GRE – How I Prepared / How You Can Score Higher Than Me!


Last modified on February 25, 2025

GRE is widely considered as one of the toughest exams in the world, especially for those seeking admission to graduate programs in the United States and Canada. Before starting your GRE prep, make sure the universities you're applying to require it. I took the GRE in June 2024 and scored 309. I could have done better but made some mistakes during the Quant section. Nevertheless, here’s my study plan, along with some tips if you’re aiming for a higher score. Let's get started!

N.B : This site is best viewed on a tablet or desktop.

This plan follows Gregmat for Verbal only, KMF for both Quant and Verbal, and ETS materials. It's a three-month plan, and everything is written rigorously and in-depth. Follow this plan only if you're doing nothing except taking prep for GRE, as it's a very intensive plan. Don't forget to keep track of your progress every day.

Target Score (Minimum) : 320 with AWA 4 | Quant Score 165 | Verbal Score 155

N.B : When using KMF website, translate the website content to english as it's a chinese website. The books mentioned in this blog are available in the Google Drive links shared in the Resources section at the end.

GRE Exam Format & Questions Types –

  1. Shorter GRE : General Overview
  2. Shorter GRE : In Depth Overview (Test structure, Scoring system, Section Adaptivity)

First Month

Focus : Strategy (V & Q) + Big Book (V) + Vocab (V + AWA) + KMF (Q) + ETS Verbal & Quant book

Verbal


  1. Vocabulary : Gregmat's 900 words (Included in 1 month Gregmat plan)
  2. Follow 1-month Gregmat plan for verbal only.
  3. Finish BIG BOOK - 27 Tests in 27 days. You can find the Solution explanation here, if you have Gregmat susbcription.
  4. GRE Issue Writing - Follow Gregmat's Dedicated Issue Writing Series (6 videos only).
  5. Refer to this Reading comprehension playlist on YouTube by GRE Instructor Bruce Hanson. This is an underrated GEM.
  6. ETS Verbal Practice Book - Go through everything except Mixed Practice Sets.

Quant


  1. For basics / strategies, you can refer to The Tested Tutor videos on YouTube.
  2. Refer to this book Nova GRE Math Bible for Geometry only. Although some people suggest Manhattan 5lb and Manhattan 8 strategy books. But I believe those are just extras. Following the Tested Tutor and Nova GRE Math Bible should be enough.
  3. First 18 days - solve 170 test points from KMF.
  4. Next 4 days - solve 170 Hard questions from KMF.
  5. Next 4 days - Special Graph exercises on KMF.
  6. ETS Quant Practice Book - Go through everything except Mixed Practice Sets.

N.B : Write Power Prep 1 and note down the where you're lacking.

Second Month

Focus : KMF + Vocab Practice + AWA Practice

Verbal


  1. First 16 days –
  2. Next 12 days –
  3. Across the Month –

Quant


  1. First 7 days – Solve special exercises for comparing small and big questions from KMF.
    • 200 questions - 20 sections - each day 3/4 sections (30 Q)
    • KMF Link : https://gre.kmf.com/practise/qr/226
    • N.B : While doing this section - Figure out where you’re lacking and revise
  2. Next 19 days – Exercise problems with different difficulty levels from KMF.

N.B : Write Power Prep 2 and register for exam if your score is around your desired score.

Third Month

Focus : Next few days - Revise everything where you're lacking & solve practice tests.

  1. After completing everything, you can practice this Fill in the Blank Verbal questions of different difficulty levels from KMF.
  2. Practice tests from ETS Official Guide
  3. Solve Mixed Practice Sets from ETS Verbal & Quant Book
  4. Keep Revising Vocab & Quant Formulas
  5. Extra : Write Power Prep Plus if you feel like.

Extra Resources

  1. Magoosh Quant Tutorials - - Drive Link (Collected from Internet)
  2. GRE Miscellaneous Collection 1 - Drive Link (Collected from Internet)
  3. GRE Miscellaneous Collection 2 - Drive Link (Collected from Internet)
  4. GRE Miscellaneous Collection 3 - Drive Link (Collected from Internet)
  5. GRE Miscellaneous Collection 4 - Drive Link (Collected from Internet)

Remember that practice is essential, so don’t hesitate to engage with different materials and seek feedback on your performance. With the right approach, you can not only reach your target score but also gain confidence in yourself. Good luck on your GRE journey!