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How to Prepare for the GRE: The Best GRE Prep Apps

Are you ready to unlock the doors to your dream graduate school? The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) stands as a formidable challenge that can shape your academic future and open countless opportunities. However, navigating this test requires more than just knowledge; it demands a strategic and comprehensive approach to preparation.

In this era of digital advancement, GRE prep apps have emerged as powerful allies, revolutionizing the way students prepare for the exam. With a myriad of options available, choosing the right GRE prep app can make a substantial difference in your performance and ultimately, your admission prospects.

But why settle for mediocrity when you can strive for excellence? In this article, prepare to embark on a transformative journey, where diligent preparation and innovative technology merge harmoniously. We will introduce you to the world of GRE preparation and unveil the best GRE prep apps to elevate your study experience. From Verbal Reasoning to Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing, we will guide you through the intricacies of the exam and help you discover the most effective tools to conquer it.

By the end of this article, you will not only be armed with knowledge about the GRE but also equipped with the insight to choose the best GRE prep app for your needs.

 

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Understanding The GRE

First of all, we would like to give an idea of what the GRE is all about. It is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the exam's structure, format, and scoring system. By familiarizing yourself with the intricacies of the GRE, you can strategically approach each section and maximize your performance.


A. Structure And Format

The GRE consists of three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Let's delve into each of these sections:

1. Verbal Reasoning

Duration: The Verbal Reasoning section comprises two 30-minute sections, with 20 questions in each section.

Content: It assesses your ability to comprehend written material, analyze relationships between words, and draw conclusions from written passages. It includes tasks like reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.

 

2. Quantitative Reasoning

Duration: The Quantitative Reasoning section consists of two 35-minute sections, with 20 questions in each section.

Content: It evaluates your mathematical and problem-solving skills, focusing on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The questions range from multiple-choice to quantitative comparison and data interpretation.

 

3. Analytical Writing:

Duration: The Analytical Writing section includes two writing tasks, one Analyze an Issue task and one Analyze an Argument task, with 30 minutes allotted for each task.

Content: It assesses your critical thinking and analytical writing abilities. The tasks require you to construct well-structured arguments, provide evidence, and present your perspectives coherently.

 

B. Scoring System

Understanding the GRE scoring system is crucial for setting score goals and evaluating your performance. Here are key points to consider:

1. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning

  • Score Range: Each section is scored on a scale of 130 to 170, in one-point increments.


  • Raw Score Conversion: Raw scores are converted to scaled scores using a statistical equating process.


  • Percentile Rankings: Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of test-takers who scored below you. Higher percentile ranks reflect better performance.

 

2. Analytical Writing:

  • Score Range: The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments.


  • Evaluation Criteria: Trained human raters evaluate your essays based on factors like clarity, logical reasoning, and effective use of evidence.


  • ETS ScoreItNow! Service: This service allows you to receive instant scores and feedback on your Analytical Writing responses.

By understanding the structure, format, and scoring system of the GRE, you gain valuable insights into the exam's expectations. This knowledge forms the foundation for strategic preparation, enabling you to allocate your time and effort effectively across the different sections.

In the next section, we will explore the importance of thorough preparation and the role of GRE prep apps in achieving success.


Read Also: The Top Online Schools For Working Adults 


Importance Of GRE Preparation

To achieve your desired score on the GRE and enhance your chances of admission to top-tier graduate programs, thorough preparation is paramount. Here are some reasons why diligent preparation holds immense significance and how it can positively impact your performance on the exam.


A. Enhancing Performance

1. Familiarity with the Exam: Effective preparation allows you to become acquainted with the structure, question types, and time constraints of the GRE. By familiarizing yourself with the exam's nuances, you can navigate through the sections more confidently and efficiently.

 

2. Strengthening Content Knowledge: Preparing for the GRE involves reviewing key concepts in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Through focused study, you can reinforce your understanding of essential topics, brush up on critical skills, and identify areas that require additional attention.

 

3. Refining Test-Taking Strategies: Thorough preparation enables you to develop effective test-taking strategies tailored to each section. You can learn valuable techniques for managing time, eliminating answer choices, and approaching complex problems strategically. These strategies can significantly improve your efficiency and accuracy during the exam.


B. Reducing Test Anxiety

1. Building Confidence: The GRE can be a daunting experience, but proper preparation instills confidence. As you engage with study materials, practice questions, and mock exams, you become more self-assured in your abilities, reducing test anxiety and enhancing your overall performance.

 

2. Familiarity with Exam Conditions: By simulating test-like conditions during your preparation, such as timed practice sessions and realistic exam environments, you become acclimated to the pressures and time constraints of the actual GRE. This familiarity minimizes anxiety and equips you with the necessary composure to tackle the exam with confidence.


