How to Score 320+ on GRE 2026: Preparation Strategy & Study Plan

Scoring 320+ on the GRE in 2026 is the golden ticket to top-50 universities in the USA, Canada, Germany, and beyond. A 320+ score puts you in roughly the top 20% of all GRE test-takers globally, opening doors to competitive MS, MBA, and PhD programs — along with merit-based scholarships that can cover 30-100% of your tuition. At EEC, our structured GRE coaching programme has helped thousands of Indian students cross the 320 mark. In this comprehensive guide, we break down what 320+ really means, give you a detailed 90-day week-by-week study plan, share section-wise strategies for Quant, Verbal, and AW, and show you how to avoid the most common mistakes Indian students make. Whether you are a working professional or a final-year engineering student, this guide will give you a clear roadmap to your dream score and dream university.

What 320+ Means: Percentile & University Tier

The GRE General Test (revised September 22, 2023) is approximately 1 hour 58 minutes long. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a 130-170 scale, giving a combined score range of 260-340. Analytical Writing is scored separately on a 0-6 scale. A combined score of 320 (for example, V155 + Q165) signals strong academic readiness to admissions committees worldwide. But what does 320+ unlock in practical terms?

As the table shows, every 5-point improvement in your GRE score can jump you an entire university tier. Moving from 315 to 320 is often the difference between a good university and a great one — and the difference between paying full tuition and receiving a meaningful scholarship. That is why a focused, strategic preparation plan matters far more than simply studying more hours.

90-Day Study Plan: Week-by-Week Breakdown

A 90-day (3-month) preparation window is ideal for most Indian students targeting 320+. This plan assumes 3-4 hours of daily study. If you are a working professional, see our 2-month and 3-month preparation roadmaps for adjusted schedules. Below is the week-by-week plan that has helped hundreds of EEC students cross 320.

The key principle is front-loading fundamentals in weeks 1-7 and back-loading practice tests in weeks 8-12. Many students make the mistake of jumping to practice tests too early. Without solid foundational knowledge of Quant concepts and a strong vocabulary base, practice tests simply reinforce bad habits. Trust the process: build the foundation first, then test relentlessly.

Quant Strategy for 165+

For Indian students, GRE Quant should be your strength. The Quant section (2 sections, 27 questions, 47 minutes total) covers Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis — topics you studied extensively in Class 10-12 and competitive exam prep. The goal is not just accuracy but speed: you need to solve 27 questions in 47 minutes, which is roughly 1 minute 44 seconds per question. For detailed topic-wise strategies, see our GRE Quant tips for 165+ guide.

Key Quant Strategies

1. Master Quantitative Comparison questions first — these are unique to the GRE and account for roughly 35-40% of all Quant questions. They test conceptual understanding more than calculation ability. 2. Know your number properties — even/odd, prime, divisibility rules, and special triangles appear in nearly every test. 3. Use the on-screen calculator wisely — it is there for complex arithmetic, not simple calculations. Over-reliance on the calculator wastes precious seconds. 4. Practice Data Interpretation — these multi-part questions based on charts and graphs are often the most time-consuming but also the most predictable. Master the common graph types and you will save 2-3 minutes per set.

Verbal Strategy for 155+

The GRE Verbal section (2 sections, 27 questions, 41 minutes total) is where most Indian students lose points. The average Indian Verbal score is approximately V148 — about 3 points below the global average of V151. To hit 320+, you need at least V155 (ideally V157-160) combined with Q163-165. Verbal has three question types: Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension. For a deep dive, see our GRE Verbal tips for 160+ guide.

Vocabulary: The Foundation of Verbal Success

You need to learn approximately 800-1,000 high-frequency GRE words. But rote memorisation does not work — you need to learn words in context. Use resources like the EEC GRE word list (organised by frequency and difficulty), Magoosh Flashcards, and Gregmat's word lists. Aim for 20-25 new words per day with spaced repetition. By week 7, you should have a working vocabulary of 600+ words, which covers roughly 85% of the words that appear on the actual GRE.

Reading Comprehension: The Points Multiplier

RC accounts for approximately 50% of Verbal questions. The key is to read actively — identify the author's main argument, tone, and structure within 3-4 minutes, then tackle questions. Do not try to understand every detail; focus on the logical flow. Practice with The Economist, Scientific American, and the ETS Official Guide passages to build academic reading stamina.

“I scored GRE 325 (V158, Q167) after 3 months of EEC coaching. The vocabulary strategies and RC techniques were game-changers. My diagnostic score was just 298. If I can do it, anyone can.”

