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GRE

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:19:23 -0800

How do I handle my stupid GRE situation? I am almost done with my MA and applying to Counseling Psych programs for the Fall 2010. These programs are competitive and I have been working my ass off. I have been most worried about my GRE score and have been seriously prepping. However...when I took the GRE on Saturday I totally F'd up the verbal section by completely dismissing the directions to "choose the word most opposite" and chose the definition instead. I didn't notice that I was bombing on every question until I was almost through with the section (about 20/30). I know that the reason that I did this was because of how I studied for verbal. To study I looked at words and picked the definition from a set of multiple choice- just like it looked on the GRE but...opposite. I'm super annoyed about the whole thing because I ACTUALLY KNEW THE WORDS which is apparently rare according to my peers. I also have some pretty extreme test anxiety and was having a hard time concentrating in general. I ended up not canceling my score because I wanted to know what score I got (you don't see it if you cancel), and I didn't want a cancellation of my scores (that can look bad). I did send the scores to my schools but when I retake they will get the first score anyway and I'm not sure if they will accept scores after the date that the application is due. Obviously, my verbal score sucked but everything else went really well. I feel very strongly that if I retake the test I will rock it out.

So I would like to let my schools know that they should expect a second score in mid-January- one that will more accurately assess my abilities. However, all the apps are due either January 10th or 15th and I can't retake until January 2nd (because you have to wait until the next calender month) which means that that part of my app will be late.

My questions:
- Should I call or email my 5 schools to see if they will accept a late GRE re-take score?
- What should I tell them about why I am retaking the test?
- If the schools do accept the late re-take score do I need to address the mistake in any other part of my application (the statement of purpose, a sticky note inside the packet reminding them that new scores are coming, etc.?)
- Any other suggestions or advise?

Thank you!

Help me be the boss of the GRE

timpanogos — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:44:31 -0800

I took the GRE on Veteran's Day and the results were not my personal best. How do I best gear up for a second try on Dec. 8?? I had been studying for the GMAT for about 4 months, very solidly. Then the joint program I have my heart set on (one half is an MBA/other half MPP) said they would start taking the GRE this application cycle. Since math is not my strong suit (although I have improved a lot during test prep), I decided to switch tracks and prepare for the GRE. I gave myself two additional months to do this. Fast forward to Veteran's day, after taking a prep course, 5 practice GRE tests (and scoring higher each one I took into the 700 range- two were from the official site) and two practice books back to back (Princeton and McGraw Hill) I felt pumped and ready to go on the test.

I crashed. My final score was 590 V/520 Q. Huge disappointment, but a speed bump, not cliff.

I just took a week off to rest, but am doing practice problems again and will start another practice test on Monday. I am choosing to retake on Dec. 8...I have to take it so soon to meet application deadlines.

I think I screwed up day of because my mental game wasn't where it needed to be... "Ahh I screwed up on the second question and spent three minutes, now my timing is messed" downward spiral.

Two questions:

1) What can I do between now and then to reset and get my game face on?

2) Please tell me your stories about taking the GRE a second time and give me hope for the end of this tunnel. Did you do better the second time? Worse? Did you short circuit the GRE computer with your refocused awesomeness?

Most difficult math on the computer-adaptive GRE?

Jacqueline — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:56:51 -0800

GRE 800Q scorers: What was the most difficult math you saw on the computer-adaptive GRE? I took the computer-adaptive GRE a few years ago, but ran out of time before completing the quantitative section and thus canceled my scores. I must have been doing relatively well, though, because near the end I was seeing problem types and math topics that had not been covered in *any* of the GRE prep books I'd used. (I think perhaps the prep books are intended more for helping lower scorers do better than high scorers do perfect.)

I'm taking the GRE again in January, and would like to score perfector near-perfect on the quantitative section. For those of you who scored at or near 800 quantitative on the computer-adaptive GRE, what sort of problems were you seeing at the end?

Thanks!

