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Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 6/19/24
If you’ve decided to write the GRE for your law school application, it’s essential you craft an effective study plan. Read on to find out the top study tips for the GRE.
Since the LSAT was created in 1948, it has been the only form of standardized testing accepted by law schools.
But, within the last few years, more and more schools have begun accepting the GRE in lieu of the LSAT in order to encourage a more diverse applicant pool. If you’ve decided to write the GRE instead of the LSAT, this guide will go over everything you need to know about how to study for the GRE.
To prepare for the GRE, start with a practice test to see where you stand. Assess your starting point by taking a full-length practice test, which provides valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses across different sections of the GRE.
Set a target score based on the average GRE scores of the graduate programs you're interested in. Aim to achieve a score that aligns with or exceeds these program averages to direct your study efforts effectively.
Achieve your target GRE score with expert strategies tailored to your needs. Learn how to create an effective study plan, practice with purpose, and master time management for the test. With proper preparation, you’ll confidently approach each section and maximize your results.
In order to get the best score possible on the GRE, you’ll need to create a solid study plan. Here are some steps you can take to prepare the best study plan you can.
First of all, you need to determine how much time you’ll actually need to study well. Spend some time considering your study habits and personal tendencies. How long does it realistically take you to learn concepts and memorize techniques?
You’ll also need to consider the possibility of re-taking the GRE test if your score isn’t satisfactory. Make sure you factor that into your timeline as well.
It’s helpful to decide on a set number of hours that you’ll spend studying each week. Then, you can block off study time just like you would any other commitment, like work or class, and you can prepare accordingly.
Every student knows the horrible feeling of studying your brain out and then sitting down to take the test, and nothing you studied is on it!
That’s why it’s important that you study using content that is applicable to the GRE test. GRE-specific practice tests are the best way to study to help you get acquainted with how questions are phrased and formatted. Make sure you understand what exactly is on the GRE so that you can find study materials that are most helpful.
The best thing you can do to study for the GRE test is just that: study. Using your timeline and our study schedules below, it’s time to dive into your practice materials!
You should take several full-length practice tests so that you can get used to sitting and thinking hard for nearly four hours. Also, remember to review your answers and pay special attention to your mistakes.
Remember not to be rigid - your needs are fluid. What works for you in one stage of life may not work at another. Maybe you thought you needed to spend five hours a week on arithmetic, but once you started studying, you realized you only really needed three.
Don’t be afraid to change your schedule if you feel you need to. You should still commit to regularly studying, but the specifications of what that looks like are up to you.
First things first, download the GRE Information Bulletin. It's packed with all you need to know about test logistics, from how to sign up to what you'll face on the day. This guide will make sure you're not caught off guard by anything.
The GRE breaks down into three main parts:
Some questions ask for a single answer, others might want several, and some will ask you to punch in a number. Getting this down will help you navigate smoothly through the test.
It’s key to move through questions at a steady clip. Spending too much time on a tricky problem can cost you, so keep an eye on the clock and keep moving.
Following this plan will not only prepare you for the GRE but also help you tackle it with confidence. Good luck!
It’s important to make an action plan when preparing to take the GRE. We recommend taking as much time as you can to study so that you can achieve the highest score possible.
Here are some study plan recommendations for the GRE:
Two weeks to study for the GRE may be challenging, but it’s doable. We do not recommend using a shorter timeline than two weeks to study, as this schedule may conflict with full-time employment or school.
Download 2-Week GRE Study Schedule
Similar to our 2-week timeline, leaving only one month to study for the GRE may prove a challenge, but with this schedule, you can handle it! Remember to keep our tips in mind as you study.
Download 1-Month GRE Study Schedule
With three months to study, you’ll be able to take your sweet time. You can spend more time sharpening up your weak areas and hammering down your strengths. By the time the GRE rolls around, you’ll be more than prepared!
Download 3-Month GRE Study Schedule
Download 6-Month GRE Study Schedule
If you have many other commitments in your life, this 6-month study guide is for you. It can be difficult to manage your time well, especially if your schedule is full and you have very little free time. This guide makes it simple to carve out time for studying well in advance so that you can ace your GRE test.
Ace the GRE with key strategies: master the digital format, boost your vocabulary, and sharpen your problem-solving skills.
Get comfortable with the digital format and take online practice tests that simulate the actual test environment, including timing and using an on-screen calculator. This will help you get used to the format and refine your test-taking strategies.
