---
title: Grad School / MBA News and GMAT / GRE Strategy | MyGuru | Mark Skoskiewicz (4)
description: "Mark Skoskiewicz holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a Major in Finance from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, (he received additional minors in Philosophy and History). At IU, Mark was an undergraduate economics instructor teaching supplemental small group sessions for the department’s introductory economics course. During his junior and senior years, he was a private economics, finance, and accounting tutor. After Indiana, Mark spent 8 years working for Marakon Associates before creating MyGuru in 2009 while earning his MBA at Northwestern Kellogg to make it easier for parents and students to find high quality yet affordable tutors. While Mark wants MyGuru to always be known as a source for excellent tutors, we also aim to be a thought leader on how to improve academic performance through shifts in mindset, well-defined study plans, improved study habits, and even stress reduction strategies. Mark believes these ideas are a powerful, critical complement to working with an expert private tutor. Mark currently shares insights, advice, and information about how to improve academic performance in MyGuru’s improving academic performance blog and in an eBook Plan, Prepare, Perform: A Personalized Approach to Test Preparation. (4)"
---

# GRAD School / MBA News and GMAT / GRE Strategy

Stay current with the latest grad school or MBA admissions news as well as proven GMAT and GRE strategies.

Browse by

All GRE gre test prep GRE study tips GRE tutors GRE study plan GRE Verbal GRE Vocabulary gre prep MAT MAT Analogies MAT test MAT vs. GRE MAT prep GRE study help Vocab gre quant section GMAT gre quantitative GMAT Blog gre tutoring how to increase my GRE score mat verbal GMAT Focus GMAT vs. GRE GRE Writing Section Uncategorized gre prep course online GRE tutoring GMAT prep Revised GRE studying for the GRE GRE changes GRE mental math gmat strategies GRE reading comprehension gmat mathematics improving your gmat score online gmat test taking strategies time management ACT Challenge Problem GMAT logic GMAT online GMAT score GMAT time management GMAT tips GRE analytical writing GRE at-home testing GRE cost GRE essay GRE essays GRE general test at-home GRE practice tests GRE progress GRE single question passages GRE text completion GRE timing GRE vs. GMAT LSAT MAT math MBA Admissions MBA programs MBA rankings Probability Quant SAT business school gmat 11th edition gmat test gmat test prep gmat tutoring grad school grad school online graduate school gre argument essay gre data interpretation gre geometry help with the GRE how to get a good score on the GRE how to improve a GRE score how to increase GRE score improving my GRE score master's degree mat test prep mba online GRE online gmat tutoring online graduate degree test taking confidence what makes a good score on the GRE exam

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## Posts by Mark Skoskiewicz:

[MAT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/mat) [MAT vs. GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/mat-vs-gre) [MAT Analogies](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/mat-analogies)

### In this continuation of our MAT review video series we discuss a slightly different and generally considered to be trickier type of analogy tested on the MAT.

One of the slightly more complex question types on the Miller Analogies Test involves needing to recognize changes in the literal letters in the words used in the analogy instead of analyzing a more typical contextual or meaning-based analogy. These types of analogies can be particularly tricky, because if you are not aware that they happen, it's possible to fall into what Stefan describes as some "cleverly laid" traps hiding in the answer choices.

Here are some key takeaway from this MAT analogies video:

1. Start by understanding accepted analogies (e.g., you can't relate word B to C)
2. Identify the pivot term in the analogy
3. Recognize MAT analogy relationships can be based on letters or rhyme, not always context. 
4. Words that are "kind of" or "sort of" alike is generally not specific enough for an acceptable MAT analogy
5. Avoid clever traps (e.g., the relationship trap, where you focus on one relationship between two words that doesn't exist between the other two words)

This video was produced by MyGuru [Director of Online Instruction](https://www.myguruedge.com/team/stefanmaisnier-0) and expert online MAT tutor Stefan Maisnier. Visit our [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/c/MyGuruEdge) for more MAT analogy videos.

[GRE Verbal](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-verbal) [GRE study plan](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-study-plan) [GRE study tips](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-study-tips) [how to increase my GRE score](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/how-to-increase-my-gre-score) [GRE study help](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-study-help) [gre prep course](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-prep-course) [GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre) [gre test prep](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-test-prep) [GRE tutors](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-tutors) [gre quant section](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-quant-section) [gre quantitative](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-quantitative)

![studying for GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hubfs/studying%20for%20GRE.jpg?width=300&name=studying%20for%20GRE.jpg)There is certainly a lot of content you must master to earn a high score on the GRE. Your mathematics, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing skills will be tested and obviously are key to earning a 90thpercentile GRE score (or better).

[test taking strategies](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/test-taking-strategies) [ACT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/act) [SAT](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/sat) [GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre) [test taking confidence](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/test-taking-confidence)

---

![academic-strategies.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/hub/215486/file-2115349349.jpg?width=225&name=file-2115349349.jpg "academic-strategies.jpg")In [part one of our “Common Test Taking Strategies” series](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/actsat-and-applying-to-college/simple-test-taking-strategies), we noted that strategy is an intrinsic part of preparing for standardized tests, and that without the proper strategies even the most advanced students find themselves performing below their full potential.  We discussed several proven test taking strategies, including using official test prep materials produced by the same company administering the exam (i.e., the Real ACT Prep Guide if you’re taking the ACT), focusing on what the question is actually asking, scanning all potential answers before choosing one, assuming nothing when deciding which answer is best, and making abstractions concrete.

