Easy and Effectively: Learn GRE Vocabulary With Flashcards

The GRE is an exam for serious people — MBA and master program applicants who have already achieved a lot. Fitting an exam preparation in their schedule and learning tons of vocabulary might sound overwhelming. But with the right preparation, it is possible!

What Is the GRE 

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized exam for admission to graduate programs (master’s and doctoral degrees) and some U.S. and English-speaking business schools. It is used to check future students’ readiness for graduate-level academic work. 

This test is for all sorts of fields — engineering, social sciences, humanities, and more. It takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes, including breaks.

But before we dive into how to study for the GRE, let’s break down what the test looks like.

Parts of the GRE

The GRE has three parts. Each of them is challenging in its way.

GRE Verbal Reasoning Section

This part of the test checks how well you can analyze written material, understand word meanings and conclude what you read. For GRE Verbal, you will need to broaden your vocabulary and learn the meanings of the numbers of challenging words.

Key Topics: Reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.

You’ll have 30 minutes for each of the two GRE Verbal Reasoning sections, so that’s a total of 60 minutes. Each section typically includes 20 questions, giving you about 1.5 minutes per question on average.

Quantitative Reasoning Section

This section focuses on testing your math skills and your ability to solve problems using quantitative methods. 

Key topics: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. 

You’ll face two main types of questions:

• Quantitative comparison: Compare two quantities and decide which is greater, if they’re equal, or if you can’t determine the relationship.
• Problem-solving: Multiple-choice (with one or multiple correct answers) and numeric entry questions where you input your answer.

For the Quantitative Reasoning section, you’ll have 35 minutes for each of the two sections, making it a total of 70 minutes. Each section usually includes 20 questions, giving you about 1.75 minutes per question on average.

Analytical Writing Section

The last part of the exam is all about showcasing your critical thinking and writing skills. It’s designed to see how well you can express ideas clearly and effectively while analyzing complex issues or arguments.

This section includes two tasks, and you’ll have 30 minutes for each:

1. Analyze an Issue: You’ll be given a topic and asked to present your perspective. You’ll need to build a convincing argument using examples, reasons, and logic to support your stance.
2. Analyze an Argument: Here, you’ll evaluate someone else’s argument. Your job is to critique the reasoning, identify flaws, and suggest improvements, rather than agree or disagree.

Books to Prepare for the GRE Vocabulary

Before going into the study process, collect good study materials. You will need textbooks and guidelines. The good news is that there are a lot of high-quality materials you can use. 

To build a strong GRE vocabulary, these books are highly recommended:

1. Manhattan Prep’s “500 Essential Words” and “500 Advanced Words”

• Why it’s great: Focused lists of high-frequency GRE words, organized by difficulty.
• What’s included: Definitions, example sentences, and memory aids to help you retain tricky words.

2. Barron’s 1100 Words You Need to Know

• Why it’s great: A classic for vocabulary building with exercises and quizzes to test students knowledge.
• What’s included: Daily word lists with idioms, context, and drills.

3. Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis

• Why it’s great: Teaches vocabulary systematically and engagingly, focusing on roots and word families.
• What’s included: Practical exercises to help students understand word formation and usage.

4. Kaplan Test Prep Plus

• Why it’s great: Known for its practical strategies and user-friendly content.
• What’s included: 5 online practice tests, video lessons, and tons of practice problems.

5. Magoosh Vocabulary Builder App (and its companion eBook)

• Why it’s great: One of the best online resources. Interactive and tailored for GRE learners, with a free eBook covering top GRE words.
• What’s included: Fun quizzes, difficulty levels, and easy-to-read word explanations.

Is It Possible to Prepare Alone?

You can study alone or find live online courses for some guidance. But it is absolutely possible to get good test scores while studying alone. Choose what is the best for your educational journey and your own schedule. When you have online resources that provide good study materials and practice questions, you can study self paced. In case you have difficulties, you can apply for one on one support from your teachers.

Also, sometimes it is advisable to get admissions consultants to answer your specific questions on entrance exams and procedures.

GRE Flashcards: How to Prepare for the Exam With Them? 

Flashcards are a powerful tool for GRE prep, especially for building strong vocabulary skills. It will make more effective the process of learning new words. How to use them effectively?

1. Why Use GRE Vocabulary Flashcards?

• The GRE loves testing challenging words, especially in the Verbal Reasoning section.
• GRE Vocabulary Flashcards let you focus on high-frequency GRE words, learning their definitions, synonyms, and usage. Daily practice will help you to build strong vocabulary skills.
• Regular review helps commit tricky words to memory, so you’ll recognize them easily during the test.

How to Memorize Better?

• Use active recall to test yourself. GRE flashcards force you to actively retrieve information rather than passively review notes, which strengthens memory and understanding.

How to Use Spaced Repetition?

Spaced repetition is a powerful technique to master GRE vocabulary, helping you remember words effectively over time. Begin with 10–20 new words daily to avoid overwhelm.

The great thing about GRE flashcards is that you can use them anywhere — while waiting for a doctor’s appointment, on your way home on a bus, or at home. Most people who prepare for the GRE are extremely busy with jobs and studies, so any tool that can save some time is extremely helpful. 

Vocabulary Flashcards Decks to Use to Prepare for the GRE

You can choose any of the decks from the library here, but we will give more specific recommendations of the best ones in our opinion. 

GRE Vocabulary Wordlist

A GRE vocabulary flashcards deck to expand your vocabulary for the first part of the exam. A lot of words with their meaning explained in precise and understandable ways. It has such words as “altercation”, “Imbroglio” and “Penurious” — not something you use daily in the English language. GRE vocabulary flashcards will help you to memorize them.

Explore the deck 

GRE Words — Vocabulary Deck

Another good deck with GRE Vocabulary Flashcards but with three options of definitions from different textbooks or guidelines. It has definitions from the Kaplan Test Prep book and Barron book. Each of the GRE vocabulary flashcards has examples of sentences with the usage of the words. 

Suits better for cases where you want to understand topics better. 

Explore the deck 

Barron’s GRE MASTER LIST 3500

The deck is based on Barron’s preparation guide. Together with Kaplan test prep they make a great couple of the most popular prep books.

This deck is amazing for working together with the Barron book and preparation on your own. There are 4000 words, might be hard to remember all of them, but even going through a deck daily will help to understand the meanings of most of them. Don’t forget to use this GRE vocabulary flashcards deck in your preparation.

Explore the deck