How hard is the GRE Physics subject test?

[kawasakiguy37]

How difficult is the GRE section for Physics? Im interested in applying to an Astronomy program but not sure how much I should prepare

[tut tut]

I'll take a stab at it-- I took this about a year ago... it's fairly basic stuff, very broad, not very deep, I studied 2 full weeks for it over spring break, took 4 practice tests (the 4 free ones). Felt pretty prepared.

The ray diagrams were a nightmare-- I don't think I'd ever seen those before, and I never really figured out how to do them by the time the test came around. I was hoping there wouldn't be any questions like that on the actual test...

there were like 4.

Come to think of it that's probably why this thread has no replies. Some people struggle with the quantum, some with particles, some with thermo... at my school people breezed the quantum but bombed the thermo... it depends a lot on the kinds of classes you've taken. Hard to say.

Oh I found this study guide someone made and printed it out:

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~physics/files/Two-day%20Guide%20to%20taking%20the%20Physics%20GRE.pdf

The test is a lot like the practice tests, too. My score was within 50 of practice test scores.

[andreanaliu]

I'll take a stab at it-- I took this about a year ago... it's fairly basic stuff, very broad, not very deep, I studied 2 full weeks for it over spring break, took 4 practice tests (the 4 free ones). Felt pretty prepared.

The ray diagrams were a nightmare-- I don't think I'd ever seen those before, and I never really figured out how to do them by the time the test came around. I was hoping there wouldn't be any questions like that on the actual test...

there were like 4.

Come to think of it that's probably why this thread has no replies. Some people struggle with the quantum, some with particles, some with thermo... at my school people breezed the quantum but bombed the thermo... it depends a lot on the kinds of classes you've taken. Hard to say.

Oh I found this study guide someone made and printed it out:

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/~physics/files/Two-day%20Guide%20to%20taking%20the%20Physics%20GRE.pdf

The test is a lot like the practice tests, too. My score was within 50 of practice test scores.

Hi, are you in physics major? 

I'm in math major and plan to take GRE Physics. But I never took any physics classes in college. Do you think it will take me much longer time to prepare for it? if I wanna get 90% or above.

Thank you!!

[GeoDUDE!]

The Physics GRE is reasonably difficult to complete; I studied for about 2 months and did well for a domestic student. I was a physics major

[TakeruK]

There is a whole another website/forum for Physics GRE related stuff: http://www.physicsgre.com/

 

There is a lot of discussion of study guides, test taking strategies, profiles of students with their scores and where they got into over the past 5 or so years etc. I'd suggest also going over there if you want more help! It's also more active than the Physics subforum here.

 

As for difficulty, I am very bad at these kinds of tests so I found it very hard. My first try I got 640 (44th percentile at the time) and then the second try was 690 (53rd percentile at the time). I was a physics/astronomy major and I would consider myself a pretty good student. The first time I did not study very much and was very unprepared. The second time I studied for a couple of month, several hours per week plus a weekly study group where we discussed problems together. I did all of the 400 (at the time) available practice problems. But the real test still kicked my butt!

 

Fortunately astronomy/planetary science programs are not very picky about their PGRE score