Master the GRE with Expert Support:

Are you planning to apply for a master’s degree, PhD, or business graduate program in the United States, Canada, or other English-speaking countries? The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is one of the most widely accepted graduate admission tests in the world.

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GRE Preparation

Prepare for Success in Graduate School Applications

Whether you’re aiming for a program in engineering, psychology, economics, public policy, or so many other disciplines, the GRE shows admissions committees that you are ready for graduate-level academic work. It tests your ability to think critically, reason through problems, and communicate clearly — skills that are essential for success in graduate school.

This guide will give you:

  • A clear overview of the GRE structure
  • A breakdown of the skills you’ll develop
  • A description of the recent changes to the GRE exam
  • A summary of the GRE scoring system
  • How this GRE course will help you get a competitive score

    What Is the GRE?

    The GRE General Test is a standardized exam created by ETS (Educational Testing Service). It is used by thousands of graduate schools around the world to evaluate candidates from different academic backgrounds.

    It includes three sections:

    • Verbal Reasoning

    • Quantitative Reasoning

    • Analytical Writing

    As of September 2023, the GRE was shortened to make the exam more efficient and less tiring for test takers. 

    The total test time is now just under 2 hours—about half the time it used to take.

    Tim’s TIP: Sometimes in life, it’s important to stop and smell the roses! Thank you ETS!

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    GRE Format and Structure (Updated)

    The new GRE General Test now lasts 1 hour and 58 minutes and contains 54 questions across two scored sections, plus one writing task.

     

    Section Number of Questions Time Limit Skills Tested
    Analytical Writing 1 Task (Essay) 30 minutes Argument Analysis, Clarity in Writing
    Verbal Reasoning 27 Questions ( 2 sections) 41 minutes  Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Logic
    Quantitative Reasoning 27 Questions (2 sections) 47 minutes  Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis

    The unscored research section and one essay from the previous format have been removed to shorten the test.

    GRE Scoring Overview

     

    Section Score range
    Verbal Reasoning 130-170  (1-point increments)
    Quantitative Reasoning 130-170  (1-point increments)
    Analytical Writing 0-6  (0.5-point increments)
    Total GRE Score 260-340 (Verbal+Quant)

     

    • The Analytical Writing score is reported separately.

    • The average Analytical Writing score was 3.5 out of 6 for tests taken in 2023-2024.

    • The average GRE scores for 2024 were about 151 for verbal reasoning and 158 for quantitative reasoning.

    • Most top graduate programs look for a combined score (Verbal + Quantitative) of 310+, but competitive scores depend on your chosen program and university. 

    • You can send your best score to schools thanks to the GRE ScoreSelect option.

    Verbal Reasoning: Improve Reading and Logic Skills

    The Verbal Reasoning section tests how well you understand written English, analyze arguments, and make logical conclusions. This section is important for all test takers, especially those applying to social science, humanities, or law-related programs.

    What It Includes:

    • Reading Comprehension – Understand academic passages, including its main idea and logical structure.
    • Text Completion – Choose the correct word(s) to complete a sentence in a short passage with the right meaning and tone.
    • Sentence Equivalence – Select two words that create sentences with the same meaning.

    Skills I’ll Help You Develop Include:

    • Reading academic texts more effectively
    • Understanding vocabulary in context
    • Drawing conclusions from arguments
    • Recognizing the author’s opinion or tone

    How This Course Will Help You:

    If you struggle with academic English, I will guide you through practice texts that gradually increase in difficulty. You’ll learn to read in a more pragmatic way, start to predict correct answer choices, and build GRE vocabulary through flashcards and practice apps.

    I will also teach you strategies to understand the basic construction of confusing sentence structures, so you can approach each question with confidence.

    Tim’s TIP 1: It is important to learn to compare “long, complicated sentences” with similar “template sentence structures”. This technique is quite easy to learn, and will help you remove unimportant words, and focus on main subjects, supporting details, important modification etc.

    Tim’s TIP 2: It doesn’t matter whether you are reading a single sentence or a long passage, the GRE is an academic test, so the authors of what you are reading MUST follow academic rules, and you can learn to identify how the authors “build the story”.

    Quantitative Reasoning: Strengthen Your Problem Solving

    The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your ability to use basic math to solve real-world problems. It includes questions from high-school-level topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

    What It Includes:

    • Quantitative Comparison – Compare two values and decide whether one is bigger than the other, or they are equal, or such a relationship cannot be determined.
    • Problem Solving – Solve math problems that may be in the form of word problems, mathematical expressions, or a combination of both.
    • Data Interpretation – Understand charts, graphs, and tables.

    The GRE allows you to use an on-screen calculator; no outside calculators are allowed.

    Skills I’ll Help You Develop Include:

    • Applying math in realistic situations
    • Translating word problems into equations
    • Comparing quantities and estimating values
    • Reading and analyzing visual data

    How This Course Will Help You:

    Many students fear the GRE math section. I will break down each topic into simple steps using real examples. You’ll learn fast methods for solving common problem types and strategies to manage your time. If it’s been years since you studied math, don’t worry — I’ll help you build confidence and accuracy, even if you’re starting from scratch.

