Last week of study before the test...what should I do?

[TheDude]

So at this point I seem to have solidified my scores in Powerprep. I'm wondering if it is worth going crazy with 6 hour study days this last week or should I just take it easy? Maybe do some quant questions that tend to mess me up even still, practice some essays and take the test 1 or 2 more times?

I don't see my verbal score moving from the low 600's to high 500's. I should have studied vocab more this summer, but I was dumb enough to think I could study verbal last. I put a major push on re-teaching myself a lot of this math that I had not used for years and years.

Thoughts? What did you do your last week?

[DRT23]

So at this point I seem to have solidified my scores in Powerprep. I'm wondering if it is worth going crazy with 6 hour study days this last week or should I just take it easy? Maybe do some quant questions that tend to mess me up even still, practice some essays and take the test 1 or 2 more times?

I don't see my verbal score moving from the low 600's to high 500's. I should have studied vocab more this summer, but I was dumb enough to think I could study verbal last. I put a major push on re-teaching myself a lot of this math that I had not used for years and years.

Thoughts? What did you do your last week?

I had only 4 weeks to get prepared for the GRE and I also had to attend my classes at the university in this period. Thus, I had to study every free time until the last day. Since, it is no likely to increase a verbal score without memorizing new vocabulary and it is not good to try to learn that many new words just one week before the exam, I think you should take full exams (including writing and keeping time) every day in your last preparation week. This will make you feel more comfortable and confident in the real test. But, do not study on your last day. That may cause a panic if something goes wrong or you can not study just because the real test is the day after which makes you (probably) anxious. This is a scenario that nobody would like to live.

[securitynut]

If you are looking to increase your vocabulary quickly, I really recommend studying in word groups and studying the word groups. I did this the two weeks before the test and significantly increased the scores I was getting on practice quizzes. I second the recommendation to just relax the night before the test - at that point, you're really not going to learn that much more, and it's better to just sit back and rest and get a good night's sleep.

[Bukharan]

If I were you, I'd study for verbal. Read as many word lists as you can, write down some of the most difficult and seemingly important words, learn them etc.

You still have time! I would take a day off before the test but not a week off.

[palabared]

is there a place online where i can find those wordlists? i have the nova book and havent seen anything like that.

[DrFaustus666]

is there a place online where i can find those wordlists? i have the nova book and havent seen anything like that.

http://supervoca.net/grelist.cgi

(originally posted by newms some time ago) ... this list is not comprehensive, but if you know ALL of these words like the back of your hand, I think you can be pretty sure of a good verbal score (600+)

[adaptations]

Keep working on verbal. There's no reason you can't beef up your vocab in the last week. All it takes is recognizing a couple more words on test day and you've got another 50 points.

[DRT23]

It seems everybody except for me insists on advising to study vocabulary in the last week. If you are lucky you may see words that you are going to study last week on the real exam, but there is another possibility that you may learn 50 new words and see none of them on the test! So, it is better taking practice tests and revising your wrong answers. This also teaches you new words and these words will be inside questions (in sentences or with antonyms) which makes them easier to memorize.

[TheDude]

Thanks so much everyone! I really couldn't be less excited about something in my entire life. I know my GRE is going to be the weakest part of my application as I consistently score low 1200s to low 1300s. I'm just really worried I'm not buying myself enough wiggle room and I'm going to obtain a 1190 or something and have to do it again in 10 days. The whole thing feels like do or die for psych Ph.D programs in terms of getting to that cutoff mark. I just want it all to be done!!!

[newms]

http://supervoca.net/grelist.cgi

(originally posted by newms some time ago) ... this list is not comprehensive, but if you know ALL of these words like the back of your hand, I think you can be pretty sure of a good verbal score (600+)

Hi DrFaustus666, I think you got me mixed up with someone else since I don't remember posting that list. It looks like a good one though Another list I found helpful is this one: http://www.graduates...e.com/list.html I agree with what's been said here, just memorize as many words as you can and make sure to do practice tests. Try to get some good rest the night before the exam though.

Edited October 27, 2010 by newms

[waddle]

http://supervoca.net/grelist.cgi

(originally posted by newms some time ago) ... this list is not comprehensive, but if you know ALL of these words like the back of your hand, I think you can be pretty sure of a good verbal score (600+)

Definitely agree with this recommendation.

Keep working on verbal. There's no reason you can't beef up your vocab in the last week. All it takes is recognizing a couple more words on test day and you've got another 50 points.

It seems everybody except for me insists on advising to study vocabulary in the last week. If you are lucky you may see words that you are going to study last week on the real exam, but there is another possibility that you may learn 50 new words and see none of them on the test! So, it is better taking practice tests and revising your wrong answers. This also teaches you new words and these words will be inside questions (in sentences or with antonyms) which makes them easier to memorize.

