This article discusses how, why, and what kind of software can help you do well in the verbal reasoning component of the GRE.
What is the GRE?
The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is like an IQ or Intelligence Quotient test. The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
This article is mainly about the verbal reasoning component of the GRE, which is "designed to test the ability to reason with words in solving problems" (Educational Testing Service). More specifically still, this article concerns the GRE questions that test vocabulary, such as questions on analogies, antonyms, and sentence completions.
The GRE measures intelligence by measuring vocabulary
A major similarity between the GRE and an IQ test is said to be the extent to which you can prepare for the tests. In theory, both the IQ test and the GRE test your underlying intelligence — or "ability" — rather than substantive knowledge or how much stuff you know. Thus, the content of these tests is sometimes said to be un-coachable.
The main way these tests try to ascertain your underlying intelligence, or ability, is by testing your vocabulary. These tests examine your vocabulary because it is believed that English vocabulary level is highly correlated with intelligence (see, for example, R Bowker, English Vocabulary Manual (1981) 1).
Improving your vocabulary improves your GRE score
It follows that if you can improve your vocabulary, then you can improve your GRE score. Even more useful is if you can predict the exact vocabulary words the GRE will test you on and then learn those specific words. But can you predict the vocabulary words the GRE will test you on?
There are probably only about 2000 core words that "intelligent" people are meant to know; if this is true, then the GRE must use words, or similar words, from this stock of 2000 if the GRE aims to assess intelligence. So if you learn these 2000 or so words, then, theoretically, you should do well on the GRE.
A similar approach has been taken by the popular and highly respected Ultimate Vocabulary software. Ultimate Vocabulary comes with a special GRE edition that tests you on 2000 words especially selected to improve your GRE score (click "For GRE Exam").
Now that you've found a good stock of vocabulary words, learn them well
Finding a good stock of 2000 vocabulary words is only part of your task. Once you have targeted your vocabulary words, you must learn them; and learn them well.
But take care. Make sure you are not exploited: some software and training programs charge you thousands of dollars and some rely on outdated and inefficient techniques.
Use recommended GRE vocabulary software
We recommend Ultimate Vocabulary because of its stock of targeted GRE vocabulary words and because the software is based on sound techniques that have been thoroughly researched, such as the principle of improving vocabulary through elaboration.