Vince Kotchian GRE Prep

One thing to consider is how much math you're doing as opposed to watching. Watching people demonstrate problems isn't that helpful; struggling your own way through math concept workbooks and real GRE questions is much more helpful. Reading the explanation in the back of the book and then doing the problem isn't what you want to be doing, either.

hi Randa, I'd give you a 3.5 on this one. Don't feel as those you have to pick one side. In fact, you'll get more credit if you have a nuanced, defendable thesis. Don't forget the people who read the essay are people, not computers! Write an essay that could convince a person. For example, you could say that scandals generally are useless, but in some cases, they do expose problems we might otherwise not focus on. Also, be careful about being repetitive. You seem to come back to the same point several times in the essay. Instead, offer multiple perspectives on your thesis. Finally, support your claims better. When you say, "What actually matters is what is the problems rather than who caused it? In such case, focusing on the problems of corruption, rather than the scandal itself, is more effective." ...explain why this is true and how it might play out in real life. Keep practicing and read ETS's advice and sample essays.

hey Lynne, just a quick comment on your first issue essay: take a look at it again and see if you think a reader would agree that you answered the specific question being asked. You're a good writer but I don't think you directly responded to the task directions for that assignment.

when I click on that link, I just get an error message - better to post the text of the essay here.

yes - most computer GRE tests will adapt, so you may be getting an easier verbal section. But third-party tests aren't too reliable in terms of difficulty; to get a real measure, take the ETS tests.

hey TInkal, I'd give you a 2. Your introduction tells me you have identified some assumptions, but only your first body paragraph addresses an assumption and the implications for the argument. To score higher, your second and third body paragraphs need to do that as well. Keep practicing and use the advice and essays published by ETS on their website.

hey Sydnee! I'd give you a 4 on this one. You write well and the essay is well organized, but could use more analysis. I'd like to see more specific examples as well as more thoughtful writing about the specific implications of those examples. For instance, your first body paragraph brings up a flaw in the argument, but doesn't spend much time exploring what really could be going on in the study or what that might lead to. Keep practicing and use the advice and sample essays written by ETS to help!

hey Mathew, I'd give you a 4 on these. Be careful in your issue essay not to shoot yourself in the foot. In your first body paragraph, you present a good argument for preservation, but then you confused my by bringing up a scenario in which that argument would be nullified. Instead, just wrap up your argument. I was also a little confused in your third body paragraph - it needs some rephrasing to clarify this is someone else's opinion that your opinion outweighs. Your argument essay is solid, but could use some expansion in each paragraph to analyze the implications of the answers to the questions you raise. Be sure to analyze the sample essays provided by ETS in their books and on their website as well as their advice and instructions about the essays. And keep practicing!

hi Masterwolf, This doesn't seem to be an essay; rather, it is a collection of thoughts about an essay. If you'd like essay feedback, please try again and check out the advice, information, and directions on ETS.org/gre.

hey Charisma, I'd give you a 4. I like your issue essay a little better than your argument essay. I like your insightful point that technology doesn't just simplify, it is an end unto itself. It seems like you didn't have much time to develop your second body paragraph about the complicating nature (or lack thereof) of technology. Your argument essay could use more analysis. Instead of just asking rhetorical questions, explain how the potential answers to those questions would affect the argument. Not bad - keep practicing!

hey Vitor, Not bad - I would give these essays a 3.5. I like the degree of critical thinking in your issue essay; you have some analysis I like about the potential complications of encouraging students to follow lucrative careers. Your argument essay brings up a few good points - just be sure to phrase your response in accordance with the specific task directions. If the directions say to talk about "evidence", talk about evidence. If they talk about "assumptions", talk about assumptions. Some errors in your English hold this essay back, in my eyes, from getting a 4.

hi Hailey, I have a better idea: just post your essay on this forum. It will be seen by people like me who are experienced GRE tutors and who can give you much better feedback than someone who is learning how to write the essay for the first time.

hi HGM, I would give both of your essays a 2. Though there are moments in both essays where you appear to be following the directions, neither essay maintains focus on the assignment nor does either really provide any analysis regarding your claims and observations. Instead, you seem to be writing about whatever the topic reminds you of at any given moment. I highly recommend reading what ETS has to say about the essays, reading their sample essays, then brainstorming lots of different prompts. Practice writing a few untimed, then try timed again and post them here.

hi Arpita, I'd give this a 2.5. I would find it easier to follow if you stuck to one major idea per paragraph and developed your ideas instead of just making claims. For example, you say "A girl from a remote village would be able to expect to get into the same college as a person educated in the biggest of the schools in urban areas." and then move on to a different idea, "It would lead to creation of better job opportunities..." Instead, you could explain why the girl from the remote village could get into the college. Remember, you're being graded on your analytical ability. Analyze the sample essays ETS provides on their website and practice UNTIMED before you time yourself again.

Why not retake? If you don't mind paying for the test again, retaking makes sense to me given that you've scored higher in practice. I am assuming that your practice score was from an ETS computer test? If not, then I would want to hear your ETS computer test practice score: if it's a few points higher than your real test, you might as well take the real test again. The Magoosh and Manhattan tests are not the real thing, so I wouldn't put as much stock in those scores.

I'd test numbers here. Comparing simple expressions is usually easier by testing numbers than trying to simplify or rewrite the expressions somehow.