How much can I realistically improve my GRE score?

The amount of improvement depends on your starting point and dedication. With focused studying (120–300 hours) over 1–6 months, most students see a 5–30 point increase in the GRE score.

How long should I study for the GRE?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider your starting score and target score. A reasonable estimate is 120–300 hours of studying spread over weeks or months.

How can I avoid careless mistakes on the GRE?

You should get comfortable managing time pressure during practice tests. This will help you avoid rushing and making careless errors on the actual GRE. Additionally, before submitting your answers, take a few minutes to review your work for any missed details or miscalculations.

How to Increase GRE Scores: 8 Tips to Improve Score Quickly

The GRE is a standardised test widely accepted by top universities for graduate program admissions. Implementing the right strategies can significantly improve your GRE score and confidently approach your applications.

This blog digs deep into GRE prep and offers 10 sure-shot tips to help you ace the exam. We’ll move beyond the misconception that simply studying guarantees success. Here, you’ll discover how to create a personalised study plan, identify the best resources, and develop effective techniques for solving each GRE section.

How to Increase Your GRE Scores?

Whether your initial GRE practice test scores fall below target benchmarks or you’re struggling to reach your desired score range, a strategic study plan is essential for improvement. While all study methods have the potential to yield similar results with dedicated effort and effective time management, the key first step is understanding your strengths and weaknesses.

By taking a GRE practice test, you can identify areas that require more focus and tailor your study plan accordingly. This will ensure you spend valuable time honing the skills that will have the greatest impact on your overall score. For instance, if your diagnostic test reveals a weakness in GRE reading comprehension, you can target your studying by focusing on reading practice passages and answering related questions. Similarly, if you struggle with GRE vocabulary words, incorporating GRE vocabulary flashcards and exercises into your study routine can significantly strengthen your performance.

This table shows the estimated amount of study time needed to improve your scores.

GRE Score Points to Increase	Hours to be Contributed
5	40
10	80
20	160
30	240

From the above-given table, we understand that dedicating 80 hours of study time and distributing it evenly throughout your day, week, or month can lead to an estimated improvement of 5 points per section.

What is the 80/20 Rule to Increase the GRE Score?

The 80/20 rule is also known as the Pareto Principle. This principle suggests that roughly 80% of the results come from 20% of the causes. When applied to study, it means that a significant portion of your score improvement will likely stem from focusing on a smaller but important set of areas.

There are two main ways to leverage the 80/20 rule for the GRE exam. First, it can help you maximise your study efficiency. We’ve all experienced unproductive study sessions filled with distractions and zoning out. The 80/20 rule suggests that within those sessions, only a fraction of the time is truly effective. By minimising distractions and actively engaging with the material, you can ensure that the 20% of your study time that’s most productive yields the biggest results.

The second way to use the 80/20 rule is to strategically target your weaknesses. Many students spend a lot of time reviewing familiar concepts they already grasp. However, the GRE rewards you for mastering the areas that challenge you. By dedicating at least 80% of your study time to the question types and concepts you find difficult, you’ll be focusing on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Note: The 80/20 rule is a general principle and not a strict formula. The exact percentages might vary depending on your strengths and weaknesses.

Suggested: GRE Score Range

10 Tips on How to Improve GRE Scores

1. Study smarter, not just more

While simply studying more can improve your GRE score, a strategic approach yields better results. First, explore and select high-quality study materials. Then, diagnose your weaknesses through practice tests and dedicate more time to those areas. Aim for 4–5 hours of daily focused GRE prep to maximise your score increase.

2. Tailor your study time based on progress

The amount of additional studying needed to improve your GRE score depends heavily on your current baseline. Students who have already invested significant time (e.g., 120 hours) and seen significant improvement (e.g., Verbal score increase from 145 to 169) will need to put in more effort to reach even higher score goals. Analyse your practice test results to determine how much additional focused study is required to achieve your desired score.

3. Track improvement and tailor your approach

The faster you grasp new concepts and vocabulary, the more you can achieve within your study time frame. Take practice tests after a week of studying to monitor progress. If you find it takes longer to learn new topics, allocate extra time for those areas in your schedule. This targeted approach will maximise your score improvement within your available study hours.

4. A solid foundation for strong scores

The GRE tests knowledge accumulated over your academic career. A weak foundation in math or English can significantly hinder improvement, even with dedicated study time. On the other hand, a strong foundation makes score improvement more manageable. If your core concepts are solid, you may only need to refresh your memory in specific areas, leading to quicker score gains.

