Is GRE preparation feasible within one to one and a half months?
Yes, preparing for the GRE in one to one and a half months is realistic if you already have a decent grasp of basic math and English. You need a highly disciplined six week plan with two to three hours of daily practice, timed drills, and full length mock tests.
Yes, you can realistically prepare for the GRE in this window, but only with a highly disciplined, focused plan. Since the shorter GRE format now runs just one hour and fifty eight minutes, your job is to sharpen accuracy and pacing, not to relearn everything from scratch.
Your 6 Week High Intensity Study Plan
| Weeks | Focus | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Foundation and Strategy | Review arithmetic, ratios, and percentages; master text completion and sentence equivalence; learn 30 new words daily |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Pacing and Weak Areas | Time yourself at 1.5 minutes per verbal question and 1.75 minutes per quant question; keep a detailed error log; write 1 to 2 AWA essays |
| Weeks 5 to 6 | Full Length Practice | Take 3 to 4 full length mock tests, spend twice as long reviewing them as taking them, and rest the day before your exam |
Check If This Timeline Fits You
- Take an official timed diagnostic on ETS POWERPREP Online before you commit to this schedule.
- This plan is feasible if your diagnostic score sits within 5 to 10 points of your target and you can commit 2 to 3 hours daily.
- This plan is risky if you need a 15 plus point jump, have serious math anxiety, or are building your English vocabulary from zero.
- Stick to official resources only: the ETS Official Guide, Powerprep tests, and the Manhattan Prep 5 lb Book for quant drilling.
My Advice
Take your diagnostic test today, not next week, since that single score tells you whether six weeks is enough or whether you need to push your test date back. If your gap is small, commit to the daily two to three hour block without exceptions and you will walk in test ready.
Planning to study abroad?
Get a personalised university shortlist with courses, costs and career outcomes.
More GRE questions
- Do I need to score well in GRE, GMAT, or IELTS to get good scholarships in top business schools for a MBA?
- How should I use GRE sample papers to boost my score?
- As an Indian applicant without a GRE score, how can I handle a German university's mandatory in-person entrance exam when visa appointments take weeks?
- Am I allowed to choose the GRE at Home option as an Indian student this year?
- Where do the official GRE sample papers actually come from?
- What are the IELTS and GRE/GMAT requirements for MBA programs in Australia?
- Is GRE required for a master's degree in Germany and can I apply without it?
- For how many years can I use my GRE scores for university applications?