Taking the GRE on Oct. 2. Getting Nervous!

[Schaudenfreuded]

Scores thus far:

Test 1: 650 V/ 560 Q : 1210

Test 2:720 V/ 560 Q : 1280

Test 3: 630 V/ 640 Q : 1270

Test 4: 760 V/ 560 Q : 1320

Test 5: 720 V/ 620 Q : 1340

Test 6: 630 V/ 500 Q : 1130 (???? ????)

If anyone has had similar scores and done good on test day let me know.

I used PowerPrep software and Barron's CD mostly (And 800 score once, but I'm almost positive their algorithm tabulates scores incorrectly. Also their math and verbal are insanely hard).

I'm applying for Journalism/International Affairs dual degree programs (mostly) so their a little more lax on the math scores, not so much written and verbal, although I would like to do good on the math.

Any tips to counteract nerves on test day? They destroyed me last time ( 610 v 610 m 4.5 AW), and I really don't want it to affect me this time (also the room was friggin FREEZING).

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

I also practiced with Barron's and the Powerprep software. The scores I got from both softwares seemed jumped around a TON. I think my practice scores ranged from 1100 to 1300. I got lucky in that my actual score exceeded even my best practice score (1400). Still not sure how that happened, but I think it was a good mix of luck and practice.

You are at a HUGE advantage having taken the test before. Hopefully your nerves will be a bit calmer as a result. My tips for relaxing on test day:

1. Allow plenty of time to get to the test site. Account for uncontrollable elements, like traffic and weather.

2. Eat something! Especially if it's a morning test. You don't want your stomach growling in the middle of the test.

3. Do some practice problems in the morning, just a handful. I forget where I read this, but someone made the point that you don't want the first GRE problems you do that day to be for real.

4. Probably the biggest thing- RELAX the day before. Hang out with friends, go for a walk, watch a movie. Do ANYTHING but study.

Hope that helps, and good luck

Edited September 28, 2010 by schoolpsych_hopeful

[dunkelblauecola]

I took the GRE yesterday and, as in your case, my practice scores (I mostly used Powerprep) were all over the place. I even ended up getting an abysmal 1040 once, while on the real test I finally received a 1250 (560 verbal, 690 math). I know, it's not that amazing of a score. I have to say though that I'm an international student whose mother tongue is German, not English. So my verbal scores mostly jumped around a lot while still practicing, due to an increased possibility of obscure words (mostly those actually that a native speaker would declare as easy) showing up that I have never heard of before.

Anyway, don't get too nervous on the real test -- I know, it's easier said than done though. Also, try to stay calm, even if words or math problems come up that you think are too complicated. They are not. The right answer must be somewhere in the answer choices -- this way of thinking helped me A LOT!

[DrFaustus666]

Barron's (and Princeton Review's, and Kaplan's, and other test prep companies') test scores are almost always LOWER than what you would score on the real GRE.

They (those commercial companies) have a strong vested interest in giving you a lower score: so that you'll sign up for a prep course with them.

Trust Powerprep to give you a fairly close idea of what your real score is likely to be. Even then, flukey things can happen, such as getting a common word (Hi DarkBlueCola), and the analogy or antonym refers to the less common meaning of the word!

I actually think your prior scores (610-610) are not bad, unless you plan to attend a top-20 or top-10 university, in which case 650-V and 700-Q would probably be good targets for international relations/journalism.

Good luck.

John

[Schaudenfreuded]

Barron's (and Princeton Review's, and Kaplan's, and other test prep companies') test scores are almost always LOWER than what you would score on the real GRE.

They (those commercial companies) have a strong vested interest in giving you a lower score: so that you'll sign up for a prep course with them.

Trust Powerprep to give you a fairly close idea of what your real score is likely to be. Even then, flukey things can happen, such as getting a common word (Hi DarkBlueCola), and the analogy or antonym refers to the less common meaning of the word!

I actually think your prior scores (610-610) are not bad, unless you plan to attend a top-20 or top-10 university, in which case 650-V and 700-Q would probably be good targets for international relations/journalism.

Good luck.

