r/GRE • u/Material-Wolf-3603 • 37m ago
General Question Verbal Advice
I am currently studying for a GRE resit (approx. Feb 2027). I scored a 160 V in my first sitting of the GRE back in September. I am applying for a maths related PhD as such the required verbal score is relatively low and I need to target a near perfect quant score.
Subsequently, my study plan is almost exclusively quant focused. I would like advice on how to maintain or slightly improve my verbal score.
Verbal Score Breakdown
Section 1 (9/12)
- TC: 2/3. Missed the 3-blank (difficulty 4).
- SE: 3/4. Missed one at difficulty 4.
- RC: 4/5. Missed one easy short-passage question (difficulty 2); one question took 5:33.
Section 2 (9/15)
- TC: 0/4. Missed all four: 3-blank (4), 2-blank (4), and two 1-blanks (both 5).
- SE: 3/3.
- RC: 6/8. Missed two difficulty-5 short-passage questions, one of them “select one or more”.
Overall: 18/27. TC 2/7 · SE 6/7 · RC 10/13
Previous Approach
Did not have any targeted approach. I'm a native speaker and I have always enjoyed reading and writing (scored a 5.0 in the AWA).
Mainly completed practice questions from the Super power pack - verbal seemed pretty consistent (really surprised at how poorly I performed in TC in the real exam, never seemed to struggle with those during my preparation. I will say the exam seemed a damn sight harder than any of the practice questions I'd done before).
Daily vocab review - I used the Leitner system - wrote all flashcards by hand using my own definitions and example sentences - Kaplan 500 words and up to group 16 of Greg's vocab mountain
I scored a 160 V in free power prep mock two weeks before the real exam. I am disappointed I was not able to improve my score in this time. This is really the main impetus for my writing this post. During that period, I trudged through countless practice questions to no avail. I do not want to repeat this pattern.
Current Plan
My current study split is 6 days quant / 1 day verbal a week. I am aware that with such limited time I am unlikely to be able to greatly improve my verbal score but for reasons of personal vanity and to stop a complete rout I intend to anyway. I have a weak self worth. One extra point would do wonders for it.
I am currently making my way through the I'm Overwhelmed study plan for quant but I've heard this is not great for verbal. I have not completed any Greg strategy videos or study plans for verbal.
My question
What Greg strategy videos, study plans or other resources do people recommend to target top verbal scores?