C. Impact On GRE Scores And Admission Prospects

1. Improved Scores: Extensive preparation significantly increases the likelihood of achieving a higher GRE score. Thoroughly studying the content, mastering test-taking strategies, and practicing with high-quality materials contribute to improved performance, potentially opening doors to competitive graduate programs.

 

2. Competitive Advantage: As the competition for graduate school admission intensifies, a strong GRE score can set you apart from other applicants. By dedicating time and effort to thorough preparation, you demonstrate your commitment, determination, and academic potential to admissions committees.

 

3. Potential Scholarship Opportunities: Many graduate programs consider GRE scores when awarding scholarships or financial aid. By excelling on the exam through diligent preparation, you may enhance your eligibility for various funding opportunities, alleviating the financial burden of graduate education.

Thorough preparation for the GRE is crucial for enhancing performance, reducing test anxiety, and improving your admission prospects. In the next section, we will explore the world of GRE prep apps, unveiling the best options available to support your preparation journey.


Evaluating GRE Prep Apps

In the digital age, GRE prep apps have revolutionized the landscape of test preparation, offering a convenient and interactive way to study for the exam. However, with a plethora of options available, it is essential to evaluate GRE prep apps carefully to ensure you choose the most effective and reliable tools. Here are some valuable insights to help you in evaluating their credibility and effectiveness.


A. Advantages Of GRE Prep Apps

1. Accessibility and Convenience: GRE prep apps provide the flexibility to study anytime, anywhere, directly from your smartphone or tablet. This accessibility allows you to optimize your study time and seamlessly integrate GRE preparation into your daily routine.

 

2. Interactive Learning Experience: GRE prep apps often feature interactive lessons, engaging quizzes, and multimedia resources that make learning more dynamic and enjoyable. These interactive elements enhance understanding and retention of key concepts, improving overall engagement and motivation.

 

3. Adaptive Learning and Personalized Study Plans: Many GRE prep apps utilize adaptive learning algorithms to tailor study plans according to your strengths and weaknesses. These personalized study plans optimize your preparation by focusing on areas that require improvement, ensuring efficient use of your study time.


B. Factors For Evaluating GRE Prep Apps

When selecting a GRE prep app, consider the following factors to ensure its credibility and effectiveness:

1. Features and Content: Evaluate the app's features, such as comprehensive question banks, practice tests, flashcards, and video tutorials. The app should offer a wide range of content that aligns with the GRE exam's structure and content areas.

 

2. User Reviews and Ratings: Read user reviews and ratings to gauge the app's effectiveness and user satisfaction. Look for apps with positive feedback, highlighting their impact on GRE performance and overall user experience.

 

3. Credibility and Expertise: Consider the reputation and credibility of the app's developers. Look for apps developed by reputable educational organizations or renowned test prep companies known for their expertise in GRE preparation.

 

4. Free Trials and Demo Versions: Take advantage of free trials or demo versions offered by GRE prep apps. This allows you to explore the app's interface, features, and usability before committing to a purchase.

 

5. Compatibility and Updates: Ensure that the app is compatible with your device's operating system. Additionally, check whether the app receives regular updates to incorporate the latest changes in the GRE exam pattern and content.


C. Additional Features To Look For In GRE Apps

When choosing a GRE prep app, it's important to consider additional features that can enhance your learning experience and maximize your preparation. Here are some key features to look for: 

1. Performance Tracking: An app that offers performance tracking allows you to monitor your progress and identify areas of strength and weakness. Look for apps that provide detailed analytics and reports to help you track your improvement over time.

 

2. Customizable Study Plans: Look for apps that offer personalized study plans tailored to your specific needs. These plans take into account your strengths, weaknesses, and target GRE score, providing a structured approach to your preparation.

 

3. Interactive Video Lessons: Video lessons can be a valuable resource for visual learners. Look for apps that offer high-quality, interactive video lessons taught by experienced instructors who explain concepts clearly and provide step-by-step solutions to practice questions.

 

4. Adaptive Learning: Adaptive learning technology adjusts the difficulty level of questions based on your performance, ensuring that you are appropriately challenged and focusing on areas where you need improvement. Apps with adaptive learning can help optimize your study time and efficiency.

 

5. Timed Practice Tests: Practice tests are crucial for simulating the actual GRE experience. Look for apps that provide timed, full-length practice tests to help you gauge your progress, build stamina, and familiarize yourself with the test format.

By carefully evaluating GRE prep apps based on their features, user reviews, credibility, and compatibility, you can make an informed decision and select the app that best aligns with your needs and learning preferences.

