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Zephyr2009 · 2009 July 27th, 07:52 PM

I took my GRE test a couple of days ago and got the really frustrating as well as disturbing score as shown above. It was truly a shock to me because for all the practice tests (Powerpre, ETS's offical test-prep book...) that I have done, my math has always been within the range of 770~800 and my verbal has always been at least 600 (like within 600 to 670). I feel that 1400 is like a threshold for Ivy league's grad programs.

I really do not think it was because I felt nervous because the issue topic was quite familiar to me that I got a good start at the beginning. However, the following math part was way more difficult than any of the practice section that I have done. So here I got one concern: for the pre-test survey, if we specify ourselves as from relatively better-at-math countries such as Indian, Japan or China, would we in this way be assigned harder-than-average math questions? Afterwards, the verbal section was no less difficult. I managed my time well at the beginning but still got caught with a 90-line long reading when close to the end. I couldn't believe that there were much more unfamiliar words on the test as well. I kinda felt my test score would not be as nice as I thought after I finished. But after choosing to see the result, it upset me so much that my both confidence and belief were gone...

Well, talking about myself. I have studied for this test for almost 1 year, having memorized almost 6000 words for the verbal and been usually good at math. I did screw on this test for the 1st time. I am not sure how inclined grad schools are regarding averaging an applicant's different GRE test scores. As mentioned above, besides ETS's PowerPrep and offical test book, I also did several sections simliar as the ones from the big book, Princeton Review's CD and Barron's CD. But now I am indeed frightened by the difficulty level of the real GRE test. Well, besides those materials that I have already practiced, are there more (strongly recommended) with appropriate difficult level regarding the actual test? Or is that just primarily because I was one of those misfortunate who encountered much difficult-than-average test questions?

I am gonna take this test in August (hopefully not in September) again. Still feeling so confused and unfortunate, trying to heal my hurt heart, and crossing my fingers...

Thanks so much for any kind suggestions!!!

snehalkhair · 2009 July 27th, 10:30 PM

Its really sad 2 knw and anyway theres no use brooding over the past. do all the bb test sets and nova math n all.
all the best. hope u do well

virtualsamana · 2009 July 27th, 11:39 PM

Which part of the math section did you find more difficult than the material you practiced? Geometry, Data Interpretation, Word Problems.

virtualsamana · 2009 July 27th, 11:42 PM

And sorry you are disappointed with your score. At least you know the areas that you need to brush up on.

SeanSal · 2009 July 28th, 12:46 AM

honestly id be happy with that. retake it and see what happens.

Zephyr2009 · 2009 July 28th, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virtualsamana

Which part of the math section did you find more difficult than the material you practiced? Geometry, Data Interpretation, Word Problems.

All of those parts. I really don't understand why the majority of the questions in the test for me was much more difficult than average.

Luma · 2009 July 28th, 05:00 AM

Hi Zephyr2009,

I'm sorry that you had to go through this disappointment ... but still a score of 1230 is adequate ...

What is your major?

For your questions:

Quote:

if we specify ourselves as from relatively better-at-math countries such as Indian, Japan or China, would we in this way be assigned harder-than-average math questions?

I don't think so ... the test shouldn't be biased based on geography ... if this were slightly true, it would hurt the reputation of the ETS, right?

Quote:

I really don't understand why the majority of the questions in the test for me was much more difficult than average.

Believe it or not ... this was for your advantage ... I have seen many score analysis reports ... (for the best of my knowledge) if the system kept on generating the level-5 difficulty questions, the impact of the number of wrong answers would be less on the score than messing on the less difficult questions ... I recently saw a report of a person who got 800Q although she made 4 mistakes at level-5 difficulty.

Your score is not that bad ... at least from the perspective of a person who had to cancel her score

Good Luck!

Zephyr2009 · 2009 July 28th, 09:30 PM

Dear Luma, thanks a lot for your help!
My major is finance-related. Thus, I am quite certain that there is a lot to be improved.
And I am truly grateful for all the sincere posts Earthlings wrote for me!

