1600- shell-shocked.

[geek_goddess]

It's true. I actually called the proctor to come check. I was going to cancel my scores because I thought my quant had gone bad, but I thought that my verbal had gone very well, and decided I would accept, since the total would be ok. Thank god I did.

This forum is a great place for preparation, and I wanted to give a good thread about my test, which is why I did not write yesterday. Thank you Jeanette, Goldust, and Oink- you've been contributing to these forums even after your exam, and all your posts really helped, and motivated me to study.

On getting to the exam hall, there was a power cut, and the exam did not start till 11 am. I was very nervous, and though the wait helped to calm me down, it was tiring, and p***ing off.

The first section (after a lot of background questions and a mouse-tutorial) was the writing section. The topic for the issue essay was a common one, of the kind from the bank. The argument topic was straight out of the bank. This went smoothly.

Then was a ten minute break. The problem is, you don't get to wear a watch. you have no idea how much time has passed. I got in after 7-8 minutes. This break is not enough. you don't know what to do in it. I went to the washroom, then walked around for a bit in the hall.

I wanted verbal next, because this kind of prepares me for the quant. But, I got a quant. I spent way too much time on the first few questions, rechecking them many times over. Now, although the math itself is not difficult, under that kind of pressure, I was finding it impossible to think. Often I could not see what to do, and used the mathematical instinct I had developed over time. Usually, I do not have problems with the time limit, finishing much earlier than 45 minutes in practice tests, but here I ran out of time by the end, and guessed blindly on the last question.

There was then a one minute break, where I sat with my head in my hands. I decided that if I saw another quant section, and it was easier and I did well, then I would take the easier one to be the real one. If there was no other quant section, I thought I should cancel my score.

Then was my verbal. By this time, I was exhausted, and I thought I would have to give my exam again. so I passively read the first five questions, and clicked on what looked correct. It was pretty black and white; only one option fit. It was all barron's + BB stuff, there weren't words I had not seen, and these two were all I had prepared from. (Thank you, Goldust.) The comprehension passages I read very distractedly, this was where my mind was wondering to my quant scores. I had to force myself to stare at the screen and reread bits which I had been looking at but not reading. The choices were actually straightforward, they were easier than BB, I did not have to refer to the text except when checking my chosen answer choice. Elimination was easy here. I finished the verbal section with 5 mins to go.

I fidgeted before I decided to see my scores, but decided I could not survive this ordeal again, and chose to see my scores. They were both 800. I stared around me, called the proctor to check in case I had lost my mind.

The worst part was the exam is that is just doesn't let you stop and breathe. It throws question after question at you, and you must answer. Just sitting through it is a struggle.

Any questions are welcome. I would love to help anyone who has to wage this war. People here have been really good. I did not mention my background; I'm Indian, my undergraduate degree is in mathematics (but I haven't been doing well in quant in my practice tests till the end), and I have been very good at english, but not brilliant. I have not been reading much after school, none of the deep GRE type stuff. It was basically a lot of hard work.

I am so glad it is over.All that studying paid off. I never have to look at word lists again!!

[chestnut.cc]

Congratulations! the geek shall inherit the earth after all... :s... where to now... and where from in india are you...

[maple_leaf]

Good job Geek. I am struggling with Verbal. What books did you use for Verbal? Thanks and good luck with your applications.

[Jeanette]

Congratulations! Incredible scores!!!!

[suvra]

Congratulation!geek goddess. Would you please tell how you prepared for verbal part & the duration of preparation.

[Bayern]

Congratulations!! What a wonderful achievement! All your hard work has paid off most efficiently! Surely now, you will get into the schools you would like to be admitted

I also have a question. Which books did you mainly use for the Quant part? especially for permutation, combination, normal distributions,etc.? Congrats again!

[giddy]

Congratulations geek_goddess! At least, this GRE adventure was now over for you.

Hope that you will be accepted into the school that you want. Thanks for sharing your experience. Once again, congratulations!

[KW&BT]

Thanks geeks_goddess for sharing. I am absolutely certain that you will get accepted from your dream school in near future. By the way, how many words have you retained for this preparation?

[Oldman]

Great work! You deserve that score! Don't underestimate yourself!!

[tamsel]

Congratulations Dudu ,

Its show your capability and temperament . How was your power prep scores and any other test scores before the exam . How long did u prepared for verbal .The kind of verbal stuff is akin to BB ? . Give your in SC , Analogies and RC . How much time u took for RC .


Cheers ,
Tam