GRE blog
Study advice from the EMPOWER Test Prep team: how to plan your prep, what to expect on Test Day, and how to choose a course.
Six Months of Prep Is Not Better Than Three
A six month GRE plan feels safe, but it often breeds burnout and forgotten skills. Here is why a hard end date wins, plus a Quant trap to try.
Probability: Count What You Want, Count What's Possible
Dice, marbles and committees on the GRE all come down to two counts: what you want and what's possible. Learn to write both down and stop guessing.
Your Score Is Good Enough. Now STOP and Apply.
Your GRE score already fits your schools, so why are you hunting for a retake date? Here's why your next hours belong to your essays.
Mean, Median and Spread Without the Panic
GRE stats questions look scary, but most only test what mean, median and spread really describe. Learn the ideas and you'll answer them faster.
Pick Your Test Date by Working BACKWARD From Your Deadline
A GRE date that 'feels right' is a wish. Count back from your earliest deadline, leave room for a retake, and the right date picks itself.
Ratios: Stop Setting Up Equations You Don't Need
Most GRE ratio questions don't need x and y at all. Learn to think in parts and you'll solve them faster, with fewer silly mistakes.
Practice Tests on the Couch Don't COUNT
Your couch practice test, with snacks, music and your phone nearby, handed you a fake GRE score. Here's how to take one that tells you the truth.
The GRE Can Now Be Taken at Home. Should YOU?
Testing the GRE at home sounds easy until the dog barks mid essay. Here's how to honestly pick your test setting, then train for it.
Geometry: Label EVERYTHING Before You Solve Anything
Most GRE geometry misses happen before any math starts. Learn the label-first habit that saves minutes and points, with two worked examples.
Rate Problems: Draw the Table EVERY Single Time
Rate problems aren't hard math. They fall apart in your head. One three-column table fixes them every time; here's how, with two worked GRE examples.
Should You Retake the GRE? Answer These Questions First.
Thinking about a GRE retake? Answer four blunt questions before you book a date, or plan on earning the exact same score twice.
Comparing Your Score to Strangers Online Is a WASTE
That stranger's 169 on a GRE forum can't tell you a thing about your path. Here are the only two numbers worth comparing your score to.
Percents Are Just Fractions in Disguise
Up 20% and then down 20% does NOT put you back where you started. Here's why GRE percents are just fractions, and why 100 is your best starting number.
Starting in September? Build a Plan That Fits Your Deadline.
Starting GRE prep in September is fine. Pretending you have all fall is not. Count your real weeks and build a plan that actually fits them.
Benefits of an Online Prep Course for the GRE® Test vs. an In-person Course
The best way to study for the GRE® test is to sign up for a prep course. A professional prep course will give you the materials and strategies necessary to…
What to do the Week Leading Up to Your GRE® Test Score
Without proper training, the GRE® test can be extremely stressful.Test takers may be concerned about doing well on the exam and ultimately getting into the…
How to Find the Best Online Prep Course for the GRE® Test
The GRE® test is an important test that is required to be accepted into various graduate programs. The GRE® test can seem overwhelming and it can be hard to…
Four Ways to Maximize Your Prep for the GRE® Test
The GRE® test is an exam required for many graduate level programs. At first glance, this test can seem overwhelming and daunting. Luckily, with the proper…
Six Reasons to Choose an Online Course for the GRE® Test
The GRE® test is an important exam required by many universities to get into graduate school. This exam demands a lot of studying and many students opt to…
GRE® Test Preparation: When and How to Take the Test
Once you decide to attend graduate school, you know the GRE® test is in your future. You may schedule a prep course for the GRE® test or buy a few study…
The Best Prep for the GRE® Test Includes Planning Your Test Breaks
Preparing for the GRE® test means putting in many hours of study. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the test format, practice reading questions…
Use Life Lessons to Improve Your Prep for the GRE® Test
While studying for a big exam like the GRE® test may feel completely different from the rest of your life, it has a lot in common with other challenging…
Is Online GRE® Test Preparation Better Than an In-Person Class?
Studying for the GRE® test is no small task. Unlike school courses, where exams are typically cumulative and your regular attendance prepares you for the…
Will an Online GRE® Test Prep Course Prepare Me for the Test?
With all the GRE® test resources available, it’s reasonable to wonder if an online GRE® test course is your best option. Many test-takers choose to use books…
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