 

See Also: How To Ace Your Virtual Scholarship Interview Like A Pro


Top GRE Prep Apps

In this section, we will explore some of the highly recommended GRE prep apps that have gained recognition for their comprehensive study resources, interactive features, and effective strategies. These apps offer a wealth of tools and content to enhance your preparation across the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections of the GRE.


A. Magoosh GRE Prep

  • Overview: Magoosh GRE Prep is a user-friendly app known for its comprehensive study materials and personalized learning experience.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app provides extensive vocabulary-building resources, including flashcards with example sentences and customizable quizzes to strengthen word knowledge. It also offers practice passages with detailed explanations to enhance reading comprehension and critical reasoning skills.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Magoosh GRE Prep offers a wide range of math-focused resources, such as video lessons, practice questions with explanations, and customizable quizzes to reinforce mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills.


  • Analytical Writing: The app provides essay prompts, scoring rubrics, and sample responses to help develop effective essay writing skills. It also offers valuable feedback on grammar, coherence, and organization to improve writing proficiency.


B. Kaplan GRE Prep

  • Overview: Kaplan GRE Prep is a highly acclaimed app known for its comprehensive study resources and adaptive learning features.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers adaptive drills and practice questions to enhance vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. It also provides strategies for analyzing sentence structures and answering different question types.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Kaplan GRE Prep provides interactive lessons, practice quizzes, and in-depth explanations to strengthen mathematical concepts and problem-solving techniques. It offers personalized study plans based on individual strengths and weaknesses.


  • Analytical Writing: The app offers essay prompts, templates, and sample responses to develop effective essay writing skills. It provides valuable feedback on grammar, coherence, and argument construction to improve writing proficiency.


C. GRE Prep & Practice By Galvanize Test Prep

  • Overview: GRE Prep & Practice by Galvanize Test Prep is a comprehensive app known for its user-friendly interface and extensive study materials.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers flashcards with example sentences, reading comprehension exercises, and word usage quizzes to enhance vocabulary and critical reading skills. It also provides practice questions for text completion and sentence equivalence tasks.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: The app provides practice questions with varying difficulty levels, step-by-step solutions, and progress tracking to strengthen mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities. It covers topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.


  • Analytical Writing: GRE Prep & Practice offers essay prompts, timed writing exercises, and scoring rubrics to help develop analytical writing skills. It also provides tips for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and constructing coherent arguments.


D. Ready4 GRE (Prep4 GRE)

  • Overview: Ready4 GRE, formerly known as Prep4 GRE, is a popular app known for its extensive question bank and adaptive learning features.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers a vast collection of verbal reasoning questions, including reading comprehension passages and text completion tasks. It provides detailed explanations for correct answers and tracks progress to identify areas for improvement.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Ready4 GRE features a comprehensive math question bank covering various topics tested on the GRE. It offers customizable quizzes, video lessons, and performance analytics to enhance quantitative reasoning skills.


  • Analytical Writing: The app provides essay prompts, sample responses, and writing tips to develop analytical writing skills. It also offers grammar and style guides to improve overall writing proficiency.


E. Manhattan Prep GRE

  • Overview: Manhattan Prep GRE is a highly regarded app known for its comprehensive study materials and realistic practice tests.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers extensive vocabulary-building resources, including flashcards and quizzes. It also provides practice questions and passages to enhance reading comprehension and critical reasoning skills.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Manhattan Prep GRE covers all major mathematical concepts tested on the GRE. It provides interactive lessons, practice questions, and detailed explanations to strengthen quantitative reasoning skills.


  • Analytical Writing: The app offers essay prompts, scoring guidelines, and sample essays to develop effective essay writing skills. It provides valuable feedback on organization, coherence, and grammar to improve writing proficiency.


F. Princetown Review GRE Prep

  • Overview: Princeton Review GRE Prep is a widely recognized app known for its comprehensive study materials and expert guidance.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers extensive vocabulary-building resources, including flashcards and interactive quizzes. It provides strategies for tackling reading comprehension passages and improving critical reasoning skills.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Princeton Review GRE Prep covers fundamental mathematical concepts and provides practice questions with detailed explanations. It also offers strategies for approaching quantitative comparison and data interpretation tasks.


  • Analytical Writing: The app offers essay prompts, sample essays, and scoring guidelines to help improve analytical writing skills. It provides feedback on organization, clarity, and logical reasoning.


G. Barron's GRE Prep

  • Overview: Barron's GRE Prep is a popular app known for its comprehensive study materials and full-length practice tests.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers vocabulary-building exercises, flashcards, and practice questions to enhance verbal reasoning skills. It provides strategies for approaching different question types, such as sentence equivalence and text completion.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: Barron's GRE Prep covers essential math concepts and provides practice questions with detailed solutions. It emphasizes problem-solving techniques and offers tips for effective time management.


