The verbal section of the GRE test (Graduate Record Exam) assesses your understanding of English and the width and depth of your vocabulary. There are no real shortcuts to obtaining a high GRE verbal score. The GRE is basically an Intelligence Quotient test. The verbal section of GRE has a combination of questions that will test your reasoning and critical thinking. The only proven way to do well in the GRE test is to improve your vocabulary.
Improving your vocabulary for the GRE is not difficult if you plan for it well in advance. Reading as many books and other literature as possible will go a long way in improving your knowledge of GRE words. In fact, reading is a solid and fool-proof way to increase your vocabulary. However, this method takes a long time and the number of new words is increased only gradually. If you are keen to take the GRE test, then plan well in advance by reading while you’re still at school so that you have a good GRE vocabulary built over time.
If you’re not a good reader, or if you have left matters too late, then there are several other ways to improve your GRE vocabulary. For example, you can play GRE vocabulary games or use a GRE vocabulary building program. You can also use GRE study guides. However, there is an inherent ability or a substantive knowledge that cannot be altered much. The substantive knowledge or ability can be improved only over a period of time and cannot be changed in a short space of time. Some people believe that it is not possible to coach someone for the GRE test and this is true, to some extent.
But were it possible to predict GRE words and then learn only those specific words, would not GRE verbal prep become easier? The idea of being able to predict GRE words comes from a simple proposition: in the English language, there are only about 2000 words that an intelligent person is supposed to know. If the GRE tests the intelligence of students, then it is more likely that the test will incorporate words, or some variation of them, from this list of 2000 words. By this logic, if you learn these words, then your GRE verbal score should be high.
Some GRE vocabulary builder programs have incorporated this theory by including these "top 2000 words" in the software’s database. One such program is the popular Ultimate Vocabulary software. Likewise, when you select a GRE study guide for your GRE verbal prep, make sure that the guide contains a similar vocabulary list. Learning the more probable words should leave you in good stead in obtaining a good GRE verbal score.
Learning new words is only the first step. As you learn new words, also make sure you take GRE practice tests. You can also take GRE verbal tests online. Whatever the mode, you must take GRE practice tests frequently and keep measuring your progress. The practice tests will ensure that you know how to use the words that you have learnt. Learning new words without knowing how to use them will not help you in the GRE test. The GRE practice tests will also help you identify weak areas, which you can then work on for improvement. A consistent approach adopting a combination of methods will help you obtain a good GRE verbal score.