Tdearr

Hi George, Our scores are given on the old 200-800 scale. Unlike the current real GRE scores, we give a single point score for each section rather than a range. This will help you determine your estimated percentile based on the old scale. We will use this scoring system until the new scale is set this November. Best Regards, Taylor

Hi George, The new GRE Powerprep software only includes one test, so you'll have to seek out other practice tests online. My company offers one free test here: http://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/storeitemshow.cfm?ItemID=88 I hope that is helpful! Best Regards, Taylor

Hello avee, We offer a free practice test for the revised GRE that runs on Macs as well as PCs. You can check it out here: http://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/practice-gre-test-full.cfm . I hope you find it helpful! Best, Taylor

Hi Miss J, Here at Manhattan GRE we recently released a new set of 8 guides for the revised GRE, they are available online in our store and on Amazon.com. If you have any questions about our books, please let me know! Best, Taylor

The Revised GRE is not a CAT, it is a section Adaptive Test. Blank answers are not a good idea, it is better to guess because at least you have a chance of getting them right. That said, on the new test, blank answers won't hurt you as much as they did on the old GRE, they will just hurt the same as if you get it wrong. Best, Taylor

Hi Kcola, This depends on which test you are taking (the current GRE or the revised GRE). The current GRE is a CAT (computer adaptive test), and the CAT scoring algorithm is dependent on you finishing all of your problems. As such, if you leave any questions blank on the current GRE you will be heavily penalized. It is better to guess at the very end rather than leave questions blank. There is less known about the new GRE, but since it is no longer a CAT exam, we expect there to be no penalty for a blank answer. On the new exam we expect blank answers to be counted the same as incorrect answers. I hope this was helpful! Best, Taylor

Hi Em, As stackoverflow mentioned above, you won't need an admissions ticket with you on test day for the computer based test. The only thing you will need is your ID (and it can’t hurt to bring your confirmation number. Make sure you have valid picture ID that includes a signature (they are strict about what constitutes valid ID so you might want to check out this page on their site to make sure you bring the right thing: http://www.ets.org/g...al/test_day/id/). I actually wrote up a little piece on what to expect on the GRE test day that you might find useful. You can check it out here:http://www.manhattan...post36563.html In answer to your question about scores, if depends on the criteria of the program you are applying to. I would recommend trying to research the average GRE scores at the specific institutions that you are planning to send applications to. In general, my advice is... don't be surprised if your math score is higher than your verbal score. One area of concern for many students (especially for English majors like yourself) is the disparity between their two scores. However, I would like to point out that there is a huge disparity between the two scales, so it isn't strange at all to see a 790 Math and a 690 Verbal… even for an English major. In fact, based on the percentiles, a 690 verbal is harder to get than a 790 math! A 730 Verbal puts you in the 99th percentile of Verbal scores, so don't get too freaked out over a low 700s score on that section. For more on the relative "value" of GRE scores, check out the percentile chart on page 13 of this pdf published by ETS: http://www.ets.org/M...pdf/994994.pdf Also, on the current GRE, you will get your scores right away on the computer (for the Q and the V that is, the analytical writing won’t be scored right away). However, the new GRE will take a few months to score as they calibrate the new scales, so you won't get scores from that until November. I hope that helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions. Best, Taylor

Hi Csierrah, Your inclination is correct that paper based practice tests are less reliable than CAT practice tests. As Angelman said above, paper based test are a good source of practice problems, but they won't give you a good idea of what the real test will be like. Look for practice CATs online that are delivered through the web rather than on CD or through a downloadable program. There are test prep companies, including the company I work for, that offer Mac compatible CAT tests through the web. CAT tests are your best bet. Also, if possible, I would recommend trying to borrow a friend's PC and taking at least one powerprep before the day of your test. Good luck with your studies! Best Regards, Taylor Dearr

The current policy is indeed that you can take the exam once per calendar month, so you are allowed to take the new exam in August even if you take the old exam in July. However, once the switch to new exam occurs, the policy will change from once a month, to once every 60 days. This is a significantly longer period in between tests, so make sure you plan accordingly. As for the differences between the tests, a lot of what is mentioned above is correct. For more info, we have cataloged a full breakdown of the differences here: http://www.manhattangre.com/newGRE.cfm. This page is fairly detailed and should answer all of your questions. I hope that helps! Best Regards, Taylor

