Last Updated on April 27, 2023
Many people dread the thought of sitting for standardized tests (not to mention the test prep beforehand), and the GRE is no exception. So, it’s no surprise that graduate school hopefuls often ask us, “Is the GRE hard?” Of course, the answer is not so cut and dried. The fact is, how difficult the GRE is for YOU depends on the gap between your current skill level and the skill level necessary to get your target GRE score. The good news is, anyone who is motivated to put in the time and effort necessary CAN close that gap — however wide it is — and earn a competitive GRE score.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some aspects of the GRE that can present challenges for test-takers and answer some of the most common questions related to the difficulty of the GRE. Plenty of test-takers worry that they won’t be able to excel on the GRE, but rest assured, with a smart study plan and a winning mindset, you can overcome the GRE’s challenges!
To start, let’s discuss some aspects of the GRE that can seem intimidating to test-takers, and why they’re not as “scary” as they seem.
- The Intimidation Factor of the GRE
- How Long Does it Take to Prepare for the GRE?
- Is it Hard to Get 300 on the GRE?
- How Difficult is the Math on the GRE Test?
- Is the GRE Harder Than the GMAT?
The Intimidation Factor of the GRE
As with all standardized tests, preparing for and taking the GRE can feel like an overwhelming and intimidating task for many reasons, which may or may not have to do with the content that the GRE tests. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why “the intimidation factor” of the GRE is high for many test-takers, and how we can deal with these challenging features of the exam.
The Test Center Environment
Challenge:
A hard chair, fluorescent lighting, air conditioning on full blast — GRE test centers can be pretty uncomfortable settings for a long exam. Even the commute to the test center and the check-in process can produce a fair amount of anxiety, so it’s no wonder that test-takers often feel stressed and nervous in the unfamiliar environment of the test center.
Solution:
There are plenty of easy and effective strategies you can use to prepare yourself for the test center environment. For example, you can (and should) mirror test conditions when taking full-length practice tests, you can do a dry run of your commute to the test center, and you can put together a checklist of the items that you’ll need to bring to the test center. All of these simple tactics can help take the nerves down a notch before test day and during your exam.
Remember also that if you’ve already taken standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect at a test center and how you can make the experience as comfortable as possible for yourself.
Of course, test-takers nowadays also have the option of taking the online GRE, so if you think you’ll be better able to focus and do your best work at home, certainly look into the online exam.
TTP PRO TIP:
There are plenty of easy and effective strategies you can use to prepare yourself for the GRE test center environment.
The Timed Sections
Challenge:
For most test-takers, the fact that every section of the GRE is timed adds a significant layer of difficulty and anxiety to the exam. Let’s take a look at a breakdown of how the sections are structured:
As we can see, test-takers are not given much time to answer each GRE question. So, part of the challenge of the GRE is being economical and strategic with your time.
Solution:
GRE questions are designed to be answerable by well-prepared test-takers in the time allotted. So, with the right training and practice, you will be able to answer GRE questions in a reasonable amount of time.
First and foremost, if you want to be able to answer GRE questions quickly, you have to know the material well. So, a smart test prep plan will build your knowledge of the content and skill at answering practice questions before attempting to build your speed. Don’t put the cart before the horse!
For more expert advice on tackling the challenges of time restrictions on the GRE, check out these timing strategies for a higher GRE quant score and this article on how to get faster at GRE math.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you want to be able to answer GRE questions quickly, you must first know the material well.
The Length of the Exam
Challenge:
Including check-in and breaks, GRE tests are nearly 4 hours long. There is no getting around the fact that the length of the exam adds to the challenge of earning a high GRE score. After all, you have to be able to perform at your best throughout the entirety of the exam.
Solution:
You can develop the mental and physical stamina you need for the GRE by taking full-length practice tests under realistic test-day conditions. By taking these practice tests at strategic times during your test prep, you will train yourself for the rigors of the GRE testing experience.
TTP PRO TIP:
Develop your ability to withstand the rigors of the GRE testing experience by taking full-length practice tests under realistic conditions.
The Length of Time Out of School
Challenge:
A good portion of what the GRE tests is content that many people learned in high school math and English classes. So, if you haven’t touched topics such as subject-verb agreement, algebra, and geometry since high school, many of your GRE-related skills may be rusty. And the longer it has been since you’ve studied those topics, the longer you may need to refresh your knowledge and skills.
