blahgre Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 (edited) Note: Some tips below are useful for both old & new format, while some are only for old. GRE HOW TO ----------------- MATERIALS Sample Questions & Sample Practice Test : ets.org/gre/general/prepare ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/gre practice general test.pdf Software (FREE) :ets.org/gre/general/prepare/powerprep wordweb.info/free (MUST for any format!) Books (~$10 used version in Amazon):Barrons Kaplan Websites (FREE):majortests.com/gre www.urch.com/forums/gre magoosh.com/gre number2.com west.net/~stewart/gre syvum.com/gre Other : . There are many expensive course/book/website/softwares on internet, while some are even pirated.. stay away from them. . ETS Big Book contains several actual previous gre tests, but it is hard to find and expensive and tough to resell cos no one may buy it when gre format changes next month (Aug 2011) ---- PREPARATION Short form: VERBAL : Learn new words. Review (Revise) them. QUANT : Learn accuracy. Then practice speed. AWA : Write essay on one topic. Browse the rest. Detailed form: VOCABULARY : . How to learn new words : synonyms, sentences, word groups, prefix/root/suffix , pictures/stories . How to remember old words : brute-force review (revise) all words , flash-cards front & back . Maintain a GREWords.txt file (see attached) : Whenever/Wherever u see an unfamiliar word in word-lists/internet/books etc., lookup its meaning in WordWeb (with Ctrl-RightClick) and jot down. Note: more effort spent in jotting a word meaning => longer it stays in memory QUANT : . Review ur high school (class XII) math theory thoroughly Note: gre quant is tougher than most practice material AWA : . Write at least one full perspective & argument essays (timed). . Browse entire list of topics and mentally generate few points to write for each. Note : AWA is tougher than it seems ---- STUDY PLAN 30 days @ 8 hr/day in 2 hr installments (enough for engineering & english background students) - Beginning of preparation : . Learn rules about computer adaptive test (CAT), scoring, canceling etc. . Do sample questions on ETS website. . Do the full Sample Practice Test (timed) - it's a good indicator of strength & weakness areas. . Browse word-lists, math-theory, tips, strategies and questions in websites & books listed above. - Weekdays : Learn new words. Do math & verbal practice questions. Review words before sleeping. - Weekends : DON'T learn new words. Review past words and do full (timed) practice tests. Note : DO NOT overwork, cos memory grows when u r resting. Rest ur eyes and do physical exercise. - PowerPrep : The 2 tests are a good indicator of gre score . End of week 3 : take PowerPrep Test1. Note down weaknesses and improve upon them. . 2 days before gre : take PowerPrep Test2. . Day before gre : NO preparation.. just chillax. otherwise u'll be mentally tired on exam day. ---- DURING GRE - Don't turn off the clock timer - Many got high/full score even after getting some questions wrong. So don't waste time on a question - eliminate obvious wrong choices and then guess. - If u answer questions correctly, computer keeps giving tougher & tougher questions. Early & middle questions weigh LOT more than final questions, so do them carefully, but not too slowly cos u may not have time to complete the section. In short, don't be 'penny wise, pound foolish'. - If u run short of time at the end, make sure u complete all questions (at least by random-guess), cos there is heavy penalty for not completing a section. U may still get good score cos final questions are low weight. - If u get stuck in early/middle questions and panic, just random-guess them, do following questions properly and complete the test. U can decide whether to cancel or not at the end. ---- CANCEL OR NOT ? Suppose u take GRE multiple times : Test1 : Q-510 V-420 (Total 930) Test2 : Q-700 V-700 (1400) Test3 : Q-800 V-500 (1300) Universities may have different methods to calculate ur final GRE score e.g. - best total in a single attempt (Test2) - best of each section from different attempts (Q-800 V-700) Not sure if any univ. uses below methods : - latest attempt (Test3) - average of all attempts (Q-670 V-540) Also, some programs (degrees) give more preference to a section e.g. if u r applying for a math program Test3 score is good, while for literature program Test2 is good etc. So, first complete the test. At the end, consider all these factors before deciding to cancel or not. In general, it is better to have 1 good score on ur gre history report, than 1 bad score + 1 good score. So, if u feel u did test badly (like in Test1), cancel it . Many re-takers get good score cos they're more prepared and less nervous. ---- MENTAL ADVICE Short form: More preparation = Less tension. Being nervous is natural. Have backup plan (to cancel test and re-take) Take deeeep breath. Holdddddd it. Releeeeeeeease. Detailed form: - It is totally OK to !!PANIC!! if u're doing badly. Next time someone tells u "do not panic", u respond: "do something that u neither like nor know (like solving hard math/verbal questions), several times within in a short time period, when ur entire future is at stake. Also, do not panic!" - Have a high aim of >1450. If u end up with 1400, it is good enough even for top universities. - Finally : . For boasting - high gre score is useful. . For graduate admission - Research, GPA & Recommendation are more useful. Conclusion : Worrying about gre is not very useful ! ---- ABOUT ME . undergrad in computer science . fluent in english . GRE Attempt 1 : 2 month random preparation. Canceled . GRE Attempt 2 : 3 week focused preparation. Q-800 V-650 ----------------- That's it! ..Happy Studying.. Edited July 7, 2011 by blahgre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariaBerna Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 - If u get stuck in early/middle questions and panic, just random-guess them, do following questions properly and complete the test. at the end, if u feel u'll get bad score, cancel the test. Only loss is money.. also, many re-takers get good score. Hence, a bad score won't show up at all in ur GRE history report. It is better to have 1 good score one ur report, than 1 bad + 1 good score. I don't get this. I've read somewhere that, if you i.e. have in the 1st attempt scores 200 Verbal 790 Quant and in the second 500 Verbal 600 Quant, your final score will be 500 Verbal 790 Quant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDure Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 @ Maria: Some admission committees consider your highest scores for each part. Like the example you mention. However some don't take your highest in each, and take one score as a whole. I think the best way to find out is to contact the admission dept. for the program you're applying to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blahgre Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 ..where did my original post go? i don't see it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 ..where did my original post go? i don't see it..It appears that it was hidden when you edited it (after I added extra spam controls) because of the number of links. I've approved it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blahgre Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 (edited) I've approved it, though. thanks.. Edited July 11, 2011 by blahgre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDure Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 @blahgre can you repost your guide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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