5. Set a personalised GRE target score

One crucial step is to set a personalised target score and focus all your efforts on achieving it. A well-defined target gives you something specific to work towards and helps you stay motivated during long stretches of studying. Additionally, when you take the actual GRE, your target score serves as a benchmark for gauging your performance. Here’s how to set your target score:

Research the average GRE scores for your desired programs: Most universities list the average GRE scores of their admitted students on their websites or admissions materials. This will give you a general idea of the score range you should be aiming for.
Consider your academic background and strengths: If you have a strong quantitative background, you may be able to set a higher target score in the GRE quantitative reasoning section. On the other hand, if you have a stronger background in the humanities, you may prioritise a higher score in the GRE verbal reasoning section.
Be realistic but ambitious: Set a score that challenges you but is also achievable based on your current abilities and the time you have available for preparation.

6. Familiarise yourself with the GRE format

Understanding the GRE format will significantly increase your comfort level with the test. By familiarising yourself with the question types, sections, time limits, covered topics, testing rules, and other aspects of the exam, you’ll be better prepared. This knowledge will also help you determine how much time to allocate to each question, whether a calculator is allowed, and other valuable test-taking strategies.

7. Simulate the test environment for peak performance

Practising GRE tests in a realistic setting significantly improves test-day confidence. Use practice resources that closely mirror the actual GRE. The more similar the GRE practice questions and exams are to the real GRE, the more comfortable you’ll feel on the official test. Fortunately, the ETS offers a variety of free practice materials on its official website.

8. Learn from your mistakes

Examining your mistakes is one of the most valuable aspects of efficient GRE preparation. By analysing practice problems and exams, you can pinpoint your weaknesses. Are you struggling to finish sentences within the time limit? Having trouble with a specific question type? Unsure of when to use the calculator? Identifying these areas allows you to focus your studying and ensure you don’t repeat the same errors on test day.

9. Create a personalised study plan that targets your weaknesses

The most important aspect of building an effective GRE study schedule is to target your weaknesses. This aligns with the previous point—your mistakes on practice questions often reveal your knowledge gaps. You might already be aware of some areas that need improvement.

By focusing on your weak points, you can make better use of your study time. You’ve likely already mastered or at least have a solid understanding of some topics and strategies. Don’t spend as much time on those strengths compared to the areas where you struggle.

10. Practice makes perfect, but speed is key

Knowing the answers to all the questions won’t help much if you can only answer half of them within the time limit. It’s important to pace yourself when completing practice sections and assessments.

Both the GRE Quantitative and Verbal sections have 27 questions each. The verbal sections have a 41-minute time limit, which translates to roughly 1 minute and 51 seconds per question. The Quantitative Reasoning section also has a 30-minute limit, so you’ll have approximately 2 minutes and 10 seconds per question. Keep this time constraint in mind and practice working at this speed.

Read also: The Shorter GRE (as of 2023)

How to Ace the GRE with Yocket Prep+

Maximise your GRE score and land at your dream school with Yocket’s Prep+. This comprehensive prep solution streamlines your journey with free diagnostic tests, mock exams, and resources to get you started.

Yocket personalises your prep with over 40 adaptive practice tests that adjust to your difficulty, providing instant feedback and detailed solutions to solidify your understanding. Additionally, gain access to 7 ultra-realistic GRE-style tests, in-depth topic-specific tests for targeted practice, and a personalised priority dashboard to track progress.

Yocket Prep+ goes beyond knowledge and practice. Our expert instructors, with over 15 years of experience, lead extensive GRE lessons, and you’ll gain valuable insights like a list of universities accepting scores in the 300–310 range, increasing your chances of admission to your dream program.

From the Desk of Yocket

The key to improving GRE scores lies in a strategic and personalised approach. The first step is to honestly assess your current strengths and weaknesses. Taking a diagnostic test can be a great way to establish your baseline score and identify areas that require more attention. Then, create a study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each section. Consistency is key here, so aim for daily or regular study sessions to solidify concepts and build momentum.

High-quality resources are crucial for effective preparation. Textbooks and official GRE practice materials provide a strong foundation for core concepts and question formats. Consider supplementing these with prep courses, which can offer structured learning, expert guidance, and additional practice problems. Regularly taking practice tests under timed conditions is vital. This helps you gauge your progress and allows you to develop time management skills and adapt to the pressure of the actual exam. Don’t just take the tests—thoroughly analyse your mistakes. Identify recurring errors, understand the root cause, and revisit those concepts for focused practice. By learning from your mistakes, you can ensure you don’t repeat them on the actual GRE.