06-12-2026, 07:39 AM
I went from a practice score of 298 to 321 (Q:165 / V:156) in 3 months. Here is exactly what I did:
Month 1: Diagnosis and Foundation
Week 1-2: Take ETS PowerPrep Practice Test 1 (free, official). Diagnose your weak areas. Focus on understanding WHY each wrong answer is wrong - not on timing yet.
Week 3-4:
- Verbal: Learn 10 Magoosh GRE vocabulary words per day (free app). Use spaced repetition to review old words daily.
- Quant: Review the ETS Math Review PDF (free from ETS website) - number properties, algebra, geometry, data interpretation.
Month 2: Strategy and Practice
Verbal Strategy:
- Text Completion: always predict the answer BEFORE looking at options
- Sentence Equivalence: find the pair that both work - not just one answer
- Reading Comprehension: read for structure first, then details
Quant Strategy:
- Quantitative Comparison: plug in numbers (try 0, 1, -1, and fractions)
- Word problems: translate to algebra before solving
- Do not rush - careless errors destroy scores at the 160+ level
Free Resources That Helped Most:
Month 3: Full Tests and Eliminating Weak Spots
Take one full timed practice test per week. After each test:
1. Review every single wrong answer
2. Identify your recurring error patterns
3. Spend 2 days specifically targeting that weak area
4. Re-test
PowerPrep 1 and 2 are free. PowerPrep Plus costs extra but is the most realistic.
Weekly Schedule:
- Monday/Tuesday: Verbal practice (30 questions + review)
- Wednesday/Thursday: Quant practice (30 questions + review)
- Friday: Mixed practice + AWA writing
- Saturday: Full section or timed mini-test
- Sunday: Vocabulary review and light academic reading
AWA Tips:
Practice a 5-paragraph template. For Argument tasks, attack the assumptions, not the conclusion. Aim for 4.0+ - admissions committees care much less about AWA than Q+V scores.
What is your current score and your target? Reply and let us build your plan together!
Month 1: Diagnosis and Foundation
Week 1-2: Take ETS PowerPrep Practice Test 1 (free, official). Diagnose your weak areas. Focus on understanding WHY each wrong answer is wrong - not on timing yet.
Week 3-4:
- Verbal: Learn 10 Magoosh GRE vocabulary words per day (free app). Use spaced repetition to review old words daily.
- Quant: Review the ETS Math Review PDF (free from ETS website) - number properties, algebra, geometry, data interpretation.
Month 2: Strategy and Practice
Verbal Strategy:
- Text Completion: always predict the answer BEFORE looking at options
- Sentence Equivalence: find the pair that both work - not just one answer
- Reading Comprehension: read for structure first, then details
Quant Strategy:
- Quantitative Comparison: plug in numbers (try 0, 1, -1, and fractions)
- Word problems: translate to algebra before solving
- Do not rush - careless errors destroy scores at the 160+ level
Free Resources That Helped Most:
- ETS Official GRE Materials - the ONLY source for real GRE questions
- Manhattan Prep 5 lb Book - massive question bank for practice
- Magoosh GRE App - free vocabulary section, paid question bank
- GregMAT on YouTube - free, clearest strategy explanations available
- Khan Academy - brush up on math concepts
Month 3: Full Tests and Eliminating Weak Spots
Take one full timed practice test per week. After each test:
1. Review every single wrong answer
2. Identify your recurring error patterns
3. Spend 2 days specifically targeting that weak area
4. Re-test
PowerPrep 1 and 2 are free. PowerPrep Plus costs extra but is the most realistic.
Weekly Schedule:
- Monday/Tuesday: Verbal practice (30 questions + review)
- Wednesday/Thursday: Quant practice (30 questions + review)
- Friday: Mixed practice + AWA writing
- Saturday: Full section or timed mini-test
- Sunday: Vocabulary review and light academic reading
AWA Tips:
Practice a 5-paragraph template. For Argument tasks, attack the assumptions, not the conclusion. Aim for 4.0+ - admissions committees care much less about AWA than Q+V scores.
What is your current score and your target? Reply and let us build your plan together!
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