GRE Study Tools

NotMyselfRightNow — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:00:31 -0800

What was your GRE Secret Weapon? I'm looking for recommendations on the best study guides out there for the GRE. Tips and tricks, study tools, Windows software, iPod apps, and anything else welcome, too!

Should I retake the GREs?

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:23:26 -0800

I'm applying to grad school for a Masters in Library Science, and I'm unsure if I should re-take the GREs. I did very well on the Verbal and Quantitative sections - both scores were above the averages of accepted students for the MLS programs I'm looking at. But I only got a 4 on the writing section (putting me in the 41st percentile). The average for admitted students is around a 5. Will my admittedly poor showing on the writing section hurt me enough that I should take the GREs again? Other info that may affect this: I'm applying to some of the top ranked MLS programs (at least according to US News & World Report). I graduated from undergrad in '08 with a 3.7 GPA and a BA in History and English from a generally well-regarded liberal arts college, so I'm a capable writer - just not so much on the GREs. This should be more important than my GRE writing score, right?

Sorry for being a flipped out grad school applicant - I've over-thought the whole thing and need some outside input. Email at icanhazmls@yahoo.com

How can I most effectively use an MP3 player to study math for the GRE?

ramenopres — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:07:41 -0800

How can I use an MP3 player to study math for the GRE? Can I use podcasts and other audio tools to prepare for the math portion of the GRE? For 8 hours every day, I am physically occupied but can use an MP3 player. I plan to do written problems during the other parts of the day, but are there podcasts or audio tools that would help make use of this listening time and get my skills up to speed? Is there anything else you'd suggest?

I am looking for tools that will increase math skills and ideally provide a refresher of high school math in order to prepare for the GRE. More generalized math podcasts are all right, too, or something along the lines of Berkeley's online lectures.

Assume that I can't use my hands or look at a book.

(This question is similar to the one requesting assistance in studying for the vocabulary portion of the GRE: How can one study for the GRE during their commute?)

Can I get into grad school in math?

tamaraster — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:31:11 -0800

Can I get into a funded Math Master's or PhD program? I'm graduating from a 4-year college with my B.S. this Spring, and I'm in my mid-30's. I have good GPA at this school (about a 3.6, up to about a 3.8 in math courses specifically) and good GRE scores (720 V / 780 Q), but I have dropped a lot of courses (I've worked full time over the years while getting my degree), and back in the mid-90's I flunked out of the first university I went to. Are there graduate math programs that would accept me and give me a TAship or RAship with stipend and free tuition? I have one publication (a not very good one in Computer Science from a regional conference) and will have decently good recommendations, but I haven't done anything brilliant.

I'd like to get a PhD but I'm certainly open to getting a Master's first. Is there an obvious way I should proceed here?

How can one study for the GRE during their commute?

rr — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:38:04 -0800

A friend is doing a last minute cram for the GRE but is lacking in time. The bulk of her available time is in her 2-hour-per-day commute. Are there any _good_ podcasts she could listen to, specificall for vocabulary? Or .. should she look into hiring someone to call her and drill her for those two hours? If so... how? She's looked at podcasts on itunes and there is very little good content (and what's there appears to have been abandoned). The idea of hiring someone to do live call-and-drill for one or both hours of commute each day is something I thought of, but I wouldn't even know how to begin hiring someone for this.

Complication: GRE is in mid November, whatever action is to be taken needs to be taken now.

GRE Literature as Subject Test HELP!

miss-lapin — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:06:54 -0800

I'm trying to find a prep course for the Literature Subject Test of the GRE (which is not the same as the general GRE) in NYC. While I did well with the verbal section of the GRE, I scored lower than I hoped on the Lit. as Sub. practice tests I took in the fall. I also have test taking anxiety so a course specifically for this test would help with my confidence. It doesn't appear that Kaplan or Princeton Review offer a specialized prep course for this test. Any hints where I might look? Also, while I have several books I am using to help review, other advice on ow to prep is welcome.

