TheBumChikiBum

http://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/38585-practice-gre-scores-vs-real-gre-scores/?do=findComment&comment=1058299675

Look at my post where i have shared my GRE exp with my mock test scores. Even my quant scores dipped alot. So ..yeah chill. Just keep at it.

@greMS15 MST (multi-stage test)

I don't know the about the online version. But when you buy the official GRE Guide, you get 2 mocks on the CD and 2 paper mocks written in the book. He is talking about the paper tests.

I would suggest you to send the recent scores. They don't really need to look at who and where Ignat was 5 years ago. They want to see where you are now.

Give Mocks. Period. Powerprep.Manhattan mocks etc. Do not learn new concepts now. Too late for that. Just give the mocks and get into the groove. Take that 1 week trial if it gives access to tests also. Best of luck.

Sometimes 1. Sometimes 5. Even 0 sometimes. Nothing was regular. I studied only if I wanted to. Didn't force myself. You only have one month. You need atleast 3-5 days between every test to self reflect. I would advise you to start giving the tests ASAP. I know you are nervous, but that is no excuse to not give any mocks. JUST START.

Okay. So, now that you have 8 sets of Manhattan books (which I hope are original ). You will have access to 6 tests. Have you given them ? What's your score there? See. I did my quant prep from Manhattan only. To be honest I wasn't even able to do quite a few medium and hard questions. Still, it's important to read explanation of each and every question you are not able to solve. Start giving mocks. Repeat them if already done with them. Do the Manhattan 'hard' questions. Do the hard questions in Manhattan 5Lb book. You can easily get it. If you know what I mean. Even if you try to solve those questions, your brain's quant solving abilities will improve. You are able to solve them or not is a totally different matter. Even attempting the questions is fruitful. DO IT. Just keep at it. I was getting 153-156 in my mocks 1 month before the GRE date. I just kept at it. Kept practising and achieved a very very decent quant score. As they say in Hindu Mythology : 'Karam karte raho, fal ki iccha mat karo'. It basically translates to : Keep working hard persistently. Don't worry about the fruits i.e success. Best of luck

Just go ahead. No need to take GRE again. You are good to go!! Focus on your application package.

@EMPOWERgreRichC I think he means to say that he cannot get any GRE test dates before 1st DEC. @Gana123 Do not give GRE again. You have a nice quant score. Just focus on the rest of the package now. That is important. GRE is just a crucial part of it. Score good in TOEFL and you can make up for your verbal there.

If you have already booked your dates, practice and practice and practice. Do not lurk around here. Just go to your room and remain there. You have two weeks. Use them judiciously. If your native language is not English, then I would advise you to practice Quant as much as you can. Focus on your weak areas. Try and solve the hard questions in Manhattan book or something. Doesn't matter if you can solve them or not. At-least try. This will help you in tackling questions there. Makes your mind ready for the ultimate battle. DO NOT forget to solve as many mocks as you can. Do the free Manhattan test or the free Kaplan test etc and ofcourse the Powerprep. I gave 16 mocks before giving GRE. So, you might want to give at-least 5-6. Don't report your GRE score. You are giving it again in two weeks. Why would you want to report. You can apply to schools where min. GPA is 3. A lot of them have this. Write a stellar SOP and do mention the book thing. The whole application package decides your profile. Not just the acads or GRE etc.

Quoting the source : "Specifically, the proposal would allow such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension would effectively replace the 17-month STEM OPT extension currently available to certain STEM students." Does this mean that the total OPT period would be for total 36 months ? WOW. That is an attractive option. 3 years is a lot . Also : "Comments must be received by DHS on or before November 18, 2015. Comments on the information collection provisions proposed in this rule must be received by DHS and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on or before November 18, 2015." So.. next update will be on Nov. 18. Let's hope this issue gets resolved soon.

@TakeruK Wow. THAT is very insightful. Thanks a ton. Looking into current OPT issues and change of govt. at helm in US makes me uneasy. The US economy is also just on the verge of tumbling. Read this somewhere : Say, your house is full of shit up till the ceiling. What would you do? Remove/clean it or raise the ceiling? That is what US Economy is, right now. I favour Canada a bit more than US to be honest. But as you mentioned : This might unwillingly push me to go to US. Anyway your views on this whole Economy and OPT issue? Where does Canadian Economy stand exactly? And may I dare ask you : What made you go to US and leave Canada for further studies? P.S. : Sorry for asking so many questions. A curious mind I have, you see.

@TakeruK Thanks for the informative reply. So, as a guy who is thinking of relocating to a different country for pure academia and research purposes, which place would be better? I am asking this question that the common view right now is that Canada particularly leans towards research and generally you get MS with thesis whereas in US both, MS with and without thesis is prevalent. Although you have mentioned that : So, even though I will apply to both US and Canada, I don't really know which place to give more emphasis on. Say, I get admits for Rank 1 college from both the countries with similar thesis and other fellowship conditions etc. Which place should I prefer? A few pro and cons would be nice from your side as you have experienced both the places.

@Elvidi Hey. IMHO , you should try using the Manhattan books. If your concepts are not clear, then buy the 6 books (out of total 8). If your concepts are clear and you just need practice, then take the Manhattan 5lb book. I am sure it will benefit you a lot. Best of luck brother