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Rebuild the math, vocabulary and reasoning behind the GRE General Test.

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The GRE General Test is used for admission to many graduate programs and some business and law schools. It has three measures: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. Verbal tests vocabulary in context and reading comprehension, Quantitative covers high school level arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis with an on-screen calculator, and Analytical Writing asks for an argued essay on an issue. Learnr is not affiliated with ETS; it builds a course on the math, vocabulary and reasoning the test draws on, in short daily lessons.

How to learn GRE, step by step

  1. Take an official diagnostic. Start with one of ETS's free official POWERPREP practice tests to see where you stand on each measure. Sort your errors into content gaps, careless slips and timing problems so you know what to fix first.
  2. Relearn number properties and algebra. GRE Quant leans on integers, divisibility, primes, exponents, ratios, percents and linear and quadratic equations. These are high school topics, but many test takers have not touched them in years, so rebuild the basics before attempting hard problems.
  3. Master quantitative comparison. These questions ask whether quantity A or B is greater, whether they are equal, or whether the relationship cannot be determined. Test special values like zero, negatives and fractions, since "cannot be determined" often hides in those cases.
  4. Learn vocabulary through sentences. Text completion and sentence equivalence reward knowing words like "laconic" or "equivocate" and following a sentence's logic. Study words in context, watch pivot words like "although" and "despite," and review with spaced repetition rather than one long list.
  5. Read for the author's argument. GRE passages are dense academic prose. Summarize each paragraph's role and the author's main point in a phrase as you go, then answer from the text rather than from outside knowledge.
  6. Write timed practice issue essays. Take a position on an issue prompt, support it with specific examples and address a counterargument, all within the time limit. ETS publishes its pool of issue topics and scoring guides, which show what strong essays do.
  7. Keep daily practice going. Short daily sessions, like a Learnr course's bite-sized lessons with a streak, keep vocabulary and math active between full practice tests.

What you'll learn

  • Solve quantitative comparison and data interpretation problems efficiently
  • Rebuild arithmetic, algebra and geometry fundamentals
  • Learn high-value GRE vocabulary through context, not lists alone
  • Read dense academic passages and identify their argument
  • Write a clear, well-supported issue essay

What's inside your GRE course

A sample path Learnr builds for GRE. Your real course adapts to your goal and level.

  • 1. How the GRE General Test is structured
  • 2. Arithmetic, number properties and algebra
  • 3. Geometry and data analysis
  • 4. Text completion and sentence equivalence
  • 5. Reading comprehension and argument structure
  • 6. The issue essay and test-day strategy

How long does it take to learn GRE?

Many test takers prepare for 1 to 3 months at around 5 to 10 hours a week. It takes longer if you have been away from math for years or are building vocabulary from a lower base, and less if one measure is already strong.

What you need before you start

High school math through basic algebra and geometry, plus strong reading habits. No calculus or advanced math is tested on the GRE General Test.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Memorizing huge word lists without context. Learn fewer words deeply, with example sentences, and practice the question types they appear in.
  • Ignoring careless errors in Quant. Track misread questions and arithmetic slips, since they often cost more than genuinely hard content.
  • Reaching for the on-screen calculator on every problem. It is slow for simple arithmetic, so save it for genuinely messy calculations.

How Learnr builds your course

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GRE questions, answered

Is the GRE shorter now?

Yes. ETS shortened the GRE General Test in 2023, including cutting Analytical Writing to a single issue task. Check the official ETS GRE website for the current structure and registration.

Should I take the GRE or the GMAT for business school?

Many business schools accept both. The GRE is broader and used across graduate fields, while the GMAT is built for business programs. Check each program's admissions page and try a practice test of each.

Is Learnr official GRE prep?

No. Learnr is not affiliated with ETS and cannot promise a score. It helps you learn and practice the vocabulary, reading and math the GRE draws on.

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