{"id":12529,"date":"2019-09-05T19:20:56","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T19:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/?p=12529"},"modified":"2019-09-05T19:22:33","modified_gmt":"2019-09-05T19:22:33","slug":"top-quick-gre-prep-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/top-quick-gre-prep-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Quick GRE Prep Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12530\" src=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips.png\" alt=\"top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips-768x402.png 768w, https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2019\/09\/top-quick-gre-prep-study-tips-1024x536.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you have any of these common GRE issues? Here are two tips for each: one quick move you can make right away, and one longer-term change to help you study in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>1. GRE Time Management<\/h2>\n<h4>If you\u2019re struggling with finishing the GRE within the time limit&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give yourself three \u201cfree passes\u201d on each section of the test. Guess immediately on three tough or time-consuming problems, even if you\u2019re not behind when you see them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start doing timed sets of three practice problems, scaling the amount of time to match the GRE time limit. No matter what, don\u2019t go over your time limit! Next week, switch to sets of five problems. Keep doing longer timed sets until you\u2019re basically doing a full section of the GRE.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>2. Focus During the GRE<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling with losing focus during the test or while studying&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you start reading each problem, take a few seconds to stretch, take a deep breath, and adjust your posture so you\u2019re sitting up straight. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve your sleep quality. For the next week, stay away from screens for a half-hour before you go to bed. Bonus: one good alternative is to read a book, and reading may also improve focus!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>3. Nerves During the GRE<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling to manage test-day nerves&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try a simple technique called \u201canxious reappraisal\u201d: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2016\/03\/can-three-words-turn-anxiety-into-success\/474909\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all you have to do is say a few words to yourself<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get prepared<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Learn everything you can about the look and feel of the test (take an official PowerPrep practice test!) and the test-center experience. There are many videos online with students discussing all kinds of experiences, and you can even visit the test center ahead of time.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>4. GRE Math Mistakes<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling with making careless math mistakes&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your scratchwork large, clear, and organized. The extra time it takes to write neatly will pay off by reducing the odds of careless mistakes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Then, try this:\u00a0<\/strong>Change your \u201cmath language.\u201d Stop using vague, non-mathy terms when you think or talk about math problems. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/two-gre-math-terms-to-banish-from-your-lexicon\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are two of the worst offenders<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>5. Study Time<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling to find regular time to study for the GRE&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/app\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manhattan Prep GRE App<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today and squeeze in a couple of five-minute study sessions. Here are some ideas on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/heres-how-to-study-with-the-manhattan-prep-gre-app\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">using the app to its fullest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Set aside an hour or two to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/gre-study-calendar\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build a study calendar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the next two weeks. This will take time right now, but you\u2019ll end up getting more done if you never have to wonder what to study next.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>6. Quantitative Comparisons<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling with quantitative comparison problems on the GRE&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guess boldly. QC is one of the easiest problem types to guess on: do the two quantities <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">look<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> different? Eliminate (C). Are the two quantities numbers, not variables? Eliminate (D).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjust your scratch work. Read tip 6 in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/gre-quantitative-comparisons-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this article<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (actually, just read the whole thing while you\u2019re there!). Then, start using tables to organize your scratch work while you do Quantitative Comparisons problems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>7. Word Problems<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling with word problems on the GRE&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nobody\u2019s checking your work on the GRE, so it\u2019s fine to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/gre-math-for-people-who-hate-math-backsolving\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guess and test the answer choices<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In fact, this makes many word problems easier. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/store\/strategy-guides\/5-pound-book-gre-practice-problems\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the chapter on Two-Variable Word Problems. Then, read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/de-tangling-difficult-word-problems-on-the-gre\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this article, which outlines a method for translating tough problems into math<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Try it out on a dozen or so word problems, without timing yourself.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>8. Vocabulary<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling in particular with vocabulary on the GRE&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t shy away from an answer choice just because you don\u2019t know the word. An unknown vocabulary word is just as likely to be right as a familiar one is, so if you don\u2019t like any other answer choice, pick the mystery word with confidence. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a spaced repetition calendar. GRE instructor C\u00e9ilidh Erickson explains the process in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/hack-the-gre-vocab-use-spaced-repetition-to-get-maximum-results-with-minimum-time-investment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this article<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>9. Running out of Practice Tests<\/h2>\n<h4>If you want to keep practicing but are running out of practice tests to take&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ets.org\/gre\/revised_general\/prepare\/powerprep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PowerPrep<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which includes two free and three paid practice tests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need to do a practice test to work on timing and recognizing problem types. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/study-gre-first-two-weeks-1\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow the instructions in this article to create your own \u201chalf-section\u201d for practice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You can string several of these together to simulate the mental fatigue of test day.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>10. Performing Better in the Class than on Test Day<\/h2>\n<h4>If you&#8217;re struggling with not performing as well on the test as you do in the classroom&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Try this immediately:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One way GRE class is different from test day is that in GRE class, you get to try every single problem you see. On test day, doing that will eat up your time. On your next test, assign each problem to one of three categories: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/gre-problems-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">good, bad, or ugly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Use this to prioritize the problems that are most likely to gain you points. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Then, try this:<\/strong>\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even if you feel like you \u201cget\u201d a topic, you may not have the level of fluency you need to perform under pressure. In other words, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/blog\/how-much-do-i-have-to-learn-to-beat-the-gre\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the GRE can\u2019t tell the difference between \u201cI don\u2019t get it at all\u201d and \u201cI totally get it, but I made a tiny mistake.\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The solution is \u201coverlearning,\u201d or continuing to frequently practice topics you already understand. So, crack open your book to a chapter you already feel confident about, and do some timed practice problems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b><i><em><strong><a id=\"bloglink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/instructors\/chelsey-cooley\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chelsey Cooley<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/instructors\/chelsey-cooley\/?utm_source=manhattanprep.com%2Fgre%2Fblog&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_content=CooleyBioGREBlog&#038;utm_campaign=GRE%20Blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft\" title=\"Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GRE Instructor\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2015\/11\/chelsey-cooley-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsey Cooley Manhattan Prep GRE Instructor\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" \/><\/a>\u00a0is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Seattle, Washington.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/i><\/b><i><em>Chelsey always followed her heart when it came to her education. Luckily, her heart led her straight to the perfect background for GMAT and GRE teaching: she has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and history, a master\u2019s degree in linguistics, a 790 on the GMAT, and a perfect 170Q\/170V on the GRE.\u00a0<\/em><\/i><i><em><a id=\"bloglink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/classes\/#instructor\/48\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Check out Chelsey\u2019s upcoming GRE prep offerings here<\/a>.<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you have any of these common GRE issues? Here are two tips for each: one quick move you can make right away, and one longer-term change to help you study in the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[921840,6,733445],"tags":[133,1362548,1362549],"yst_prominent_words":[1362627,1363979,1362672,1363987,1362668,1362662,1363092,1362961,1364014,1362669,1364011,1363290,1364013,1364012,1363984,1362628,1363199,1363978,1363980,1362817],"class_list":["post-12529","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gre-prep-2","category-gre-strategies","category-study-tips-2","tag-gre","tag-gre-tips","tag-quick-gre-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12529","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12529"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12529\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12535,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12529\/revisions\/12535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12529"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12529"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12529"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=12529"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}