— Ananya Sharma, MS in Data Science, Georgia Tech — GRE 325

Analytical Writing Strategy & Essay Template

Since September 22, 2023, the GRE AW section has only one essay task — Analyse an Issue (the Argument task was removed). You get 30 minutes to write a well-structured essay responding to a given statement. The AW score (0-6, in half-point increments) is reported separately and does not count toward the 340 combined score, but many top universities expect at least AW 4.0+. For detailed essay strategies and templates, see our GRE Analytical Writing tips guide.

Simple Essay Template for 4.0+

Paragraph 1 (Introduction, 3-4 sentences): Paraphrase the issue, state your position clearly, preview your two main arguments. Paragraph 2 (Body 1, 5-6 sentences): First argument with a specific real-world example. Paragraph 3 (Body 2, 5-6 sentences): Second argument with a different example. Paragraph 4 (Counterargument, 3-4 sentences): Acknowledge the opposing view and explain why your position is still stronger. Paragraph 5 (Conclusion, 2-3 sentences): Summarise your arguments and restate your position. Aim for 400-500 words total.

Practice Test Schedule

The right practice test strategy is crucial. ETS provides 2 free PowerPrep tests plus 3 paid PowerPrep Plus tests (₹3,000 each). These are the gold standard because they use the actual GRE scoring algorithm. Additionally, Manhattan Prep and Kaplan offer free practice tests. Here is the recommended schedule:

Test 1 (Week 1): ETS PowerPrep Free — your diagnostic baseline. Test 2 (Week 8): Manhattan Prep Free — check mid-preparation progress. Test 3 (Week 10): ETS PowerPrep Free #2 — most accurate mid-point assessment. Test 4 (Week 11): ETS PowerPrep Plus — paid, closest to real exam. Test 5 (Week 12): Final ETS PowerPrep Plus — final dress rehearsal, 5 days before exam. After each test, spend 2-3 hours reviewing every incorrect answer. Identify patterns: are you losing points to vocabulary, time pressure, careless errors, or conceptual gaps?

Error Analysis Framework

After every practice test, categorise each incorrect answer into one of four buckets: Conceptual Gap (you did not know how to solve it — study the topic), Careless Error (you knew the method but made a calculation or reading mistake — slow down), Time Pressure (you ran out of time and guessed — improve pacing), or Trap Answer (you fell for a deliberately misleading choice — study ETS question design). Track these categories across tests. If 40% of your errors are careless, your study plan should prioritise timed practice with error checking, not more content review. If 50% are conceptual gaps, you need more topic-wise drilling before attempting another full-length test.

EEC students use a structured error log spreadsheet (provided as part of the ₹7,500 coaching programme) to track mistakes across all practice tests. This data-driven approach removes guesswork from preparation — you know exactly which topics and question types need attention, and you can measure improvement week over week. Many students find that simply maintaining an error log improves their score by 5-8 points because it forces deliberate reflection rather than passive practice.

Common Mistakes That Keep You Below 320

The "Q170 Will Save Me" Myth

The single biggest mistake is neglecting Verbal. Many Indian engineering students score Q165+ but only V145-148, giving a total of 310-313 — frustratingly close to 320 but not there. Even a perfect Q170 with V148 only gives you 318 — still short of 320. The maths is clear: improving Verbal from V148 to V155 is far easier than improving Quant from Q165 to Q170 (you are fighting diminishing returns at the top of the Quant scale). Investing 60% of your study time in Verbal (especially vocabulary and RC) is the fastest path to 320+ for most Indian students.

Another critical mistake is not reviewing errors systematically. After each practice test or practice set, maintain an error log. For every incorrect answer, write: the question type, the topic, why you got it wrong (conceptual gap, careless error, time pressure, or trap answer), and the correct solution. After 3-4 weeks, patterns emerge — perhaps you consistently miss Geometry questions or fall for Quantitative Comparison traps. Addressing these patterns produces faster score improvement than random practice.

EEC 4-Hour Daily GRE Programme

EEC offers India's most structured GRE coaching programme — a 4-hour daily online programme available in both Online Live and Pre-recorded formats at just ₹7,500. The programme is designed specifically for Indian students targeting 320+ and covers every aspect of GRE preparation: Quant fundamentals, Verbal vocabulary and strategy, AW essay writing, and practice test analysis. The GRE exam fee in India is ₹22,000, and EEC coaching at ₹7,500 represents exceptional value — a total investment of under ₹30,000 to unlock scholarships worth lakhs.

Explore our other GRE guides: GRE Quant tips for 165+, GRE Verbal tips for 160+, GRE AW tips for 4.0+, and GRE 2-month & 3-month study plans. Also see GRE coaching at EEC and study in the USA with EEC.

Frequently Asked Questions