So for those that are considering grad school and those that have already taken the GRE, I figured we could post about what to expect and answer any questions.

I'm currently gearing up to start studying for these things. I've been out of undergrad since 2008 and I haven't had to really study for much of anything. Any grad students have any words of wisdom as far as this standardized test goes?

3/14/2011 3:08:55 PM

wrong thread. dur

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 3:12 PM. Reason : .]

3/14/2011 3:11:56 PM

Get yourself a study guide, it will walk you through the test prep process. I used Kaplan and thought it was pretty good. Next download the powerprep software from the GRE website. It will give you actual tests that use the same software interface you will experience on test day. I would recommend not doing the powerprep tests until you have completed or nearly completed your initial prep though, because those are the best benchmark you will have. The Kaplan pack will come with lots of practice tests too that you can warm up on.

There will be a lot of things you have probably forgotten by now, especially things like vocabulary and simple math tricks. What I did was review for about 30-60 minutes at the end of the day at a casual pace until I felt like I could remember most of the stuff without looking anything up. It took me about a month until I felt comfortable again then I really started doing testing drills. This is where I would lock myself in a room and pretend like I was taking the actual test.

Also, know what your grad schools are looking for. If you are applying to math, stats, engineering, then your verbal score will count much less (perhaps not at all) and likewise if you are applying to humanities then your math will be considered much less. If you need to knock out the math, pay much more attention to that and vice versa during your prep. For my stats program I know that anything less than a 700 on the math section was considered to be pretty poor, so I made sure to come in above that even at the expense of my verbal score.

Most of the challenge of the GRE isn't the intellectual difficulty (its mostly at the same level as the SAT) but about having your test taking skills honed and sharpened. You can take an actual prep course, but be prepared to spend $1200 or more on one.

Hope this helps.

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 3:29 PM. Reason : Last part]

3/14/2011 3:26:43 PM

Re-learn cursive. That statement they make you write before taking the test has to be in cursive.

Seriously, though ^all great advice. I'd also recommend (provided you need/would like a higher verbal score) to find a book/list like "Top 200 words on the GRE." I had one (not sure where it is now) and I know at least 5 of them were on the test when I took it in 2008. Doesn't sound like much, but those were 5 words I wouldn't have known without it.

Good luck.

3/14/2011 4:06:24 PM

The prep courses are generally overpriced. A couple of my friends and myself tutor for the GRE. We'll help you work out a review schedule, answer your questions, and help you find quicker ways to work problems. All for $30 to $35 an hour, and you spend a lot fewer hours working with us because it's personalized. A lot of my GRE students just have me help them when they think a problem took too long or they don't see what went wrong in their practice.

If you are taking the new one, I'd suggest finding someone that tutors SAT as well, since that uses a calculator and they are adding an on screen calculator so I'm guessing they'll be fairly similar. GMAT experience might be helpful as well.

3/14/2011 4:55:57 PM

I was able to take a Princeton Review course for the GRE through NC State and got it at a reduced price of about $200.00 if I remember correctly. It was money well spent. The course was very effective in teaching me how to take the test and do well on it. I don't think I'm that sharp of a person but my overall score improved by 200 points putting me at the 86th percentile for verbal and 70th for quantitative which was good enough for the schools I applied to.

If you don't want to go that route the best advice I can give you is to take as many practice tests as possible, preferably ones that are adaptive, so the testing environment is recreated as close as possible to the real thing. The more practice tests you take, the easier it is to see the traps that get many people that take the test, and you'll be comfortable with the material. I think they are introducing new types of questions this year though, so make sure you're not practicing the old types of questions.

3/14/2011 5:40:53 PM

Caveat: I'm a math geek who is pretty comfortable in tests. I took the GRE approximately fall 2008

I used the free GRE study material to familiarize myself with the question style, and did no other prep. I had been out of undergrad for 7 years, but had begun grad classes (Needed GRE for PhD applications, got into MS with no testing required).