To the best of my understanding you can only qualify once. However, if you want to be absolutely sure, the best thing to do would be to call ETS and double check the rule with them. Best, Taylor

Hi Chaospaladin, Yes, this is possible, but you will be taking very different test formats. Hope that helps! Best, Taylor

One thing to note is that with the new version of the GRE that will be given starting on August 1, you are only allowed to take the exam once every 60 days as opposed to the current GRE policy of once a month. If you are planning a retake, make sure you leave enough time on your calendar for 60 days between appointments. Best, Taylor

Hi Navier, The verbal section is undergoing the most drastic change of any section of the new test, so that makes the verbal to be the hardest to analyze at this time. What we do know is that they are doing away with the antonyms and analogies so that, as you mentioned, words can be dealt with in context. However, there will still be a heavy emphasis on vocabulary. One new question type known as "sentence equivalence" will present students with a sentence that includes one blank. Students will then be tasked with selecting two words from a list of choices that could both fill the blank in such a way as to make the sentence keep the same meaning with either word inserted. This question type will require knowledge of a wide array of vocabulary words. Another change to the verbal type is a reworking of the old sentence completion questions to a new format known as "text completion." Text completion will function in the same way as the old test's sentence completion, but these questions may include up to three blanks. Unlike old sentence completion questions in which answers were selected in set pairs, the new text completion problems ask you to select a word for each blank independently. No partial credit will be given for these questions, which will increase the difficulty level of these questions on the new test. Reading comprehension will undergo some small changes but nothing that will change the difficulty level significantly. I hope that is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Regards, Taylor

Hi Navier and Fenderpete, I just wanted to jump in and mention a few things about the new GRE. We at Manhattan GRE have looked at the new exam extensively; we were even invited to a conference on the new exam that was held by ETS. After all of this research, we have a good handle on what is changing. The math on the new GRE is going to be significantly more difficult. Currently, roughly 6% of all people who take the GRE score a perfect 800 on quant; this scoring pattern makes it difficult for admissions committees to accurately judge candidates. As a result, the GRE is making a conscious effort to increase the difficulty level of the math portion of the exam. In addition, the inclusion of a calculator can allow the writers to develop more difficult questions. We are cautioning students not to see the calculator as an advantage, but rather as something that might slow you down. I would suggest that you look at some of the information online about the changes to the test. We have written up a wealth of information outlining the specific changes that are being incorporated into the new exam at this page: http://www.manhattangre.com/newGRE.cfm . There are a number of other resources elsewhere online that include similar information. It is important to hear about the new test before making any decisions so that you are armed with the best information that you can possibly have. I hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions about the new GRE please let me know and I'll be happy to answer them! Best Regards, Taylor Dearr

As a few other people have mentioned above, different schools can view scores in different ways. The report that schools will receive from ETS when you apply will include all of your scores from the last five years -- the schools will see those scores. Whether or not the schools choose to use that information is up to them. However, it is our understanding that schools can be put off by too many tests. I would definitely recommend that you stop taking the exam and go with the scores you have received from your previous tests. If the writing section is your big concern then don't fret, that section is the least important for most applications. Luckily, you get to demonstrate your writing ability in the essays that you include as part of your application. The admissions committee will be able to see your true writing ability in these essays, but they can't see your Verbal and Quant ability there. If you are very concerned about your test scores, call the individual departments and ask them advice (it is best to get information from a direct source when you can). You don't necessarily need to share the specifics of your case, so don't worry about them reacting poorly to a call. You can always call and talk to them without using your name and see what they have to say. I hope this is helpful advice. Best Regards, Taylor Dearr

I would just like to note that the GRE is changing to a different format starting in August of this year. The new test (i.e. anything taking after July 31, 2011) will be fairly different, so if you are studying materials for the current GRE March is a good target date. You want to make sure you get to take the test you are studying for so aim to finish before August. I would even suggest taking it by May so that if things don't go as well as you'd like on the first test, you have a chance to take it again in June or July before they institute the new test. I hope that helps. Good luck with your studies!

