How to Prepare for the GRE in 2 Months: A Complete Study Plan

Introduction

Preparing for the GRE in just two months might sound like a daunting task, but with the right study plan and strategies, it’s entirely achievable. Whether you’re aiming for graduate school admissions or a specific academic program, a solid GRE score can significantly boost your application. This guide will walk you through a comprehensive GRE study plan tailored for a two-month preparation period. We’ll cover everything from initial practice tests to setting a study schedule, developing your study plan, and answering frequently asked questions. Let’s embark on this journey together, ensuring you’re well-equipped to tackle the GRE with confidence.

GRE Two Month Study Plan Samples

Week	Focus Area	Activities and Tips
1-2	Understanding the GRE and Baseline Assessment	Take a full-length practice GRE test to know where you start. Review your results carefully to see what you did well and what needs work. Make a list of the parts you found hard.
3-4	Building Fundamental Skills	Study basic concepts in math and verbal sections every day. Practice daily with a few problems from each section. Use simple GRE books or online lessons to learn. Write practice essays to get better at writing fast.
5-6	Intensive Practice and Review	Do lots of practice problems in your weak areas first, then all areas. Take another full-length practice test at the end of Week 5. Review all mistakes and understand why you got answers wrong. Time yourself on practice sections to get faster.
7	Focus on Weak Areas	Spend this week focusing on the hardest topics for you. Use lessons, books, or get help if you need it. Keep practicing daily, mixing in all types of questions. Relax and stay calm; it’s important to not get too stressed.
8	Final Review and Practice Test	Review everything you’ve learned. Take a final full-length practice test to see how much you’ve improved. Focus on timing and making sure you can finish each section on time. Relax before the test day; make sure to rest well and eat healthy.

Extra Tips:

• Set a Study Schedule: Plan specific times each day for study to build a routine.
• Use Good Study Materials: Find books or online resources that are easy to understand.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Doing problems over and over is the best way to get better.
• Stay Positive: Believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude throughout your study.

This plan breaks down the two-month preparation into manageable weekly goals. It starts with understanding the test and assessing your starting point, then moves through building fundamental skills, intensive practice, focusing on weaknesses, and concludes with a final review and practice test. Remember to adjust this plan based on your personal progress and areas of need.

Take a GRE Practice Test

Before you start getting ready for the GRE, it’s really important to know where you’re at right now. Think of it like knowing the starting line before you run a race. The best way to do this is by taking a full-length practice test for the GRE. This first test is super helpful for a bunch of reasons

• Know Your Starting Point: This test shows you what your score is before you begin studying. It’s like a snapshot of what you know and don’t know right now.
• Find Out Your Strong and Weak Points: The test helps you see what parts of the GRE you’re good at and which parts might need more work. This way, you can plan your study time better.
• Get Used to the Test Format: The GRE has its own way of asking questions. By taking a practice test, you get to practice the types of questions you’ll see on the real test. This can make you feel more comfortable when you take the actual GRE.

Don’t worry if your score isn’t high on this first test. It’s just a starting point, and it doesn’t predict how well you’ll do after you study.

After you finish the test, the next step is really important: go over your answers. Pay extra attention to the questions you got wrong. Here’s why this part matters a lot:

• Understanding Mistakes: Looking at the questions you missed helps you understand where you went wrong. This can show you if you’re making the same mistake over and over or if you just didn’t know the material.
• Learning from Errors: Each wrong answer is a chance to learn something new. By figuring out why the right answer is correct, you can learn the material better and remember it for the real test.
• Focusing Your Study: Once you know which parts of the test were hard for you, you can spend more time studying those areas. This makes your study time more effective.

In simple words, taking a practice GRE test before you dive into studying gives you a clear picture of what you need to work on. It helps you make a smart study plan so you can improve your score. Remember, every mistake is a learning opportunity, and knowing where you’re starting from is the first step to getting where you want to go.

Set Your Study Schedule

After you figure out where you’re starting from with your practice test, it’s time to make a study plan. You’ve got two months to get ready, so you need to use each day wisely. Here’s how to set up a study schedule that works:

1. Make a Plan That Fits Your Life

You want a plan that’s doable and fits into your daily life. First, think about how much time you can spend studying each day and week. Remember, you need to look at all parts of the GRE, so split your time to cover everything a little bit at a time.

2. Be Consistent with Your Study Times

Try to study at the same time every day. This helps you make a habit out of studying. When something becomes a habit, it’s easier to stick with it. It could be in the morning, during lunch, or at night — whatever works best for you.

3. Set Daily and Weekly Goals

Break your study tasks into smaller goals. For example, you might set a goal to practice math problems one day and read up on vocabulary the next. Small goals make it easier to see your progress and keep you moving forward.

