How to Prepare for the GRE in 10 Days
The GRE is a standardized test taken by students aspiring to study for a Master’s degree in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Germany. The GRE tests your verbal, quantitative, and writing skills. A good GRE score can help you gain admission to a top-ranked university and increase your chances of getting a scholarship. According to a report published by ETS, India has the second-highest number of GRE candidates, after the US. More than 1.10 lac students took the GRE in 2023, and you need an optimal preparation process for a score above 320.
If you take the GRE in the next few days, you have landed on the right page. This blog discusses everything you need to know about preparing for the GRE in 10 days. We will focus on the format, and the GRE resources you need and help you with a study planner to make the best of the 10-day preparation period. You can also take this 30-minute diagnostic test to understand your current footing on the test.
GRE Exam 10 Days Study Plan
The GRE evaluates the logical ability and aptitude of an aspirant. It has an extensive GRE syllabus that covers a wide range of topics. Both the GRE quantitative and the GRE verbal reasoning are tricky and you need enough preparation and practice to score well. Follow the steps below if have only 10 days to prepare for the GRE:
|
Day |
Tasks |
|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
Initial Assessment and Analysis - Take a diagnostic GRE mock test to assess readiness. Identify the weak points: a. Concept Unfamiliarity: Concepts that you do not understand. b. Comprehension Issues: Difficulty in grasping or applying the concepts correctly. c. Time Management: How can you utilize the given give better? |
|
Day 2 |
Focus on Verbal Reasoning: a. Review the verbal reasoning questions. b. Watch Yocket GRE Prep YouTube videos or course dashboard. c. Practice questions from the books mentioned above. |
|
Day 3 |
Arithmetic and Reading Comprehension: a. Quantitative Practice - Arithmetic: You can use Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition for practice. b. Verbal Practice - Reading Comprehension: Practice using the ETS Guide or other resources. |
|
Day 4 |
Algebra and Reading Comprehension: a. Quantitative Practice - Algebra: Focus on algebra. b. Continue reading comprehension practice. |
|
Day 5 |
Algebra and Text Completion: a. Quantitative Practice: Continue with algebra and practice extensively. b. Verbal Practice - Text Completion: Focus on text completion questions. |
|
Day 6 |
Mock Test and AWA Practice: a. Take another full-length GRE mock test. b. Write one AWA essay. |
|
Day 7 |
Geometry and Sentence Equivalence: a. Quantitative Practice - Geometry: Practise questions on geometry. b. Verbal Practice - Sentence Equivalence: Use the Official Guide to Solve Sentence Equivalence Questions. |
|
Day 8 |
Geometry and Quantitative Review a. Quantitative Practice: Continue geometry practice and wrap up any unfinished quant topics. b. Verbal Practice - Critical Reasoning: Focus on critical reasoning questions. |
|
Day 9 |
Data Analysis and Mock Test a. Quantitative Practice - Data Analysis: Practice data analysis questions. b. Take another full-length GRE mock test. |
|
Day 10 |
Final Review and AWA Essay a. Write another AWA essay. b. Review all topics, formulas, vocabulary, and past question papers. c. Relax, eat well, organize documents, and sleep early. |
Things to do every day:
-
Read newspapers daily or at least read one article from any of the New York Times, Economic Times, Forbes, etc.
-
Practice GRE vocabulary words by learning new words daily.
Watch the Yocket GRE Prep Youtube video on Easy Tips to learn High-Frequency GRE Words to improve your vocabulary.
What is the Format of the GRE?
ETS introduced a new GRE pattern on September 22, 2023. The duration has decreased to almost half the time (1 hour 58 minutes). Let us compare the old and new GRE structure to understand it better:
|
Sections |
Old GRE General Test Question Pattern |
Old GRE General Test Total Time |
New GRE General Test Question Pattern |
New GRE General Test Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Analytical Writing |
2 essay tasks |
60 minutes |
1 essay task |
30 minutes |
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
40 questions |
70 minutes |
27 questions |
41 minutes |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
40 questions |
60 minutes |
27 questions |
47 minutes |
|
Unscored Section |
Varies |
Varies |
None |
None |
|
Scheduled Break* |
NA |
10 minutes |
NA |
None |
|
Total |
|
3 Hours 45 Minutes |
|
1 Hour 58 Minutes |
Section-Level Adaptation
In GRE, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are adaptive to the difficulty level. The first section of each measure (i.e., Verbal and Quantitative) is of average difficulty. The difficulty level of the second section of each of the measures depends on your overall performance in the first section.
Test Design Features
The advanced adaptive design of the GRE General Test allows you to move forward and backwards between sections. Specific features include:
-
Preview and review capabilities within a section
-
"Mark" and "Review" features to tag questions, so you can skip them and return them later
-
The ability to change/edit answers within a section
-
An on-screen calculator for the Quantitative Reasoning section
Read also: GRE General Test vs Subject Test
What Books Should I Read for the GRE?
Many GRE preparation books can help you ace the exam. However, they are limited in terms of engagement, which Yocket Prep provides. You get 1500 GRE questions for focused practice, doubt-clearing sessions, and regular homework. Book a demo class here to understand how Yocket Prep can help you achieve your target score on the GRE.
The top 10 GRE Preparation Books and its features:
|
Name of the Book |
Key Features |
|---|---|
|
Offers four practice tests, online practice tests, etc. |
|
|
Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition |
Offers 150 verbal reasoning questions, practice tips, hints, etc. |
|
Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition |
Offers 150 quantitative reasoning questions, exam tips, and suggestions, etc. |
|
Offers three GRE resource books and lets you save 10% |
|
|
Offers the 2025 edition, which means all information is updated |
|
|
Offers 1800 complete practice questions |
|
|
Aims to help students acquire the highest GRE score |
|
|
Categories GRE sections for simple understanding |
|
|
Great for beginners |
|
|
Suitable for students looking to enhance their vocabulary skills |
Read also: GRE Sample Paper
From the Desk of Yocket
A holistic GRE preparation is an extensive process and takes time. You need a routine that prioritizes exam preparation and takes care of your health. Preparing for the GRE in 10 days is difficult, but it is not impossible. With the right strategy, resources, and time management, you can do it! Consistency and dedication are the keys to success. Prepare well and stay calm during the exam.
If you need further help with your GRE preparation, explore Yocket Prep. With a dedicated instructor, a personalized study planner, and many other resources, Yocket Prep is the one-stop solution for your GRE preparation. It also offers live doubt-clearing sessions, and full-length mock tests, and gives you access to over 1500 focused GRE practice questions. Check it out now!
With Yocket Prep you can get a personalized experience, custom study schedules, comprehensive classes, full-length mock tests, and many more. Yocket Prep will help you prepare from start to end and help you achieve your desired GRE score.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Prepare for GRE in 10 Days
How long should I study for the GRE?
How should I structure my study plan for the GRE?
How do I prepare for the GRE?
