GRE Success Story  300 to 330

Hi, I will share how I improved my score from 300 to 330. I am an engineer with a major in Robotics.

The first time I took the GRE diagnostic or mock test without any preparation was 300. My aim was to score 330, so I started preparing for the GRE test for around 3-4 months (with a job), and my primary source of prep was ETS and ScholarDen.

Week 1 and Week 2:

Read up on the core concepts of mathematics. Being from an engineering background maths was relatively easy to revise.  I went through the Scholarden Lessons and made notes, especially for maths.  I did a few practice questions and learned vocabulary from Scholarden. Took first practice test from Power Prep GRE after two weeks to assess current standing. I don’t remember exact scores, but It was around 315 or so I think.

Week 3 till Second Last Week:

I developed my own study schedule to fit around my job

  • Did 10 quant and 10 verbal practice qs every day.
  • I only started on TC and SE questions after a month so I had some vocab prepared by then.
  • I wrote two essays every Sunday and compared them with the sample provided.
  • Did a practice test every two weeks.

Last 10 days or so:

  • Took ETS Power Prep GRE second practice test.
  • Revised whole vocab once.
  • Revised the maths notes.
  • Did nothing for three days before the GRE test, so I don’t make myself overwhelmed.

Some Personal Tips:

I would suggest learning to build concepts and practice questions. Give yourself time to set some foundation of concepts before practice questions so you don’t discourage yourself initially, even though in the start you are bound to be scoreless. That’s ok.

Give due focus on the Reading Comprehension part of verbal. It is, in my opinion, more challenging.

Keep a separate small notebook to note down tips from maths, like a special 90-degree triangle (3-4-5, 5-12-13). You will find these in the Scholarden. If you have gone through a whole Bachelors (or Masters), with all its tests, exams, projects, final thesis/project, and stresses. You can take a test of Math, English, and IQ.

Good luck to everyone.