The 30-Day GRE Study Plan: The Definitive Guide

Start with this 30-day map

Most students don’t fail because the GRE is impossible. They fail because 30 days vanish without a structure. This guide keeps each week narrow and repeatable.

The current GRE has five sections, takes about 1 hour 58 minutes, and still tests Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. That means your plan has to cover problem solving, data interpretation, text completion, sentence equivalence, reading comprehension and a timed Issue task. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

You will see four blocks of 7–8 days. Each block has Quant days, Verbal days, mixed days, and one day that is lighter or review-only. You can adjust later, but start with the clean version first.

Any time you aren’t sure what to practice, return to official questions. ETS gives overviews, section samples and POWERPREP practice tests that match the latest format. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

How to read the rest of this guide

Move in order. Do Chapter 1 before Chapter 2. Don’t jump to Week 4 tests before you know your baseline. If you follow the order, your day 30 has real data behind it.

If you have already bought a book or course, map its chapters to our days. Example: put Official GRE practice tests on Day 21 and Day 26, and keep daily vocab from your source.

Before you start: baselines, goals, and ETS facts

Day 0 is the day before your 30 days start. You will collect information, not chase scores. One afternoon here can save five bad study days later.

1. Confirm what the GRE currently looks like

Since September 22, 2023 the GRE has been shorter. It runs about 1 hour 58 minutes with five sections, not six, but it still measures the same skills that schools trust. Don’t build a plan around an old 3 hour 45 minute blueprint. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Go to the official structure page and look at the minutes and question counts for Verbal and Quant. That tells you what “pacing” really means. You can also see that the Analytical Writing measure is now one task — Analyze an Issue — so you can schedule AWA work more efficiently. [ Source: ETS Newsroom. (ETS) ]

2. Get your baseline score

Use an official source for this. POWERPREP Online and the free mini quiz on ETS have the newest question shapes and timing. Non-official tests can be useful later, but day 0 should be as close to the real thing as possible. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Write down three numbers:

1. Verbal score
2. Quant score
3. AWA 0–6 estimate (if provided)

Also jot where you felt slow — long RC passages, data interpretation sets, or multi-blank text completions. Those are your “priority lanes.”

3. Set a realistic target

Suppose your baseline is 153 Verbal, 155 Quant. In 30 days you can often jump 4–7 total points if you study daily and review mistakes. Larger jumps are possible, but they demand more weekend time and tighter review logs.

Pick a target like this: “I will reach 158–160 Quant and 156–158 Verbal in 30 days.” That’s ambitious but achievable for a month. If your program wants 165+ Quant (common for some engineering MS), keep the 30-day plan but expect to add a second month of refinement.

4. Confirm your test date and registration

Registering early on ETS locks your seat and fixes your 30-day window. ETS lets you schedule the GRE online, and you can reschedule if you act before the deadline in your region. Don’t wait to confirm, because local test centers and certain at-home slots fill up. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Students in India should check the India-specific registration page for ID requirements and the latest bulletin. [ Source: ETS India. (ETS India) ]

If your goal is to make the test cheaper, get informed about GRE fee waiver options early, because those have forms and proof documents.

5. Start an error log and resource list

Open a document or sheet with four columns: date, source, question ID/topic, mistake & fix. Every time you miss an ETS-style question, add it here. You will use this in Weeks 3 and 4.

Make a short “resource menu” too:

1. Official ETS pages (structure, prep, POWERPREP)
2. Your main prep book or course
3. A vocab source (word list, flashcard app, or your own deck)
4. A reading source such as university writing centers or graduate program blogs for higher-level prose

When your day says “RC practice,” you pick from the menu instead of wasting time searching.

Day 0 checklist (print-friendly)

1. Confirm GRE format and timing for your year on ETS.
2. Take an official-style baseline test.
3. Write your V/Q/AWA baselines.
4. Set your 30-day target band.
5. Register for your real test date.
6. Start error log + resource menu.

The 4-week structure that makes 30 days work

Now you know where you stand. Let’s divide your month. We will run 4 themed weeks. Each week leans on one big outcome and repeats a simple daily rhythm.

This is the high-view version. You will see day-by-day later inside the week chapters.

Week-by-week intention

1. Week 1 – build base skills: arithmetic, algebra, word problems, vocab, short RC.
2. Week 2 – add difficulty: harder Quant topics, longer RC, multi-blank TC, mixed practice.
3. Week 3 – timed drills + AWA + data interpretation; start mixing weak areas.
4. Week 4 – mock tests, review, light polishing, test-day simulation.

