If you’re staring at the calendar, counting the weeks until your scheduled GRE test date, and asking yourself, “Can I really ace the GRE in just 2 months?,” you’re not alone.
The good news? Yes, it’s absolutely possible.
The not-so-easy part? You’ll need a focused study plan, a strong understanding of the test structure, and the discipline to stay consistent. Two months is a solid timeframe to prepare for the GRE, if you use it wisely.
Let’s break down what it takes to crush the GRE in 8 weeks, including how to set up your study schedule and what to focus on. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just brushing up, this plan will help you maximize every study session.
First Things First: Define “Ace the GRE”
Before we dive into strategies, let’s get clear on what “acing the GRE” means for you.
If you’re aiming for top-tier graduate programs, you’ll likely need a 325+ score (out of 340).
For most solid programs, a score in the 310–320 range will put you in a strong position.
If your goal is to improve a previous score, “acing it” could mean beating your personal best.
Knowing your target score helps you focus your prep on the right areas.
If you have a strong undergraduate GPA, the GRE primarily be used to reinforce that you are a good student. Remember, you have to maintain a certain GPA (in the US it’s a 3.0) to stay in graduate programs, so your undergraduate GPA is the strongest indicator of whether you can do that.
If your undergraduate GPA is weak and you were in a non-engineering program (in our experience, applicants with engineering degrees who are applying to non-engineering programs get a lot of “grace” on their GPAs), you will need a high GRE score to indicate your potential.
Now, let’s talk about strategy.
1. Figure out your baseline score.
Your first step should be taking a full-length diagnostic test under real conditions. Use official GRE practice tests from ETS, if possible.
After the test, review:
- Which question types slowed you down?
- Where did you guess or run out of time?
- Which topics felt confusing or rusty?
Why this matters:
You don’t have time to waste on things you already know. Your 2-month plan should target your weaknesses, not someone else’s.
2. Build your weekly study schedule.
To ace the GRE in 2 months, aim to study 10–15+ hours per week. While this can be split into 1.5–2 hours per day on weekdays and longer review sessions on weekends, we recommend you target a consistent 2 hours everyday.
Why 2 hours?
Because the GRE is 1 hour and 58 minutes. If your study sessions are 2 extremely focused hours, you’ll develop the exact stamina that you need for the real test.
During study sessions:
- Don’t take a break.
- Decide what you are going to do before the 2 hours starts.
- Gather all your materials beforehand.
- Resist the urge to look at your phone.
A sample weekly structure might look like:
Monday–Friday:
1 hour Verbal practice + review
1 hour Quantitative concepts or drills
Saturday:
Full timed practice sections (Verbal or Quant)
Review answers in detail
Sunday:
Full-length timed online practice test with essay (record the score)
Review answers in detail on Monday
3. Do a full content review for Quantitative Reasoning.
This section tests your ability to understand and apply math concepts, not just crunch numbers. Review math fundamentals topic-wise before completing mixed practice GRE sets because it’s been a while since high school.
Many self-studiers skip a fundamentals review, and it shows when their scores stagnate.
Key Topics to Master:
- Arithmetic (fractions, percentages, ratios)
- Algebra (equations, inequalities, exponents)
- Geometry (shapes, angles, coordinate plane)
- Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables)
Tips:
Use the GRE’s on-screen calculator wisely. It’s there to help, but don’t rely on it for every step. If you have practiced enough, there are many questions for which your brain will estimate the answer faster than you can activate the on-screen calculator.
Time yourself during problem sets to improve pacing.
4. Know what to focus on for Verbal Reasoning.
Verbal on the GRE is less about grammar and more about vocabulary in context, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.
Key Areas to Practice:
- Reading comprehension (short and long passages)
- Text completion (fill-in-the-blank with multiple options)
- Sentence equivalence (select two words that fit in the same sentence)
Tips:
- Focus on understanding tone, purpose, and inference in reading passages.
- De-emphasize vocabulary and focus on spotting clues and triggers in sentences. You don’t have time to try and memorize 10-15 new words per day that may or may not show up on the GRE. Besides, most words in English have at least 3 or 4 definitions, so how do you know which one is the right one if you haven’t focused on identifying the context clues in the sentence?
- Practice active reading using news articles, essays, and academic journals.
5. Actually practice the Analytical Writing (AWA) essay.
In the new GRE, you only need to write one essay: the Issue Task. You’ll write an argument on a general topic, using examples and reasoning to support your view.
Tips:
- Practice brainstorming essay outlines in 2-3 minutes.
- Use a simple structure: Intro → 2-3 body paragraphs → Conclusion.
- Don’t stress about fancy vocabulary. Clarity and logic matter more.
6. Stick to a weekly schedule.
Week-by-Week Breakdown
Week 1–2:
Take your diagnostic test.
Build your study schedule.
Focus on relearning fundamentals in math.
Week 3–4:
Ramp up timed practice sets (especially for weak areas).
Begin AWA practice.
Take your first full-length timed practice test at the end of week 3. From here on out, take a full-length practice test every week.
Week 5–6:
Focus on pacing and stamina.
Continue reviewing mistakes and refining test-day strategies.
Take two full-length practice tests.
Week 7–8:
Taper your studying to avoid burnout.
Take one last full test 4–5 days before the real thing.
Focus on review and light practice.
Don’t study the day before the test. Prepare mentally: rest, hydrate, and stay calm!
So, can you ace the GRE in 2 months?
Yes, you can. But only if you treat your prep like a focused, daily habit. Two months is long enough to see real improvement, but not so long that you can afford to drift. You’ve got to stay disciplined, track your progress, and adapt your strategy as needed.
Remember: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being prepared.
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