[Zishen GRE] High-Score Experience

School and major: graduated from National Cheng Kung University, Department of Pharmacy

Scores: first attempt 320 (V:156 Q:164 AW: 3.0); second attempt 334 (V:164 Q:170 AW: 3.5). Both times the order was VQVQ

Test dates: 2025/11/21; 2026/7/3 (I went abroad in between, so I took a break and didn't touch the GRE)

[Prep Experience & Methods by Section]

[Vocabulary]

-I really recommend studying Teacher Li Shuo's vocabulary book seriously! It's the essence of the essence~ The first time I took the test, I was so short on time that I hadn't memorized the book properly, and it clearly showed: I only got 156 on verbal (156 isn't a bad score, but my own goal was 160+). For my second attempt, I reviewed all the hardest words at the back of the book three times before the test, and when I did the reading on test day, the passages suddenly became very clear and easy to follow. I could also pick the right options thanks to the related synonyms the teacher gave as examples in class. The audio files the teacher provides are also handy: spend 15 minutes before bed quickly reviewing the units you studied that day, and I find that

when you wake up the next day, those words won't feel so unfamiliar!

[Text Completion]

-The teacher kept stressing “transition, contrast, synonym,” and that really is the key to these questions. What the GRE loves to test comes down to these three, so when choosing, remember to skim the question first and check for antonyms and synonyms, ignoring the other options for now. Then follow the logical steps the teacher taught, and you can eliminate one of the antonym/synonym pair, and there's your answer!

[Reading]

-I think reading requires clear logic. For example, you have to get the main idea questions the teacher emphasizes right, because they shape how you think about the whole question set.

So for every passage, even when there's no main idea question, I quickly decide in my head what kind of passage it is, whether there are commentators besides the author, and so on.

Finally, and most importantly, don't waste too much time agonizing over one question! Every question is worth the same, so you can start with the passages that look easiest to you and leave the complicated ones for last (long-winded ones or Renaissance-related ones). That will definitely boost your chances of a high score through technique!

[Quantitative]

-Math was the section I was most confident about, yet it was where I stumbled hardest. I was very confident on my first attempt, and because of careless mistakes I got a very low score; I couldn't even tell where I'd gone wrong. For the second attempt I learned my lesson: I practiced and reviewed properly and found where I tended to be careless, like adding one too few or subtracting one too few. These are the key points!!! Also, while reviewing, I recited my old middle school math formulas in my head, even the very simple ones, and on test day I found I could plug in numbers very fast without any hesitation. So I think the most important improvement behind finally getting my target perfect score in quant on the second attempt was learning to be “humble”: never

assume you're so good at math that you don't need to practice!

[Logic]

-I think logic questions can be practiced together with reading, because they're short but you have to get every word and the cause-and-effect order straight. As for solving technique,

I handle it the same way as reading. Following the teacher's advice, I first pin down the order of events; if you're worried about forgetting, you can mark it on paper with simple symbols. When looking at the options, rule out the ones whose tone is too absolute in either direction, too positive or too negative. That way, it's basically not too hard.

[Writing]

For writing, I just worked at my IELTS level and memorized more examples, especially for the recently hot topics the teacher mentioned. Thanks also to the teacher for putting together a set of model essays for us and marking the high-frequency ones; on the real test I actually got a prompt I had prepared and was able to finish an academic essay in a short time.

[GRE Real Exam Course]

Text completion: the teacher kept stressing “transition, synonym, contrast.” I think if you stick to these three themes when choosing answers, you'll basically be fine!

Reading: thanks to the teacher for picking out the high-frequency passages for us; it was incredibly helpful!!! The teacher also walked us through breaking down questions and helped us build a feel for the language.

Overall: correcting your mistakes is the key. The teacher said reviewing your corrections matters more than the number of questions you do, and I think that makes a lot of sense. I kept correcting and reviewing myself, so I got familiar with the logic behind each question type.

[Study Plan]

I suggest giving yourself at least two months for the GRE. In the first month, memorize the vocabulary, including the math vocabulary. Also in the first month, start using practice questions to find your blind spots in logic; don't wait until the second month. From the second month on, do lots of practice questions and take one online mock test a week; testing how you react under real conditions is very important. For my first attempt I was too rushed and didn't prepare seriously; I took the test with only about 50% of my study plan done. My score wasn't too bad, but I clearly didn't reach my goal. For the second attempt I strictly followed the plan I'd set for myself, touching Verbal and Quant every single day, and for writing

I wrote one essay a week and built my own one-of-a-kind template. I think the discipline to follow through is the real key to success.

[Test Center Report]

I was actually very happy with the test centers both times. The machines had no problems at all, and the staff were very professional and patient, so you can choose either of these two locations with confidence.

[Words of Encouragement for Other Test Takers]

I hope my experience shows you that “cleverness alone won't get you to success. Only solid follow-through and disciplined habits are the key to getting yourself to 330+ on the GRE.” Taking the GRE is really a process of reviewing and training yourself. I wish you all an offer from your dream school!