Is the GRE Really That Difficult? A Few Key Factors to analyze

The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE exam, is an advanced test that is used for graduate and business school programs. It's a computer-based multiple-choice exam with standard exam questions designed to evaluate several types of quantitative reasoning.

The GRE is used for many graduate and business school admissions in the same way that the ACT or SAT are used for undergraduate college applicants. Getting a high GRE score is a great way to set yourself apart from the competitors.

The GRE is typically regarded as more difficult than the ACT and the SAT because, while the math on the GRE is at a lower level than the math on the SAT and ACT, the GRE test has more challenging vocabulary and reading passages, and the math problems have trickier wording or require higher-level thinking.

Are you planning to take the GRE soon and are concerned about the test's difficulty level? Is the GRE really that difficult?

In this article, I'll compare the GRE's difficulty level to that of previous standardized exams you've taken to get a feel of how challenging it is. After that, I'll go through each facet of the GRE that makes it difficult, as well as those that make it simpler than you would expect. Finally, I'll give you some pointers on how to get ready for the GRE on test day.

Why is the GRE such a challenge?

In a word, the GRE exam is difficult because it challenges students to think critically and is not as straightforward as previous tests.

Ordinary students will find the GRE to be more difficult than the SAT or ACT in the end, but it may be more doable after they learn how to overcome its challenges. Your current vocabulary and critical thinking ability will determine whether it is tougher or not.

Let's look at some of the problems you can experience when taking the GRE.

Tricky Vocabulary

The extensive vocabulary on the GRE is a big part of the test's difficulty. Not just in the language-focused portions, but also in all of the problems and essay questions, sophisticated vocabulary is used throughout the exam. In addition, many questions involve test takers to fill in blanks with words or groupings of words, putting their sentence construction, critical thinking abilities, and pure knowledge of higher vocabulary to the test.

This will need students to brush up on their advanced English vocabulary, and it might be a particularly challenging task for ESL students.

Wordings that are difficult to apply

While the vocabulary selections are difficult on their own, the phrasing of some of the questions makes them even more difficult. Many GRE questions need you to apply your logical analytical abilities to identify the proper answer, unraveling the question before solving it, rather than speaking simply. This not only slows you down but also forces you to engage different parts of your brain at the same time.

It's possible to get tripped up or deceived by the wording of some questions, resulting in a false response even though you have all of the necessary information. To overcome this obstacle, students must practice the GRE extensively. You can eventually teach your brain to comprehend.

Time-related factors

Each component of the GRE is timed, which causes students a lot of problems. Because comprehending the questions before answering them accounts for so much of the GRE's difficulty, many first-timers will waste a lot of time on single problems. Students may earn poorer grades as a result, believing they were unprepared for the exam.

The secret to getting a good GRE score is to practice the exam and learn how to swiftly comprehend and answer each question.

Strong mathematical skills are required

The majority of persons who take the SAT or ACT do so in high school, where they are most likely taking regular math classes. On the other hand, some GRE takers may have gone years without taking a math class or having to use their geometry skills. Or you may have always disliked maths and figured you were done with it once you finished your college math requirements.

In either of these cases, you may need to make up a lot of ground to get your math skills up to par, making the GRE more challenging. Algebra, geometry, data tables and graphs, and basic statistics are all tested on the Quantitative Reasoning component of the GRE. To perform well on that section of the exam, you'll need to be well-versed in each of these topics.

Adaptive Format and Computerized Test

Although paper and pencil are still used for the SAT and ACT, practically everyone who takes the GRE does it on a computer. Some people may be confused by this since they aren't used to viewing questions and answers on a screen and prefer to hold and write directly on the test. This implies that some of your test-taking tactics, such as scribbling notes in the margins or marking off answers you've ruled out, may need to alter.

The GRE is also adaptable at the section level. Both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning have two portions, and the complexity of the questions is determined by how well you perform in the first section of each topic

Conclusion

GRE preparation that is efficient will make you smarter and more adaptive. The guidelines for enhancing your GRE study habits are ageless and self-evident in retrospect. You'll be able to put your whole effort into improving your GRE results if you find a dedicated study location where you can focus without being distracted.

The GRE Exam is the only general admissions exam approved by hundreds of graduate institutions throughout the world, making it an important test to have on your CV. It's best to look at the GRE as an opportunity for admissions and scholarships, and a strong GRE score can even make up for a low GPA.

Your GRE study approaches will be refined if you follow the ideas outlined above. You should expect to see increases in both your GRE scores and your overall thinking ability if you put in enough time and effort. Meanwhile, you can visit our website to learn more.