The Bible has had an enormous influence on English literature, and it is destined to make an appearance on the GRE. Acquaint yourself with the primary characters (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Abraham, Moses, Saul, David, John the Baptist, Paul, Judas, Jesus, etc.). You should also be able to recognize different translations of the Bible. Here's a tip: if it sounds like Chaucer, it’s the Wycliffe translation. If it sounds like Shakespeare, it's the King James. There's no need to tackle the law or the genealogies, but if you have never turned a page in the good book before, you'll probably need to read Genesis, Exodus, and one of the four Gospels (John is a popular choice, but Matthew has more of the sayings of Christ that find their way into literature.)
(8) Practice, Practice, Practice.
It is imperative that you take sample GRE tests in order to familiarize yourself with the format of the exam. Take at least one practice test before you begin the bulk of your study in order to identify your weaknesses. Books containing actual Literature GRE's are available for purchase from online retailers if you cannot locate them in your local bookstore.
Preparing for the Literature GRE certainly seems daunting, and you may be shocked by your performance on your first practice test. But if you follow these suggestions and persevere in your studies, you should be able to raise your score considerably. You can visit my website at www.editorskylar.com for some useful, printable overviews of literary history, literary criticism, and literary terms.