Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (7 years 8 months 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 763 times:
Dear people, I will have to take the GRE soon.. After reading a bit about the test, I did a sample test.. and yack!
My quantitative skills (maths) were really good.. but my vocab part! It sucks (they use words I have NEVER heard).. Essays will be easy-peasy
I am particularly interested :
- How to improve the vocab skills? Is there any good book with set of words you can recommend (I don't want to learn a dictionary be heart!)?
- Any other ideas how to study, apart from practice tests (I have a quite good thick book with lot sof tests, paper and Computer)?
How were your experiences? I will take the computer test (is there a long waiting list? I will take the Computer cersion with 90 % likeliness in FRA beginning of November)? The grading system is a little complicated...
And.. do you know whether one can use a piece of paper and pencil to sketch while taking the exam, or "do all operations have to take place in the head"?
I would be very grateful for any advice/observations.. it seems to be more difficult than I thought!
SW733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6072 posts, RR: 10 Reply 1, posted (7 years 8 months 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 742 times:
Hey Mrnji,
Well, I am taking the GRE on October 28, so all that I know is based off what I THINK is true, so you'll have to forgive me if I am not 100% correct.
First, with regards to to vocab, I've been studying with a book called Princeton Review "Cracking the GRE". It seems to be pretty good. I haven't taken a practice test yet, so I'm not sure how much it will end up helping, but it can't hurt! I'm horrible at standardized testing, so I need all the help I can get on the GRE.
With regards to the paper, I want to say that only on the math portion can you use scratch paper. However, I'm not completely certain about this at all.
Good luck on your test! I certainly know I am going to need some luck on my side.
Garnetpalmetto From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 5244 posts, RR: 55 Reply 2, posted (7 years 8 months 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 740 times:
Niji - been a little while since I took the GRE (about a year or so), but the computer based version isn't too bad at all. You're allowed to use scratch paper (which I think you have to provide) for the math section. For the vocab section, I would actually recommend going through Reader's Digest as their "It Pays to Improve Your Word Power" section is great for picking up new vocabulary words. Also, any SAT review or GRE review book is good for this as well. Also, for the writing section, practice looking for logical fallicies in arguments (I'm sure non-av is great for that ).
As for waiting lists and the like, there isn't really one. You call the test center to set up an appointment to come, or at least that's how I did it.
In terms of pre-testing the best pre-test is the one that ETS provides when you register. Hope any of this helps!
South Carolina - too small to be its own country, too big to be a mental asylum.
It depends on how much time you have. I found reading actual books or better newspapers (WSJ, NY times) help build vocabulary. In the short term, I suggest a review from someone like Kaplan or one of the other equivalents. I have heard actual good things about Kaplan though. I think Gleim might make a book for the GRE, I could be wrong, but their stuff is pretty good usually.
Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (7 years 8 months 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 685 times:
Guys, thanks for this FANTASTIC advice! Really kind of you all!
I have now identified my problem fields. Math is no problem at att (I only need to get rid of my "-" mistakes.. something I learned in the school). Sentence completition is quite easy.. reading: I tend to read too fast.. antonyms is a big problem, same as that section of word relations.. man, since when is old-english a standard for US Unis?
Michel, I would be VERY grateful for that list! Cheers, MrNiji
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