I did well on the math and verbal, but absolutely tanked the written section. Retrospectively, I should have done substantially more practice for the written portion. A weak area for me and a test style I had not seen before. I believe it hurt me with one school. They listed a minimum written score a full point above what I got, and rejected me within a week of receiving my application.

3/14/2011 6:16:04 PM

1) Search for 'gre' in Study Hall. Some good advice in the threads you will find.

2) Free resources you will find useful:
http://www.testprepreview.com/vocabulary.htm
http://supervoca.com
http://www.manythings.org/fq/m/2991.html

3) Free material on the official site:
http://www.ets.org/gre/general/prepare
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare (if testing on or after 8/1/11)

4) If you want to get a near-full score on Quantitative, you must know these basic things and should be able to recall/use them immediately:

first 20 squares
first 10 cubes
prime numbers
prime factoring
divisibility rules
a few pythagorean triples
fraction/percentage/decimal representations of some common fractional numbers
percentage increase/decrease
percentage discount
inverse percentage problems
ratios/proportions
laws of exponents/radicals
arithmetic involving fractions
formulas for area
formulas for surface area and volume
types of triangles
types of quadrilaterals
circles
angles formed when a line cuts 2 parallel lines
scaling up/down in 2D and 3D
practical problem solving techniques (work problems, rate/distance problems, mixture problems, interest problems, etc.)
basic factoring and simplifying
solving linear and quadratic equations
simultaneous linear equations
linear functions (finding equation, graphing, finding slope/intercepts, checking parallel/perpendicular)
linear inequalities
metric units
trigonometry (is it on the GRE? i don't think so!)
basic stats and probability
combinations and permutations
venn diagrams (for sets and prob questions)

3/14/2011 6:16:29 PM

This is just like the SAT pretty much.

I have seen people study relentlessly and not crack 1200

And then others not study at all and get a 1500 +

You just need to be great at taking these kinds of tests. However, for most graduate programs these scores don't matter as much. You just don't want to perform miserably.

3/14/2011 6:47:58 PM

that fucking cursive seriously took me like 10 minutes to write. absolutely ridiculous requirement

3/14/2011 7:02:20 PM

I took the GRE 5 years ago so if any of my advice is outdated somebody please correct it.

It's pretty funny about the cursive statement and totally true, it was the hardest thing on the whole test. The quantitative section is very easy, the only difficult thing is that it might have been 10 years since you have had to recall that info. If you're math inclined though, don't worry about this section. I got a 700 on it without breaking a sweat. The other section just comes down to how big your vocabulary is. If you're not a humanities major or a poet, start learning at least 20 words a day, the sooner the better. I think the written section really comes down to how articulately you can relate personal experiences to the questions at hand. I studied abroad a few times, worked my way through all four years paying NCSU tuition, and found that those experiences were much more applicable to writing the essays then anything that happened in college. I related to the questions and answered them thoroughly but concisely, and got a 5.5 rather easily.

As far as strategies go again these might be outdated but when I took the test, you had to answer all the questions before time was called or you faced a stiff penalty. It wasn't like the SAT where you can leave something blank if you don't know it, you need to answer every question. As your going through the math section, if it takes you more then 20-30 seconds for a question skip it and come back, get all the easy ones answered and go back to the time-consuming ones. If there's two minutes left in the math section and you're not very close to finishing, start filling in random answers with your favorite letter. With the verbal section, your score is largely determined by your early answers, with your final score tuned in by the second half of your answers. Your current question is chosen according to whether or not you got the previous question right. You get it right, the questions get harder. You get it wrong the questions get easier. I got three in a row that I really didn't know and then got something so simple it started like "cat is to dog, as ______ is to bird" or something very simple like that. It made me a little upset seeing that question cause I immediately knew I wasn't doing very well. If you find yourself at that point don't panic, take a few deep breathe, and really try to focus and get back on track. I ended up with a 480 on that section. For the writing, be prepared to do this part with earplugs on. There were so many furiously-typing fingers in the room that it would have been impossible to do it without earplugs. If you don't bring your own they will supply them upon request. When you are practicing your GRE prep materials, practice with earplugs in, if only for the written section. Its kind of weird if you get to the exam having never ever worn earplugs for anything, and then you find yourself in a pressure situation in an uncomfortable silent atmosphere.

