Inundated with scores of different GRE word lists? Not sure which one to use? Are you dreading committing yourself to one list only to find out it is not the right one?
To allay any such anxiety, I aim to answer those questions by providing an overview of the popular lists out there. I will also discuss how to and how not to use a word list. But first, it behooves me to give you real opinion of word lists for the GRE – they’re not the Holy Grail of a good vocabulary.
A better way to learn vocabulary
Here are several posts I’ve written on the topic:
How to Study Vocabulary for the Revised GRE
Alright, alright, you came here to find out about some word lists, so here are my reviews:
Kaplan’s 900 words – Good
The words found on this list are high-frequency GRE words. Remember this does not mean that if you study all 900 words you will know every word that will show up test day. Far from it. But this is a good beginning.
To really take advantage of this word list—and any word list, for that matter—is to use quizlet.com. The good news is that quizlet already has this set of flashcards ready to go. If you don’t know already, quizlet.com is an excellent (and free) online flashcard resource. Better yet, each word list comes with a ready-made quiz. Studying this way is a thousand times more effective than looking at a list of words.
Barron’s 4,759 words – Avoid
Simply put, this list is overkill. If you slog through it, you won’t know the difference between high-frequency and low-frequency words. Even though this list is already built into quizlet.com, skip it.
Barron’s 3500 – Avoid
This is a word list from the Barron’s prep guide for the old GRE. Notice I said old GRE. Some of these words are not applicable to the new GRE (they are words that popped up on the analogy section). The fact that Barron’s chose not to publish this list in their new GRE guide is telling.
You also want to avoid using this list because it is extremely dull and tedious. Hundreds of words are crammed on one page. Your eyes will glaze over quickly, your brain will fall asleep…you might as well being watching daytime television.
Perhaps most importantly, the definitions here are very vague and not at all adequate for the sense of how a word functions in context. That’s probably why Barron’s did not include this list in their new guide.
Nova’s 4500 – Definitely avoid
This list is in the Nova’s verbal book. Like anything Nova releases for verbal, avoid. This list really is a travesty to GRE word lists. Words are vaguely—and often mistakenly—defined. Words you’ll never see are lumped together with high-frequency words. Throw in the fact that this is simply a word list and I can think of no better way to waste one’s precious GRE prep time than studying this list.
Internet word lists – Beware
These are a dime a dozen, and often they poach Barron’s word list. Others are just a random word list filled with archaic words or “analogy words” that appeared on the old GRE. Avoid these lists at all costs. Not just because the content is ‘iffy’ but because they are static lists.
Magoosh word list on quizlet.com – Good
All the words that have appeared in our vocabulary ebook (which means “Vocab Wednesdays”) have been conveniently set up in quizlet.com. After using quizlet, you can also read the original posts that do even more to flesh out the meaning of words.
How to use a word list
This is perhaps the most important part of using a word list – doing it the right way. Reading through a word list of unknown words is the single most ineffective way to study vocabulary. That’s right – ineffective. If you catch yourself studying this way, stop. Do something else, anything else short of committing a misdemeanor, for reading a word list truly is criminal.
Why? What’s with all my hyperbole? Well, our brains learn from being challenged. What most are wont to do is to read each word, then the definition. At that point, they think they have learned the word. After all, the definition is right there. They carry on and by the end of the word list they think they’ve learned something.
If you were to quiz such a person 30 minutes after they’ve read the list, they will remember the definition for very few words. They will remember the placement of words, Oh yes, ‘stymie’ was next to ‘esoter…i…’ something, uh…). Ask them to provide the word once you read the definition and you might as well be asking them what the capital of Equatorial Guinea is.
Whichever list you end up using, don’t forget quizlet. It takes the flashcard concept (which is based on randomized order) and expands upon it by offering excellent quizzes. Remember, the brain learns while being challenged.
Hi,
Just stumbled across your site today. Your posts are super-helpful.
One quick question. Between “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis and Barron’s 1100 which one do you think is better? Which one do you suggest should suffice for the prep?
Hi Samaira,
Personally, I like the Barron’s 1100 book better. All the words are potential GRE words, whereas Norman Lewis’s book sometimes includes non-GRE words simply because they fit the category. Also, Barron’s 1100 has more dynamic quizzes and forces you to think about the words in context. Basically, it’s better for self-studying.
Hope that helps!
Hi Chris,
I’m wondering if you have read Barron’s 601 words? If you have, how is it compared to Barron’s 1100?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Alex,
I actually have not – but I’ll pick up a copy now that you mentioned it!
If it is just as good–and those 601 words are as really GRE-centric–then perhaps the 601 is the way to go (half the number of words
).
Chris,
Can you share the official Magoosh Quizlet Flashcard set ? When I search in Quizlet for the string Magoosh, I get 296 Sets of Flashcards
Hi, Arun
We actually do not have an official set of Magoosh flashcards on Quizlet– all of the 296 sets were created by our students!
I looked through them, this seems like the best one: http://quizlet.com/19881356/magoosh-gre-flash-cards/.
It includes example sentences, full definitions, and has a lot of words, which is great.
Some alternatives:
1. I would recommend creating your own flashcard set or list of words that you stumble upon while you’re studying with Magoosh or reading the blog, since the words that you do and do not know will not be the same as anyone else’s! Also, many many students have told me that making their own lists was very helpful to them in really remembering the words on test day.
2. We’re working on official, printable Magoosh flashcards for all of the words in our Vocabulary eBook, but they will not be ready for at least a month.
I hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions along the way
.
Best,
Margarette
The link provided does not work, it shows “Sorry, the creator of the flashcard set “magoosh-GRE” has limited access to just his or her self “.
Hi, Achint (and Arun!)
Sorry about that! When I was browsing it had been public, it looks like the creator must have adjusted his/her settings.
This one is very good (includes pictures, synonyms, and examples) and is a mix of Magoosh/Barron’s words: http://quizlet.com/17008908/072012-gre-vocab-prep-8-magoosh-barron-flash-cards/
I hope that helps
Best,
Margarette
How about this http://quizlet.com/17008908/072012-gre-vocab-prep-8-magoosh-barron-flash-cards/ ? Has around 1104 (words + idioms).. Doubt is, are these really from barron’s or just some random word…
Hi, Vaz
Isn’t that the same link? Unfortunately, as with anything published unofficially on the web, you can’t really know whether those words are from Barron’s unless you have the book yourself, but I think the words looks pretty good
Best,
Margarette
Hi Margarette,
Thanks for pointing out. That was a wrong link. Below is the correct one:
http://quizlet.com/5370392/1100-words-you-need-to-know-flash-cards/
Thanks for your input on the cumbersome wordlists. What about Barrons 1100 words?
That’s a great question! I actually didn’t even think of the Barron’s 1100 as a word list. It is so dynamic–quizzes, matching, in-context identifying–that it is more of a vocabulary book. That said, definitely use it
.
How about “Word Power Made Easy” by Norman Lewis. If I’m done with this book thoroughly, will it suffice for the Vocab. part of the GRE? Plz help out Chris!
Thanks!