Please help me improve my reading comprehension on the GRE

SpacemanStix — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:59:41 -0800

I need some advice on how to do better on reading comprehension questions in the verbal section of the GRE. There have been a number of GRE askme questions, but I'm looking for some help on a specific area.

The reading comprehension portion of the GRE verbal gives me the most difficulty. I'm able to comprehend passages, but I have two problems. First, I'm a slower reader, and the GRE is a time sensitive test. Second, my mind tends to wander when I'm nervous. This creates a situation in which I have to read more quickly, my mind will wander, and I will finish up going, what did I just read?

I've taken the GRE once and did okay, but I would like to do better. This is easily my weak spot.

I've heard that the best way to do better in this area is simply to do a lot of reading (which I do), but I'd also be interested in directed practice scenarios that will help me get better at this, as well as tricks or general perspective that will help me focus and retain information better. I have GRE practice books, but the amount of material for this type of question is limited, and obviously not helpful for using more than once.

So any advice on the two issues I mentioned above (slow reading and mind wandering), as well as any helpful practice advice, would be most welcome.

The Cell-Molec Bio-Biochem subject GRE, and the vanquishing thereof

palmcorder_yajna — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:04:40 -0800

Help me knock the biochem/cell and molecular bio GRE out of the park! This fall, if things continue to go the way they are, I'll be sending out applications to Ph.D programs in molecular and cell bio and/or biophysics. I've taken the general GRE and I did well on all three parts-- but in a season or so, it will be time to take the subject test. I downloaded a bunch of practice problems last night from the ETS website, tried to answer them, and got a really pukey score. @#$&.

The good news is, I have 6 months or so to prepare to take the thing. Unfortunately, unlike the general GRE and the more popular subject tests, no one seems to have published any good exam prep materials. Given that, what should I do?

Resources on hand at home include:
(1) Alberts on cell bio
(2) Karp on cell and molec.
(3) Intro to Genetic Analysis (undergrad text-- I don't remember who it's by)
(4) 1 fairly okay, recent developmental bio text
(5) A bunch of random Neuro textbooks including Kandel.
(6) All the PubMed material I can stand.

Classes I'll be taking (or at least starting) between now and test-time include:
(1) Molecular bio skills lab
(2) Junior-level intro physiology
(3) The first quarter of a 1-year, senior-level biochem series.

One caveat I will give: I work 80% ft and do research in addition to going to class, so I need a reasonably streamlined study plan. Trying to memorize all of Alberts in the (abbreviated) downtime between work and o-chem lecture is probably not going to cut it.

Thanks for your help, all!

Should I take the GRE Subject Test more than once?

alligatorman — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:52:41 -0800

If I take the GRE Mathematics Subject Test in April, and then again in October, will graduate schools necessarily see my April score when I apply? ... or do I choose which score I would like them to see?

I want to take it in April to get a better idea of what I need to brush up on.

Can anyone recommend a good graduate school for Nutrition Major?

pixxie — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:32:43 -0800

Hi, I only have 1 1/2 years till I'm completely done my undergraduate nutrition degree in Canada. I've already established that I want to pursue a masters, however, the only school I have been checking online is Columbia's Department of Nutrition because it is the only school I can think of which offers a decent program. Is it true? If not, does anyone have any good suggestions (NA, Europe, Asia)? Right now, I'm mostly interested in the subject of metabolic disorders. Before telling me your answer, I think it is important to know the pros & cons about me.

Pros:

1] I've been taking a lot of 500-level courses relating to physiology and experimental medicine (e.g. advanced applied cardiovascular physiology and endocrinology)

2] I have been volunteering for a non-governmental organization for quite a long time now

3] GPA is +3.6

Cons:

1] Haven't written my GRE yet (this summer, but I don't know where to begin!)

2] This is my 2nd degree, I did a degree in chemistry before but my GPA was very low (3.12), got some F's that I'm not very proud of :(

3] No research experience because I feel that my degree doesn't really offer any good biological lab techniques compares to someone in physiology or biochemistry let's say. This is definitely my downside. I hope to email some professors this summer who work in the hospital, but why would they hire me instead of a physio major?