**In part two, we’ll cover five additional test taking strategies:**

- Reading and retention “pauses” for long reading comprehension passages
- Answering easy questions first
- Time management
- Providing overly structured responses
- Test “mentality”

[GRE Verbal](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-verbal) [GRE Vocabulary](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-vocabulary) [GRE study help](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-study-help) [gre tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-tutoring) [GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre) [GRE text completion](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-text-completion)

---

![Overcoming_Test_Anxiety_with_Mindful_Relaxation_Techniques.jpg](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/file-1963669476-jpg/images/Overcoming_Test_Anxiety_with_Mindful_Relaxation_Techniques.jpg?width=250&name=Overcoming_Test_Anxiety_with_Mindful_Relaxation_Techniques.jpg "Overcoming_Test_Anxiety_with_Mindful_Relaxation_Techniques.jpg")Of all the different questions that students work on as they prep for the GRE Verbal, none seem to routinely cause as much trepidation as the Text Completion. If you’ve taught the GRE as much as I have, then you know the particular sigh of fear and pre-emptive defeat that students give when they turn to page to see a sentence riddled with long underscores.

[gre tutoring](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-tutoring) [gre prep course](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-prep-course) [GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre)

![gre prep course](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/file-22514590-png/images/gre-prep-course.png?width=260&height=194&name=gre-prep-course.png)If you’re [planning to take the GRE](https://www.myguruedge.com/gre-test-prep/), chances are that you aren’t treating it as a casual endeavor, but that you are planning to put a lot into it and get a lot out.  After all, a graduate education requires a huge investment and, hopefully, provides a huge return.  So it should be safe to say that you are making a committed effort to prepare.  But with all of the material that is considered essential to an undergraduate education, and the volumes more that is considered specialized, it can be easy to get lost without a roadmap. 

[GRE Vocabulary](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-vocabulary) [GRE study plan](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/gre-study-plan) [test taking strategies](https://www.myguruedge.com/our-thinking/gre-and-the-graduate-school-admissions-process/topic/test-taking-strategies)

There are many different ways to study for the GRE.  But most GRE prep classes, GRE prep courses, and GRE tutors have the following 5 step process in common:

![GRE study tips](https://www.myguruedge.com/hs-fs/file-20708963-jpg/images/shutterstock_120229960.jpg?width=257&height=170&name=shutterstock_120229960.jpg)

- Invest in some type of test prep material that is clear and easy to understand.  Nowadays, there are more than 10 high quality options for almost every standardized test.  Your chosen GRE prep materials should include:
- Complete a diagnostic test to understand strengths and weaknesses **before **you really start studying
- Plan in advance regular study time each week AND what you’ll review during each week
- Complete lots of actual practice problems, covering all of the major conceptual areas of the test
- Complete at least 5 different practice tests, and ensure your score is increasing each time.

However, beyond that generic plan, a customized approach based on the starting point of each individual student can truly increase GRE scores.  For example, here was our approach with one particular student:

**One Customized Approach**

Student was doing well with the quantitative sections of the GRE, but needed to improve verbal and writing scores dramatically.  His objective was to get admitted into top graduate school programs, which required GRE scores in the 90th percentile or better.

(1) Designed a **study plan for GRE vocabulary**

(2) **Intensive student-specific preparation created** to help the student maximize success for questions where he was familiar with words or phrases

(3) **Direct observation of timed testing sections**, to help improve time management and manage stress/frustration.

**Results Achieved**

We observed significant increase in GRE verbal score on second test date, with stated improved confidence, time management, and ability to overcome challenges during the test.

You can read a full case study on our approach with this particular GRE test-taker (coming soon).

**How To Customize a Study Plan?**

Developing a customized GRE study plan doesn’t need to be difficult.  The first step is simply identifying where you are strong vs. weak.  If your percentile score in GRE Quant is 85th percentile (meaning you scored better than 85 out of 100 GRE test takers on your practice GRE), but your GRE Verbal score is 50th percentile, then you should consider layering in an extra week or two of GRE Verbal prep.  If necessary, that may mean investing in additional test prep materials focused on whatever section you need extra help in.  Just keep doing extra practice and reviewing problems you miss. 

However, you do need to keep monitoring your performance **across all sections **as your test prep process progresses towards your test date.  We’ve seen many students who are apparently very strong in verbal but weak in math spend 2 months straight focusing on improving their math score.  Sure enough, come test day, their math score is much better.  However, lo and behold, now their verbal score is much worse.

Why did this happen?  Well, even if you are very good at GRE-verbal, you need to keep the concepts and the problem types fresh in your mind.  You can easily make a bunch of small errors, even though you know the main concepts pretty well, and end up bombing the actual test due to those small errors  piling up.

**Summary**

Like any standardized test, the GRE can be mastered with intelligent, careful practice that starts with basic test taking study plan development and strategy, and layers on a customized approach based on any given student’s starting point, strengths, and weaknesses.  With a calm, steady, planned approach to studying for the GRE, most students observe significant improvement, regardless of the specific prep strategy they chose: GRE class, self-study, or private GRE tutor.

What are your experiences studying for the GRE?

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