GRE Prep 2024: How to Score 320+ With a Smart Study Plan

The GRE General Test is the gateway to graduate school — required by thousands of programs in law, business, medicine, science, and the humanities. A strong GRE score can compensate for a lower GPA, unlock merit scholarships, and make you a more competitive applicant in any field.

But the GRE is a tricky test. It's adaptive, it penalizes test-takers who don't know the format, and it requires a very different preparation approach than undergraduate exams. This guide will show you exactly how to prepare, section by section, so you can reach 320+ and get into the program you want.

GRE Format Overview

The current GRE General Test (redesigned in 2023) is shorter than previous versions — approximately 1 hour 58 minutes — and is computer-adaptive at the section level. Here's what the test includes:

Verbal Reasoning: How to Score 160+

The Verbal section tests your ability to understand and evaluate written material, synthesize information, and apply reasoning to language. There are three question types:

1. Reading Comprehension (50% of Verbal)

You'll read passages (1–5 paragraphs) and answer 1–4 questions per passage. Topics range from history and science to philosophy and social policy. You don't need outside knowledge — all answers are in the passage or directly implied.

• Main Idea questions: What is the author's primary purpose?
• Inference questions: What can be inferred from the passage?
• Vocabulary-in-context: What does a specific word mean as used here?
• Multiple-answer questions: Select all that apply (must get all correct)

2. Text Completion (25% of Verbal)

Fill in 1–3 blanks in a passage. Each blank has 3–5 answer choices. You must get ALL blanks correct to get credit. Strategy: Read the full passage, identify the logical direction of each blank, eliminate clearly wrong choices, and look for signal words.

3. Sentence Equivalence (25% of Verbal)

Fill in one blank from 6 choices; select the TWO answers that both complete the sentence AND create sentences with similar meanings. This requires strong vocabulary — specifically, knowledge of nuanced synonyms.

Verbal Reasoning Study Plan

1. Build vocabulary: 15–20 new words per day using spaced repetition
2. Read academic content daily: The Economist, Scientific American, The Atlantic — this builds your ability to process complex texts quickly
3. Practice 20 text completion questions per session to build pattern recognition
4. For reading comprehension: practice summarizing passages in one sentence before answering
5. Take 2 full timed Verbal sections per week

Quantitative Reasoning: How to Score 160+

The Quant section tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis — all at a pre-calculus level. The math is not inherently difficult, but GRE Quant questions are designed to trap test-takers who don't read carefully or fall back on faulty intuitions.

Question Types

• Quantitative Comparison (QC): Is Quantity A greater, less, equal, or impossible to determine compared to Quantity B?
• Multiple Choice (single answer): Standard math questions
• Multiple Choice (multiple answers): Select all correct options
• Numeric Entry: Type in the exact answer — no answer choices provided

High-Priority Math Topics

• Number properties: Integers, factors, multiples, primes, remainders, odd/even rules
• Fractions, Decimals, Percents: Conversions, percent change, proportions
• Algebra: Linear equations, inequalities, functions, exponents, quadratic equations
• Geometry: Triangles, circles, quadrilaterals, coordinate geometry, 3D shapes
• Data Interpretation: Reading graphs, tables, probability, permutations, combinations
• Statistics: Mean, median, mode, standard deviation, normal distribution

Quant Study Plan

1. Review all four core math areas: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics
2. Learn GRE-specific strategies: Backsolving (plug answer choices back in), Number Picking (substitute simple numbers for variables)
3. Practice QC questions heavily — they have the most unique strategy
4. Do 30 Quant questions per session with 100% review of wrong answers
5. Take 2 full timed Quant sections per week

Analytical Writing: How to Score 4.0+

The Analytical Writing section has one task: Analyze an Argument. You are given a short argument (5–8 sentences) and asked to critique its logical flaws — not agree or disagree with the topic, but analyze the quality of the reasoning.

Common Logical Flaws to Identify

• Unwarranted assumption: The argument assumes something that hasn't been proven
• Correlation vs. causation: The argument confuses two things happening together with one causing the other
• Sampling bias: The data comes from an unrepresentative group
• False equivalence: The argument compares two dissimilar situations
• Overgeneralization: Conclusions drawn too broadly from limited data

Scoring Rubric

Score	What It Means
6 (Masterful)	Insightful analysis, sophisticated vocabulary, flawless mechanics
5 (Strong)	Good analysis, well-organized, minor errors
4 (Competent)	Adequate analysis, sufficient depth, some weaknesses
3 (Limited)	Some analysis but incomplete, noticeable errors
2 (Flawed)	Serious reasoning or language errors

Target Scores by Program

Your target score should align with your specific graduate program's expectations:

Program Type	Verbal Target	Quant Target	AW Target
Top Business (MBA)	157+	159+	4.0+
Top Law (J.D.)	162+	155+	4.5+
Engineering/STEM	150+	162+	3.5+
Social Sciences/Humanities	158+	150+	4.5+
Psychology/Counseling	154+	147+	4.0+

The 8-Week GRE Study Plan

This plan assumes 2–3 hours per day of focused study and access to BAM's GRE prep resources:

1. Week 1: Diagnostic GRE test → Identify target scores → Begin Verbal vocabulary (20 words/day)
2. Week 2: Math review — arithmetic, fractions, algebra fundamentals
3. Week 3: Geometry + Statistics; Verbal — text completion deep dive
4. Week 4: Quant question types; Reading comprehension strategies; first full practice test
5. Week 5: AW essays — write 3 arguments, get scored with feedback
6. Week 6: Targeted weak-area drilling based on practice test results
7. Week 7: Second full practice test → detailed review → final drilling
8. Week 8: Light review, 1 final full test, rest before exam day

How BAM Helps You Score 320+

Our GRE coaching program is led by experts who scored in the 95th+ percentile and have coached hundreds of students to top scores. Here's what we provide:

• Customized score targets based on your specific graduate programs
• Section-by-section expert coaching — Verbal, Quant, and AW specialists
• Essay scoring service: submit practice essays, receive scored feedback within 24 hours
• Adaptive practice question banks covering all question types
• Full-length timed practice tests with detailed performance breakdowns
• Weekly 1-on-1 sessions to address specific weaknesses and strategy