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Just a quick update: With settled nerves and endless problem solving using Manhattan's prep books and Magoosh, a dummy like me went from a woeful 151V 144Q to a 159V and 153Q. I think taking the PowerPrep helped alleviate test anxiety and there was a familiarity in format down to the look of the test. Plus I am 40 and haven't taken a standardized test since '89.

Embarrassingly enough, I lost my job last year and did not file taxes. I'll concede this is inexcusable and am contacting the IRS Wednesday however, I wanted to know if I am able to apply for any financial aid for grad school since I cannot prove a need. I am a spring applicant and getting a bit worried. Thanks in advance!

Does anybody have experience applying for a second masters with a low undergraduate GPA and stellar graduate GPA? I was a total screw off as an undergrad and have an unremarkable 2.61, 311 GRE (1260 old score) and would like to get an MS in Taxation at UC Irvine. Thanks in advance!

I have Nova's new math prep book as well as Manhattan. Manhattan is far more comprehensive but nobody, and I mean nobody comes close to Magoosh. I'll concede that I learn a bit better from hearing explanations as opposed to reading them so I may be biased but here is one more thing: Many prep books simply don't offer enough practice material. Magoosh offers hundreds of questions, you can choose the level and what portion of the quant you would like to practice. I have had more than a few questions that I directed towards the Magoosh team and my questions were answered immediately as well as follow ups. A great deal of prep material does not reflect the test. Magoosh comes close. Manhattan is great however, the verbal tends to test vocab knowledge while ETS tests subtleties and nuances of words. Very tricky stuff. Princeton's are far too easy, I score 160V and 155Q and was nowhere near that on the GRE. I scored 156V and 149 to 155Q on Manhattan's (average of all 6 practice tests) and was nowhere near that on the GRE. GRE quant is a mile wide and an inch deep. Memorize the fundamentals and you should see a marked improvement in your quant.

I was consistently between 149 and 155 on MGRE and found the actually GRE to be profoundly more difficult. I had little idea of how to attack each problem and wound up with an unremarkable 144. Needless to say I will retake it a month.

Hi Taxjew21, I have both of the above mentioned. Here, IMO, is the problem with both: They both merely touch on the math. For me, I really needed a comprehensive explanation to math so I went with Manhattan's book series that also comes with 6 free CAT's. I was worried about one of my scores and called Manhattan and spoke to a great guy named Taylor (their in house GRE expert) and he took the time to look at my practice tests and gave me sound advice. I also, for 100 dollars signed up for Magoosh and it it WELL worth it. I went a little crazy buying test prep books and these 2 are so superior that they are all that i use. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone! I took the GRE today. On my way I had a flat about 10 miles from the testing center, arrived late and BOMBED. I scored an unremarkable 295. Manhattan prep is solid but the verbal on the GRE tests subtleties and nuances of words in context. I found the quant harder than Manhattan and out of 6 Cats, scored between 299 and 308. Going to hit the books again tomorrow and retake it in 30 days using Magoosh and old fashioned hard work.

Thanks for the input decaf! I am consistently scoring around 1100 to 1200 and going through the Big Book (old test quant questions mostly). Anybody have any suggestions on more practice CAT's? My Mac won't allow Power Prep software to run, I have exhausted all 6 Manhattan's and Magoosh, while a really great site, has quants that discourage me a bit (they are similar to the toughest GRE questions I have seen). Thanks in advance!

Hate to post something inane but here is my dumb question. I am applying to a MACC program that requires a minimum 1000 GRE score. I have taken 4 Manhattan practice tests and after receiving a 1200 on the 3rd, pulled the trigger and registered for the test next week. After shoring up some quant deficiencies and practicing RC's, I took a fourth and scored a 299. The disparity was on my verbal. This is the exact score I received my first practice test months ago and I am now worried that I am going to bomb. Has anyone experienced a similar disparity? I am unable to take the PowerPrep as I have Mac's and the public and school libraries do not have C drives. I realize that 1000 isn't tough but hey, I am just clearing 1000 on Manhattan's after 2 months of 4 hour daily study.