GRE Test Preparation

So You Want to Go Back to School?

Applying for graduate school, online graduate programs or distance learning at the graduate level after obtaining your Bachelor's degree is a big decision. Whether your undergraduate work is a distant memory or you've just walked across the stage in your robes, taking the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is your next challenge. Knowing what to expect is the best strategy for getting a score that you are satisfied with. Exam anxiety can have a devestating affect on your score, so become very familiar with the expectations of the GRE process. You will gain confidence through practice that will translate into the best score possible.

What is it?

The GRE is a standardized test that most graduate level programs use as an evaluation tool for prospective graduate students during the admissions process. The test is timed and usually lasts about three hours. A computer-based test, the GRE can only be taken at designated testing centers throughout the United States. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exclusive owner of the exam, has a well developed web site with all the information you need about; how to find a testing center near you, how to register, how the test is set up and materials and tips for studying.

The GRE General Test consists of three sections; Verbal Reasoning (reading comprehension, vocabulary), Quantitative Reasoning (math, algebra, geometry), and Analytical Writing (logic, clarity in conveying ideas, throughness and ability to use English correctly). You are being tested on your abilities in abstract thinking skills, math, vocabulary and writing ability. The computer-based test is created to start each section with easier questions, How you answer will affect the level of difficulty of the next question. You are not able to return to previous questions and there is a time limit placed on each section.

There are also GRE Subject Tests, testing specifically on knowledge in one area. These tests are sometimes also required by graduate admissions boards, but much less often than the GRE General Test.

Why take it?

If you want to get into graduate school, you will most likely have to take it. Some graduate business schools require the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) instead of the GRE, however, there is a new trend developing in accepting GRE scores also. Almost all other graduate programs in the United States, including graduate degrees online, require the GRE as part of your admissions package. Your GRE score will give colleges that you apply to a sense of what your level of analytical and comprehension skills are. That being said, you want to perform well to increase your chances of being accepted at the school of your choice. Bear in mind that your GRE scores are one of several tools that graduate schools assess in looking at your application. Furthermore, there is a wide variance in how much weight the individual admissions panel places on those scores. The GRE scores may give them a general sense of your academic ability, and they will also look at your undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation and personal statement or statement of purpose.

How to study

Your best advantage can be gained by learning how to use the format of the exam. Learn the section descriptions ahead of time and save time during the actual test. Bear in mind that your answers to the earliest questions are very important, and answering them carefully will result in a better score. If its been a long time since you had algebra, you ought to refresh your memory on some of the basic formulas and concepts, but it is unlikely that you will raise your score significantly by studying new material over the course of a few weeks. Familiarity with the types of questions and way they are presented is your best bet for increasing your speed, and reducing anxiety. You do not want to get hung up too long in one area and then begin to second-guess yourself and get rattled.

Use the ETS website. Read everything ETS has to say about the exam, since they developed it and can offer a great deal of information on the topic. Perhaps most importantly, use the practice tests and questions offered. ETS offers a free download of complete "retired" exams. Their test preparation materials can be downloaded for free, or if you do not have internet access the Powerprep software can be sent to you through the mail. ETS also provides sample questions, a test tutorial, test-taking strategies, and practice tests with explanations for the answers.

Use test-taking strategies that are proven to increase performance on any exam. Read questions carefully and be sure of what is being asked. A question may remind you of one from a practice test, but the wording may be different and therefore have a different answer. Proceed methodically. Do not spend too much time an any one question, but do double check your answer before submitting it, since you cannot go back and change it. Prepare yourself by knowing what the test will look like, and how it is timed. You do not want to deal with surprises that will throw you off and increase your anxiety. Use the process of elimination for questions you are less sure about.

Sample questions and practice tests are a critical component of your GRE exam preparation. Set a schedule to run through as many as you can prior to your exam date to gain a good comfort level. Expect to see analogies, sentence completion, reading comprehension and quantitative comparisons. A few of the questions may be fill in the blank, but mostly multiple choice, and of course the writing section.

Explore other websites that offer advice, tips and first-hand feedback on what the test is like. There are agencies that offer free advice and study materials, as well as organizations that provide classes and prep materials for a fee. While the GRE is a measure of what you have learned in the past, you can definitely have a positive affect on your score by how you prepare. Get a feel for the lay of the land and you will proceed with better odds at a solid GRE score and entrance to the graduate program that you want. Whether its an online graduate degree or a traditional graduate program, practice is the best advice for getting to where you want to go.