“I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can’t concentrate or focus. I am just so nervous.” I heard all of this from Janelle, a prospective graduate student, during our conversation about scheduling a GRE test date. I was not surprised that Janelle was nervous, given that almost all prospective graduate students are a bit anxious about admissions tests. However, Janelle took “anxious” to a whole new level. It was clear to me that I would need to develop a very thoughtful, individualized plan of action to successfully help her perform at her very best on this exam.

My first step was to urge Janelle to share her feelings and fears about the test and the test process. I listened attentively as she did so. She said that she already felt better just having someone listen without judgment. I told her that I would brainstorm some options, and we scheduled a follow-up meeting.

I decided to borrow some of the techniques I use to deal with speaker anxiety in the public speaking classes I teach. I planned to use cognitive restructuring – changing the way we think about something.

A three-stage strategy for GRE success

During our next conversation, I told Janelle that I had developed a three-stage strategy to position her for test-taking success. I asked her to think about the GRE process like the development of a relationship – in other words, going from acquaintance level to friend level to intimate level. We were going to “Make Friends with the GRE.”

Here’s how we did it.

STAGE 1: Acquaintance level

This is the “getting to know you” stage of the process. Here are the tasks to accomplish during this stage:

Understand the GRE testing program. 

Research the GRE general test and the discipline-specific subject tests, especially in terms of available test administration dates, time limitations on retakes, score delivery options, and so on.

Determine which tests are required by the schools/programs you’re interested in.

Check the admissions criteria and the application deadlines of your target schools/programs to learn which tests are required. You can then schedule the appropriate exams with enough time to avoid feeling time pressure on top of test pressure.

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 allow yourself sufficient time to conform to the test schedule(s) and ensure that your application is complete by each school’s deadline. Many programs, if not most, will review only complete applications.

Learn more about the process and people’s experiences with it by surveying and requesting feedback from candidates who have taken the exam. 

They will likely have some worthwhile tidbits of advice for you, and they might also alert you to specific pitfalls to avoid. Take notes, and follow up, if warranted (e.g., if someone has a point that you think someone else might have a useful perspective on).

STAGE 2: Friend level

This is the “let’s become friends” stage of the process – in other words, focused engagement. Here are the tasks for this phase:

Visit the ETS website to learn more. 

You’ll want to gather as much info as you can about the GRE general test and, if needed, available subject tests, and to access the associated subject test review books, which include details on the content areas for the exam, the weights assigned to each topic, and a practice test. This will provide you with a guide on what to study, as well as how much time to allocate to specific topics. The subject test practice book can be downloaded for free or mailed to you after you register for the exam.

Identify your areas of weakness. 

To prepare for the GRE general test, you should invest time into diagnosing the skill areas you need to focus on by identifying areas of weakness that require intensive review. These might 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 offered by ETS. 

These include GRE diagnostic tests and ScoreItNow!, the online writing practice. Check out these low-cost options on the ETS website. Make use of the GRE POWERPREP software for reviews of the verbal and quantitative measure 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 the GRE POWERPREP software, 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.

Throughout this entire stage, use positive self-talk as a confidence booster.

Frequently and deliberately reflect on all the progress you have made and continue to make.

(On a side note, I made sure that I was always available to Janelle for confidence boosting and positive feedback.)

STAGE 3: Intimate level

You’re all in: this is the commitment stage of the process. Now, you do the following:

Practice in the right mode. 

Become comfortable taking a computer-delivered, timed, online exam by practicing in an environment that mirrors the actual test-taking environment. The aim is to make that specific context feel totally natural. If you only practice using a review book, the new delivery format might increase your level of anxiety or prove distracting and could, as a result, negatively affect your performance.

Looking back at how far you have come, continue to invest in the relationship you have established with the test and the test process. Ask yourself, What else can I do?

You might even come to enjoy the challenge the relationship brings, in addition to the rewards.

Last but not least, allow yourself enough time for the relationship to solidify, strengthen (prepare and study for the exam), and take hold. 

Be patient with yourself!

At this point, I am sure you are wondering whether Janelle was successful. Yes, she was! She handled the stress very well and was accepted to her top-choice schools. I was certainly proud to have helped her achieve her goal.

And we can help you, too – 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 and speak with an Accepted expert.

After a successful career in business publishing, Cindy Tokumitsu has worked for more than 20 years with Accepted. Every year, Cindy’s clients have gained admission to top MBA, law, and medical programs. Also, she is a pioneer in the niche of EMBA application consulting. Want an admissions expert to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!

Related Resources:

• Get Your Game On: Prepping for Your Grad School Application, a free guide
• How to Eliminate Test Anxiety, podcast Episode 427
• All You Need to Know About the New, Shorter GRE, podcast Episode 531