4. Don’t Forget to Take Breaks

Studying non-stop isn’t the best idea. Your brain needs time to rest and soak up what you’ve learned. Make sure your schedule has short breaks during your study sessions and full days off. This helps keep your mind fresh and prevents you from getting too tired.

5. Balance Study with Rest and Fun

It’s important to find a good balance. Yes, you need to study hard, but you also need time to relax and do things you enjoy. This balance keeps you motivated and helps you study better when it’s time to hit the books again.

Why This Matters

A good study schedule helps you cover all the GRE material without getting overwhelmed. It’s like a roadmap that keeps you on track. By setting up a routine, breaking down your goals, and making sure to rest, you’ll be preparing in a smart and effective way. Remember, the goal is to get better each day, not to try and do everything all at once. Keep it steady, and you’ll be ready for the GRE in no time!

Develop Your Study Plan

Now that you’ve got a schedule to follow, it’s time to fill it with a smart study plan. Think of this plan as your personal roadmap to GRE success. Here’s how to make a plan that really works for you:

1. Know Where You Need to Improve

First up, figure out which GRE parts are tough for you. Maybe math gets you mixed up, or perhaps those big vocabulary words in the verbal section are tricky. Your study plan should spend more time on these tough spots than on the parts you’re already good at.

2. Mix It Up with Different Study Activities

Your study time should have a bit of everything:

• Review the Content: Start with going over the basics. Pick up some good GRE books or check out online sites that everyone recommends. Make sure they cover everything: the words and reading parts (that’s Verbal Reasoning), the math part (Quantitative Reasoning), and the essay writing part (Analytical Writing).
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Do lots of problems that make you think like the GRE wants you to think. Begin with easier ones, and then slowly try tougher questions. This helps you learn better and gets you ready for the harder stuff on the GRE.
• Take Full Practice Tests: These are super important. Plan to do a full practice GRE every two weeks. It’s like a rehearsal for the real thing. You’ll see how much you’ve learned and where you need to get better. Plus, it helps you get used to sitting and focusing for a long time, just like on the real test day.

3. Start Easy, Then Get Tougher

When you’re studying, don’t jump into the deep end right away. Start with the basics and make sure you really get them. Then, bit by bit, move on to harder questions. This way, you build your skills step by step.

4. Keep Checking Your Progress

Those practice tests aren’t just for practice. They’re also for checking how you’re doing. After each one, take a look at what you got right and what you missed. This tells you what parts of your plan are working and what parts might need a change.

Why This Plan Works

A study plan like this does a few things for you. It makes sure you’re spending time on what really needs work, so you’re not just going over the easy stuff. It gives you a mix of learning and doing, so you’re not just reading about the GRE; you’re actually practicing it. And it helps you see how you’re improving over time, so you can feel good about the progress you’re making.

Remember, the best study plan is one that you can stick to and that helps you get better every day. So, take this advice, make it fit your needs, and get started on your path to GRE success!

Key TakeAways

1. Start with a Practice Test: Begin your preparation by taking a full-length GRE practice test to establish your baseline score and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Set a Realistic Study Schedule: Allocate your study time wisely with a consistent schedule that includes daily or weekly goals, ensuring you cover all aspects of the GRE.

3. Tailor Your Study Plan: Focus more on your weak areas while still practicing your strengths, using a mix of content review, practice problems, and full-length tests.

4. Use Quality Study Materials: Select reputable GRE prep books and online resources that thoroughly cover Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections.

5. Incorporate Full-Length Practice Tests: Regularly take full-length practice tests to track your progress, adjust your study plan as needed, and build exam-day stamina.

6. Understand Your Mistakes: Spend time reviewing incorrect answers to understand your mistakes and learn from them, which is crucial for improvement.

7. Increase the Difficulty Gradually: Start with easier practice problems and progressively tackle more difficult questions to challenge yourself and enhance your skills.

8. Balance Study with Rest: Include regular breaks and days off in your schedule to prevent burnout and maintain motivation and efficiency.

9. Adapt and Adjust Your Plan: Use your performance on practice tests to continually assess and adjust your study plan, focusing more on areas needing improvement.

10. Stay Positive and Consistent: Keep a positive attitude throughout your study journey and remain consistent with your study habits to ensure steady progress and optimal preparation.

FAQ

In conclusion, we hope this guide has given you the key aspects of GRE scores for you. Understanding how the GRE is scored, what constitutes a good score, and how it impacts your graduate school application is crucial in your journey toward higher education. Remember, preparing for the GRE is not just about mastering the content, but also about understanding how the test works and what your target programs are looking for.

If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to explore our other resources for more insights and guidance. Whether you are just starting your GRE preparation or looking to refine your strategies, our comprehensive articles, tips, and study tools are designed to support you at every step. Good luck on your GRE journey, and may your efforts open the doors to your academic and professional aspirations!