If you’re planning to apply to grad school, you’ll probably need to take the Graduate Records Examination, more commonly know as the GRE.  Like the SAT and ACT, your score on this standardized test will play a part in determining which schools you get into and whether or not you qualify for merit-based grants and scholarships.

Exam Basics

The GRE covers four major skills – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing.  Like your undergrad admissions exams, you’ll find math problems, word association questions, logic puzzles and writing samples on the GRE.  However, one major difference is that the exam is given year-round on the computer – no tiny bubbles to fill out or worrying about making stray marks in the margins.  Currently, you’ll pay $140 to take the exam, unless you register late or need to switch your testing date at the last minute.

Preparing for the Exam

Given the emphasis that many grad schools place on high GRE scores, it’s in your best interest to start preparing early.  Most students take the GRE in their senior years to apply for grad school in the following fall, so it’s best to start studying for the exam in your junior year.  The more time you give yourself to prepare, the better off you’ll be on exam day.

But where to start?  It may seem as if you’re being constantly bombarded with advertisements for GRE prep courses or study guides, but how do you know which product is right for you?  First, look at your study habits.  Do you do better studying on your own, or do you need the guidance of a teacher to stay on track?  You’ll also want to consider how much time you have left to prepare for the exam.  The preparation methods you should use if you’re a year out from the exam date will be very different than the options you’ll choose if you have only a few weeks to study.

If you do well on your own, consider starting with the GRE prep books found online and in your local bookstores.  These texts will lay out a study schedule and provide you with test taking strategies and practice exams.  Whatever you do, don’t neglect the practice exams!  Making flash cards and studying different question types is helpful, but you’ll also need to practice how you’ll manage your time during the actual test.  Preparing with practice exams will also help you combat any test-day anxiety you may experience.

If you’re the type who needs an occasional kick in the pants to stay motivated, look into the GRE prep courses offered by Kaplan and The Princeton Review.  These courses are classroom-based – just like a regular college class, you’ll attend regular sessions where you learn the best ways to tackle different types of questions.  You’ll also take timed practice exams that simulate what you’ll experience on the exam day.  Many students find these courses to be extremely helpful, but beware – the average price-tag for these classes is in the $1,000-$2,000 range.

If traditional courses are out of your budget, but you’d still like a little support in your GRE preparations, consider forming your own GRE study group.  Ask around your program to see if there are any other students who are preparing to take the GRE.  If they’re interested, sit down and plan a schedule of when you’ll meet and what topics you’ll cover.  You may even find that your college or department organizes informal study sessions to help students prepare for the GRE.