All CoursesThe GRE test can be challenging, but do not worry – a good preparation strategy is key to acing it. You can take over three to six months to prepare for the exam to get your desired scores. However, if you don’t have much preparation time left, then a GRE study plan for 2 months can work for you as well, but you need to be consistent. This article will help you get started with this plan, so keep reading!
Step 1 – Begin with a GRE Mock Test
No matter what the duration of your study plan is, when you begin your GRE preparation, it is always good to start by taking a mock test. This is the most crucial step because you familiarise yourself with the question types and gain an understanding of the test’s format and timing.
Besides, whenever you take the GRE mock test, remember to simulate the exam scenario as closely as possible. If possible, find an empty room without distractions, and take the mock exam within the prescribed 3 hours and 45 minutes. By simulating the exam day scenario multiple times over the course of your preparation, you will be able to work towards overcoming any nervousness that might arise on the final test day.
Moreover, once you have your mock test scores, you can review your performance in the test by going through each question and answer. This is a very crucial step in your GRE two-month study plan because by assessing your strengths and weaknesses, you will know whether your approach was appropriate and which topics or question types proved to be a challenge for you. You will also understand the GRE preparation time which is required and which suits your needs.
In short, a GRE mock test helps you gauge the exam qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitatively you understand your strengths and weaknesses across the various questions asked and can dedicate your time to the topics that need attention. Quantitatively, you get to learn how much you scored in both the sections and how much effort is needed to achieve your target score. You can estimate how much time is required to prepare for the GRE. Hence, you can then prepare your GRE study plan for two months accordingly.
Step 2 – Gather the Relevant Resources
The next step after you create the right GRE 2-month study schedule for yourself is to gather the material that will help guide you through your 2-month journey. You can consider the following resources:
- GRE Prep Book – Finding GRE books or applications that works for you can help you greatly. In addition to covering the subject matter, these resources will also have practice questions and answers so you can test yourself on each subtopic within the sections.
- Practice Tests and Sample Papers – In addition to the mock tests provided by the ETS, you can also find other GRE practice tests online. Often, online classes have crash courses that come with a series of mock exams to help you through your final leg of preparation. You can look up the online courses that offer sample exams when you make your study plan itself, so that you can account for the class timings within your schedule.
- Flashcards – You can make your own GRE word flashcards, or you can download one of the several apps available that have pre-made flashcards. This will help you remember the GRE vocabulary that is of great importance in the Verbal Reasoning section, and it will also teach you how to build GRE vocabulary. ETS also offers a set of flashcards that you can buy from their website.
Step 3 – Commit to a Study Schedule
After you have thoroughly understood where you stand, it is time to put your GRE study plan for two months down on paper. Creating a plan is crucial so that you are consistent throughout your preparation journey because procrastination is bound to kick in and you might give up altogether. You can write it down and stick it up on your wall so that you are reminded of your commitment in case you begin to slack.
To stay committed to your GRE preparation, we recommend the following strategies:
- Studying every day for at least 1.5 hours is better than studying once a week or twice a week. You will be able to stay in touch with the topics you study, and hence, make constant progress, even if it is slow. If you study only on the weekends, you might even lose touch with the concepts you studied the previous weekend over the course of the week.
- Take four GRE full-length mock tests. The first mock test, as mentioned above, should be taken at the very beginning of your study plan. Take your second mock test a month before your actual test and then the remaining two in the subsequent weeks before your exam such that you end up taking a mock test a week before your actual test.
- Mark your dates on a calendar to schedule your GRE mock test, and stick to them! By making sure you take the mock tests on the planned dates, you will be able to remain committed to the rest of your study plan as well, similar to attending classes or going to work.
Step 4 – Develop a Study Plan that Works for You
Now that you are aware of your strengths and weaknesses and have a dedicated study schedule charted out, it is time to begin your actual study. Moreover, it is essential to get your hands on the latest version of ‘The Official Guide to the GRE General Test’ available on ETS’s official website or on an e-commerce portal like Amazon. You may also want to enrol for a GRE prep class that can help you clear your doubts and learn strategic approaches to questions. Once you’ve familiar with the concepts, start practicing some test questions.
Remember as you practice, your study plan might change as well. If you seem to be scoring well in some sections and not in the others, then you might have to focus on the problem areas .
Below is an example of a GRE Study Plan of 2 months based on the XYZ person’s objective.
| Tasks | XYZ Person |
| Objective | Intends To Earn A PhD From A Top National Program. Aims To Score 166 On Quants And 158 On Verbal |
| Baseline Scores | 148 Quant, 150 Verbal |
| PLAN | |
| Week 1 | Mock Test + Assessment Of Answers = 6.5 Hours2 X 2.5 Hours Of Attending GRE Prep Classes 2 X 1.5 Hours = 3 Hours Of Studying. |
| Week 2 | 2 X 2.5 Hours Of GRE Classes.3 X 1.5 Hours Per Day = 4.5 Hours Of Total Studying |
| Week 3 | 2 X 2.5 Hours GRE Classes3 X 1.5 Hours = 4.5 Hours Of Studying |
| Week 4 | 2 X 2.5 Hours GRE Classes 3 X 1.5 Hours = 4.5 Hours Of Studying |
| Week 5 | 2nd Mock Test + Assessment Of Answers Take A Break! |
| Week 6 | 3rd Mock Test + Assessment = 6.5 Hours4 X 1.5 Hours = 6 Hours Of Studying |
| Week 7 | 4th Mock Test + Assessment4 X 1.5 Hours = 6 Hours Of Studying |
| Week 8 | Final Mock Test + Assessment 4 X 1.5 Hours = 6 Hours Studying |
| A Day Before The Test | Relax! |
| Total Time To Study | XYZ Dedicates 87 Hours To Study, Attends 8 Prep Classes And Takes 5 Mock Tests As Per His Study Schedule. |
Step 5 – Ace that Test!
Sleep and eat well! Do not underestimate the impact of a healthy diet and a good night’s sleep before an exam. The GRE study plan for two months is quite intensive and is bound to be stressful. You will want to ensure that you are in your best mental and physical health before you ultimately take the test. And, now that you have a sample study plan to help you through the exam, you can get started.
We hope this article gave you an idea of how much time is required to prepare for the GRE. However, for every individual, the time might vary accordingly.
FAQs
- Is it possible to properly prepare for the GRE in only two months?
Yes! It is absolutely possible to prepare for the GRE in eight weeks if you create a proper study schedule and stick to it. It takes hard work and dedication, along with sound time management, but there is no doubt you can achieve your target score with two months of preparation.
- What do I need to prepare for the GRE in 2 months?
You will need the following:
- A proper study plan
- Resources such as flashcards and prep books
- Dedication
- Additional help, such as a crash course, if required
- Can CareerLabs help me prepare for the GRE in 2 months?
Yes, CareerLabs offers a variety of GRE preparation programmes based on your level of preparedness. You can visit the CareerLabs GRE page for more details.
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