How to Prepare for GRE in 2 Months
How to Prepare for GRE in 2 Months
Planning your GRE preparation in 2 months is absolutely achievable if you follow a structured, focused approach from day one. Thousands of Indian students appearing for the GRE every year manage to secure competitive scores with disciplined 60-day study plans - but the key lies in knowing exactly where to invest your time.
This article walks you through a week-by-week breakdown, section-specific strategies for Verbal, Quant, and AWA, vocabulary-building techniques, mock test usage, and the best resources available on EduRev to maximise your GRE score within 60 days.
Can You Really Prepare for GRE in 2 Months?
Yes - but it demands honesty about your starting point. If you are preparing for GRE from scratch, two months require roughly 2-3 hours of daily study without breaks. Students who already have a strong Quant background (common among Indian engineering graduates) can redirect that saved time toward Verbal and AWA, which tend to be the bigger differentiators in scores.
The most common mistake at this stage is underestimating the GRE Verbal section. Many Indian students focus heavily on Quant and ignore vocabulary and reading comprehension, which directly hurts their overall score. A realistic self-assessment in Week 1 helps you allocate the remaining 7 weeks smartly.
To kickstart your preparation with a well-structured roadmap, explore the 2 Months Preparation for GRE General Test course on EduRev, which is designed specifically for students targeting a high score within this timeline.
2-Month GRE Study Plan: A Week-by-Week Breakdown
A reliable GRE 2-month study plan should be divided into three phases: foundation building (Weeks 1-3), section mastery (Weeks 4-6), and full-length practice with revision (Weeks 7-8). This GRE study schedule prevents the common mistake of spending too many days on one section and rushing through others.
- Weeks 1-2: Diagnose weaknesses using a baseline mock test; begin Quant fundamentals and 15 new vocabulary words daily
- Weeks 3-4: Deep-dive into Verbal Reasoning - Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension
- Weeks 5-6: Focus on AWA essay structures and advanced Quant topics like Data Interpretation
- Weeks 7-8: Full-length mock tests every alternate day; review errors and plug remaining gaps
For students who need an accelerated version of this schedule, the Crash Course for GRE on EduRev condenses core concepts into a fast-paced format ideal for the final push.
How to Master GRE Verbal Reasoning in 60 Days
GRE Verbal Reasoning preparation requires consistent work on three fronts: vocabulary, reading comprehension, and question-type familiarity. The biggest mistake students make is treating Verbal as something that improves passively - it doesn't. You must actively practise Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions every single day.
Verbal Resources to Build Section Mastery
These resources on EduRev target every sub-skill within GRE Verbal, from complex RC passages to vocabulary-in-context questions. Use them in the order listed for a logical progression.
Strategies to Boost Your GRE Quantitative Reasoning Score
For most Indian students with a Science or Engineering background, GRE Quantitative Reasoning is the more comfortable section - but overconfidence is a real trap. The GRE tests conceptual understanding and time management more than raw calculation ability, so students who rely solely on formula memorisation often make avoidable errors under timed conditions.
Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis in that order. Prioritise Data Interpretation questions if you are targeting a score above 165 in Quant, as these questions are frequently mismanaged due to poor reading habits rather than lack of mathematical knowledge.
Quantitative Practice Resources
Use section-wise targeted practice to identify and close specific gaps in your Quant preparation before attempting full-length tests.
GRE Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): Tips to Score High
AWA is the section most Indian students prepare the least for - and it shows. The GRE AWA consists of two tasks: Analyse an Issue and Analyse an Argument. A common mistake is writing lengthy essays without a clear structure, which leads to low scores despite good English writing skills.
Each essay should follow a tight 5-paragraph format. For the Argument task in particular, your job is to critique the reasoning of a given argument - not to share your opinion on the topic. Students who misunderstand this distinction consistently score below 4.0.
To build a strong AWA preparation strategy, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) for GRE course on EduRev covers essay templates, scored sample responses, and timed writing practice.
Best GRE Vocabulary Building Techniques and Flashcard Tips
GRE vocabulary preparation is non-negotiable for anyone aiming to improve their Verbal score. The GRE tests high-frequency academic words in context, which means rote memorisation of definitions alone is insufficient - you need to understand how words are used in complex sentences.