Daily rhythm you can remember

Most students do well with a 3-block day:

1. Block A (30–45 min): new learning (concept or strategy).
2. Block B (45–60 min): deliberate practice (10–20 questions of the thing you learned).
3. Block C (15–30 min): review and vocab.

On weekends, add a 4th block for mini tests or RC marathons. If you’re working full-time, keep the same order but shorten Block B on weekdays and compensate on Saturday.

Quant vs. Verbal distribution

The shorter GRE has the same two core reasoning measures, so we still need balance. For engineering/quant-heavy applicants, keep 4 Quant days and 3 Verbal days in a week. For language-heavy or humanities applicants, flip it to 3 Quant, 3 Verbal, 1 mixed. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Every 3–4 days, insert a mixed set of 8–10 questions taken from your error log. That protects your gains.

Linking the plan to what ETS actually tests

ETS says the Verbal measure checks your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, synthesize information and understand vocabulary-in-context. So Week 1 and 2 will always include one day of RC and one day of TC/SE. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

ETS says Quant checks problem solving, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. That’s why this month puts data interpretation in Week 3 (after you remember graphs and tables) and word problems in Week 1 (they appear everywhere). [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Sample 7-day template

1. Day 1: Quant concept + 10 practice + vocab
2. Day 2: Verbal TC/SE + RC short + vocab
3. Day 3: Quant problem solving + DI intro
4. Day 4: Verbal RC long passage + note-taking
5. Day 5: Mixed set from error log + AWA 30 min
6. Day 6: Mini test (section-level) + review
7. Day 7: Light review, flashcards, schedule next week

Days 5 and 6 are your big shareable wins — they show visible progress and can be screenshotted for accountability.

Internal pages to read alongside this week

When you build your Day 1 basket, it helps to glance at GRE quantitative reasoning topics. For Verbal days, keep a tab open for GRE verbal reasoning strategies. If you revert to ETS material only, that’s fine too — just keep the structure.

Week 1: Quant foundations & verbal basics

Week 1 turns your plan into action. You’ll rebuild core math and refresh the verbal pieces that show up most. Keep your sessions short and frequent.

Goal for Week 1

By the end of Day 7 you should:

1. Be solid on arithmetic, fractions, ratios, percents and simple algebraic equations.
2. Be comfortable with single-blank text completion and sentence equivalence basics.
3. Have read at least 3 short RC passages and practiced main idea questions.
4. Have 40–60 new vocabulary items in your deck.

Day-by-day walkthrough

Day 1 – Quant refresh

Start with arithmetic and percents. These appear across problem solving and data interpretation. Use your main book or ETS math review and do 10–15 questions right after reading. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

End with 15 minutes of vocab — pick words with GRE-friendly roots, not random SAT words. Link any math word problems you meet to the vocabulary you’re learning so they stick.

Day 2 – Verbal basics

Do TC and SE first because they’re fast and give you confidence. Use 1–2 official-style passages after that. When you read, do it the way graduate schools like: find the purpose of the passage, then the structure. That same method will help when you study GRE reading comprehension techniques.

Day 3 – Quant word problems

Work on ratios, work-rate, and simple geometry. Make notes in your error log for any question where you misread the unit or condition.

Day 4 – RC focus

Pick 2–3 short passages from official or high-quality sources. Time each set. Aim for accuracy first. If you keep missing inference questions, add 2 more from your resource menu.

Day 5 – Mixed and AWA

Take 8–10 questions from the previous four days and do them timed. Then write one 30-minute Issue task. Use ETS’s topic pool to see what real prompts look like. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Day 6 – Mini test

Simulate one Verbal section and one Quant section in a single sitting. Sit in a quiet room, use only allowed tools, and follow the exact time per section.

Day 7 – Light review

Revisit your error log. Tag problems by topic (e.g., “algebra equations,” “two-blank TC”). Preview Week 2’s advanced topics.

Micro-task for this week

Write a one-line reflection for each day in your log. Example: “RC was slow because I reread the whole passage.” This keeps your mind in improvement mode.

Week 2: Advanced Quant & reading comprehension

Week 2 is where your 30-day GRE study plan starts to feel like real GRE prep. You have basics from Week 1. Now you add difficulty, mix topics, and stretch your reading stamina.

