GREMasterEMPOWERRichC

Hi GreCracker, I'd still like to know how you're performing on your MSTs (including the Quant and Verbal Scores). If you're missing out on too many Verbal points overall, then focusing on these rarer categories is not the best use of your study time (it would be the equivalent of having terrible scores in the Quant section and then focusing on hard Probability questions during practice). In the broader sense, taking lots of MSTs is NOT how you will improve your scores either. An MST is just a 'measuring device' - skill improvement comes from learning Tactics, doing practice and review, making mistakes and then working to fix those mistakes, etc. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi dux3000, Most GRE Quant questions can be approached in a variety of ways, so the 'measure' of any approach ultimately comes down to two things: 1) Did it help you to get the correct answer. 2) Did it help you to do so in a 'relatively fast' way (so that you can get to all of the questions in the section without having to rush through any). If your approach does both, then there shouldn't be a concern. However, if you're getting too many questions wrong or if you have a pacing problem, then there might be some fundamental problems with 'your way' of approaching the Quant section. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi dux3000, TESTing VALUES is a remarkably useful tactic in the Quant section, so it's a skill that's worth practicing. Most Test Takers are not 'born' with that specific skill, much in the same way that they are not born with a huge 'GRE vocabulary', but they can both be developed. You just have to put in the necessary time and effort. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi GreCracker, How are you performing in the Verbal section overall? Have you taken any MSTs (and what were your Quant and Verbal scores?)? I ask because while the above question types can sometimes be tough, they're still a relatively small piece of your GRE Verbal score. It might be that you're missing out on a much larger 'chunk' of points in some other categories (that you should focus on first). GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi ew2u09, Regardless of whether you find a study partner or not, we should talk about your prior GRE experience (so that you can make the necessary adjustments and improve). 1) When did you take the GRE? And what were your scores? 2) What practice materials did you use? And how long did you study? 3) When are you planning to take the GRE again? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi dux3000, Although it won't be too common on Test Day, certain QCs are going to be more complex (and require more work from you) than others will, so you should be ready to spend that time doing work (NOT staring) to get to the correct answer. We're told that K is NEGATIVE. The real work in this question is in Quantity A, but it's really just basic arithmetic, so let's TEST VALUES and see if a pattern emerges... IF.... K = -1, then... A = (-7)(-2)/(1 - -1) = 14/2 = 7 Quantity A is greater IF.... K = -2, then... A = (-9)(-3)/(4 - -2) = 27/6 = 4.5 Quantity A is greater IF.... K = -10, then... A = (-25)(-11)/(100 - -11) = 275/111 = MORE than 2 Quantity A is greater It certainly appears that Quantity A is always going to be greater, so the Final Answer is A. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi dux3000, This QC can be solved by TESTing VALUES and defining the pattern that exists. IF...X = 1, then... A = (1+1)/1 = 2 B = (1-1)/1 = 0 Quantity A is bigger IF...X = -1, then... A = (1+ -1)/-1 = 0 B = (1- -1)/-1 = -2 Quantity A is bigger IF...X = -2, then... A = (1+ -2)/-2 = +1/2 B = (1- -2)/-2 = -3/2 Quantity A is bigger This pattern will continue on no matter what VALUES you TEST for X; Quantity A is ALWAYS Bigger, so the answer is A. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi abohammed, Since you are so close to your Test Date, there isn't much time left for any big improvements to how you deal with the Verbal section of the GRE. While knowing the vocab IS a big part of dealing with the Verbal section, many vocab-based questions are also about 'context' (knowing when a certain word should be used). I'm interested to know how you score on Test Day, so you should report back here after you've taken the GRE. If you plan to retest, then we can talk through your study options. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi columbia09, From what you describe, you certainly sound like you're performing at a consistent level. So the real question is WHY are you getting questions wrong. This might seem like a broad issue, but the potential 'reasons' are limited. On your last MST... 1) How many questions did you get wrong because of a silly/little mistake? 2) How many questions did you get wrong because you didn't know the 'content' involved? 3) How many questions did you get wrong because the question was just too hard? With 2 weeks time, you should be focused on the first two categories. Silly/little mistakes tend to kill Test Takers, so keeping those mistakes form happening is a must. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi Shantanu Kumar, Since your Test Date is so close, It might be difficult to make any big changes to how you handle the Verbal section. 