by Willa Tracy
How to Overcome GRE Test Anxiety
Test anxiety can take many different forms. Some students become so fixated on their upcoming exam that they can’t stop thinking about it. For others, anxiety manifests as avoidance and disengagement from the process of preparing for the test. In most cases, students’ test anxiety stems from the belief that their whole future hinges on the outcome of this one test (I assure you, it does not) – and that level of pressure is rarely productive. There are different types of stress, and while some can be healthy and adaptive, others simply get in your way. The first step to conquering test anxiety is acknowledging that it is a normal and expected part of the process. Then you can work toward managing that stress and keeping it at a healthy level. To assist you in doing this, I have developed a three-stage strategy you can use to position yourself for test-taking success.
Stage 1: Gathering the Necessary Information
One of the best antidotes to anxiety is assuaging the fear of the unknown. To do this for the GRE, start by equipping yourself with knowledge and getting to know the facts about the exam.
Understand the GRE testing program.
Research the GRE general test and the discipline-specific subject tests. Key details to gather include available test administration dates, time limitations on retakes, and score delivery options.
Determine which tests are required by the schools/programs you’re interested in.
Check the admissions criteria and application deadlines of your target schools/programs to learn which tests are required. You can then schedule the appropriate exams with a long enough runway to avoid feeling time pressure on top of test pressure. We have seen best results when students begin test prep a minimum of two months before their test date.
Keep in mind that while the GRE general test has multiple test administration sites and dates, the GRE subject test administrations are often scheduled only two or three times per admissions cycle. Careful advance planning is necessary to ensure that you have sufficient time to conform to the test schedule and to complete each school’s application by its deadline. Many programs, if not most, will not review an application until it is complete.
Request feedback from people who have taken the exam.
They will likely have some worthwhile tidbits of advice for you and might also alert you to specific pitfalls to avoid. Take notes, and follow up if someone has a point that you would like more perspective on.
Stage 2: Formulating a Logistical Approach
Now that you have a general understanding of the GRE, you can begin focusing on how the format of the test relates to your personal strengths and weaknesses as a student. Adjusting your test prep approach to fit your individual study/learning style will increase your chances of performing well on the exam.
Visit the ETS website.
The ETS site is the best place to gather as much information as possible about the GRE general test and any relevant subject tests. Invest in a highly reviewed test prep book that includes details on the exam’s content areas, the weights assigned to each topic, and a full-length practice test. This will provide you with a guide on what to study and how much time to allocate to each topic.
Identify your areas of weakness.
To prepare for the GRE general test, figure out which skill areas you need to focus on and require intensive review. These could include reading for meaning, analyzing and organizing your ideas in short essay format, general mathematics, algebra, geometry, and charts.
Take advantage of the diagnostic services ETS offers.
Such services include GRE diagnostic tests and ScoreItNow!, which provides online writing practice. In addition, the GRE POWERPREP options allow you to review and practice for the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE exam.
Be prepared to write two timed essays.
In one essay, you will present your perspective on an issue, and in the other, you will analyze an argument. You can practice typing an essay response under timed conditions using POWERPREP, or you can pay for ScoreItNow! for online writing practice. The analytical writing measure serves as an assessment of your critical thinking and the following analytical and writing skills: articulation of complex ideas, clear and effective examination of claims and evidence, supporting ideas with relevant reasons and explicit examples, preparing a well-focused and coherent discussion, and displaying mastery of standard written English.
Use positive self-talk to boost your confidence.
Frequently and deliberately reflect on all the progress you have made and continue to make, and encourage yourself with positive affirmations.
Stage 3: Committing to Practicing
At this point, you should be well equipped with basic strategies and approaches to the GRE. Now you can commit to the process and show yourself what you’re capable of!
Recreate test conditions when practicing.
A good way to become comfortable taking a computer-delivered, timed, online exam is by practicing in an environment that mirrors the actual test-taking environment. You want to make that specific context feel totally natural. If you practice only by using a review book, the format of the test on exam day might increase your anxiety level or be distracting – potentially hindering your performance.
Continually ask yourself, What else can I do?
Looking back at how far you have come, continue to invest in your preparation efforts and building a comfortable relationship with the test. Ideally, you might even enjoy the challenges of the test prep process, in addition to the rewards.
We at Accepted can help you, too – and not just with testing strategies but also with any other element of the graduate school admissions process. Learn more about how we can guide you to acceptance at your top-choice graduate program! Schedule a free consultation to speak with an Accepted expert.
Willa Tracy attended Brown University, where she earned her MA and BA in philosophy with a specialization in logic and a priori epistemology. As a tutor with nearly five years of experience, Willa has an expert understanding of the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, and LSAT. Through her patient and thorough approach, she empowers students to balance the rigor of problem-solving with curiosity and mindfulness when met with new challenges. Her SAT students gain an average of 210 points from their baseline scores!
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