John

Well, it runs the gamut really:

NYU- Lat. Am Studies and Journalism

Columbia- Lat Am. Studies

UChicago- International Affairs: Regional Studies: Lat Am

American- IA: Lat Am

GW-IA: Lat Am

Kings College- Global Politics

London School of Economics- Global Politics: Lat Am.

Trying to make up for a less than stellar GPA caused by an unfortunate accident my second semester at college. But the resume is pretty sexy, so I'm hopeful, with a 1280-1340 AW 5...someone?

[DrFaustus666]

Well, it runs the gamut really:

NYU- Lat. Am Studies and Journalism

Columbia- Lat Am. Studies

UChicago- International Affairs: Regional Studies: Lat Am

American- IA: Lat Am

GW-IA: Lat Am

Kings College- Global Politics

London School of Economics- Global Politics: Lat Am.

Trying to make up for a less than stellar GPA caused by an unfortunate accident my second semester at college. But the resume is pretty sexy, so I'm hopeful, with a 1280-1340 AW 5...someone?

The only ones I'm familiar with in any detail are GWU and American U (being a Washingtonian--and I actually am dating an American U law professor at the moment)---I think 1280-1340 is fine for those two universities---as to whether you'll be awarded funding, I have no idea---but you'll have no difficulty getting IN if you have a 3.5 GPA or better.

John

[Schaudenfreuded]

The only ones I'm familiar with in any detail are GWU and American U (being a Washingtonian--and I actually am dating an American U law professor at the moment)---I think 1280-1340 is fine for those two universities---as to whether you'll be awarded funding, I have no idea---but you'll have no difficulty getting IN if you have a 3.5 GPA or better.

John

And Schaudenfreuded (someone out there laughs at my misery) as I am, cumulatively my GPA is 3.394...all because of a bout of seizures my second semester of college and the ensuing hilarity.

Per major, journo: 3.3 english lit: 3.7.

I'm resigned to loans and savings (by that point I'll have roughly $18000 on hand)

[DrFaustus666]

And Schaudenfreuded (someone out there laughs at my misery) as I am, cumulatively my GPA is 3.394...all because of a bout of seizures my second semester of college and the ensuing hilarity.

Per major, journo: 3.3 english lit: 3.7.

I'm resigned to loans and savings (by that point I'll have roughly $18000 on hand)

Don't be (Sei nicht!) schadenfreudet (properly in German it would end in a "t")! Get a doctor's certificate and explain ! You may very well be able to get funding. I know for sure that G.W.U. is quite liberal about such things (also containing a major medical school) ... it's worth a shot.

[ElCielo]

Well, it runs the gamut really:

NYU- Lat. Am Studies and Journalism

Columbia- Lat Am. Studies

UChicago- International Affairs: Regional Studies: Lat Am

American- IA: Lat Am

GW-IA: Lat Am

Kings College- Global Politics

London School of Economics- Global Politics: Lat Am.

Trying to make up for a less than stellar GPA caused by an unfortunate accident my second semester at college. But the resume is pretty sexy, so I'm hopeful, with a 1280-1340 AW 5...someone?

Hey,

I had a very similar situation to yours. I took the GRE for the first time and scored 680V/680Q. When I went to retake it, I took a bunch of practice tests and scored from the mid six hundreds to the high sevens, seemingly randomly. My retake scores were 720V/760Q, and in retrospect I'm pretty sure all the lower practice scores were from private companies (Princeton) and the higher ones were from powerprep. I would guess that if your good scores are from the ETS software, you will score more like that on the actual GRE. Hope that helps!

[Schaudenfreuded]

AAARGH!

SOMEHOW, I ended up scoring less than the first time I took it. 590 V 560 Q. No idea what I got on the written part.

At this point I've discussed it with other friends who have gone through the grad school app mill and I have a few options

1. Provided I get a 5.5 or a 6 on the written part (doubtful, since I thought that I was doing great but I did terrible) I call certain schools and ask if they'll take my old score (1220) with the new written score

2. Take the test again. Hope for the best. ( I am retaking the test either way )

3. Fark off for a year after my contract at work is up

Please advise! I don't want to see this test ever again.

SIGH,

$300 down the drain.