Analogies are one of the 4 sections that make up the GRE Verbal section. To ace this section you’ll need to have a strong grasp on the following concepts: establishing relationships between words; setting up general relationships in a sentence; and identifying/using relationship types. Like most of the verbal section, having a strong vocabulary will help you through this section, but here are some bonus tips to increase your speed and confidence.
- Colons easily indentify this section. Colons in each word pairing as used as a substitute for the phrase a is to b as is to . Saying this phrase aloud can help trigger your memory.
- Pick the strongest relationship. If you can narrow your options down to two answers, pick the option that is always true, or at least, most often true.
- Relationships, not definitions are paramount. Unlike many of the other verbal sections, what the words mean is not as important as how they relate to each other. Always evaluate the answers on the proper criteria!
- Correct answers will never reverse the relationship. While EYES:SIGHT is the same type of relationship as HEARING:EARS, the order of the relationship has been reversed, so we know it is an incorrect answer.
- Memorize types of relationships. If you can memorize the types of relationships you can save a great deal of time by quickly identifying which answers will be most appropriate. Types of relationships include: synonym/antonym; part/whole; cause/effect; degree/intensity; purpose/function; type/kind.
Feeling confident yet? Check out a detailed lesson, or put your tips to the test.