CallmeIshmael

Thanks for all of the advice. So I rescheduled for Nov. 18th, giving me over 2 weeks to prepare. I need to raise a verbal score of 490 to 600 at the least. Scanning the forum it seems that many of you recommend Barron's, Any other recommendations or advice for a 2-3 week cram period? Thanks

I took the GRE last week and didn't encounter a disguised experimental section in the quant. or verbal. Just the standard 28 math questions and 30 verbal questions. Is the typical? I was anticipating a block of 60 questions at some point. And oh yes, I should mention, they did offer me the optional "research" section.

ristastic: thanks for your imput. This time I will definitely shy away from Princeton review tests, I think they may be too easy. What's the exact name of the Barron's book you recommended? Thanks

I couldn't agree more. One of the things that the Kaplan stressed was not having a negative outlook on the test. They urge you not to have the attitude of "the GRE is pointless, why do I even need to take this . . ." Well, I went in with the positive, "this is my time to prove myself attitude" and now I can't help but feel the other way. Thanks for the advice.

A little bit of background: Applying for admission to English Ph.D. programs for Sept. of 2010. Graduated from good private university with 3.7 cum. / 4.0 major. Have a great writing sample. LOR's secured. Currently working on SOP. Took the General test this morning and bombed it . . . 490 quant. 490 verbal. Studied for a month, was consistently testing in the 580-660 range on the Princeton Review / McGraw Hill verbal practice tests. Went into the test with positive attitude, didn't have any unrealistic expectations, just bombed it. Because I'm applying to English programs the Quant does not concern me. Side note: [i am suspect of the aforementioned practice tests. Perhaps they were easier than the real thing. Why say this? I used POWERPREP in the days before the test and scored poorly (Ive heard that this is the most accurate), went back afterwards to the other tests and was scoring 700s. Obviously I know that the verb score is unacceptable for English Ph.D. programs. So my three questions are as follows: 1.) Is it too late to take it again? Most of my application deadlines are Jan. 1st 2010. Should I aim to study for another month and then take it in late November? 2.) Any recommendations as to what study materials are the best? I used Kaplan GRE, Kaplan GRE Verb, memorized 300 words, etc., etc. 3.) If I do take the test again and score over a 600 on the verbal will I be in good shape? Basically, I studied for a month straight and feel as if I didn't get anywhere. . . Looking for any good advice!

I'm applying to a few Ph.D. programs in English for fall of next year. I have 2 sets of transcripts: the first from a community college that I attended for 2 semesters back in 2005, the second from the four-year private school that I recently graduated from. What's sparked my paranoia: I received an F in a pre-calc. class back in 2005. I retook the class the next semester and received a B+. The F is still listed on the transcript; however, only the B+ is averaged into my cum. from that institution which was a 3.9. Since that time I took 3 more math courses received all A's and graduated with a 3.7 overall and a 3.9 within my major. I guess it