Also, depending on the program you are applying for, they might have entrance requirements that work in your favor. For example, my primary choice had a policy where they mixed and matched your highest scores from each section if you took the test multiple times. The only time I took the test I got 700Q, 480V, and 5.5W. Since I scored high on quantitative and written, I could have retaken the test and really just focused on the verbal since that was my only mediocre score. I ended up not needing to do this, but don't be afraid to take it a few times if you can afford it. That's all I've got and good luck!

3/14/2011 9:05:25 PM

The best advice I could give is to find as many practice tests as possible and take one, check your score but don't look at the answers, review material you think you needed to review, take it again, and then check your answers. After that you can study the things you missed and you get to use the test twice. Do some more studying and rinse and repeat. Take the practice tests like you are taking the real thing and it will pay off. I didn't find anything as helpful as that when I studied for it, of course I didn't care too much about verbal since the quant section was the one I needed to do well on and the biggest key to that is remembering little tricks and time management.

3/14/2011 9:20:40 PM

The best and most relevant advice I can give is take it before August. They're changing it!

I took practice questions for the future GRE on my GRE and it really sucks.

Most of the material you'll find out there for prep is for the current GRE.

3/14/2011 9:58:44 PM

I'm thinking about taking it again for fun when they change it.

With a calculator, I could be unstoppable on the quant!!! Might even break a 650 this go round!

3/14/2011 10:08:33 PM

For real though, if you haven't taken math since high school (or so), I would recommend you not take the math portion of your practice tests until you've had plenty of time to review concepts and study and do practice problems.

I took a practice test right off the bat just to diagnose myself. I only finished like 5 quant problems (4 problems and was on my 5th) in the amount of time it was supposed to take me to do 27 or something. Of the 4 I finished, I don't even think I got all of them right. Anyway, I freaked out about how totally stupid I was and how much I was going to have to study. So, yeah, there was absolutely no diagnostic benefit...it was just like, "Hey, duuuude, you gotta go learn everything again!!!" It was more of a demoralizing descent into nervous anxiety than a helpful experience. Obviously, I improved dramatically after I relearned the basics, but I never fully bounced back from the blow to my test-taking ego.

[Edited on March 14, 2011 at 10:33 PM. Reason : Feels good to get this out there. I freaked out.]

3/14/2011 10:32:51 PM

GRE is offering 50% off on the GRE revised General Test when you test between August 1 and September 30, 2011

http://slickdeals.net/?pno=48445&lno=1&afsrc=1

3/15/2011 9:25:46 AM

haha i came to post that bobby

3/15/2011 9:36:25 AM

there is a great book somewhere on amazon or elsewhere on the internets called like the Pocket Guide to the GRE. It sounds worthless, but I swear it was the best study aid I found for the math section. It reminded you of all the shortcuts you forgot in middle school for algebra, etc. I did well just off of this book alone back when I did my Masters.

actually, here it is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375753257

thanks amazon account history!

[Edited on March 15, 2011 at 10:31 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2011 10:30:36 AM

the GRE is as easy as the SAT (at least, as easy as the "old" SAT was)

i aced it without studying and did it 2 years after graduating from undergrad

i'm going to make encourage my kids take the GRE right after they take the SAT...seriously, it was that easy

[Edited on March 15, 2011 at 10:58 AM. Reason : .]

3/15/2011 10:38:40 AM

^although most grad school programs want GRE scores from within x number of years... (I think it's 4 or 5 for NCSU for example)

3/15/2011 11:51:59 AM

Quote :

" I only finished like 5 quant problems (4 problems and was on my 5th) in the amount of time it was supposed to take me to do 27 or something."

