Thursday, March 30, 2017

The GRE Guide to SUCCESS

GRE Registration Check-List
  1. Decide when you need to take the test – allow sufficient time for score reporting when scheduling your test so you can meet the admission deadlines for ALL the schools you are planning to apply to. Decide where you want to take the test, and make sure the dates you are needing are available at that location.
  2. Determine which schools you want to receive your scores. You will be able to request that your scores be sent to up to 4 graduate institutions using the ScoreSelect option. *If you are taking a computerized-delivered test, you will choose the score recipients on the day of the test.
  3. Create an ETS Account to register online
  4. Register for an examination a MINIMUM of two days prior to test day. The cost to register for the GRE General Test is $205 plus taxes, and can be paid online via credit/debit card (American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, or Visa), PayPal, or Money Orders/Certified Checks

GRE Test Day Check-List
  1. Bring VALID identification
    • Must be the original document - photocopieded versions won’t be accepted
    • Expired IDs will NOT be accepted
  2. Bring a copy of your GRE confirmation email that includes the testing center location and time of your appointment
  3. If you are taking a paper-delivered GRE, you will need 3-4 sharpened No. 2 pencils. *Mechanical pencils are not permitted. (If taking computerized test, you will not need pencils.)
  4. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled test time and plan to be at the testing center up to 4.5 hours from the time of check in

Quick Tips
  • Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores will be determined by the number of questions you answer correctly. Nothing is subtracted from a score if you answer a question incorrectly. Therefore, to maximize your scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures, it is best to answer every question.6
  • All questions carry the SAME weight. Work as rapidly as possible, and do not waste time on one individual question that you find to be extremely difficult. Skip it, and come back to it at the end!
  • You may want to go through each of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections rapidly first, stopping only to answer those questions you can do so with certainty. Then go back and answer the questions that require greater thought, concluding with the difficult questions if you have time.
  • I know taking the GRE may break some of your banks, but luckily, you can prepare for FREE. Going back to the topic I discussed in my very first blog, we have FREE knowledge and power just waiting at our fingertips! Utilize the tools online to prepare for the format and layout of the examination and brush up on the information and skills you will be required to remember and execute.
  • You can take GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to 5 times within 12 months. So, if you think you may want to take your test twice before submitting your scores, make sure you are allowing for enough time to be able to retake your examination and still meet your application deadlines!

Analytic Writing | 0-6 scoring scale – in half point increments
The Analytical Writing measure tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion.
-Consists of Two Separately Timed Writing Tasks
            30-minute “Analyze an Issue” Task
The Issue task presents an opinion on an issue of general interest followed by specific instructions on how to respond to that issue. You are required to evaluate the issue, consider its complexities and develop an argument with reasons and examples to support your views.
            30-minute “Analyze an Argument” Task
The Argument task requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. You will need to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than agree or disagree with the position it presents.

Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 scoring scale – in whole point increments
-Three Types of questions
            Reading Comprehension
Each Reading Comprehension question is based on a passage that may range in length from one paragraph to several paragraphs. The test contains approximately 10 passages, the majority of which are one paragraph in length and only one or two of which are several paragraphs long. Passages are drawn from the physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, business, arts and humanities and everyday topics and are based on material found in books and periodicals, both academic and nonacademic.2
            Text Completion
Questions test the ability to reach a conclusion about how a passage should be completed on the basis of partial information by omitting crucial words from short passages and asking the test taker to use the remaining information in the passage as a basis for selecting words or short phrases to fill the blanks and create a coherent, meaningful whole. Consists of passages that are composed of one to five sentences with one to three blanks in each passage. For passages with only one blank, you will be given five answer options. For passages with more than one blank, you will be given three answer options per blank.

            Sentence Equivalence
Sentence Equivalence questions consist of a single sentence with just one blank, and they ask you to find two choices that lead to a complete, coherent sentence while producing sentences that mean the same thing. Consists of a single sentence with on blank and six answer options. You are required to select two of the answer options, and will not be given credit for partially correct answers.

Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 scoring scale – in whole point increments
Check out this FREE math review for more detailed information on this section!
-Four Content Areas
            Arithmetic
            Algebra
            Geometry
            Data Analysis

References:

About GRE General Test. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2017, from http://www.ets.org/gre/reivsed_general/ 


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