As an employee of Manhattan GRE I was invited to attend an ETS conference that dealt with the changes to the GRE test. In addition to the above comments (with which I agree) I would like to note two things. First, one of the aims of the redesign is to realign the math section scoring. Currently the Quantitative scoring is skewed so that a perfect 800 is only in the 94th percentile (contrast that with a 730 or higher being in the 99th percentile on the Verbal). On the new GRE the 50th percentile score will be closer to the middle of the point scale. This will make it more difficult to get a high numerical score on the math section. Secondly, there will be questions that require a fill in the blank style input. It will likely be more difficult for people to generate answers on their own without the assistance of answer choices. I hope this information helps. Regards, Taylor Dearr

ETS will be doing heavy outreach to try and inform admission counselors about the new scale. This will include distribution of conversion charts that relate new scores to old scores, as well as explanations of why the changes have been made. That being said, there is no way of knowing how effective this outreach will be. It is always good to deal with a known quantity, so you might be safer with the current GRE.

Hello, This is a good analysis of this change. As an employee of a GRE tutoring company I was invited by ETS to attend an informational session on the new GRE, and was able to hear from ETS exactly what their goals were. You are correct in your analysis of what they are trying to do with the revised sections as well as with the new point scale. Another goal of the new scoring scale is to realign the Quant section so that a mid-range score is the 50th percentile. As it currently stands there is a skew on the Quant section and a perfect 800 only falls in the 94th percentile. One very important thing to consider when determining which test to take, is by when you will need to receive your scores. The new GRE will not begin sending out scores until November of 2011. Meaning, if you take the new GRE in August when it is first offered, your scores won't arrive for three months. Check your school deadlines, if for any reason you need a score before November of 2011 you must take the current GRE. I hope that information is helpful. If you have other questions, I may be able to answer them based on the information ETS dispensed at that conference, so feel free to ask. Regards, Taylor Dearr

Your scores (including the Analytical Writing portion) should be sent in 10 to 15 days. Here is a quote from the ETS website, "Official Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing scores will be sent to you and the score recipients you designated within 10 to 15 days after you take the test. Allow sufficient time for mail delivery from Princeton, New Jersey, USA." I suppose that means with mail traffic time to a school that is on the West Coast it could take an additional four days. So if the scores are sent on the latest day by ETS (meaning the 15th day) and took four days in the mail you scores would arrive on the 19th day after you took the test. Thus if you retested 10 days after Halloween you scores would likely arrive at the very end of November and make the December 1 deadline. For a completely detailed report you can check the ETS score delivery information page here: http://ets.org/gre/general/scores/send . It is always best to check individually with each school that you are cutting it close with to understand their policies. Tell them your test date and ask them about the strictness of their deadline (some schools will accept official reports a few days late so long as your unofficial scores are listed on the application that is turned in on time). Hope that helps! Regards, Taylor

Hi John, I'm glad you like the test! In answer to your question, we are constantly calibrating the test to make the scoring accurate, but it is difficult (especially early on in the test's life). With each CAT taker we get, the scoring information becomes more accurate so it will only improve from here. At this point, we do believe it to be a fairly accurate score, although it will never be as accurate as PowerPrep. I hope that helps. Thanks for taking the test. Regards, Taylor

I simply try and answer everyone's questions. The fact that similar questions show up repeatedly is a symptom of the fact that people have the same concerns. For that reason we try and develop comprehensive answers to those common questions. I'm sorry that it bothers you, but I am really just trying to be as informative as possible. Regards, Taylor

PowerPrep will always be the most accurate indicator of performance, but for practice there are other good CATs out there. Manhattan GRE just launched a set of 6 original GRE CATs, and you can take the first for free. We are proud of them and would love feedback from anyone who takes our test. Find our free practice CAT here: http://www.manhattan...ce-gre-test.cfm I hope you enjoy the CAT. Regards, Taylor Dearr

That section was a test of the new GRE format, and it highlights something important that ETS has made known about the new format. In the new format, Xing boxes indicates that there may be multiple answers (i.e. check all that apply), putting dots in circles indicates that there can only be one right answer. This doesn't mean that a box question can't also have a single correct answer, but you would have to discern that for yourself and the question will still give you the option of checking multiple boxes. Questions with circles will only allow you to select one answer. So, an easy indicator of question type on the NEW GRE (only GREs administered in August 2011 and beyond) is that problems with square boxes next to the answers may have multiple correct answers and problems with circles next to the answers will only have a single answer. Questions of both types will appear on the new exam. Good thing to bring up Henry, thanks! Regards, Taylor Dearr

While you can have an unidentified experimental section or an identified research section, neither of these will count. However, there is sometimes no way to know which unidentified section is real so I would recommend taking everything as if it counts. Hope that helps.