The GRE’s adaptive design rewards solid early performance. If you do well on the first Quantitative Reasoning section, the second one can be harder — so Week 2 teaches you to survive the harder material. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Week 2 objectives

1. Strengthen higher-yield Quant: exponents, inequalities, word problems with multiple steps, and data interpretation.
2. Handle longer RC passages and inference-style questions.
3. Mix text completion (2–3 blanks) with sentence equivalence so vocabulary sticks.
4. Keep the error log growing and start tagging by difficulty.

Day-by-day plan for Week 2

Day 8 – Quant: exponents, roots, inequalities

Start with the math review from your main source or the ETS math content outline, then do 12–15 questions that use those rules inside word problems. When you get an inequality wrong, write the condition that confused you (≤ vs <). That habit matters for data analysis later. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Day 9 – Verbal: long RC and argument structure

Pick 2 long passages. Time each for 8–9 minutes. Do not reread from scratch unless the question tells you to. Find the author’s claim, tone, and paragraph role. Then do 4–6 TC/SE questions to keep vocab alive.

Passages from university writing centers or business/law school blogs are good practice because they use academic transitions similar to GRE passages. Link this to your own reference pages such as GRE reading comprehension techniques so you can recheck methods quickly.

Day 10 – Quant: word problems & rates

Focus on work-rate, mixture, and set problems. These often combine 2–3 operations and punish careless setup. Write the equation first, then plug numbers.

Day 11 – Verbal: high-precision TC/SE

Use 3-blank text completion and tricky sentence equivalence. The goal is to make context your friend. Annotate clues: contrast, cause, definition-in-line. Build word families in your deck. You will use these words again in AWA to make your essay more precise.

Day 12 – Data interpretation & mixed set

DI is almost always worth learning because it shows up in Quant and it tests reading + math together. ETS explains that Quantitative Reasoning includes questions that ask you to interpret and analyze quantitative information and solve problems using mathematical models. That’s DI. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Do 2 DI sets, then do 6–8 mixed questions from previous days. Add every miss to the error log.

Day 13 – Section-level practice

Simulate one Verbal or one Quant section in test-like timing. Use POWERPREP Online if you still have an unused form; it is the closest to the real test because it uses the same scoring logic. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Day 14 – Review & vocab

Look back at Days 8–13. Mark 10 problems you would teach to someone else. Teaching-level clarity means you’ve learned it. Preview Week 3.

Micro-task for Week 2

Write one “RC takeaway” and one “Quant takeaway” each day. Example: “RC takeaway: main idea first.” “Quant takeaway: inequalities need sign-checking.” These become your personal checklist for Week 4 mocks.

Week 3: High-level drills, pacing and AWA

By Week 3 your foundation is in place. Now we push speed, stamina, and writing. This is also the week when you fold in every mistake you wrote down earlier.

The Analytical Writing measure on the GRE has one 30-minute “Analyze an Issue” task. If you’ve ignored writing until now, Week 3 is your moment to practice 2–3 times so you don’t freeze on test day. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Week 3 objectives

1. Run 2–3 timed drills (Verbal or Quant) on separate days.
2. Write at least 2 full AWA Issue essays from the official topic pool.
3. Do at least 1 long mixed set built from your error log.
4. Start scoring yourself for pacing — not just correctness.

Day-by-day plan for Week 3

Day 15 – Timed Quant drill + error log

Set 18 minutes and do 12 Quant questions (match the current section length). Then take 10 minutes to review and write fixes. Keep a note of which questions you guessed on. Later we will plug this into Week 4 mocks. [ Source: Shiksha, GRE Exam Pattern 2025. (Shiksha) ]

Day 16 – AWA practice

Open the official Issue topic pool and pick one prompt that looks unfamiliar. Write for 30 minutes, no pause, no grammar perfecting. Your job is to present a position, defend it with examples, and organize it clearly. ETS raters check how well you develop and support your position, not whether your idea is the most original. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

After writing, grade yourself using the scoring guide notes and rewrite the introduction to make it stronger.

Day 17 – Verbal drill + RC depth

Do 1 timed Verbal set. Then pick 1 very long passage (even from high-quality prep blogs or university articles) and practice spotting thesis, support, counterpoint. This trains you for the toughest RC questions.

Day 18 – Mixed error-log set

Build a 15–18 question set from your own mistakes. Mix Quant, Verbal, and DI. Doing this teaches your brain to switch tasks like the real test. Track time.

