How long to study for GRE?

[chiccaboom]

Hi,

I am new to the whole world of GRE. I am wondering how long it would take me to study for the GRE and to do well (generally). If I were to start studying now (early october) when could I expect to take the test and do well?

Thanks!

[s_meriam]

i've read several places that 3 months is sufficient enough...i just started studying myself

[riyadmohammad]

i think 5 months is perfect. 1st 2 months to familiarize with gre words(spend the most time on it).& practice analogy/SC/reading comprehension one day after each. Maths need only 3 months to get prepared for any type of test takers.
Then rest 3 months go through the all books u have. thats it and parctice the CAT

[Ramalakshmie]

It depends on one's background too. I come from a medical background, and I don't remember anything other than addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. I'm starting from the basics of maths and I believe I need at least 6 months to get a score of 1500+.
We need to take into account our comfort/difficult zones, time available for serious study per day etc.. Above all, we need to overhaul our mind as regards the AWA. An excellent vocabulary alone is definitely insufficient if we need to get more than 5.0. Assimilation of good thoughts, ideas and aphorisms are needed that have to be used on the spur of the moment..
I dread reading comprehension the most. Inability to comprehend the meaning of the words in a reading comprehension passage is the last thing one can ask for. If one is wasting the precious moments deciphering the mere meaning of the passage, then when can we actually interpret the hidden meaning of that so as to answer the relevant questions??
I'm taking the exam only in June 2010 but have begun my preparation this month.
So evaluate yourself before abiding by the decade old myth that 3-5 months would suffice!!

[johnvarghese]

Great pointers! Its all depneds............if u r a good leaner i think 6 months is enough to get prepared very well.....if u r dedicating your time into it. Get some good preparatoy books and search for some resources availale ..........
I work full time. Also preparing for GRE. Online test preparation has really helped me manage my time. I use examville.com –a comprehensive site for online practice tests, review classes and so much more… right from my home!

[mad_dy]

Hi chiccaboom,

Total Time required depends on how much time in a day you dedicate for studying for GRE. You need to do the following things as part of your preparation. So, just estimate the time you will require for each of the activities, sum it up & it will give you your answer.

• Study thousands of English words (Refer Barrons book or BIG CD flash cards)
• Learn to implement the above words (Use the learnt words in your daily life as much as possible, read RCs in editorials of newspapers, solve crosswords, solve word problems {refer Wordlist Workbook by THE BIG CD}, play vocabuary quizzes with your friends, parents or guide)
• Learn to write essays
• Understand Math concepts (Refer R.S. Agarwal)
• Practice Math problems atleast for 2-3 hours a day
• Take Mock Tests (lot of material available online but I recommend Power Prep, Kaplan and GRE BIG CD (both CDs))
• Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses after giving each test and reschedule your study plan accordingly.

Hope the above tips help.

All the Best!

Regards,
mad_dy

[Erumnaaz]

Hi everybody !!

I am new to this forum...i am preparing for gre can anyone guide me what all materials i need to practice and how much time i need to give for preparation..i tried for gre big book bt i cannot find it in the market so i bought barrons and kaplan. so is tht enough??..Also please someone guide me how to make effective use of this forum and how to prepare for the exam....

Thanks.

[Ramalakshmie]

GRE big book has been removed from the market almost a decade ago.
Be faithful to Barron's. Buy supplementary books on vocabulary from a good book shop, as they will house them.
Rest, you will guide yourself by intuition as you do all this.

[mad_dy]

@Erumnaaz, please refer my post above for solution to your query.