^^ Damn right. Although, I must say, the Verbal section is definitely harder on the GRE. However, the best way to prepare, as you alluded, is to start GRE preparation soon after finishing SAT preparation. That way, you won't need any time to prepare for the Math, and perhaps just a month at the most for the other 2 sections.

3/15/2011 1:13:42 PM

^^ i've never seen less than 5 (though most ARE 5, i think)...still, if they aren't slackers, it shouldn't be a problem

3/16/2011 12:02:36 PM

Take the practice tests.

http://www.freerice.com for vocabulary practice and helping world hunger at the same time.

I did really well on it and didn't do any classes or buy any material, but I've always been really good at standardized tests.

3/20/2011 10:10:55 PM

Quote :

"i'm going to make encourage my kids take the GRE right after they take the SAT...seriously, it was that easy"

According to my old undergrad advisor [paraphrasing]

"The English part is just to make sure you can understand the language, you won't have problems since you're not international and for math they just make sure you can follow algebra"

Wasn't that bad, could have done better if I studied or practiced but did well enough to get into grad school at state.

3/21/2011 5:58:49 PM

I picked up a little study guide with practice tests and a word list. Probably ran me $4 at a used book store, and I'd say it helped. Certainly filled in some of the gaps in my math knowledge (which atrophied quick after the obligatory "elements of calculus for morons" my first semester freshman year).

It's doubtful that you'll benefit much from more expensive programs.

3/21/2011 5:59:38 PM

i'm applying to the Jenkins MBA program at State starting in Spring 2012. I'll be taking the GRE so this thread is relevant to my interests. I'm assuming the application deadline will be in the beginning of October as it was for Spring 2011 classes, so I've set my own personal application deadline for September 2nd meaning I'll have to take the current GRE in order to have my test scores in time. I'm shooting for mid-June but haven't reserved my seat yet. Will do in the next couple weeks. anybody want a study buddy?!?

[Edited on March 22, 2011 at 12:18 PM. Reason : .]

3/22/2011 11:51:54 AM

i will say that i threw in a quote from national treasure on the written part and got a 5 (or whatever the highest score is)

3/22/2011 12:44:05 PM

THE MOVIE?

3/22/2011 2:48:24 PM

yah, the line about edison failing 1000 times with the lightbulb. the prompt was something about facing failure in your life

3/22/2011 8:44:11 PM

ttt

6/15/2011 4:13:47 PM

I took Kaplan and my score went up like 5 points but I felt like it did help me but a motivated person could easily learn the methods on their own. I studied 1,200+ words, including the 400 most commonly used and still did worse on verbal than I was pretesting - just got a fluke section I guess.

I'd take the test before August because they change it to make the math more difficult and the verbal changes also (that's why Aug. and Sept. tests are half off)

Quote :

"Jenkins MBA program at State starting in Spring 2012. I'll be taking the GRE"

wouldn't you want to take the GMAT for that?

[Edited on June 15, 2011 at 6:44 PM. Reason : ?]

6/15/2011 6:43:32 PM

Quote :

"Re-learn cursive. That statement they make you write before taking the test has to be in cursive."

I did not write it in cursive. just made sure my normal printing was extra sloppy.

6/15/2011 8:14:27 PM

I am taking the GRE in August. I HAD to. But I have some NEW GRE prep course books and flashcards coming my way. The flash cards wont be here until July though. :-( I can still practice. I am also really nervous about it because I am terrible at standardized tests.

6/15/2011 8:36:18 PM

I'm taking the GMAT next week...One of the study books i'm using is a kaplan edition that is a dual gre/gmat math section study guide. The main thing that i've noticed is that most of the ones i get wrong are simply due to not paying attention to the whole question.

6/16/2011 9:17:31 AM

What are the changes in August?