Day 19 – AWA second essay + vocab

Write another Issue essay. Try to use 5 GRE-level words you learned in Week 1 and 2. That proves to yourself that the vocab practice is useful everywhere.

Day 20 – Stamina builder

Do two timed sections back-to-back, for example Verbal then Quant, with just the allowed short break. This gives you a 40–45 minute stamina session that feels very close to the real exam length now. You can do this with POWERPREP tests too. [ Source: ETS POWERPREP. (ETS) ]

Day 21 – Light review + planning Week 4

Sort your error log by topic and by cause (concept, misread, time). Plan to hit those in Week 4 full tests.

Micro-task for Week 3

Record your time per question in at least one drill. Example: “RC Q1 – 45s, Q2 – 1m 10s.” This becomes a personal pacing profile.

AWA quick formula you can reuse

Here is a simple 5-paragraph shape for the 30-minute Issue task:

1. Intro: restate issue, take a clear stand, preview 2–3 reasons.
2. Body 1: strongest reason with example (your field, your country, or a university example).
3. Body 2: second reason, show nuance.
4. Body 3 / counter: show when your view might not apply, but explain why your view is still better.
5. Conclusion: restate and point to long-term benefit.

This format works because it aligns with what ETS says about developing a compelling argument and communicating it clearly to an academic audience. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Week 4: Full-length tests, review loops, confidence

Week 4 is the bridge between practice and performance. You already know the format, your weaknesses, and your timing. Now you will simulate the real test, review with purpose, and lock in test-day habits.

ETS recommends using official practice tests because they represent the closest experience to test day, including the on-screen calculator, navigation, and adaptive behavior. So if you still have a POWERPREP form left, save it for this week. [ Source: ETS POWERPREP. (ETS) ]

Week 4 objectives

1. Take 2 full-length or near-full-length practice tests.
2. Review every single missed or guessed question.
3. Rehearse test-day logistics (ID, login, break).
4. Lower cognitive load so you arrive fresh.

Day 22 – Full test 1

Run a full test in one sitting. Sit at a desk, not on a couch. Use a quiet room. Keep water and permitted items nearby. Treat it as real.

Day 23 – Deep review

Spend 60–90 minutes reviewing Day 22. Write a fix statement for every error: “I didn’t simplify,” “I ignored ‘except’ in RC,” “I chose a synonym instead of a context-fit word.” Add these to your log.

Day 24 – Targeted drills from review

Take 10–12 questions only from the topics you missed in Test 1 — maybe geometry, maybe long RC, maybe DI. This is how you turn a test into learning.

Day 25 – Full test 2 (or section combo)

If you have a second official practice test, take it now. If you don’t, pair one Verbal and one Quant section from non-official but high-quality sources and do them back-to-back.

Day 26 – Review test 2

Same process as Day 23. Mark progress compared to Test 1.

Day 27 – Light polishing

Do flashcards, quick TC/SE, and 4–5 Quant questions. Keep it short.

Day 28 – Logistics and test-day rehearsal

Check your ID requirements, test center route, and reporting codes. ETS specifies acceptable ID documents by country, so check the official page if you’re unsure. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Also confirm your test-day policies if you’re taking the GRE at home (equipment, room scan, breaks). [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Day 29 – Mental reset

Go over your “top 20” mistakes, but do not cram new topics. Sleep well.

Day 30 – Test day

Follow the rituals in the next section to stay calm and consistent.

Test-day rituals & 24-hour plan

You have done the work. Don’t let nerves or logistics undo it. A simple 24-hour script keeps you calm and lets you walk into the GRE like it’s just another practice test.

ETS explains that you must bring valid, acceptable identification and arrive on time, otherwise you may not be admitted and your fee could be forfeited. So test-day prep is part of GRE prep. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

24 hours before your GRE

1. Check location or software: if you are going to a center, confirm the address and travel time. If you are testing at home, confirm ProctorU / ETS at-home requirements (quiet room, computer, camera). [ Source: ETS – GRE at Home. (ETS) ]
2. Lay out your ID: passport or other ETS-approved ID for your country. Keep it in your bag.
3. Skim your top 20 mistakes: re-read the solutions so your brain remembers the fixes, not the failures.
4. Do 10–12 light questions: no new topics, only review-level.
5. Sleep 7–8 hours: cognitive performance dips fast without sleep.

