GRE Verbal Problems

[PhD-Seeker]

Hello Everyone,

I just got a scholarship to obtain a Phd degree in economics, everything went great with the university I'm applying for except that the required the GRE

Here's my case:

1. I have only 10 days from now to get the exam.
2. Postponing is not an option.
3. I'm not applying to one of the "Best" universities.
4. I'm aiming to get V 400+ & Q 600+
5. English is not my native language, and it's not perfect
6. I'm having so much trouble with the Verbal section, and it won't be possible to memorize all of the 3500 words in the Barron's Book.
7. My math skills are fine.

Your recommendation is greatly appreciated.

[biohazard]

Get Cracking the GRE, with the DVD so you get the practice tests, and Word Smart for the GRE, which has a much smaller vocab list (although the Cracking list does have a good hit list of vocab). And get the free Powerprep tests from the official site, GRE: Graduate Record Examinations Information.

If you have time to pick up the official guide for practice questions, that would be a good idea.

[PhD-Seeker]

Thanks a lot biohazard for your advices. I will try to follow them as much as I can.

[Oldman]

Take powerprep right away; I would do this first. This will give you an accurate projection of what kind of score you can expect. Let us know your base line score is. You may already be at 400. If not, you can hit 400 just reviewing the question types and barron's high frequency list.

[Mervin2008]

Try to solve as many question papers as possible from the the gre big book once you are done with the powerprep test.Thats the best practice material available for GRE verbal

[PhD-Seeker]

Oldman:
I started working on the Barron's HF list, and I'm hoping to get a score somewhere in the mid 400s.

Mervin2008:

1st, congratulations your great score, it's always great to feel the payoff of your effort.

I'm trying my best on the verbal, working on the Barron's HF list and solving some verbal questions.

BTW, is it hard to hit over 750 in the Q section? I heard that even if you answered wrong in up to 7 questions you could get over 750, is that true?

Thanks a lot to all of you..

[Mervin2008]

Well It depends on which those 7 questions are ,if you manage to get the first 21 correct and get the next 7 wrong you should be well over 750 ( I am basing it upon my experience since I got 780 and I had 7 wrong but most of them were the questions in the late 20's barring the 6th and 9th question)

However verbal is not so forgiving,I had got the 3rd question wrong and the 28th and 30th ,and my score fell by 60 marks due to that.

So If possible try to get as many of the first 15-20 questions right (especially the first 5) .However please do remember that there is a huge penalty for missing questions so please don't make that mistake..guess if you have to but don't miss any..

Hope this helps.

Mervin

[PhD-Seeker]

Originally Posted by Mervin2008

Well It depends on which those 7 questions are ,if you manage to get the first 21 correct and get the next 7 wrong you should be well over 750 ( I am basing it upon my experience since I got 780 and I had 7 wrong but most of them were the questions in the late 20's barring the 6th and 9th question)

However verbal is not so forgiving,I had got the 3rd question wrong and the 28th and 30th ,and my score fell by 60 marks due to that.

So If possible try to get as many of the first 15-20 questions right (especially the first 5) .However please do remember that there is a huge penalty for missing questions so please don't make that mistake..guess if you have to but don't miss any..

Hope this helps.

Mervin

Very helpful notes and encouraging comments.

I really appreciate that ..