6/30/2011 11:29:57 AM

took the GRE last weekend with about a weeks worth of preparation (signed up in a hurry so I could take the old test). Ended up with 620V and 710Q. Havent received the Writing score yet.

Im interested in a MS Economics or similar (math/science/finance combo).

Thoughts on score? Im pretty confident this is enough for a mid-level school but what about a top-tier? If I take it again it will be the new test so Im hesitant.

Related question...the scores are good for 5 years but in 4 years will the old GRE score be compared with the new GRE test scores?

6/30/2011 11:41:38 AM

I'm taking it at 4:30 today and haven't studied at all for it. Hopefully I can squeeze in a few hours by then.

Regardless, I'll be taking it again in a month.

6/30/2011 12:03:33 PM

Quote :

"Re-learn cursive. That statement they make you write before taking the test has to be in cursive."

Hardest part of the test.

6/30/2011 1:34:12 PM

I <3 GRE

totally can be prepared for.

[Edited on June 30, 2011 at 2:47 PM. Reason : ]

6/30/2011 2:45:48 PM

Quote :

"I <3 GRE"

damn right!

Quote :

"Thoughts on score?"

your V score is pretty good... something like 87th or 88th percentile, right?

as for M, 710 seems like a good score out of 800, but relatively, i would consider it to be OK for someone wanting to do an MS in "math/science/finance". i would guess that's mid to low 70s percentile or just under.... that's why i said it is OK.

mid-level school no problem... top tier, i don't know. depends on so many other things as well. if you have a [very] high gpa, and excellent recommendations as well as personal statement, it just might cut it. also depends on what you mean by top tier... are we talking harvard/MIT/princeton/etc or UCLA/UIUC/UMich/etc? if it is the former, forget it!

Quote :

"Re-learn cursive. That statement they make you write before taking the test has to be in cursive."

i don't get this... i thought you are graded for the content of your writing on the GRE, not on how good your writing looks.

*********************

this is a good read for those taking it in the future:

http://www.greguide.com/GRE-Score/Good-GRE-Scores.html (personal account of someone who got 1560 on the 2nd try, 1210 on the 1st try!!!)

(helpful links at bottom as well)

6/30/2011 3:10:34 PM

I have been studying from my materials I ordered, and I don't see much of a change from when I first took it in 2004. But I took it in 2004. Nothing seemed crazy hard about the study material. In fact, I have only been studying a little bit and I am doing well on practice exams. If anyone plans on taking it after August 16th and want my materials to study from, let me know.

6/30/2011 4:32:58 PM

Just got home - 770 math 600 verbal with no studying. I felt pretty strong about the writing portion, but I'll have to wait a few weeks on that one.

Time to start reading a thesaurus when I'm on the john.

6/30/2011 7:36:34 PM

^ that's awesome... not only the fact that you got good scores considering that you didn't study, but even on their own, those scores are excellent.

6/30/2011 7:37:45 PM

I'm registered to take it on 9/29, last available day for the discount.

Fuck math.

6/30/2011 10:55:47 PM

The best advice I got was that the earlier questions count more. I went in completely blind and ended up with about 5 minutes left to answer the last 12 math questions and managed a 670. I got into the program I was applying for, but in hindsight I should have at least taken the time to figure out what the test was on.

7/2/2011 7:14:08 PM

Quote :

" first 20 squares first 10 cubes"

Lol, no you dont, optard.

/790

7/2/2011 11:35:33 PM

yes, you do, as on any math test. it can and usually will save time to, for example, recall that 18^2 is 324 than to have to multiply it out, or use a calculator (if allowed).

wtf are you even arguing about?

7/3/2011 1:38:13 AM

Useless memorization.

7/3/2011 11:47:12 AM

^+1

7/3/2011 2:00:00 PM

in my experience you do not need to have the first 20 squares and first 10 cubes memorized for the math section. or any other section.

7/3/2011 6:17:46 PM