mariupolo

So, I am applying for geoscience PhD programs at the very top US universities, and I just took my GRE test. I did not prepare for it (except for something yesterday afternoon, mostly just reviewing the test structure and sample question, and fretting over my lack of study). I know, I was stupid. I assumed the test was meant to test existing knowledge, not specific skills to be honed by preparation; I have been busy with my third year; I was not sure I would even apply for grad school in the US until about 2 weeks ago (I am on a 4-year MSci course, so I could just keep studying form my course and end up with a master-level qualifications from a UK top 5 uni). In retrospect (hindsight is 20/20, as we know), I should have really practised the maths questions, since I have always been bad with maths and exercises in general under time pressure (and it showed)... I do not recommend anyone undertakes the test (and the 5 hour round-trip journey, in my case) without a few days of preparation. All that being said, I got 158 quant (yeah, not getting into those top programs), and 168 verbal. I am not a native English speaker, and I really do not understand the fuss about the verbal section. maybe Italian high school has really given me superior knowledge of words of Latin and Greek origin? I also think the essay part went well (the sample answers online that got less than 5 are awful; I should have done better than that). Anyway, this is what I has to say (vent). Comment away, or don't, whatever you think.