4] Haven't taken Genetics

GRE: You are a bastard

mrgreyisyelling — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:36:56 -0800

How important is that analytical section on the GRE? See, I took the test once: 580-V and 600-Q, 4.5 A

This was unacceptable, so I studied as hard as I could for a month, basically willed a great score out of the machine: 690 V (96%!) 780 Q (90%!)

And I was high on my horse until two days ago: my freaking analytic score was 3.5 (20%!!!!!!!!). I have no idea why I got a lower score (last time I didn't even finish writing), let alone such a lower score.

This is totally killing my high. All the programs are accepting writing samples, and I feel I'm a fairly accomplished in this area, so I'm _sure_ it will be ok. But...

Am I? Should I note in my SoP that I have no idea why I got such a low score, but bet-you-ten-bucks I can write? How important are these 'analytical' scores anyway? Everyone seems to get 5, why can't I?

should I.....retake???

Sick: GRE as AskMefi: ???

andoatnp — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:25:30 -0800

I'm getting sick and taking the GRE on Monday. Anything I should be doing between now and then and best medicines for the day of? I've developed a sore throat and very light congestion. I'm taking the GRE in 36 hours. I'm about to go to sleep now (it's 1am where I am) and I'm wondering what might be anything I should do on sunday during the day, and especially the best medicine if I'm having trouble falling asleep Sunday night.

Also, if I'm feeling particularly bad on monday morning, what is the best thing to do? Any special drinks or snacks I should bring with me to the test? Thanks!

help with the Math GRE

milestogo — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:00:20 -0800

Attention, Math students: I have some questions for those of you who have taken the GRE math subject test. I have been studying for the GRE math subject test for awhile now, mostly preparing using the Priceton Review book, which I found very helpful. I have also been taking tests from the REA book, which I have found extremely hard, and, more importantly, qualitatively different from the test in the Princeton Review book. I do very poorly on them, how worried should I be? Does anyone have experience with the math GRE in general, or these books in particular?

Also: Do you have any general advice for preparation for this test?

General advice for success on this test?

Please help me prepare!

Give me a qualitative analysis of the GRE.

zoomorphic — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:31:14 -0800

At the very last minute, I'm applying to grad school to get my PhD in English. Hooray! Except that I'm abysmal at math. How much will that hurt my chance at top PhD programs in English? Because I've got two weeks to A) teach myself basic algebra for the GRE, and B) stop psyching myself out to the point of panic attacks. I always figured I'd go back to grad school eventually to study English and teach, and this decision feels really right. Too bad I reached it three days ago. My first pick among English programs has an admission deadline of 12/1.

Here I was, worrying about whether I should write a statement of purpose about postcolonial feminism or new-history theory, and ha ha, I can't multiply decimals. I've always struggled at math, but since I haven't touched it since high school, I am exponentially dumber than when I took the SAT.

Let's assume I will do well at verbal and writing on the GRE. Let's assume I produce a sterling 20-page admission essay and a humbly ambitious statement of purpose. Let's assume I earn disappointing marks on quantitative. How much will (really) low quantitative scores mar my overall English PhD candidacy?

My time is very limited. Because I anticipate that quantitative is going to put a huge chink in my armor, I'm tempted to spend most of my time perfecting a good essay, drafting an impressive statement of purpose, and beefing up my verbal abilities, which is where I shine on tests. This strategy also has a whiff of avoidance to it: throwing my hands up in the air because I can't juggle quadratic equations.

Secondly, how I stop freaking myself out about this? I crack open these GRE math study books and I am near-tears with terror that I'm blowing my chances at an academic future.

Thirdly, what books helped you out? I've got til November 17th to reacquaint myself with math concepts.