The most effective GRE vocabulary strategy involves learning words in thematic clusters and revisiting them using spaced repetition. Aim for 15-20 new words daily in the first four weeks, then shift to revision mode in Weeks 5-8 to consolidate retention before exam day.
Vocabulary Building Tools
These flashcard-based resources help you internalise GRE word lists through active recall, which is far more effective than reading word lists passively.
How to Use GRE Mock Tests and Practice Tests Effectively
Taking GRE mock tests without reviewing errors is one of the biggest time-wasters in GRE preparation. Many students take practice tests simply to count their scores, missing the real value - error analysis. Every incorrect answer points to a specific skill gap that, once fixed, directly improves your score.
Schedule at least one full-length mock test per week from Week 3 onward. Reserve at least 90 minutes after each test exclusively for reviewing wrong answers and understanding why you got them wrong. This habit alone can add significant points to your final GRE score.
Mock Test and Weekly Practice Resources
Structured testing at regular intervals helps you build exam stamina and track improvement across the 60-day preparation period.
Top Tips to Maximize Your GRE Score in 2 Months
To crack GRE in 2 months, you need more than hard work - you need smart prioritisation. Here are high-impact strategies that experienced GRE aspirants consistently follow:
- Take a diagnostic test in Week 1 to identify your strongest and weakest sub-sections
- Never skip AWA practice under the belief that it "doesn't count" - graduate schools do review AWA scores
- Maintain a personal error log noting every mistake pattern (e.g., consistently missing Inference-type RC questions)
- For GRE preparation tips for working professionals: study in two focused 45-minute slots rather than one long session
- Shift to revision and mock-test mode in the final two weeks - avoid introducing new topics close to exam day
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Preparing for GRE
Understanding what not to do can save you weeks of misdirected effort during your GRE preparation strategy. These are the most frequently observed mistakes among Indian GRE aspirants:
- Neglecting Verbal entirely: Indian students with strong Quant backgrounds often under-prepare for Verbal, which carries equal weight in the final score
- Memorising GRE word lists without context: The GRE tests words in nuanced sentences - knowing only a definition is rarely enough to answer Text Completion questions correctly
- Skipping timed practice: Practising without a timer creates a false sense of readiness - time pressure in the actual GRE changes how you approach questions entirely
- Ignoring Reading Comprehension until the last week: RC improvement requires consistent daily practice over several weeks, not a last-minute cram
- Over-relying on a single resource: Combining section-specific courses, vocabulary tools, and full-length mocks produces better results than using only one type of material
Best GRE Preparation Courses and Resources
Choosing the right GRE preparation course determines how efficiently you use your 60 days. EduRev offers a comprehensive set of section-specific and full-preparation courses tailored to different learning needs - from beginners preparing from scratch to students looking for a final-week revision boost.
Complete GRE Preparation Courses on EduRev
These courses cover the full GRE syllabus with structured content, practice questions, and assessments to support your end-to-end GRE self-study plan.
How to Improve GRE Reading Comprehension Skills Fast
GRE reading comprehension practice is most effective when you treat RC passages as arguments, not narratives. Every passage has a central claim, supporting evidence, and often a counter-argument. Students who struggle with RC typically focus on memorising facts from the passage rather than identifying the author's purpose - a mistake that leads to wrong answers on Inference and Main Idea questions.
Start with shorter two-paragraph passages in Weeks 1-2, then progressively move to longer academic passages on science, humanities, and social science topics. Aim to complete at least 3-4 RC passages daily during your GRE Verbal preparation phase. Practising with diverse passage topics also reduces the surprise factor on exam day when an unfamiliar subject appears.
Sustained RC practice across 100 high-quality passages is one of the best ways to build the reading speed and comprehension accuracy the GRE demands - a goal supported by dedicated reading comprehension resources available on EduRev for focused, exam-aligned practice.
FAQs on How to Prepare for GRE in 2 Months
| 1. Can I actually prepare for the GRE in just 2 months? |  |
| 2. What's the best way to split my 2-month GRE prep between math and reading? | |
| 3. How many practice tests should I take while preparing for GRE in 8 weeks? | |
| 4. What GRE topics should I focus on if I have limited preparation time? | |
| 5. Is 2 months enough to improve my GRE verbal score from average to competitive? | |