    Tim’s TIP 1: Do NOT use the on-screen calculator unless it’s absolutely necessary, saves time, or you just need to take a break from mental maths.

    Tim’s TIP 2: Most questions in the GRE are some form of “story”. Take control of Quantitative Reasoning Qs by identifying the story, relating it to your way of thinking, and noting down how the VARIABLES fit into that story.

    Analytical Writing: Express Clear and Logical Ideas

    The Analytical Writing section includes just one essay: an Argument Task. You are given a short argument and must analyze its logic. You don’t need to agree or disagree—you simply point out flaws and explain how the argument could be improved, while showing you understand and support any existing strengths in the argument.

    What It Tests:

    • Your ability to think critically about arguments

    • How well you organize ideas

    • How clearly you communicate in English

    Skills I’ll Help YouDevelop Include:

    • Writing clearly in academic English

    • Identifying assumptions and weaknesses in arguments

    • Organizing ideas into structured paragraphs

    How This Course Will Help You:

    If English writing is a challenge for you, I provide templates and writing practice to help you build strong essay structures quickly. 

    You’ll learn how to introduce supporting premises, use effective examples, and close with high scoring conclusions. 

    I will also give you detailed feedback to help you improve your grammar, vocabulary, and coherence.

    Tim’s TIP 1: This task is basically an extended Critical Reasoning question (common to the GMAT Focus / old GMAT / LSAT / Executive Assessment etc) that you then need to communicate clearly a few target points on. Don’t over-complicate your approach!

    Tim’s TIP 2: Unfortunately, the GRE is now one of the few graduate admissions tests of its type that still includes a writing task, and therefore an analysis of your English grammar and vocabulary skills. In the old days, my students would need to go through an extensive “Sentence Correction” course. I recommend you dedicate a few weeks to such a course (yes, I can help you with this!), because you will still need to write some form of motivation letter and/or application essay, and when you arrive at your target school, you will be much more confident than those who neglect this core EnglishSkills set.

    Recent Changes to the GRE (2023)

    The GRE was updated in September 2023 to be shorter and more focused. These changes were made to improve the test-taking experience.

    Key Updates:

    • Test time reduced from nearly 4 hours to just under 2 hours
    • Only 1 writing task instead of 2
    • Unscored research sections were removed
    • Fewer questions per section, but the difficulty remains the same
    • Results are now delivered faster—within 8–10 days

    These updates make the GRE easier to fit into your schedule and less stressful, especially for professionals or students who have limited time to prepare.

    Why Choose the GRE?

    The GRE is a flexible and respected exam accepted by graduate programs around the world. It is the best choice if:

    • You are applying to a variety of programs (e.g. business, IT, science, arts, or social sciences)

    • You want a general test that doesn’t require advanced subject knowledge

    • You prefer an exam with a shorter format and faster results

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    Prices GRE Prep packages

    Programs That Accept GRE Scores

    The GRE is accepted by:

    • Graduate Schools (e.g. MA, MSc, MPhil, PhD)

    • Law Schools (many now accept GRE instead of LSAT)

    • Business Schools (including MBA programs at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford)

    Some of the top universities accepting GRE scores include:

    • Harvard University
    • Stanford University
    • MIT
    • Columbia University
    • Oxford and Cambridge (selected programs)
    • ETH Zurich
    • Sciences Po

    How This GRE Course Will Help You Succeed

    1. A Personalized Study Plan

    Based on your goals, schedule, and current level, I can create a realistic, step-by-step plan, usually in 3 or 4 phases.

    2. Full Review of GRE Topics if Required

    We can cover all the foundational content—math, vocabulary, reading, and writing—at a pace that suits your learning style.

    3. Proven Test Strategies

    Learn how to eliminate wrong answers – because this is predominantly a multiple-choice test –  manage your time, and stay calm under pressure.

    4. Real Practice Questions and Tests

    You’ll practice a combination of knowledge-building questions and official-style questions, so when you enter the “Practice Tests” phase of this course, you’ll have the skill-sets required to really get ready for test-day.

    5. Ongoing Feedback and Support

    I provide personal attention, correction, and encouragement every step of the way.

    Free GRE diagnostic assessment

    My Experience in GRE Preparation

    I’ve been helping students prepare for the GRE for over 10 years, and I’ve worked with learners from all academic backgrounds and English levels. 

    My approach focuses on:

    • Clear explanations using effective English

    • Building skills step-by-step in a multi-phase course

    • Practicing smart, not just hard, and keeping you motivated to reach your goals

    • Helping you feel confident on test day

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    Start Your GRE Prep Today

    The GRE is your opportunity to show graduate schools that you have the academic ability, critical thinking, and communication skills necessary to succeed. With my help, you’ll feel prepared, focused, and ready to get the score you want.

    Book your free consultation today, and let’s build a multi-phase plan that fits your goals, timeline, and learning style.