(1040) GRE Score (610 Quant and 430 Verbal)

[Oldman]

Hi Mick, couple of things,

1) I believe you can get a post-test diagnostic for like $20 from ETS. I would make the investment.

Score Reports - General Test

Not trying to tell you what to do, but I think you should focus on your approach and not get so hung up on cracking the software. Even if you could determine what RCs are worth, then what? You could have spent that time working on a strategic approach to answering RCs accurately. I also think you should save one of the powerpreps. If you save one, you'll be able to accurately gauge how you'll score on the test and see if you're ready. Try taking some other tests that are available.



2) Always take your breaks bro! I know it's tempting with the adrenaline flowing, but you need the mental break.


3) The experimental section is how they come up with future test questions. It's a way to determine how to rank questions. This is how they ensure the test is standardized. They get a large sample of test takers to answer questions before adding it to their "live" test bank.

With that, there's no way to tell which section is experimental and which isn't. Your job is to answer each question correctly. Even if the second was the real one, you were probably so mentally exhausted that easy questions would have seemed hard.

4) I would definitely call the admissions office of the school you want to get into. This should be the first thing you do.

Ask them the following:

1) The average admit score. Most masters are 1000, most PhDs are 1200. How schools weigh the GRE varies as well. For some it's just a number, for others it's everything. For most, it just ensures you have had a standard undergraduate education. Beyond that you just have to meet their admit score. The school I'm applying to wants a 1200. After that they go straight to your essays. Now, for some schools GRE scores can help with finanical aid. So ask about that too.

2) How they tally repeat scores. Some schools take your top scores. For example, if you receive a 700Q/400V the first test, then a 500Q/600V on the second test, they would take the 700Q/600V as your official score. Some schools average the scores together. I would call, don't rely exclusively on a Google search. You may be killing yourself for nothing. The GRE is just one aspect of the application. Heck, if you make it your life's goal to get a 1600 you could do it, but why if the school only requires a 1100? There are more important things in life than this dumb test bro. It's great to have goals, but don't waste more energy than you need to with this test.

[mickgreen58]

I have just logged onto the Diagnostics Service and I know what I need to improve upon.

Verbal:
-I got 3 Reading Passages with a total of 8 questions-
5 out of 8 were wrong

-For the first 15 Questions-
8 out of 15 were wrong

-All questions-
13 out of 30 were wrong

Quant
I got killed on Word Problems and Problem Solving Strategies (7 out of 11 wrong) and 6 of those were in the first 15.

[OilRedO]

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

Quant
I got killed on Word Problems and Problem Solving Strategies

me too!

[Mervin2008]

Mick,how much time did it take for your scores to come ? I am getting a little anxious as its been more than 15 days for me

[mickgreen58]

Originally Posted by Mervin2008

Mick,how much time did it take for your scores to come ? I am getting a little anxious as its been more than 15 days for me

They never did.

ETS claimed that I didn't put the correct address down when I called them.

OilRedo gave me an ETS number to call (1-866-473-4373) and the lady gave me my registration number and I was able to review the statisitcal breakdown, but of course you do not see your score.

I would call them and make sure they have your correct mailing address, as with me, I had to give it to them again and supposedly it is being mailed now.

[Mervin2008]

Thats seriously crazy,I know the address is correct since I verified it at the ETS test center before giving the test but I'll call them to check all the same.Thanks

By the way have you been able to find out your awa score ?

[mickgreen58]

Originally Posted by Mervin2008

Thats seriously crazy,I know the address is correct since I verified it at the ETS test center before giving the test but I'll call them to check all the same.Thanks

By the way have you been able to find out your awa score ?

Nah, I have not checked my PO Box yet, I am sure it is in there.

Since I am going to take it again, I am not going to worry too much about it.

I will post it once I find out.

[ekitten]

Great tip for you, mikegreen58:

I highly recommend Peter Kump's "Break-Through Rapid Reading". Be patient, have faith, and do the exercises EVERY DAY (especially the "recall patterns", to improve RC). I had great results in just a few weeks. I not only improved my RC, but also improved on quant word problems and increased my overall exam speed. Added bonus - study time was reduced because I spent less time actually wading through books.

My question for you - did you see any familiar questions on the quants?

That is, did you find yourself saying, "Oh yeah, I remember a question like this from Barron's (or whatever)", or was it more like, "OK, I've never seen this in my practice tests, but I know what to do".