Fist time GRE taker -advice?!
 

Honestly, the GRE isn't all that bad. It's kinda like the SAT for college students. The vocab words are harder than the SAT, but as a lit/English person, I'd bet you have a pretty good vocabulary - reading will do that for you. The quantitative section isn't that bad either - my only problem is that I do math slooowly, which can be stressful. The writing prompts were kinda dumb. They did require critical thinking skills and creativity, but I just wasn't that into the topic. Doable, but dumb.

My advice is: buy a study book (I used "The Princeton Review: Cracking the GRE). If you're really worried about the math stuff, I think that there are GRE prep books that just deal with that section.

Good luck!

Look for books that have a few practice tests. I found that to be most helpful. Also, the book I bought had the most frequently occurring vocab words, which was really helpful! I recognized most of the words on my test.

Also, just make sure you've given yourself time to potentially take the test again if needed. My grad school applications had to be in by January 1st, and silly me didn't take the test until December! Bad idea. The scores almost didn't get there in time, and one was actually lost in the mail. (I didn't have time to resend the scores, and one school didn't look at my application.)

Good luck studying!

Here is the secret to acing the GRE:

Buy "GRE for Dummies!"

This book specifically teaches you how to take the computer test, gives great reviews, and 2-3 practice exams.

Also use the practice software they send you when you register. Its helpful to practice using the software, especially when it comes to writing the essays.

Double post...

Hey! I've been studying for the GRE for a little while now and am getting ready to take it in the fall. I bought a Kaplan book which has been fairly helpful and gives a pretty good outline of the format of the test. I would also suggest buying a study guide that comes with a c.d. because I've found it helpful to practice doing things on the computer. Good luck!!!

Cosign - practicing on the computer is great - I found that really helpful too! You can take a free online practice test at

http://www.princetonreview.com/grad/...-PRACTICE-TEST

(and I don't work for Princeton Review - I just feel indebted to the company because "Cracking the SAT" helped me soo much in high school.)

The SAT's uglier older brother
 

Since your getting a MA in Literature find out if they require or recommend the English in Literature GRE Subject Test. I am applying for MFA in creative writing. I know at least one of the six schools that I am applying to( Johns Hopkins, Temple, University of Virginia, George Mason, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland) "Highly Recommend" the GRE Subject Test in English.

Back on tips on studying. Make index cards for math formulas that you easily forget. For example. If you forget how to get the area of a triangle, you better know it before your test(It is 1/2 times base times height).

All the advice that has been given is very good. Don't stress too much. Good Luck to you.

Re: The SAT's uglier older brother
 

Oops, you did say that in the first post. I prefer not to take GRE at all. I am not a fan of standardized tests.

One week until I take the GRE test.....GRE-day, here I come.

the advice for studying the math equations is a good one - they won't provide that info during the test, but you definetely need to know it. basically, look over all of the area and volume equations and know general algebra and the stupid circumference stuff.

- marissa

ps - good luck!

Thanks.....

I'm pretty nervous about the math part, cause I'm really bad at it, and don't remember much from courses taken so long ago.....

What I found for the vocab section was that studying really did help. I saw words from my practice book and the cd were actually on the test. I only studied the night before because I wasn't too concerned about getting into grad school (easy program), but it made a huge difference, but over 100 points.

Good luck to everyone taking them!

Jocelyn, I don't know if you have taken the test or not (or when you take the test), but with the writing part, it can be 4 to 5 paragraphs long. I would recommend you pick up Cracking the GRE. They'll give you a good guideline about how to write your essay.

It's not particularly hard. But then, I'm good at standardized tests. I took the GRE recently- my score was similar to when I took the paper version 9 years ago.

Some tips:

- Read a lot. And don't be afraid to read the dictionary or encyclopedia.
- Do get a practice book if it has been a while since you have taken a math class.
- Do get a good night sleep the day before the test. And if you need to be woken up, drink some coffee if you are accustomed to it. Make sure to eliminate allergens and not eat anything new just before it.

Another thing:

Complete ALL questions! You will get penailized for every question you do not answer. So even if you get all the answers right and you left off 4 question, you will not get a perfect score.

Ask for the GRE POWERPREP CD at the gre website at ets.org. It is very helpful.

MAJOR NOTE:
There will be some major changes concerning the GRE test that will take effect in the fall of 2007, so if you have to grad school and you're graduating this semester or in the springtime, take it before the changes do occur. And you will be in the testing room longer, because with verbal and quantitative, you will have two 40 minute sections on both parts, instead of one section each. And both writing parts are 30 minutes each, so the issue task is reduced by 15 minutes. You can also find more info at ets.org.

I just wanted to let you know that last night I dreamed of the GRE.

For some reason, they did not give me all the questions or sections- just one for verbal and one for math that were very very short each. And of course, I ended up getting a pathetic combined score. I think it even was like 500 for one section and 300 or so for another.

And the strangest part is that I was trying to get the head of my library to call the ETS on my cell phone. And that another employee from the library says that they ripped her off exactly the same way.

I have no idea why I had such a strange dream. I usually do very well on standardized tests- and there is no reason why those two ladies would be involved with my GRE.