How to build a strong vocabulary for GRE?

The GRE is known for having one of the toughest verbal reasoning sections that often intimidates students. To score well on verbal reasoning, you need to build a strong vocabulary base that is near impeccable. And that is indeed possible if you are willing to put in the effort required. The question is: how can you put this effort? Are there any tricks to it? 

Before we go ahead with this question, we need to understand the vocabulary-based structure that the GRE is built upon:

• It includes some high-frequency words you must know and understand well.

• Many times, words are context-dependent, and thus, you need to have the ability to understand the context as well.

• It sometimes tests you on the lesser-known meanings of words.

• Synonyms lie at the core of its vocabulary game.

Tips And Tricks

The following are some tricks that will guide you around “How to build a strong vocabulary for GRE?”

• Read the words aloud: Reading the words out loud helps you memorize the word better. Read the words out loud four to five times, so that you can remember the word better.

• Sentence Making: Okay, so you have learned a word, but to understand it better, it's necessary to know how it's used. Craft your own sentences using that word; this will increase your understanding of that particular word. 

• Short story technique: Gather some of the words that you have learnt and write a short story using them in your free time. This will improve your overall comprehension of context and help you relate words to one another, enabling you to understand them better.

• Analyze the roots and etymology: Etymology helps you gain insight into how the word came to be; it likely shares its origin with other words. You can learn words with similar roots together; this will help you connect the words and guess the meanings of words with similar roots.

• Quiz yourself often: Don’t slack on testing oneself; quiz yourself on the words you have learnt as much as possible. This will help you examine where your vocabulary stands and what you need to do to take it to a higher level. What words do you keep forgetting again and again? Note them somewhere for better revision.

• Check out the high-frequency words: Learn those words that are often repeated in the GRE; they should be your main focus while working on vocabulary. High-frequency words are likely to repeat again and are somewhat more important than others for securing a better score.

• Practice synonymous words together: While practicing a word, make sure to practice its synonyms along with it. When you encounter a new word, look up its synonyms; this will broaden your vocabulary. 

The main point here is that all these tricks revolve around increasing engagement with the word, so try to engage with it as much as possible. If possible, find your own ways to engage with the word.  For example, upon finding a really intriguing word, you can discuss it with your friends and family. This practice will be fun and will also allow you to subtly show off your improved vocabulary. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, building a good vocabulary is basically befriending as many words as possible. With more engagement and practice, you are sure to do well with vocabulary. So keep making friends with different words; being word-friendly will for sure help you tackle the verbal reasoning section of the GRE. 

We understand that practicing and preparing for the GRE can be tough and overwhelming. However, Hello Study Global can train you into a master exam giver when it comes to the GRE, so let us help you out with your exam preparation.

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What is the best way to learn word meanings in context?

Try reading articles, books, or GRE passages and observe how words are used naturally. Practicing sentence creation and short stories also helps build contextual understanding.

What should I do if I keep forgetting words?

Identify those words and revise them more frequently, use them in sentences, and group them with synonyms or roots to improve retention.

How can I remember difficult words more effectively?

You can improve retention by reading words aloud, using them in sentences, creating stories, and revising regularly. Active engagement helps memory much more than passive reading.