the best books for GRE preparation. The book contains 7 practice tests, including reviews and techniques and online tools. It also contains topic reviews.

• Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems: This is another helpful book for GRE preparation. The book contains practice problems for all sections of the GRE exam and has 1,800 questions.

• Apart from the above-mentioned books, candidates can refer to the following books to enhance their vocabulary -

• Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

• The Vocabulary Builder Workbook by Chris Lele

• All About Words by Morris Rosenblum and Maxwell Nurnberg

GRE 2025 Study Material

Selecting the right study material for GRE exam prep is extremely important. With a wide variety of books available in the market, selecting the right one can be a task. For the ease of candidates, a list of official study materials and other books available in the market is given below.

Official GRE preparation material for free

Below is the list of GRE mock tests available online for free for candidates. These are accessible from the official website of ETS directly.

1. POWERPREP® Online - Practice Test 1 (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores provided).

2. POWERPREP® Online - Practice Test 1 (Untimed version - No scores provided)

3. POWERPREP® Online - Practice Test 2 (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores provided)

GRE study material (Paid)

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal is an experienced trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their educational goals. With a degree in Education, she focuses on clear, patient, and personalised instruction. Her approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of various exams in a supportive and engaging environment.