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someUsername · 03-17-2008, 04:09 PM

I recently took the GRE for the first time. Q470 V350

I had verbal first... and somehow got confused as to how many questions I had remaining (or time), I panicked, muttered "Oh my God" to myself, and tried to answer as many as I could with the time remaining... ultimately leaving 4 unanswered. I had a mini-panic attack.

60 seconds...

Quant starts. I was still freaking out about what I'd done on the verbal section, and was now rushing because I had misjudged time in the previous section. Complete cluster****

Anyway, I was miserable after the test. I couldn't believe I had done that, and let it have such a negative effect on me for the remainder of the test.

That being said, I've found some good in the experience in that I have identified a couple of my weak points:
- time management (obviously): too long on reading comprehension questions, too long on graph reading quant questions
- taking too much time to force myself to figure something out (if I don't come to the answer quickly) rather than moving on to the next question
- second guessing myself on many quant problems (I assume from not practicing enough)

Are leaving questions unanswered worse than just running through the remaining questions and guessing? On the verbal I left ~4 unanswered, and on the quant I was able to answer all, but guessed for the last ~6 or so. What should I do next time?

So, I'm planning on taking it again in about a month and a half (maybe longer if need be). I think my biggest problem is that I had no rhythm, no plan of attack, no strategy. From what I've read on the boards so far, I think I need to do many many practice runs to perfect my strategy so as not to make myself sick with nervousness again next time.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

mickgreen58 · 03-17-2008, 05:24 PM

I didn't know that you could leave a question unanswered. The Powerprep software forces you to answer a question.

Also, if you knew you guessed quite a bit, why didn't you elect to not see your results and therefore, your scores would not be reported?

mani24 · 03-17-2008, 05:48 PM

i think leaving questions unanswered is worse than guessing.u can atleast do guessing on remaining question.try to save 1 min for 4 or 5 questions.
it directly impact on ur quant part.thats why all test taker says that remain calm and placid is more important.
now u do timed practice test as much as u can.there is nothing good than times practice.For Rc's improve ur reading habbit.take a look on this forum u will get all ur answers...this forum rocks.

someUsername · 03-17-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

I didn't know that you could leave a question unanswered. The Powerprep software forces you to answer a question.

Also, if you knew you guessed quite a bit, why didn't you elect to not see your results and therefore, your scores would not be reported?

I don't know. I figured I'd be taking it again, and know my scores will be vastly different the next time. The next set of scores should accurately reflect my ability.

Also, I'm getting much much mixed information about leaving questions unanswered at the end vs guessing. Someone I spoke to today indicated that essentially 1 point is awarded for a correct answer, 0 for unanswered, and -1/4 point for incorrect.

Is there any definitive answer on this?

sahilshah1987 · 03-17-2008, 06:43 PM

If you leave the question unanswered there is definitely a larger penalty than guessing it wrong.

Oldman · 03-17-2008, 10:27 PM

You should take both powerprep exams. This is pretty much a requirement. You only get 30 minutes for verbal, so timing is everything. Take one now to get a base score. Powerprep coorelates very well to your actual score.

Yes, there is a huge penalty for leaving any questions unanswered. It is better to guess blindly than leave anything blank.

arxo clay · 03-19-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

I didn't know that you could leave a question unanswered. The Powerprep software forces you to answer a question.

Also, if you knew you guessed quite a bit, why didn't you elect to not see your results and therefore, your scores would not be reported?

I am told there is no relation between seeing your score and reporting it

mickgreen58 · 03-19-2008, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arxo clay

I am told there is no relation between seeing your score and reporting it

Could someone clear this up?

I thought you were presented with a pop-up box that asked you if you wanted to see your score, if you did, it would be reported but if you didn't, the score would not be reported.

Oldman · 03-20-2008, 03:04 AM

Mick is correct. If you opt to cancel your scores, they will not be reported on your official profile. However, your profile will reflect that you cancelled your score.

If you have questions, go straight to the source and call ETS. I have a few times, they are really helpful.

e.cartman · 06-30-2008, 05:08 PM

Following is from ets website:
At the end of the test, you will be given the option to cancel your scores. You cannot cancel your score for one section of the test and have the scores for the remaining sections reported. Although you have the option to cancel your scores, consider very carefully before doing so. Your scores will be reported to GRE score recipients only at your request. If you cancel your scores, they will NOT be reported to you or any score recipients, and no refund will be made. Canceled scores are not added to your permanent record. If you wish to take the test again, you must reregister and submit another test payment.