  • Analytical Writing: The app offers essay prompts, sample responses, and writing tips to develop strong analytical writing skills. It focuses on structuring arguments, providing evidence, and addressing counterarguments.


H. GRE® Flashcards By Kaplan


  • Overview: GRE Flashcards by Kaplan is a handy app designed specifically for improving vocabulary skills required for the GRE.


  • Verbal Reasoning: The app offers a vast collection of GRE vocabulary flashcards with definitions, synonyms, and example sentences. It uses spaced repetition algorithms to optimize the learning and retention of new words.


  • Quantitative Reasoning: While the primary focus is on vocabulary, the app includes math flashcards covering key GRE math concepts and formulas. It offers concise explanations and examples to reinforce understanding.


  • Analytical Writing: Although the app primarily focuses on vocabulary, it provides writing tips and vocabulary suggestions for the analytical writing section. It can be used as a supplementary resource to enhance writing skills.

These GRE prep apps provide a wide range of features and study resources to support your GRE preparation journey.


Tips For Effective GRE Preparation

To make the most of your GRE preparation, consider the following tips:

A. Create a Study Schedule: Establish a study schedule that suits your routine and allows for consistent and dedicated preparation. Break down your study sessions into manageable blocks and set specific goals for each session.

 

B. Utilize a Variety of Resources: While GRE prep apps are valuable tools, supplement your learning with other resources such as textbooks, online resources, and study guides. Variety in your study materials can provide different perspectives and reinforce your understanding of concepts.

 

C. Practice Time Management: Time management is crucial in the GRE. During practice sessions, allocate time limits to each section and practice answering questions within those time constraints. This will help you become familiar with the pacing required for the actual test.

 

D. Review Mistakes and Learn from Them: When reviewing practice questions and tests, pay close attention to the mistakes you make. Understand why you went wrong and learn from those errors. Focus on strengthening your weak areas and adjusting your strategies accordingly.

 

E. Take Breaks and Maintain Balance: GRE preparation can be intense, so it's important to take regular breaks and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Schedule time for relaxation, exercise, and activities that rejuvenate your mind and reduce stress.

 

Test-Taking Strategies For GRE

Preparing for the GRE is not just about studying the content but also understanding effective test-taking strategies. In this section, we will explore some valuable strategies to help you maximize your performance on the test day.

 A. Time Management

  • Familiarize yourself with the structure of the GRE and the time allotted for each section. Practice answering questions within the given time limits to build your pacing skills.

 

  • Divide your time strategically. Allocate more time to questions that you find challenging but don't get stuck on a single question for too long.

Use your time wisely during the Analytical Writing section by planning your essays, outlining key points, and leaving a few minutes for proofreading.

 

B. Guessing Strategies

  • When unsure about an answer, use intelligent guessing. Eliminate obviously incorrect choices to improve your odds of selecting the correct answer.

 

  • In multiple-choice sections, utilize the process of elimination by eliminating answer choices that are clearly incorrect.

 

  • If running out of time, make educated guesses by using any contextual clues or logical reasoning you can derive from the question.

 

C. Practice Mock Tests

  • Regularly take full-length practice tests to simulate the actual GRE experience. This will help you get familiar with the test format, improve your time management, and identify areas that need further improvement.

 

  • Analyze your performance after each practice test. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and adjust your study plan accordingly.


Test Day Tips

The day of the GRE can be nerve-wracking, but with the right approach, you can perform at your best. Consider the following tips to help you succeed on test day:

 

A. Get a Good Night's Sleep: Ensure you have a restful night's sleep before the test. Being well-rested will help you stay focused and alert throughout the exam.

 

B. Eat a Healthy Meal: Start your test day with a nutritious breakfast to fuel your brain and maintain your energy levels during the test. Avoid heavy meals or foods that may cause discomfort.

 

C. Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the test center well before the scheduled time to avoid any unnecessary stress. Give yourself enough time to check in, settle down, and relax before the exam begins.

 

D. Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive mindset and believe in your preparation. Take deep breaths, stay calm, and approach each question with confidence. Don't let difficult questions derail your focus.

 

E. Read Instructions Carefully: Take a few moments to read and understand the instructions for each section. Pay attention to any specific guidelines provided by the test administrators.

 

Conclusion

Preparing for the GRE requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and effective study resources. In this article, we have provided tips for effective GRE preparation, emphasizing the importance of creating a study schedule, utilizing a variety of resources, practicing time management, reviewing mistakes, and maintaining a healthy balance in your life.

By incorporating these recommendations into your GRE preparation, you can approach the test with confidence and increase your chances of achieving your desired score. Remember, consistent effort, dedication, and a well-rounded approach are key to success in the GRE. Best of luck on your GRE journey!