Lastly, if anyone has good or bad anecdotes or words of advice, please, lob them at me. I'm slightly adrift in my priorities and insecurities, and I need some perspective. I'm applying mainly to schools in Chicago, but I'm currently in NYC, if that helps.

High GPA Versus Low GRE

Delfena — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:51:46 -0800

Does a high GPA make up for a low GRE score for grad school admissions? Should I send my scores to schools if they are "recommended" but not required? I'm scheduled to take the GRE in two weeks. I took a Princeton Review study course over the summer, but didn't improve as much as I would have liked. My practice test score is around 1160, but I did receive a 5 (out of 6) on both writing sections. I'm applying to 4 grad schools, and only one of them requires GRE scores. My question is, should I send my scores to the schools that only "recommend" but not require them? If I do, and they end up being low (around my practice score), will my 3.98 GPA and good letters of rec make up for it? Would it look bad if I didn't send in my scores at all? Oh, my field of study is Urban Planning, and the schools I'm applying to are Portland State, NYU, UC Irvine, and the University of British Columbia. (UCI is the one that requires the GRE) Thanks!

Anyone taken computer based GRE?

bilbo baggins — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:40:30 -0800

Anyone taken the GRE computer based General Test? I am computer literate, however having never taken a test on a computer I am kind of freaked out just by the sound of it. Will there still be paper for me to write problems out on? Can I skip a question and come back to it? Has anyone taken the paper based test and the computer base test? If so how do they compare?

What happens if I don't show up for the GREs?

suedehead — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:58:25 -0800

How to solve the GREs-- not the test, but the registration! What happens if I don't show up to the test? I signed up for the GRE for this Saturday. On Monday, I realized that the test narrowly overlaps with another test, and that I should reschedule the test. I tried to reschedule on Tuesday, three full days before the test --- or so I thought. It turns out that "three full days" means "three full days not including the test date or the cancellation date". In other words: I should have canceled five full days before the test.

Now I have a GRE looming ahead of me in the next two days, I can't cancel it, and I'm pretty sure that I'll be 200% more prepared if I take it, oh, next week (I spent most of my time memorizing vocab, not taking practice tests). Here's my question:

1) Is there anyway to cancel/reschedule?
2) If not, what happens if I don't show up? Will not showing up on Saturday mean that I still can't take a GRE again until October? Or since I didn't take the test at all, would it be possible to sign up for another GRE next next week (in September) or so?

I tried to look online and to call, but I was faced with long, long wait times (ten minutes+ just to navigate the phone menus?) and hazy details. I'm hoping someone who has been in a similar situation/knows the details can shed some light on my questions.

Thanks so much!

How to ace the Psychology GRE?

solipsophistocracy — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:24:47 -0800

Can you point me to some good resources to prepare for the GRE Subject Test in Psychology? I found a ton of great resources for the general test online (mostly thanks to AskMe), but am having less luck with the Psychology subject test. I've been told that it's not much more complex than a comprehensive exam for an introductory psych course, but I'd really like to blow it out of the water.

I have the ETS guidebook, and I'm willing to purchase another book or some software if there's something out there that really knocked your socks off, but I'd prefer to find some free resources online.

I'm also interested in any study strategies you might have (but for this test in particular, not just general test taking tips). If you took the test, what did you like/dislike about it? What surprised you? What would you have spent more time focusing on?

I have about nine weeks to prepare, and have planned for about an hour of study per day.

GRE prep

anonymous78 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:33:14 -0800

What's your favorite "word of the day" site? I'd like to sign up for some as part of my GRE prep.

Test: Skill :: MAT : ?

Miko — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:21:55 -0800

MAT vs. GRE: Does it matter? The graduate program I'm applying to [American Studies with a certificate in Public Culture and History] requires either the GRE -or- the MAT.

I don't want to take both and won't have time to take either more than once between now and the application deadline. I'm inclined to take the MAT because it's shorter, cheaper, and I think I have good skills at logical analysis. Evidence suggests I would probably do very well on the GRE verbal, but low-mediocre-to-very-poor on the mathematics.