After completing practice tests and drills, review your performance thoroughly. Identify recurring mistakes, weak areas, and time-consuming question types. Adjust your study plan accordingly to focus on areas needing improvement.
Strengthen your GRE vocabulary by reading challenging materials such as academic articles, reputable publications, and high-quality literature. Keep a list of unfamiliar words encountered during practice sessions and learn their meanings and usage.
Master the usage of the on-screen calculator as a tool during the GRE, and also develop your ability to solve problems mentally. Understand scenarios where the calculator can streamline calculations and when relying on fundamental math skills is more efficient.
Looking to score high on the GRE, which is crucial for getting into many graduate programs? Our expert tutors are here to help. We customize our tutoring to fit your specific needs, focusing on what you do best and what you need to improve.
This way, your study time is always productive. All our tutors are top GRE scorers, and they use their experience to teach you the most effective strategies and tips for the exam.
Our tutoring approach is designed to help you improve quickly by focusing on your key areas. You can start with a free consultation to discuss your goals and see how our tutoring fits your needs—there’s no pressure to commit. We also offer a variety of packages that suit different budgets and the amount of tutoring you might need.
Need more convincing? Take Charlie as an example: He achieved a GRE score of 321 and was accepted into Texas A&M University.
“I was struggling with my preparations and needed a private tutor to help me out. After several discussions with friends and reading a lot on different GRE forums, I decided to go ahead with Inspira. Very happy with how the next 3 months of preparation helped I get a nice score. All thanks to Kate and her tips which helped me a lot in the test.”
Ready to prepare for the GRE in a smarter way? Check out our packages and book your free consultation today. To learn more, watch the video below for a sneak peek into a study session between a student and one of our 99th-percentile tutors.
The time you allocate to studying depends on your progress. While the general rule of thumb is to study for around two to three months, you may need longer than this to get to your target score.
So, you should set a test date at least two months after you begin studying and adjust this date as needed.
The GRE contains five different sections:
This section requires you to write an essay articulating complex ideas clearly while supporting your ideas with evidence. You must get straight to the point and avoid flowery language. You will have 30 minutes to complete this section.
The Verbal Reasoning section is divided into two subsections and requires you to analyze and draw conclusions, identify the author’s perspective, understand multiple meanings, summarize and synthesize text, and understand the meaning of words and concepts. This section involves complex vocabulary.
This section is also divided into two subsections and requires you to understand and interpret quantitative information and solve mathematical problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
The GRE contains five different sections:
This section requires you to write an essay articulating complex ideas clearly while supporting your ideas with evidence. You must get straight to the point and avoid flowery language. You will have 30 minutes to complete this section.
The Verbal Reasoning section is divided into two subsections and requires you to analyze and draw conclusions, identify the author’s perspective, understand multiple meanings, summarize and synthesize text, and understand the meaning of words and concepts. This section involves complex vocabulary.
This section is also divided into two subsections and requires you to understand and interpret quantitative information and solve mathematical problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
What is the GRE? How do I prepare for it? Keep reading for the answers to learn more about how to study for the GRE below.
You should begin by determining what your base abilities are, using free resources to get a grasp on the content of the exam, and then continue to practice. As you practice, you should focus on your weaknesses and seek the help of experts to get the perfect GRE score.
The GRE is a generally challenging exam, but the difficulty is subjective. If you spend enough time preparing for the GRE, it shouldn’t be hard to pass!
Yes, you can! However, this requires discipline and high self-motivation. You may also reach a certain score that you just can’t get past without the help of GRE experts who know the correct tips to get you to your target score.
Yes, there is one essay in the analytical writing sections.
Give yourself at least a few months before law school application deadlines to ensure you have enough time to study and retake the test if necessary.
There is no limit to how many times you can take it in your lifetime, but you can only take it five times per year.
The GRE test takes roughly 1 hour and 58 minutes overall.
The GRE offers an on-screen calculator that you can use, but you may not bring your own calculator.
A good score on the GRE is largely subjective, as different schools have different requirements. However, you can refer to the section percentile rankings in order to interpret the quality of your GRE score.
Whether you choose to self-study or study with the help of skilled GRE tutors, it’s essential you create a comprehensive study plan to ace your GRE. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you should be able to get the most out of your GRE studying!
Good luck!
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Northeastern University's Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University
