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My n=1 sample size of someone who recently took the PGRE:

I've found, doing the PGREs, that the '86, '92, '96, and '01 test to be harder then the '08 test. The '13 felt somewhere between them, but closer to the '08 test. The ones in the "Conquering" I felt were closer to the earlier physics tests, but in a more abstract ways over heavy calculations. I recently took the test (just yesterday) and felt difficulty was actually easier then expected, but then again I did every test multiple times in addition to reading the book (easier then expected doesn't mean easy btw. It means I felt prepared).

I would say, this being my subjective interpretation, that easiest to hardest would be

(easiest) 08 -> 13 -> 01 -> 96 -> 86 -> 92 (hardest - seriously, anyone who took the 92 test for reals, how did you survive?!)

I would suggest doing them in chronological order, and if you can do them repeatedly, do them again but randomize the questions across the exams (something like 1986 01, 2001 02, 1996 03, etc.). As for the CTPG, I did those once each, but if you can sneak in more then one pass on them you'll be in a good position.

One thing I did was, instead of trying to duplicate the testing conditions exactly I just did them whenever I could as often as I could, trying to fill in gaps of my knowledge. I felt building up my confidence was more useful then solving problems quickly, because knowing the material would give me speed. That worked, and I finished with a little time to spare to review some problems. Again, sample size of 1 here that hasn't gotten his exam score back so if there are better studying tips I wont be insulted at disregarding me.

One thing that helped, weirdly, is Quantum Mechanics for Dummies (BnN carries it too). I got it because about 2 months out I realized that going through my old QM text books was not going to happen, but this one actually filled in a lot of the major details quickly. Instead of trying to build QM from the ground up, this is more of a quick review and assumes you already know the subject and made the QM portion so much easier. It's not a popular science book, more of a review book for those that are already familiar with the subject.

Don't know if you have this but this website has several exams with solutions, and links to the 01 exam with solutions. And here are the solutions to the '13 exam.

And finally: good luck. You've got 40 days which is actually quit a lot of time. Don't squander it, but don't over tax yourself - that can be just as detrimental.

I am using Conquering the Physics GRE as an overview, but I really enjoy anything from David Morin and David J. Griffiths for the level of questions and explanations (and in-book/online solutions manuals that go a long way towards showing you how to think like a physicist). But my "library" for preparing for the physics GRE is:

CM: Morin, Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics and Introduction to Classical Mechanics

Gregory, Classical Mechanics for extra explanations and problems

EM: Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics 3e

QM: Griffiths, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3e

Thermo/Stat.Mech: Schroeder, An Introduction to Thermal Physics

Kittel and Kroemer, Thermal Physics

Waves: Morin, on his website are ten chapters to what appears to be a Waves book in the making

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~djmorin/waves/

Atomic, Lab Methods: Conquering the Physics GRE and any online resources I can find.

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If you email Case Western, they send a link to some amazing flash cards!

that's what happened to me in the april exam. i drastically improved my score by completing multiple chapters out of schaum's 3000 physics problems and completely forgoing practicing with the previous exams. if you plan on taking the exam again, consider that strategy (note there is also a schaum's guide to quantum mechanics)