The GRE is quite different from the conventional competitive exams, as a candidate does not have to cram concepts and theories. It requires planned study of the relevant subjects, emphasizing critical thinking skills, verbal and quantitative reasoning. It is not parroting the ideas but implementing them in appropriate situations that matter a lot in the GRE. Besides having the right attitude, many candidates opt for the GRE official guide by ETS for various questions and detailed analysis of the GRE pattern.
As an Engineering student, one will have an upper hand in the GRE preparation. However, students must have a clear strategy and execute the same. Students must remember the grind they have been into during their college days. If they can relate to that, half of the battle is over! The best tips for Engineers follow below to recapitulate the tricks that brought glory in the past and crack GRE in the future!
The GRE Marks Breakdown
A candidate is evaluated on the basis of three exams scores:
| Exam Type | Score |
| Analytical Writing | 0 to 6 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 |
GRE Preparation – Quick Tips
Engineers will always get a headstart in an exam like GRE. However, they will have to implement a successful strategy and follow the same earnestly. The successful execution of the GRE depends on two stages. Stage one consists of making a GRE study plan and Stage two consists of following that plan diligently without deviating. Sticking to well-thought-of actions daily will add up to greater results. Following are some quick tips that can help one head in the right direction.
Joining a Coaching Centre
Taking GRE preparation training through face-to-face coaching has been a popular choice amongst many. The upside of this mode is to have a live interaction with the tutor that gives one more time to have their queries answered. Frequent mock tests and drills make offline coaching a better learning experience where the post-mock-test queries can quickly be answered by the coaches. The downside has been the high fee for the coaching and the compulsion to stick to a time schedule. Also, the pandemic has shut down most coaching institutes.
Self-Preparation
Most of the GRE-aspirants follow the approach of self-preparation that has its pros and cons. In GRE preparation, one sets his course to do their research, gather their preparation material, go through reference books to find relevant information, make a study plan, and develop a more significant set of analytical and logical skills.
The path of self-preparation is undoubtedly tedious and arduous, but it helps one value time and become disciplined and systematic in their approach. On the other hand, getting coaching is time-saving but expensive and deprives one of a sense of accomplishment, and moral upliftment one receives after doing self-preparation.
Online Preparation
With scores of private institutions offering GRE online preparation programs and course material, candidates have lots of choices to select the best institute. Online institutions have the edge over others as they are more economical as compared to offline classes. However, the absence of in-person interaction with the tutor makes it a less popular choice till recently, with the spread of the Covid pandemic.
Ideal Time for Preparing for GRE
The recommended time to spend for GRE preparation is ideally 2 to 4 months because it gives enough opportunities to a candidate to take enough mock tests. The students get a true evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses and spend enough time on Verbal Reasoning as it requires rigorous daily practice. Taking a diagnostic GRE test to be privy to one’s weak points is a recommended step. Moreover, how much time one requires for the GRE test depends on what kind of preoccupations one has in their daily schedule, like a job or study.
Test-wise Tips to Crack GRE
Verbal Reasoning
The test for a candidate’s ability to express the ideas articulately with supported examples plays a vital role in GRE. A candidate must have the ability to:
- Analyze the text and put it in perspective.
- Rationalize his viewpoint with ample examples to substantiate its authenticity.
- Draw conclusions and articulate the same with well-supported analogies.
The Verbal Reasoning section consists of three types of questions :
| Question Type | Explanation |
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding and figuring out the written text. It also includes the ability to correlate the various parts of the text, form connections between what one reads and already knows, and infer conclusions |
| Text Completion | The ability to fill in the required information to form a complete sentence. These questions require the ability to deduce reasonable conclusions based on the written text. |
| Sentence Equivalence | Filling blanks in a given sentence by selecting two right choices. The sentence must appear complete with either of the selections. This part of Verbal Reasoning tests a candidate’s ability to complete a sentence with little information. |
Quantitative Reasoning (GRE Quant)
Cracking the GRE Quant section as an Engineer is similar to trying to reclaim your “old handwriting after a long vacation.” As this part of the exam evaluates a candidate’s ability to solve fundamental mathematical problems, the essential topics covered are – Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, Statistics, and Probability must be thoroughly revised by the candidate. As it consists of logical reasoning, the specific techniques and methods to perform these functions must be practiced regularly.
Analytical Writing
This part includes two analytical writing tasks of 30 minutes each. The purpose of the test is to assess a candidate’s ability to comprehend an issue at hand so that a suitable resolution can be formed.
- The first test, “Analyse an Issue”, requires a candidate to read a given passage and prepare a problem statement from various perspectives.
- In the second test, “Analyse an argument”, one is required to understand the arguments given by the author in a given piece of text and present a hypothesis.
The GRE exam is a test to assess a candidate’s general abilities to understand real-world problems and find resolutions for them. A candidate must develop a logical bent of mind combined with articulation skills to crack the exam. We hope aspiring engineers or the ones already in this profession looking to study further will find this information useful.
