Emergency GRE Prep: Is 20 Days Enough?

By Qwen, SEO Expert at Google

I understand that you're under extreme time pressure to prepare for the GRE. Your question about achieving a good score in just 20 days is both valid and common. In this article, I will provide insights and strategies to help you manage such a tight schedule.

The Reality of a 20-Day GRE Prep Timeline

First, let's be realistic about what's achievable in such a short time frame. Consider a case study: a college student with Microsoft internship and multiple coding competitions under her belt still managed a 162 on Quant and a 151 on Verbal, resulting in a 313 total score. Under these ideal conditions, it's highly unlikely to break the 150-140 barrier in just 10 days, let alone 20.

A Realistic Approach

Unfortunately, one month of preparation is insufficient for most test-takers aiming for a good score. Hence, my advice is to take a full-length, official practice exam to establish your baseline score. Completing this exam in a real-time setting will help you understand your weaknesses and strengths.

Follow Test-Day Conditions: Keep accurate notes and take practice exams under similar conditions as the actual test. Improve Your Base: If your base is not good, even a month's preparation can help significantly. Study Plan: Create an organized and structured plan, focusing one topic at a time for in-depth understanding and practice.

The GRE's Content and Topic Breadth

The GRE is challenging due to its vast scope, covering over 2000 vocabulary words and around 25 major quant topics. It's nearly impossible to cover everything comprehensively, but mastering key areas can significantly boost your score.

Step-by-Step Study Plan

1. Learn One Topic at a Time: Start with Number Properties, learning all definitions and concepts (even and odd numbers, positive and negative, LCM, GCF, etc.). Practice a set of questions, review your mistakes, and repeat until mastery.

2. Mixed Review: Once you've covered a topic, engage in mixed review sets. These exercises cover previous topics to reinforce your understanding and remember key concepts.

3. Flashcards: Devote time to creating and reviewing flashcards from each topic you study. These can be accessed anytime, whether commuting or waiting in a queue.

Choosing the Right Materials

Selecting the right prep materials can make a huge difference. Spend time reading reviews on Quora and GRE Prep Club for past students' experiences. Look for courses that have a solid track record and align with your learning style.

Practice Exams: Regular and varied practice exams are crucial for understanding your progress. Online Resources: Utilize online resources that offer comprehensive coverage of each topic and extensive practice questions. Community Forums: Engage with forums and communities for additional support and guidance.

Conclusion

While it may be challenging, with a structured and focused approach, it is possible to see improvement in your GRE score within 20 days. However, it's essential to understand your starting point and tailor your study plan accordingly. Remember, consistency and dedication will yield the best results.