GRE study tips

[LLLovely, BSN, RN]

If one is already good at vocabulary and writing, and one needs some brushing up, but was always very good at math, what is the shortest amount of time one could student and expect a decent score? I realize that sounds shitty, but I realized that the school I'm applying to has clinical requirements that I may not be able to meet. Now I am beginning to apply to some alternate schools, at least one of which requires the GRE and has a deadline that is approaching very quickly.

Does anyone have great resources that really helped you study? Anything I shouldn't bother with because it is just mediocre or the material can be sourced elsewhere in a better format? I'm open to all tricks and tips, but I really need to be able to take the GRE within four weeks to meet the application deadline.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to student NP forum

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I went to grad school when programs still largely require GRE for admission albeit never required stellar scores to get in. I didn't spend as much time studying for it other than purchasing a book of practice questions. I did fine on the GRE but had other personal stats (i.e., relevant nursing experience, good GPA) that got me in the program. I'd say just take the test after doing some practice questions and see.

[sshall]

I would say that you should attempt a couple practice exams online, it may cost a little bit of money, but should be worth it. That should tell you where you need to be studying or if you need to study at all. I have never taken the GRE, but I have been told that studying the question structures and how to solve a question on the GRE is as important, if not more important than memorization of the vocab and math equations. So it may be more be more beneficial to focus of question structure than the actual material. To summarize, I think you should take some practice quizzes to see where you are at and then create your study plan from there. It could be that you don't need to study much because you ace your practice tests. Good Luck!

[verene, MSN]

I found going through a book of practice questions to be most helpful - most of the general tips and study strategy guides can be found online or at a public library for free. I used khan academy to brush up on math skills in areas where I was weak.

If you already have solid vocab and math skills a couple of weeks of doing practice questions should have you in good shape. (I think I did about 1-2 hours a day of study for 3-4 weeks, with a couple longer days for practice tests, and did well).