TEST PREP – GETTING STARTED: WEEK 1

TEST PREP – GETTING STARTED: WEEK 1
If you are planning to sit for the GRE, it may have been at least a few years since you would have
solved any questions related to basic mathematics or English vocabulary. Topics like algebra,
geometry, arithmetic, reading comprehension and English grammar are normally part of the high
school curriculum, and are rarely part of the undergraduate course load. For GRE aspirants, the first
week is all about assessing their knowledge of these topics. We recommend that you start your
preparation with a complete GRE diagnostic test. This would serve to familiarize you with the
structure of the GRE, and give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses.
If you do poorly in the diagnostic test, it is probably because you are out of touch with either the
math or the verbal aspect of the test, or both. This guide should help you in making a proper plan to
prepare for the GRE.
Our 10 week test prep will guide you through the 100s of free training videos, flashcards,
quantitative prep material, etc which are available on www.gre4you.com. It also includes a GRE
study planner and tracking chart which you can print out and stick somewhere where you can see it.
You should see, on average, a 10 point improvement in your overall GRE score if you put in a
minimum of 15 hours a week. In some cases students may need a longer training period than 10
weeks. The 10 week plan is the minimum time period required to prepare adequately for the
GRE.
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
Let’s get started with an intensive 10 week preparation that will get you into your dream university.
Over the next 10 weeks we’re going to help you in your preparation so that you gradually improve
your test scores. In Week 1, we will focus on brushing up your basics, getting a better understanding
of the GRE test pattern, and also look at other skills you will need to develop to be successful on the
GRE.
BRUSH UP THE BASICS
No matter how well you do in your diagnostic tests, you need to start your preparation by brushing
up on the basics. There are some amazing videos on this website to help you with this. You may also
refer to your high school textbooks to help you here.
ABOUT THE GRE
The GRE structure was revised in 2011, and now permits students to edit or change answers and skip
questions within a given section. Take a look at our video on the revised GRE at www.gre4you.com,
or visit www.ETS.org/gre for information on the test. You now need to:
Familiarize yourself with the question types on the GRE.
Make note of the time limit for each section.
Become familiar with the different topics on the test.
The GRE has 3 major subject areas, which starts with 2 analytical writing passages, followed by
sections on verbal and quantitative reasoning. The total test time will be approximately 3 hours and
30 minutes.
OTHER SKILLS
The GRE computer-based test requires students to be proficient at the following:
Typing skills – You require this for your 2 analytical writing essays.
Use of calculator – The GRE permits you to use a basic calculator which is part of the test. You
will not be permitted to carry any other calculator. The powerprep software found at
www.ets.org/gre/powerprep2 will help you get familiar with using the calculator.
Using a computer – If you are taking the computer based test of the GRE, you should be familiar
with all the aspects of taking the CBT test, like using the Mark and Review options, moving to the
next questions, going back to marked questions, etc.
Time management – This is going to be your biggest challenge. Students who get a high score on
the GRE allocate appropriate amount of time for each question.
Finding Time to Prepare for the GRE
Most students preparing for the GRE would have an existing academic course that they are
studying for or would be working full-time, and hence setting aside time to prepare for the GRE
would be a challenge. Here are a few suggestions to find time
Turn of the TV 
Limit the partying! 
Cut back on the browsing the Internet, which means less time on Facebook, Twitter. 
Get used to waking up early and/or sleeping late 
Make sure you set aside time for preparation everyday, rather than having marathon
sessions on weekends which doesn’t usually help. 
Before you say “OMG!”, remember, it’s just for 10 weeks. 
Your actions for Week 1:
Take at least 1 to 2 GRE diagnostic tests.
Analyze your test performance to see which sections and sub-topics you need the most
help with.
WRITE down the scores in the worksheet given for Week 1.
Make a note of areas where you struggled most in the diagnostic test. These should be
your “FOCUS” areas, wherein you have to allocate more prep time in your weekly chart.
This exercise will give you an indication on what to focus on for the next few weeks.
Remember to use your flashcards regularly to improve your vocabulary.
Register at www.GRE4You.com in order to get access to the free GRE videos
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS
Introductory videos
01 Introduction to the GRE
02 Overview of the revised GRE
03 Structure of the revised GRE
01 Overview of the Verbal
Reasoning section
Analytical Writing Assessment
Analytical Writing Assessment
10 - Introduction to argument
section and argument 1
Text Completion
Text Completion 01 - Question
Structure
Vocabulary
VOCABULARY - Ten Essential
Word Groups - 01
VOCABULARY - Ten Essential
Word Groups - 02
VOCABULARY - Ten Essential
Word Groups - 03
Arithmetic
1 ARITHMETIC-Integers and real
numbers
2 ARITHMETIC-Multiple choice
question on operations on
integers
3 ARITHMETIC- Multiple choice
question on greatest possible
value when multiplying 2
negative integers
4 ARITHMETIC- Relationship
between dividend and
remainder
5 ARITHMETIC- Quantitative
comparison question on
remainder
Algebra
46 ALGEBRA-Terminology of
Algebraic Equations
47 ALGEBRA-Simplifying
expressions with like terms
48 ALGEBRA-Multiplication of
expressions
49 ALGEBRA- Identities
50 ALGEBRA-Factoring
Geometry
88 GEOMETRY-Review of terms
in geometry 1
89 GEOMETRY-Types of angles
90 GEOMETRY-Numeric entry
question on linear pair
91 GEOMETRY-Multiple choice
question on angles on a straight
line
Geometry
92 GEOMETRY-Angles made
with parallel lines
Data Analysis
122 DATA ANALYSIS-Frequency
distributions
123 DATA ANALYSIS-Bar graphs
124 DATA ANALYSIS-Pie charts
125 DATA ANALYSIS-Histograms
126 DATA ANALYSIS-Scatterplot
Recommended Section of E-Book
Arithmetic
1.1.1 Introduction to Integers
1.1.6 Quotient and
remainder
1.5 Real Numbers
Data Analysis
4.1.1. Frequency Distributions
4.1.2 Bar graphs
4.1.3 Histogram
4.1.4 Scatterplot
Algebra
2.1 Algebraic Equations
Geometry
3.1.1. Points, Lines and Angles
3.1.2 Angles formed by parallel
lines and a transversal
WEEKLY GRE STUDY PLANNER AND TRACKER – WEEK 1
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Goal Setting
Focus area
Time allocated
Practice Test Planned
hrs
mins
 
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
Time spent a day
______________
No. of Videos viewed: ______________
Tests/Exercises taken: ______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
Time spent a day :
______________
No. of Videos viewed: ______________
Tests/ Exercises taken: ______________
Essay Writing
Time spent a day :
______________
No. of Videos viewed: ______________
Tests/Exercises taken: ______________
Full Length Test
Essay/AWA
hrs
mins
mins
hrs
mins
hrs
mins
hrs
mins
hrs
mins
 
 
 
 
 
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Study Tracker
Verbal Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Quantitative
Reasoning
______________
______________
______________
Essay Writing
______________
______________
______________
Weekly Summary
Time Spent
Verbal
hrs
Verbal Score
Quants Score
hrs
 
How am I doing?
Quantitative
mins
hrs
mins
Analytical Writing
hrs
mins
Full Length Test
Essay/AWA
Verbal Score
Quants Score