Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test

The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test (often abbreviated as OG) is the single most reliable resource for anyone preparing for the Graduate Record Examination. Published by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that creates and administers the GRE, the guide offers authentic practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and insider tips that reflect the tests current format.

Whats Inside the Guide?

The book is divided into three main sections, mirroring the GREs structure:

• Analytical Writing Sample issue and argument essays, scoring rubrics, and a stepbystep strategy for each essay type.
• Verbal Reasoning Hundreds of readingcomprehension passages, textcompletion, and sentenceequivalence items with thorough explanations.
• Quantitative Reasoning Real testlevel math problems covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, plus a review of key formulas.

Each practice set is accompanied by a detailed breakdown of why each answer is correct or incorrect, helping you identify specific weaknesses.

Why Choose the Official Guide?

There are many commercial GRE prep books on the market, but the OG stands out for three reasons:

1. Authenticity All questions are taken from actual GRE administrations (or are written by the test makers); their difficulty and style match what youll encounter on test day.
2. ScoreBased Practice Tests Two fulllength, computerbased practice tests simulate the real testing environment, complete with the same adaptive algorithm for Quantitative and Verbal sections.
3. ETS Insight The guide includes sections on testtaking strategies straight from the test makers, such as how the scoring algorithm works and what the experimental section means.

How to Use the Guide Effectively

1. Diagnose Your Baseline

Start with one of the two full practice tests. Take it under timed conditions, using a computer if possible. Record your raw scores and, more importantly, note the question types that gave you trouble.

2. Target Weak Areas

Return to the relevant chapter (Verbal, Quant, or Writing) and work through the practice sets that focus on those problem types. Use the explanations to understand not just the right answer but the reasoning process behind it.

3. Build a Strategy Toolkit

• Verbal: Practice previewquestionanswer technique for reading passages; master common wordroot patterns for textcompletion.
• Quant: Familiarize yourself with the onscreen calculator, learn to estimate quickly, and practice eliminating answer choices.
• Writing: Follow the Plan Write Review loop for each essay and memorize a few highimpact templates for the Issue task.

4. Take the Second Full Test

After a week or two of focused practice, retake the second full-length test. Compare scores to your baseline; any improvement indicates your preparation is on track.

Supplementing the Official Guide

While the OG can carry most candidates to a competitive score, pairing it with additional resources can round out preparation:

• Vocabulary Apps Tools like Magoosh Vocabulary Builder reinforce the highfrequency words that appear in the Verbal section.
• Online Question Banks Websites such as Manhattan Prep or PowerPrep (also from ETS) provide extra problem sets for extra practice.
• Study Groups Discussing tricky questions with peers often reveals alternate solving strategies.

Common Misconceptions About the Guide

Misconception 1: I dont need to do the full practice tests. The adaptive nature of the GRE means you cant reliably gauge your score without experiencing the computerbased format. The practice tests are the only way to simulate this behavior.

Misconception 2: The OG is too easy for highscoring students. While the difficulty curve mirrors the average test, the guide still includes hard items that appear in the top percentile. Moreover, the explanations teach the higherorder thinking required for those questions.

Purchasing Options

The Official Guide is available in several formats:

• Print paperback Ideal for those who like to annotate on paper.
• eBook (Kindle, Nook, PDF) Convenient for onthego study; includes clickable links to the online practice tests.
• Bundle with PowerPrep Online Some retailers offer a package that grants a limited free subscription to ETSs official practice platform.

Final Thoughts

Preparation for the GRE need not be a guessing game. By using the Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test as the backbone of your study plan, you gain direct access to the same material the test makers use. Combine disciplined practice, strategic review, and a realistic simulation of test conditions, and youll be well positioned to achieve a score that reflects your true potential.