Morning-of script

Follow this simple flow:

1. Wake up early. Eat something light.
2. Read 2–3 vocab cards. This primes language.
3. Skim one RC passage. Answers don’t matter; rhythm matters.
4. Review timing plan. For example: “Quant: average 1m30s; Verbal: don’t overstay on TC.”
5. Leave early / log in early. Avoid stress.

In-center ritual

When you sit at the terminal:

1. Take 3 deep, slow breaths.
2. Tell yourself: “I’ve done timed GRE sections all week. This is one more.”
3. On the first 2–3 questions of any section, move carefully. Early accuracy helps the adaptive system show you appropriate-level questions. [ Source: ETS – Measure Overview. (ETS) ]

At-home ritual

If you chose the at-home GRE:

1. Do a 5-minute tech check the night before.
2. Clear your desk so the room scan is easy.
3. Tell people in your house your test window so you’re not interrupted.

Remember that at-home testing has strict rules about your workspace, so follow the ETS list carefully to avoid cancellations. [ Source: ETS – GRE at Home. (ETS) ]

What not to do on test day

1. Don’t try a new technique. Use the methods you practiced.
2. Don’t cram brand-new word lists. It creates anxiety.
3. Don’t skip the break. Even one minute of stretching refreshes your focus.

Free resources, drills & quick wins

Even in a 30-day GRE study plan, you don’t have to buy everything. Mix official materials with trusted free ones. The trick is to stay close to the real test style.

1. Official and near-official sources

1. ETS Official GRE page: format, timing, sample questions and POWERPREP. This is your primary reference. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]
2. ETS Analytical Writing page: has the full Issue pool — bookmark it for Week 3. [ Source: ETS – AWA Topic Pool. (ETS) ]
3. ETS POWERPREP practice tests: use in Week 4 or when you want a score read that mimics the real thing. [ Source: ETS – POWERPREP. (ETS) ]

2. University and writing-center resources

Many university writing centers publish guides on critical reading and argument analysis. These are great complements to GRE RC and AWA because they show you academic language in context. Link to one or two of these inside your study notes so you read advanced prose every week.

3. Quick drills you can repeat every week

1. 10 TC/SE in 7 minutes. Train for speed.
2. 1 DI set + 5 Quant word problems. Train for switching.
3. 1 long RC passage. Train for stamina.

These take 20–25 minutes total and fit easily into busy days.

4. External high-quality blogs / test-prep educators

When you need alternate explanations, you can read respected test-prep blogs and teacher channels that analyze real GRE-style questions. Use them to clarify, not to replace your official core.

Customize for working students & retakers

Not everyone has 2 hours a day. Some of you work full-time. Some of you are retaking and only need to fix Verbal. This section shows you how to bend the 30-day GRE study plan without breaking it.

1. If you work full-time (5–6 days)

Use a 3–2–2 rhythm:

1. 3 weekdays: 45–60 minutes only. Do Block A (new) + vocab.
2. 2 weekdays: 60–75 minutes. Do Block B (practice) + log review.
3. 2 weekend days: 3–4 hours total to catch up and do timed sets.

This keeps the weekly theme (Week 1 basics, Week 2 depth, Week 3 drills, Week 4 mocks) but stretches the daily volume into the weekend.

2. If you are retaking the GRE

Start from your old score report. ETS describes how score reports show your performance for each measure, so read which one lagged. Then rearrange the weeks to give that measure two heavy days each week. [ Source: ETS – Scores. (ETS) ]

Example: if Quant was 168 but Verbal was 150, then every week should have 2 RC days, 1 TC/SE day, and 1 mixed Verbal review day. Quant can stay in maintenance mode with 5–6 questions a day.

3. If you have less than 30 days

Use the same order but compress weeks:

1. Combine Week 1 and Week 2 into a 6–7 day “skills bootcamp.”
2. Keep Week 3 drills.
3. Do at least 1 mock from Week 4.

Then build a short “7-day GRE crash plan” page on your site so anyone on a tight deadline still feels served — and link to this 30-day plan for the full version.

4. If your Quant is already strong

Swap 1–2 Quant days with high-level Verbal and AWA. Read long, abstract passages — philosophy, education policy, business ethics — and practice identifying the author’s assumptions. This is how you hit the upper Verbal bands that many graduate programs love to see.