My question is this: is there any reason to think one is a better choice than another? Funding? Strength on the application? Fit with field? Just want to make sure I don't create a detriment. Thanks for anything you can offer.

Yet another grad school advice question

fictionalcara — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:26:42 -0800

How does an aspiring graduate student in English traverse the confusion of the graduate school application process? I am four years removed from my undergraduate career (University of Washington, English, 3.39 overall GPA, closer to 3.6 major GPA) with a bit of a complicated history. I was an all-college honors student, one of the only humanities recipients of an undergraduate research grant from the Mary Gates Foundation and 3.85 overall GPA holder until near the end of my junior year when, according to the un-funniest Hollywood script, things fell apart. I dropped out of the extra honors workload both at the all-college level and within the English Department and barely managed to squeak through my senior year with poor grades to make it to commencement, knowing I had to complete one class within my major the summer after commencement in order to finish the requirements for my degree. As you may guess, I never finished the last class and instead silently drifted away from the University with horrible guilt and disappointment.

Fast-forward 3 years later, after having worked one-too-many restaurant jobs and flitting about with little true responsibility, I woke up and began to rediscover my first true love for academics. I was finally ready to confront my old undergraduate demons and just finish once and for all. Despite having moved to CA, I discovered that I need only take any transferable English course at my local community college in order to satisfy the last remining requirement for my degree. Last semester I did just that, and now I finally have my piece of paper! In addition, my preparation for the graduate school application process has included:

- Refreshing my 7 years of Spanish
- Beginning French (if I am able to start grad school in the Fall of '09 I will have completed two full years of college French)
- Studying for the GRE
- Studying for the GRE Subject Test in Literature (Norton Anthologies, reading some of the Big Names)
- Taking two undergraduate level English courses at UCLA starting in a few weeks, in hopes of showing promising and current university-level work, plus two letters of recommendation

When I originally went to college I wanted to teach. The longer I was in school (before the break-down), the more I realized that I wanted to mold college-aged minds. Truthfully I would like to teach literature at a small, liberal arts university, but since the process of that coming to be is potentially very far off, at this point I am happy with the idea of getting my masters and then considering the possibility of teaching at a community college first.

Ideally I would like to go somewhere that will allow for teaching experience and offer as much funding as possible. From what I can tell, the Cal State system which is local and convenient to me does not fit that mold. However what are the chances that I would be competitive (depending on test scores and recommendations, I realize) as an applicant to higher programs, either masters or doctorate level? The maze of offerings is positively dizzying. Some offer only terminal masters, with or without funding, some offer only doctoral level programs straight from a BA with or without funding, some are big names and others are not, but I need to find ones that are appropriate for me. I am afraid to be so clueless as to apply to schools that are either way out of my league, or overlook the smaller name hidden gem that would have been perfect for me, had I only known about it.

My question is, how do I know where I need to go considering my experience and aspirations? Given my academic record and current status, where should I be concentrating my attentions? Short of manually looking at the website of every degree-granting institution, how do I find the right fit?

If it helps, my interest lies in 19th and 20th century American Literature and Culture, Gender Studies, Transnational Studies and Cinema Studies (my undergraduate research combined women silent film stars, transnational dialogues within literature, popular culture and advertisements with 19th and early 20th century feminist literature).

Personal experiences are also very welcome: fictionalcara@gmail.com

What are the best ways to study/approach the GRE?

Viomeda — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:24:32 -0800

What are the best ways to study/approach the GRE? I graduated college in 2006 and would like to take the GRE in the new year. I haven't taken a standardized test since high school and since then only taken a handful of general tests as they were not the main requirement at the college I attended. I am quite confident in my writing and comprehension skills but the experience is rather intimidating, especially the math portion. I have never been one of those natural test takers (lucky bastards) and need to put in a lot of hours to feel prepared and less anxious. Can anyone bestow some piece of knowledge of how to make the GRE a successful experience?