1. Answer every question. The GRE is not an exam where you go about skipping questions you're unsure about. No one cares if you don't really understand something and are making random guesses. You are not penalized for guessing on the GRE (unlike the SAT), so it's in your best interest to answer every single question thrown at you, even the ones you don't like.
2. Be sure of your answers especially when taking the Computer-Adaptive GRE. As you can't go back to answer something you selected previously. On the computerized version, you'll simply get a zero if you leave something blank. So make the correct choice the first time around!
3. Use the scratch paper. You will not be allowed to bring any papers to the testing center. However, you will be provided with scratch paper. Use it to solve math problems, outline your essay for the writing portion or write down formulas or vocabulary words you've memorized before the test.
4. Use a process of elimination. If you can rule out even one wrong answer, you'll be in a much better chance for guessing if it comes to that. Instead of looking for the "right" answer, look for the "least wrong" answer. Most of the time, you'll be able to narrow down your choices to two, which obviously gives you much better odds of getting the answers right.
5. Spend more time on the harder questions. Chances are good that you'll be taking the computerized version of the GRE, so the scoring is scaled: harder questions equal more points. Even if you miss quite a few easy questions and get a smaller percentage of the harder ones correct, your score will be much better than if you answered all of the easy ones correctly and only answer a few difficult ones right. So plan your time accordingly. This is one of those GRE test tips to memorize.
6. Pace yourself. You may be a dreamer in real life, but during the GRE is not the right time to wander mentally off into space. You'll only have about one minute per question for the verbal section and approximately two minutes per question in the math section. Two minutes may seem like a long time to answer a math question, and it would be for the easy questions, but once you're doing the higher level questions, you'll realize that the time is whittling away. So don't waste it.
7. Don't second-guess yourself. Statistics prove that your first answer choice is usually correct. Do not go back through the test and change your answers if you're taking the paper test. Your first instinct is typically correct.
8. Mentally manage your stress. Once you're sitting at the desk or in front of the computer screen, your ability to physically do too much to manage your stress about the GRE and its implications for your future dwindles. So, your best bet is to manage your stress mentally by repeating a positive phrase or envisioning the end result of all your hard work.
9. In the reading comprehension section, read the answers first. Instead of plunging ahead into the text, read what you need to be looking out for. You'll save time and score more points by reading the answer choices before you read the text.
10. Outline. It may seem like this tip is outdated, but you can't disregard the GRE writing section. Before you start writing, make sure you take five minutes to outline what you're going to say first. Your organization and thought process will be much higher if you do.
That's it! Join GREedge to get the latest tips from GRE experts.
