[Practice GRE scores vs. real GRE scores]

I feel rather depressed after taking power prep. I've put in so many hours into ensuring I get at least 160 on both sections. My first power prep came out as 165V

162Q

Secobd power prep about 3 weeks later was disastrous.

V 158

Q 155

After studying so hard on the quants.

I don't get it. Granted I wasn't composed in the second power prep but nonetheless I found myself really struggling with verbal which has always been my forte. The math was no better. I've done most of the questions in the manhattan 5Lb book only to get a reduced score?

 

 

I'm a GRE tutor. A few things that might explain the score decrease:

 

1. You tried to work on all of the questions. For your score goal (160+), working on every question can be counterproductive. If a question seems hard, guess, mark, and skip. Don't try for perfection - you may not have time to work on every single question in a section - especially in the 2nd section of verbal and math. Trying to do every question may result in rushing.

 

2. Manhattan questions are usually less complex and less wordy than real GRE ones. Using techniques like the ones I have here: http://vincekotchian.com/test-prep/gre_videos/ can help you. The GRE is testing your ability to adapt, not just your math. Study the questions in the Official Guide from ETS and review your powerprep questions. Skip the Manhattan at this point.

 

3. You may have been battling with your emotions. Accept it if you get upset, breathe, and move onto something else. Everyone goes through tough spots on the GRE - so don't expect everything to go perfectly.

 

Best, Vince

[Vocab]

Learning words and how to use them is much more important, though roots will also help. 

 

I'd suggest making flashcards. On the front of the card, write the word and an easy pronunciation. 

 

For example, PRODIGAL prah-dig-ul

 

On the back, a brief definition, a mnemonic, a short sentence using the word in a memorable way, and a couple of synonyms, found on m-w.com.

 

For example: 

 

PRODIGAL: wasteful

 

PRADA GAL

 

The PRODIGAL PRADA GAL spent $1200 on a pair of boots.

 

Synonyms: spendthrift, profligate

 

Making cards like this will help learn words as opposed to just memorizing them.

[Best GRE prep books?]

I'm a GRE tutor. Manhattan's material is the best. Of course, make sure to use ETS's too - they have a book of quantitative and a book of verbal practice questions coming out on July 18th.

[Barrons flaw]

Third party material like Barrons is generally not good. The best is by Manhattan Prep. Make sure to also use ETS's material.

[GRE test taker ... need help plzZZzZ]

I'm a GRE tutor. Manhattan Prep is by far the best. Make sure to use ETS's official material, too.

[Review of Kaplan's 2015 GRE guide]

Hi all,

 

I'm a GRE tutor. Thought you might be interested in my Amazon.com review of Kaplan's latest GRE book (... especially because not only did they actually respond to my negative review, but someone who works for them then wrote a review for the book (not cool in my opinion).

 

Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/GRE%C2%AE-Premier-2015-Practice-Tests/dp/1618656236/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403219132&sr=8-1&keywords=kaplan+2015+gre

 

The funny thing is also that Kaplan owns Manhattan Prep, which I think writes the best material out there for the GRE.