Hope you find this study plan helpful - please PM me any of your tips or suggestions for those just starting out on their GRE Journey You can bookmark this topic on GRE Prep Club by clicking the STAR button to the top right corner or you can print it out for future reference.

8 Step Preparation Plan

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the GRE Environment

Step 2: Take a Diagnostic test

PowerPrep GRE Practice Tests by ETS

ManhattanPrep GRE Practice Test

Kaplan GRE Practice Test

Princeton Review Free GRE Practice Test

Other Major Tests

Step 3: Outline your requirements and expectations

Step 4: Identify your weaknesses

Topics Test Name 1 and Date Test Name 2 and Date Test Name 3 and Date

% Score % Score % Score

Algebra

Algebraic Expressions

Absolute Values/Modules

Arithmetic

Combinations

Coordinate Geometry

Counting Methods

Exponents/Roots/Decimals

Geometry

Step 5: Adopt a winning strategy

Step 6: Polish your test taking skills

Step 7: Quantify your Improvement



Time Management: You can monitor if you are spending enough time on questions. Conversely if you spend too much time you would have to rush through the final few questions which is undesirable.



Question Management: You can also find out if you are effectively able to solve difficult problems. Although difficult problems are far less in number on the GRE but for a high score you need to perform well on these questions. You can also find out if you applied the best problem solving strategy for the easy questions



SWOT Analysis: With en error log you can clearly identify your areas of strengths and weaknesses. These could be particular Question type or even a topic. For example you might be consistently scoring low on Numeric entry question or you might be scoring particularly low in Permutation Combination. Once you can identify your weaknesses you can proceed to work on them.

Step 8: Get the right Temperament



Researching a topic on your own: It is very important that you take the pains to research a topic or a problem on your own. It is a very important character building step that would later enable you to solve tough problems.



Asking for help from an Expert: There are places you might get stuck and you might not be able to find a solution without sacrificing a huge chunk of your prep time and resources. In those circumstances it might be a good idea to approach an expert. Experts are useful in helping you out of tough corners and can make your life easy. However your effort is the key ingredient in the test, hence use the power of experts but don't abuse it.



Knowing when to give up: Sometimes a problem or a topic might be particularly difficult for you. If a particular topic is becoming a huge drain on your resources it would be advisable to abandon that topic and focus on others.



Understanding the test and how it is scored: As we have stressed this before, understanding the GRE test is the key. Once you know what the test is looking for and what kind of questions it might through at you your prep becomes efficient and effective.