Managing Major Life Challenges and Studying

GRE General
1

This will be my third year taking the GRE, and I am once again struggling with major life challenges, namely homelessness, financial instability, and CPTSD. Miraculously, I scored a 310 last year under similar conditions. I was hoping this year my situation would finally change but it hasn’t - at this point, I no longer believe there is ever a “perfect time” for test taking.

I have attempted to be strict about my study schedule - complete XYZ modules by next week, etc with specific assignments to work on per day. But I realized this kind of rigidity only makes things worse when I am not able to complete it for whatever life reason. I’ll then look at my calendar and the pile of incomplete tasks I have done, and feel behind.

Wondering if anyone else has managed to navigate studying under challenging conditions, and tips on how to work with fluidity. I was considering getting a tutor just to keep me on track and hold me accountable - even though the general advice on gregmat is to hone my foundation before getting a tutor.

thanks in advance

2

Hello,

I am sorry you are struggling with major life challenges. Studying for the GRE takes time and energy. However, I believe in you and know you can do it!

First of all, do you have a particular deadline to take the GRE? Are you applying for graduate school this cycle or in the future? Depending on the urgency, it may be possible to spread out your learning into smaller chunks that are more manageable. Suppose you want to apply for graduate school in Fall 2026. Then, you can work on building you fundamentals over time. PrepSwift can be a very efficient and time-saving tool. If you are not using it already, then it may be helpful.

When you get the chance on your own schedule, feel free take the following diagnostic quizzes. These can help target your Quant strengths and weaknesses:
Take the following quizzes:

Arithmetic: https://forms.gle/1yNWtpatymwLQFDN7
Algebra: https://forms.gle/Jbe9Y3MysMZSkmR89
Coordinate Geometry: https://forms.gle/QX5NC8VzH41pema39
Geometry: https://forms.gle/9eSu7Kb27Tsrqu2r8
Data 1: http://forms.gle/8MGpxzFJRvwaxKGg7
Data 3: https://forms.gle/85PkubBzwZ3AFCNKA

Similarly, for the Verbal, you can check your vocab knowledge using the below method:

  1. Go to Vocab Check - GregMat
  2. Set the groups to all the groups you’ve learned
  3. Set the word count to 30
  4. Complete around 10 of these
  5. Tell me your scores on those.

Also, completing a diagnostic test can be very helpful (possibly a GregMat Mini Exam or a PowerPrep exam). This can help you identify your weaknesses and save yourself time and energy. Work smarter not harder.

Keep up the good work! We are all here on the GregMat forum to support your GRE journey. After you work through your foundations, a tutor can be a helpful resource. It is up to you.