9 Common Mistakes Made by GRE Test Takers

The GRE is challenging, and it is easy to make mistakes while preparing for it until you take it. Everyone makes mistakes. You should try not to repeat the same error. You can use your awareness to actively avoid making some of the most common GRE mistakes if you understand some of the most common GRE mistakes. Let's look at some of the most common mistakes made by GRE test takers to help you learn how to study as effectively as possible.

Not reading the problem carefully

Many times, you rush through the exam to finish it on time. This is the time when you make the mistake of not reading properly or completely. In this case, you may struggle with the answer choices, selecting one—usually, the incorrect one—that is somewhat close to your answer.

Before you begin answering the question, you must first understand what the question is asking you to do. You may notice that a variable such as 'x' is included in the question and immediately begin solving for 'x'. You quickly enter an answer, only to realize that the question actually asked for the value '1/x'. Never attempt to solve a problem blindly.

Focusing on only one section

GRE test takers who commit to studying frequently decide that they only need to focus on one section, especially if they believe they already have a natural ability to answer the other sections. However, unless you already have a consistently perfect score on one section, this is a bad choice that will lower your GRE score. Only a well-balanced study will yield positive overall results.

Minor math mistakes

We frequently make common math errors as a result of forgetting something as simple as writing a negative sign. Many GRE test takers experience the same issues, such as small calculation errors, rounding errors, forgetting to keep track of positive and negative numbers, or any number of other minor issues. You should avoid doing such mistakes. Because math is all about precision, devote your study time to becoming an efficient and error-free human calculator.

Units confusion

It is very important to keep your units straight, especially when dealing with work rate problems. You must carefully read the question and understand exactly what you are expected to solve. For example:

• If you are asked how long a machine takes to complete an order, make sure your answer should be in hours, seconds, or some other time metric.

• If the question is asking about a rate,  your answer should be in units such as widgets per hour or widgets per second.

Studying Without a Plan

Some test takers believe that taking practice tests after practice tests will improve their scores. By doing so, you will simply repeat the same mistakes with no improvement.  You should tailor your GRE preparation to your specific needs, including how much you need to improve and what specific skills you need to develop. When it comes to GRE preparation, quality is more important than quantity, and quality means creating a plan and a specific schedule, as well as studying accordingly to be more specific and set weekly goals for yourself.

Spending too much time on the hard questions

You need to ensure that you correctly answer the majority of the questions in the GRE. It is preferable to spend a little extra time on a simpler question to ensure that your answer is correct. Spending too much time on a complicated question that you may not get right is not the best strategy.

Not getting enough sleep and rest

In a lot of cases, GRE candidates underestimate the value of sleep and rest. When you take your GRE, you should be at your mental peak. To answer the questions, you'll need a lot of energy and focus. If you do not rest well, you are very likely to make stupid mistakes or get stuck on a question for a longer time. You simply cannot afford to waste time in this manner. So get enough sleep and rest to focus and perform well in the exam.

Leaving Unanswered questions

Unlike other competitive exams, the GRE does not have negative markings; however, many aspirants leave questions that they are unsure about. Even if you are unsure, make your best guess and move forward without wasting any time.

Panicking Over a Question

 You will not always have an answer to a question, but that does not mean you have ruined your entire exam. When things go wrong, most students start panicking, which affects their overall performance. So, practice remaining calm and believing that you can do it and that the exam is not yet over. This can be accomplished by taking mock exams.

So, before you enter the testing center, make certain that you have completely understood the GRE format. Create a good strategy for each type of question that you can use on all practice tests as well as the actual GRE. Feeling prepared for anything will boost your confidence on test day and help you avoid common GRE mistakes.