Solution:
Planning ahead is the key to proper GRE prep. If it has been several years since you studied GRE-related topics, give yourself an extra cushion of test prep time, so you can ensure that you fill in any knowledge gaps that have formed over the years.
TTP PRO TIP:
Give yourself an extra cushion of GRE prep time if high school math and English are distant in your mind.
Undeniably, there are some challenges inherent in taking standardized tests such as the GRE, but as you can see, there are relatively simple and highly effective ways to overcome those challenges. So, we need not be intimidated by the GRE. We just need to be prepared for it!
Now, let’s answer a few common questions related to how hard the GRE is.
How Long Does it Take to Prepare for the GRE?
There is no getting around the fact that preparing for the GRE requires significant study time for most test-takers. Between a busy schedule at work or school and other responsibilities, part of the challenge of the GRE is making sure that you can study day in and day out for your exam.
Another part of the challenge is giving yourself a realistic time frame for your test prep. Test-takers have different educational backgrounds, skill levels, rates of learning, GRE score goals, schedules, and access to quality GRE prep courses. So, no two test-takers will be exactly alike in the amount of time they need to prepare for the GRE.
One thing is for sure: if you haven’t found time to study in the months leading up to your GRE, attempting to cram for your exam in two or three weeks is not a reliable solution. There is simply too much content that can be tested on the GRE for last-minute study sessions, shortcuts, and “hacks” to suffice if you need to earn a high score.
For expert advice on how much time you’ll need to reach your GRE score goal, this article on figuring out how long to study for the GRE will help.
TTP PRO TIP:
Because there is so much to learn in order to earn a high GRE score, cramming for the exam is a recipe for failure.
Is it Hard to Get 300 on the GRE?
According to the latest data from ETS (the GRE test-maker), the mean GRE score on the Verbal Reasoning section is about 150 and the mean score on the Quantitative Reasoning section is about 154. So, earning a 300 on the GRE puts you at about the average of all GRE test-takers. For most students applying to graduate school, performing at an average level is not what they would view as “hard.”
Now, you have to ask yourself, is an average score all you need to be competitive at your target schools? Depending on your other qualifications for graduate schools and which schools you’re targeting, you may need to aim higher. Fortunately, even an impressive GRE score of 330+ is within reach if you’re willing to study hard, study smart, and make some sacrifices along the way.
KEY FACT:
The mean GRE score on the Verbal Reasoning section is about 150 and the mean score on the Quantitative Reasoning section is about 154.
Check out this article to learn more about what is considered a good GRE score.
How Difficult is the Math on the GRE Test?
Some people stop taking math after high school, so it can be daunting to think about performing well on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE. The truth is, however, that the actual math concepts to know for GRE Quant questions are no more advanced than high school level. What can make GRE math problems challenging is the analytical reasoning skills required to answer them.
Of course, you can learn all of the skills you need to excel at GRE math, even if you’re not a “math whiz.” You just have to be willing to put in the work. The idea that some people are just “not math people” is a complete fallacy.
If you’d like to give a few practice math problems a try, check out these 10 realistic GRE practice questions.
KEY FACT:
The actual math concepts to know for GRE Quant questions are no more advanced than high school level.
Is the GRE Harder Than the GMAT?
The answer to the question of which exam is harder, the GRE or the GMAT, depends on your particular strengths and weaknesses. If you’re a grammar guru, you may be well-suited to GMAT Sentence Correction questions, whereas someone with a strong vocabulary may find the GRE’s vocab-heavy Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions easier to tackle. If you’re particularly concerned about your level of skill in quantitative concepts, you may find GMAT quant, which tends to test multiple math concepts at once, somewhat more challenging than GRE quant. On the other hand, if you have a strong math background already and are more concerned about learning a large number of vocabulary words in a limited amount of time, you may find the GMAT better suited to your strengths.
To learn more about how the two exams stack up against each other, check out this article comparing the GRE with the GMAT. Just remember, regardless of which exam you take, you’re probably going to need to put in some serious time and effort to properly prepare. There is no “easy way out” when it comes to gaining entry to graduate school, but at the end of the day, your efforts will be worth it!
