Find out whether you only need to take the GRE General test or if the school of your choice requires you to take one or more of the GRE Subject tests. Even if it is not required, the Subject tests can help you distinguish yourself from other applicants by proving your proficiency in a certain field. If you do choose to take a GRE Subject test, the preparation and registration process is essentially the same as it is for the GRE General exam.
Understand what you'll need to know for the test. The GRE General exam consists of three sections: analytical writing, quantitative and verbal. Familiarize yourself with the directions for each section. Because you are only allotted a certain amount of time for each section of the GRE test, knowing what to do beforehand will give you more time to work on your answers.
Study the subject matter covered in the test. There are countless GRE preparation books available that you can use to study on your own, as well as classes that you can take both online and in a classroom. Choose a method that best suits your own personal learning style. If you're good at self-directing and budgeting your time efficiently, you can probably get by with just books; if not, a more structured class may be the way to go.
Test your knowledge with practice exam questions, which you can take online (see Resources). Answering practice test questions can help you make better use of your study time by figuring out which areas you already know well and which ones you'll need to work harder to master.
Register to take the test at a local testing center. In North Dakota, there are only two GRE testing centers: one in Bismarck and one in Fargo (see Resources for addresses and contact information). You will be able to choose from a list of available test dates in the upcoming months. You will also need to pay the registration fee, which is $160 as of January 2011.