1) How are you scoring in the Verbal section OVERALL? 2) How have you scored on your practice MSTs? 3) Is RC your biggest 'problem area' or are you getting more questions wrong in other areas? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi columbia09, How did you score on the GRE the first time that you took it? And what is your score goal? What your application deadlines? If your GRE score isn't going to be a 'high point' on your application, then you have to find other areas to emphasize. Properly presenting your work experience and writing well-crafted essays/personal statements can make a big difference to otherwise 'average' application. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi KellyAR0329, You ask an important question, and I'll be happy to offer some advice, but you haven't provided many details about your specific situation: 1) When are you planning to apply to Grad School? What deadlines are you facing? 2) What is your GRE score goal? 3) Have you done any studying so far? If you have, then what materials have you used? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi pax6pax6, As connieac has properly pointed out, building up your GRE skills takes time, so you should focus on what you've learned so far and build THOSE skills. Some Test Takers spend the better part of 3 months (or more) to hit their 'peak' scores - while you might not need that much time, you have to respect the process and work through it. As part of the EMPOWERgre Course, you're going to learn everything you need to know (content, tactics, the 'secrets' of the GRE, etc.) to score at a high level on Test Day, but that knowledge is only part of the process. If you're not truly practicing the tactics now (TEST IT, TEST THE ANSWERS, etc.), then you won't be properly prepared to use those approaches as you work through new material, take MSTs and ultimately take the Official GRE. You're going to come to find that the GRE is a remarkably predictable Exam, and if you practice properly, everything that you face on Test Day will remind you of work that you've already done. If you have any additional questions or concerns, then you can feel free to contact me directly. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi IzzahPor, Do you know the specific Programs that you plan to apply to (and the application deadlines for each?)? That information will impact whether you should study and retest or focus on crafting your application(s). As RC has pointed out (above), you can do some research to see how competitive your GRE score is. Most Programs offer some type of data (average GRE scores for incoming classes, the median score, or some other data point) as a basis for comparison. If the websites don't offer the information that you're looking for, then you can reach out to the Program directly to ask your questions. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi abohammed, It takes time to build up skills in any area (even your Quant skills likely took years to develop), so you can't expect to make a huge improvement in the Verbal section in just one week. Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) to build up their skills and hit their 'peak' scores, so you will almost certainly need more time than you've given yourself. Thankfully, the GRE Verbal section is just a predictable and standardized as the Quant section is, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. What is your score goal? What materials have you used? When are you planning to apply to Grad School? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi hnainani, When taking a Test (such as the GMAT and GRE) in a 'new' location, the bigger issue is how that new location will disrupt YOUR 'routine.' By taking the GMAT in a city that you have traveled a significant distance to get to, I have to assume that you'll either spend the prior night in a hotel or have to spend a large amount of travel time to get to the location. In either case, 'fatigue' could be a big factor in how you perform on Test Day. If you're sleeping in a strange bed and functioning outside of your normal, daily routine, your mentality could be affected as well. The GMAT is a remarkably predictable and standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a high level (the keyword there is 'train'), but you can't really train to take the Test in a strange city under 'new' conditions. This is all meant to say that, all things being equal, you would likely benefit by taking the GMAT at your 'home' Testing Center. What is your score goal? How long have you been studying? GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi ClaireK, If you have an idea of which Program(s) you plan to apply to, then you can do some research and get a better sense of the 'level' of GRE Score that you would need to be considered a competitive applicant. Some Schools list that type of 'data' on their respective websites (in the form of average GRE Scores for incoming classes, the median score or some other data point). If you can't find that information in that way, then you can also reach out to the Program directly to ask your questions. Many Test Takers spend upwards of 3 months (or more) on their studies, but the length of time that YOU require could vary. To get a sense of your current skills, you should plan to take a FULL-LENGTH MST (you can download 2 for free from www.gre.org). Once you have that set of scores, you should report back here and we can talk through your study plan. Do you know the application deadline(s) for the Program(s) that you're considering? