The verbal section of the GRE tests you on your knowledge of the English language and, at the very least, your ability to discern the meaning of difficult words with which you might not be familiar. Types of test questions can include fill-in-the-blank questions, reading comprehension questions, analogies and antonyms. In order to be successful on this portion of the examination, you will need to expand your vocabulary and learn the basic building blocks of the English language. There is no quick fix to this process, so the sooner you begin preparing, the better. Reading books that require you to expand your own vocabulary can be helpful. You can also purchase GRE word lists at a retail bookstore. These lists typically have the most common 3,500 or so words that may be seen on the GRE. Learning the definitions and roots of these words will increase your ability on the verbal section. Learning just 10 new words on the list each day could help you conquer the entire list within one year's time. Create a plan that will allow you learn as many words as possible within the time frame you have prior to the exam.
Preparing for the quantitative section of the GRE can require a little time each day completing practice examination questions. Practice examinations can be obtained online or at a local bookstore, as well. Practicing with both types of examinations may be helpful. The quantitative section of the GRE contains multiple-choice questions that require you to solve actual math problems, as well as a series of quantitative comparisons. Learning how these questions are often worded and the types of symbols often used in the examinations can go a long way toward alleviating any exam anxiety. Again, preparation materials, free or otherwise, can be found online. Learning how to answer the questions is usually the biggest challenge of the quantitative section. It is important to note that many of the questions in this section contain shortcuts and rarely require detailed calculations. Read the question carefully and look for the answer that the question implicitly asks for. Always eliminate obviously wrong answers and never choose "all of the above" or "none of the above" type answers unless you are absolutely certain it is correct.
The third portion of the GRE will ask you to present a persuasive argument on a topic that you will choose from a list on the exam. It will also ask you to analyze an argument that has been presented by another writer. In both cases, you will be utilizing skills that you have been learning throughout your college career. To prepare for this portion of the exam, purchase or borrow a college-level textbook that deals with the art of persuasive writing. Learn the basic elements of an argument and how to make the basic points of the argument logically follow from your overall argument. Remember that the readers will not be expecting you to write a masterpiece, but you should be careful to follow the basic conventions of English grammar.