GRE one of the toughest and safest routes to get into PG programs in the dreamland (USA). Most commonly asked question by GRE test takers and most feared thing in a test takers mind is GRE preparation. Let’s clear up some myths and solve this GRE riddle with some practical usable techniques for you to attain good GRE scores and for you to attain the admission of your choice.

One thing for sure is GRE definitely requires preparation. Oops let me correct the mistake. GRE definitely requires a planned preparation. Yes initial planning is very important. It has been constantly proven that students who prepare for GRE fare and attain better scores than students who do not lay much emphasis in preparation. But how to prepare for GRE or how to plan for GRE preparation and prepare for GRE according to the plan.

Going forward in this article Lets discuss about planning and then preparation. I have written this article based on advice, tips from hundreds of successful GRE test takers and from my practical experience in coaching students for GRE.

First thing is you will have to find or fix or arrive at a conclusion about how much time you have in preparing for GRE. Some students may have 30 Days, some may have 3 months. Your GRE study plan should be strictly based on your study schedule. In arriving at a schedule you will have to consider lots of pivotal points. They are

1. Self assessment

2. Strong areas

3. Weaker areas

4. Books

5. Software

6. No of days for preparation

7. No of hours a day

8. Prep course

Let’s discuss all these in detail.

Once you determine your study schedule and do a self assessment you will have to draw a study plan.

Determine if you really need a test prep course. Some may be good in self study but some may not have the self discipline to sit alone and read for hours. No harm in both kind of people the goal is good GRE score. If you belong to first category buy some good books, good test prep software and free online resources and start your preparation base don them. This approach is also a bit cheaper.

If you belong to second category then be very careful in deciding a good course for GRE as the market is flooded with useless courses and only a few good genuine test prep courses are available. Talk to students who have already taken a course and find out which one is effective and will fit into your shoes.

There are lots of good GRE preparation books available in the market like Princeton, Kaplan and Barrons

Remember GRE is computer based and computer adaptive. Though preparing from book will help you, you will definitely require software which closely resembles your GRE CAT tests.

One such good software is GreBible. Test Takers say GreBible best resembles the actual GRE test. Also GreBible gives you the exact score of what you will get in your GRE when you take GreBible practice tests. Lots of other software’s are also available. It is you who will have to decide which one will suit best for you.

There are lots of free resources and material available for GRE in the net. One of the best free software’s for GRE is GreBible's free study kits. You have three study kits absolutely free

Also subscribe to GreBible’s mailing list where free test questions are mailed to you frequently for sufficient practice.Syvum, Testmagic are some of the best sites where you can get free GRE preparation resources. Importance of good GRE score

Universities prefer students who have a good GRE score. Remember a good GRE score will reduce lots of pain and also will save 1000's of dollars. So focus in your preparation.

To summarize follow the steps for GRE preparation

1. Self assessment

2. Determine study schedule

3. Determine study plan

4. Identify good books

5. Identify good software

6. Decide if you need a prep course

7. Combine all the above factors in to a plan with dates attached to each entity in plan

8. Follow the plan strictly

Final words a good GRE score can be achieved with the following

1. Focus

2. Concentration

3. Tenacity

4. Hard Work