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi mlisci, Given everything that you've described, I think that you would find the EMPOWERgre Quant Score Booster to be quite helpful. Many of our clients can finish that Study Plan in under a month. If you can study just 1 hour per day though, it might take you a little longer to complete that Plan. We have a variety of free resources at our site (www.empowergre.com) that you can use to 'test out' the Course before you set up an Account. If you have any additional questions, then just let me know. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi karang820, While an applicant's GRE score is an important part of the application, it's not the only part. Highly-competitive Programs are going to take a really good look at your entire application, so you have to have more going for you than just a high GRE score. Your scores are strong, so you should apply to any Programs that interest you. Since you asked, I would suspect that an Engineering Program would prefer a higher Quant score to a higher Verbal score, but that's a generalization. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi pax6pax6, How long have you been working with the EMPOWERgre Course? If you're 'rushing' through sections, and doing practice questions without practicing the tactics that you've learned, then you're not making the necessary adjustments to how YOU tackle the GRE to earn that higher score that you're after. The Stage 1 Tactics are arguably the most valuable to your performance in the Quant section, but (from your post) it doesn't sound like you're using them. On your last MST: 1) How many times did you use TEST IT (especially on QCs)? 2) Did you TEST THE ANSWERS on any questions? 3) Did you end up using Number Property rules or Triage tactics on any questions? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi myhaeon, A Q170/V163 is an outstanding score - it's well above the 90th percentile overall, so you can comfortably apply to any Programs that interest you (and there's really no reason to retest). Remember that highly competitive Programs are going to nit-pick your OVERALL application, so you really have to make sure that it's as strong as possible AND that you're 'selling yourself' correctly to each Admissions Committee. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi mlisci, Does that '1 hour per day' estimate include the weekends? With a December 1st deadline, you have plenty of time to continue studying (and you'd likely just need to put in that extra time on Quant), so you might be able to improve in a relatively short period of time. Since you essentially took a 'book-heavy' study approach, if you do continue to study, you might want to invest in some non-book resources that will focus more on the tactics and physically walk you through how to deal with Quant questions. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi karang820, What were your Quant and Verbal Scores on your GRE? I ask because certain Programs place more of an emphasis on one section over the other (while others prefer a more 'balanced' pair of scores). As far as your other questions are concerned, do you know which Schools/Programs you want to apply to? Once you can put together a list, you can research your options and get a better sense of how competitive your Scores are. You should also be able to find some additional information about Scholarship possibilities. GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

HI Dt822, Do you know which specific PhD Programs you'll be applying to? While it might be difficult to get GRE 'statistics' for a specific Program, you might be able to contact the Program Head (or other Committee members) directly and ask for advice about your GRE score. Doing so would also give you the added benefit of establishing a 'relationship' with someone at the Program, which might help when it comes to differentiating yourself from the other applicants. As far as this current score is concerned: 1) How long did you study for the GRE? 2) What resources did you use? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich

Hi serpentina02, When it comes to studying for the GRE, there are LOTS of options. If you've tried some that haven't 'worked' for you, then you need to consider the alternatives. Most GRE Companies offer some type of free resources (practice problems, Trial Accounts, videos, etc.), so that you can 'test out' a product before you buy it. We have a number of free resources at our website (www.empowergre.com). I suggest that you take advantage of all of the free materials out there, then choose whichever one(s) best match your personality, timeline and budget. When are you planning to apply to Grad School? What is your Score goal? GRE Masters aren't born, they're made, Rich