5. If English is not your first language

Add 10 minutes a day of aloud reading from English academic sources. It improves speed, comfort, and retention, which makes RC and AWA easier.

Make it real and stick to it

You now have the month mapped. You saw baselines, 4-week structure, week-by-week tasks, test-day rituals, and ways to customize it if you work or retake. The only thing left is to execute.

Start with Day 0 today. Register, confirm the current format on ETS, and write your baseline. Then open Week 1 and do the first 30–45 minutes. That’s how every successful 30-day GRE study plan begins. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Keep this page bookmarked. That way, you never leave your own ecosystem while you prep.

Daily accountability formula

1. Open this guide. Find your day in the correct week.
2. Do Block A, Block B, Block C. Mark done.
3. Update error log. One line is enough.
4. Share your progress with a friend or group so you stay on track.

That’s it. Repeat 30 times.

What to do after the test

If you hit your target, great — update your application pages and move to essays. If you were close but not quite there, you already have an error log, test-day habits, and a 30-day calendar. Run it again for 15 more days, focusing only on the sections you missed. For fee-related questions, return to GRE fee waiver to see if you can lower costs on the next attempt.

FAQs

Here are short, practical answers to questions that usually come up when students try to do the GRE in one month.

1. Is 30 days really enough to prepare for the current GRE?

Yes, if you can give 1.5–2 hours on weekdays and 3–4 hours on weekends, and if you follow a structured calendar like the one above. The GRE is now about 1 hour 58 minutes, but the skills it tests — reasoning, vocabulary-in-context, analytical writing — still need repetition. A month gives you just enough time to touch every skill once and review high-yield areas twice. [ Source: ETS – Test Structure. (ETS) ]

2. What if I miss 1–2 days in the plan?

Don’t panic. Move the missed blocks to your next light day or to the weekend. The order of weeks matters more than exact dates. Keep Week 4 for mocks and review, because that’s where score jumps usually show up.

3. Can I do the GRE fully online from home within these 30 days?

Yes. ETS offers the GRE General Test at home in many locations if your equipment, environment, and ID meet their rules. You must still schedule it and follow room scan requirements. Check the ETS at-home page before your 30 days start so your test date fits your calendar. [ Source: ETS – GRE at Home. (ETS) ]

4. How many full-length practice tests should I take?

In a 30-day plan, 2 is the sweet spot: one in Week 4 Day 22, one on Day 25 (or a close simulation). If you have more time, you can insert a section-level practice in Week 2 or 3 using POWERPREP Online. [ Source: ETS – POWERPREP. (ETS) ]

5. Which official page should I bookmark first?

Bookmark the main ETS GRE page and the test-structure page. Those two pages tell you what the test currently looks like, which lets you update your study plan every year without rewriting everything. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

6. I’m weak in Verbal. Should I still follow this exact order?

Mostly yes, but give Verbal 3 days a week instead of 2. Keep RC every single week.

7. How do I improve my vocabulary in just 30 days?

Use daily micro-sessions. 15–20 words a day, with sentence use, and recycle the words in your AWA essays. When you see the word in a text completion, you will recognize it faster. Add words you meet in practice to your own deck; don’t rely only on fixed lists.

8. What scores can I realistically aim for in one month?

It depends on your baseline. Many students can add 4–7 total points with daily work. Very large jumps (e.g., from 300 to 325) often need more than 30 days or very high daily study time. Use your Week 4 full test to decide if you need to extend.

9. Do I need paid courses if I follow this guide?

No, but paid courses can save time because they organize materials. This guide already organizes the month for you and shows where to insert official ETS resources, which is the most important piece. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

10. Can I reschedule the test if I feel unready at Day 25?

Yes, ETS allows rescheduling if you do it at least the minimum number of days before your test and pay the fee applicable in your region. Always check the current reschedule policy on the official ETS page because it can vary. [ Source: ETS – Reschedule. (ETS) ]

11. How does this plan help with applications?

If you finish the GRE in 30 days, you can spend the next 2–3 weeks on SOPs, LORs, and scholarship essays. The quicker you test, the earlier you can apply, which sometimes supports better funding outcomes at certain schools.

Content Integrity Note

This guide was written with AI assistance and then edited, fact-checked, and aligned to GRE teaching practice by Andrew Williams. Andrew Williams has 10 years of experience coaching GRE students and has consistently helped candidates reach scores needed for top universities. Official test structure, timing, and registration details are sourced from ETS and are cited inline above.