Luma · 2009 July 29th, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zephyr2009

Dear Luma, thanks a lot for your help!
My major is finance-related. Thus, I am quite certain that there is a lot to be improved.

Well, since you major is finance, maybe you need to improve your Quantitative score ... I guess the 800 is common in your major or is this only common with the Econs

Good Luck!

rajatology · 2009 July 29th, 04:16 PM

dude i can so well understand your story...i started a similar thread only a few days ago after my gre....it took me a good 2 weeks set myself free of the dreadful feeling of nostalgia.... i got 430V and 790Q. used to score over 600 consistently in verbal in mock tests. anyway, my teachers and seniors have reassured me that i need not take the exams again (maybe my quants score does the trick for me since i am an engineering student).... anyway since you have decided to take the test again, all the best for the 2nd attempt.

2009 July 27th, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zephyr2009 I JUST got here. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Got 730+500, really really shocked... :-(( I took my GRE test a couple of days ago and got the really frustrating as well as disturbing score as shown above. It was truly a shock to me because for all the practice tests (Powerpre, ETS's offical test-prep book...) that I have done, my math has always been within the range of 770~800 and my verbal has always been at least 600 (like within 600 to 670). I feel that 1400 is like a threshold for Ivy league's grad programs. I really do not think it was because I felt nervous because the issue topic was quite familiar to me that I got a good start at the beginning. However, the following math part was way more difficult than any of the practice section that I have done. So here I got one concern: for the pre-test survey, if we specify ourselves as from relatively better-at-math countries such as Indian, Japan or China, would we in this way be assigned harder-than-average math questions? Afterwards, the verbal section was no less difficult. I managed my time well at the beginning but still got caught with a 90-line long reading when close to the end. I couldn't believe that there were much more unfamiliar words on the test as well. I kinda felt my test score would not be as nice as I thought after I finished. But after choosing to see the result, it upset me so much that my both confidence and belief were gone... Well, talking about myself. I have studied for this test for almost 1 year, having memorized almost 6000 words for the verbal and been usually good at math. I did screw on this test for the 1st time. I am not sure how inclined grad schools are regarding averaging an applicant's different GRE test scores. As mentioned above, besides ETS's PowerPrep and offical test book, I also did several sections simliar as the ones from the big book, Princeton Review's CD and Barron's CD. But now I am indeed frightened by the difficulty level of the real GRE test. Well, besides those materials that I have already practiced, are there more (strongly recommended) with appropriate difficult level regarding the actual test? Or is that just primarily because I was one of those misfortunate who encountered much difficult-than-average test questions? I am gonna take this test in August (hopefully not in September) again. Still feeling so confused and unfortunate, trying to heal my hurt heart, and crossing my fingers... Thanks so much for any kind suggestions!!!

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2009 July 27th, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
snehalkhair Within my grasp! Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 146	Its really sad 2 knw and anyway theres no use brooding over the past. do all the bb test sets and nova math n all. all the best. hope u do well

2009 July 27th, 11:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
virtualsamana Eager! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 32	Which part of the math section did you find more difficult than the material you practiced? Geometry, Data Interpretation, Word Problems.

2009 July 27th, 11:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
virtualsamana Eager! Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 32	And sorry you are disappointed with your score. At least you know the areas that you need to brush up on.

2009 July 28th, 12:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
SeanSal I JUST got here. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 15	honestly id be happy with that. retake it and see what happens.

2009 July 28th, 09:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
Zephyr2009 I JUST got here. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Dear Luma, thanks a lot for your help! My major is finance-related. Thus, I am quite certain that there is a lot to be improved. And I am truly grateful for all the sincere posts Earthlings wrote for me!

2009 July 29th, 04:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
rajatology GREgarious Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 21	dude i can so well understand your story...i started a similar thread only a few days ago after my gre....it took me a good 2 weeks set myself free of the dreadful feeling of nostalgia.... i got 430V and 790Q. used to score over 600 consistently in verbal in mock tests. anyway, my teachers and seniors have reassured me that i need not take the exams again (maybe my quants score does the trick for me since i am an engineering student).... anyway since you have decided to take the test again, all the best for the 2nd attempt.

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