Score Reinstatement — Fee $30

Scores canceled by you can be reinstated if your request is received at ETS within 60 days after your test date. You may fax or mail a written request to GRE Inquiries. Your request must include your name, date of birth, daytime phone number, test date and registration number, payment and up to four free score recipients. Include the appropriate department codes and indicate what scores you want sent. You may choose to send only General Test scores, only Subject Test scores, only stand-alone Analytical Writing or Writing Assessment scores, or any combination of the above, but you may not choose to have only those scores from a specific test date reported. If you do not select score recipients at this time, you must pay $20 per recipient to have scores sent at a later date.
Scores will be reinstated and reported approximately two weeks after your request for the computer-based test or on the approximate score report mailing date for the paper-based test. Your scores will be mailed to you and your designated score recipients shortly thereafter.

Test Center Procedures and Regulations

03-17-2008, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
someUsername Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2	Terrible score, first time taking. Couple questions. I recently took the GRE for the first time. Q470 V350 I had verbal first... and somehow got confused as to how many questions I had remaining (or time), I panicked, muttered "Oh my God" to myself, and tried to answer as many as I could with the time remaining... ultimately leaving 4 unanswered. I had a mini-panic attack. 60 seconds... Quant starts. I was still freaking out about what I'd done on the verbal section, and was now rushing because I had misjudged time in the previous section. Complete cluster**** Anyway, I was miserable after the test. I couldn't believe I had done that, and let it have such a negative effect on me for the remainder of the test. That being said, I've found some good in the experience in that I have identified a couple of my weak points: - time management (obviously): too long on reading comprehension questions, too long on graph reading quant questions - taking too much time to force myself to figure something out (if I don't come to the answer quickly) rather than moving on to the next question - second guessing myself on many quant problems (I assume from not practicing enough) Are leaving questions unanswered worse than just running through the remaining questions and guessing? On the verbal I left ~4 unanswered, and on the quant I was able to answer all, but guessed for the last ~6 or so. What should I do next time? So, I'm planning on taking it again in about a month and a half (maybe longer if need be). I think my biggest problem is that I had no rhythm, no plan of attack, no strategy. From what I've read on the boards so far, I think I need to do many many practice runs to perfect my strategy so as not to make myself sick with nervousness again next time. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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03-17-2008, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
mickgreen58 TestMagic Guru-in-Training Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 550	I didn't know that you could leave a question unanswered. The Powerprep software forces you to answer a question. Also, if you knew you guessed quite a bit, why didn't you elect to not see your results and therefore, your scores would not be reported?

03-17-2008, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
mani24 Eager! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CA, USA Posts: 43	i think leaving questions unanswered is worse than guessing.u can atleast do guessing on remaining question.try to save 1 min for 4 or 5 questions. it directly impact on ur quant part.thats why all test taker says that remain calm and placid is more important. now u do timed practice test as much as u can.there is nothing good than times practice.For Rc's improve ur reading habbit.take a look on this forum u will get all ur answers...this forum rocks.

03-17-2008, 06:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
sahilshah1987 Eager! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pune(Maharashtra,India) Posts: 92	If you leave the question unanswered there is definitely a larger penalty than guessing it wrong.

03-17-2008, 10:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
Oldman Within my grasp! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 241	You should take both powerprep exams. This is pretty much a requirement. You only get 30 minutes for verbal, so timing is everything. Take one now to get a base score. Powerprep coorelates very well to your actual score. Yes, there is a huge penalty for leaving any questions unanswered. It is better to guess blindly than leave anything blank.

03-20-2008, 03:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Oldman Within my grasp! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 241	Mick is correct. If you opt to cancel your scores, they will not be reported on your official profile. However, your profile will reflect that you cancelled your score. If you have questions, go straight to the source and call ETS. I have a few times, they are really helpful.

06-30-2008, 05:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
e.cartman Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 169	Following is from ets website: At the end of the test, you will be given the option to cancel your scores. You cannot cancel your score for one section of the test and have the scores for the remaining sections reported. Although you have the option to cancel your scores, consider very carefully before doing so. Your scores will be reported to GRE score recipients only at your request. If you cancel your scores, they will NOT be reported to you or any score recipients, and no refund will be made. Canceled scores are not added to your permanent record. If you wish to take the test again, you must reregister and submit another test payment. Score Reinstatement — Fee $30 Scores canceled by you can be reinstated if your request is received at ETS within 60 days after your test date. You may fax or mail a written request to GRE Inquiries. Your request must include your name, date of birth, daytime phone number, test date and registration number, payment and up to four free score recipients. Include the appropriate department codes and indicate what scores you want sent. You may choose to send only General Test scores, only Subject Test scores, only stand-alone Analytical Writing or Writing Assessment scores, or any combination of the above, but you may not choose to have only those scores from a specific test date reported. If you do not select score recipients at this time, you must pay $20 per recipient to have scores sent at a later date. Scores will be reinstated and reported approximately two weeks after your request for the computer-based test or on the approximate score report mailing date for the paper-based test. Your scores will be mailed to you and your designated score recipients shortly thereafter. Test Center Procedures and Regulations

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