I went through all of the words in the list linked above in the last week before my GRE exam. Based on PowerPrep and my actual exam scores, memorizing ~2000 or so words I didn't recognize in that list (there are 3000 words in the list) in the 3 days leading up to the exam boosted my Verbal score by 50-100 points (from somewhere in the 600s to mid-700s). I reviewed the words anytime, anywhere the day before the exam (and up to 2 minutes before walking into the test center!). Definitely saw a few of these words on my actual exam. Your mileage may vary.

Thanks so much everyone! I really couldn't be less excited about something in my entire life. I know my GRE is going to be the weakest part of my application as I consistently score low 1200s to low 1300s. I'm just really worried I'm not buying myself enough wiggle room and I'm going to obtain a 1190 or something and have to do it again in 10 days. The whole thing feels like do or die for psych Ph.D programs in terms of getting to that cutoff mark. I just want it all to be done!!!

At least your GRE score isn't the strongest part of your application. If all other components are solid, no reason to worry, right?

Edited October 28, 2010 by waddle

[TheDude]

Maybe the pressure is a little uncalled for, but I put off applying last year to solidify all other parts of my application: more conferences, manuscript under-review in a great refereed journal, more lab work, etc. I also think I did a great job of matching my interests to programs, but the GRE just feels like a deal breaker. I've never received under a 1200 with powerprep, but my scores have run the gambit between that and 1310. I just feel like if I don't get a 1200 my app is going in the reject pile regardless of how great the rest of it is....so it feels do or die!!!

In the end I'm kind of at peace with the fact my Quant score is in the high 60's to low 70 percentile. Not great at all, but the more and more I do practice problems the more it feels like I start forgetting simple rules and such has always been the case with these kinds of standardized tests for me.

I've taken a lot of advice here. I know most all the words on all "essential" word lists. I still get tripped up with some of the words they throw at you.

I've also decided to specifically take 2 quant sections a day from the Barron's book. This was perhaps not the brightest idea as all these questions are way harder than anything I've seen with powerprep....but that is the normal for Barron's, no?

I'll report back Sunday. Not that anyone cares, but it great following everyone through this entire process.

Edited October 28, 2010 by musicforfun

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

I've also decided to specifically take 2 quant sections a day from the Barron's book. This was perhaps not the brightest idea as all these questions are way harder than anything I've seen with powerprep....but that is the normal for Barron's, no?

YES this is normal. I used the Barron's to study for the quantitative section, and I did way better on the real thing than I did while practicing. The problems are definitely harder than on the real thing, but the Barron's math review is awesome, really comprehensive. You'll do great, good luck!

[TheDude]

Well I'm back. Things didn't go so hot. I scored an 1180. I'm just shooting for the 1200 cutoff as I know I don't test well with these kind of exams. I never have and despite that have excelled at every class I've taken in school. It's still really disheartening. I scheduled the exam again on November 10th. That should leave enough time to get my scores to the schools with December 1st-15th deadlines.

I really don't know what to do if I don't break 1200. Is this the end for psych Ph.D. programs? My resume is really solid despite the GRE. I know I'm going to get offered master's acceptances in leu of Ph.D acceptances at a few schools, but I don't know how I feel about that. I took all this year off to get my project out for publication, solidified a poster at a national conferences along with already having quite a few conferences under my belt. I don't really feel like I have to prove to a grad school I can do the work at this point, but that is what the test is for, no?

Bummed...one or two more questions correct and I would have had it. I did kick the sh*t out of the writing section though!

[newms]

I'm sorry to hear that it didn't go so well. Was the quant or the verbal the problem - or was both of them low? I'd like to think that schools will look past a lowish GRE score if the rest of the application is great, but you're right, it would help to get above 1200.

[TheDude]

Both were the lowest I've ever scored: V530/Q650 --> in the past I've scored between 1200-1310 in powerprep. My very first practice score was a 1080 4 months ago, so this is like a total regression.

I really don't understand. I wasn't that nervous. I received my essays first, which is what I was dreading, but I killed them. I was on and emotional up and hoping for quant and I received that next. I did hit a lot of questions with the quant section that just didn't look familiar. I've gone through the Barron's and Nova book too. I had one Geometry problem, and one that required me to double the LWH of a rectangular solid. No special triangles, no difference of squares. None of the BIG tricks all my GRE books stressed seem to be on the test, combinations, permuations, nothing. It was a total trip.

The verbal is verbal. Had I studied vocab more all summer I would have been at my 1200 mark, but I knew going into this I needed a TOTAL math review and I focused on that all summer. I went from getting almost everything wrong to getting most answers right with my practice questions.

I've decided to take the week off from work and just review quant from the Barron's quant practice book. Push vocab whenever I can, but I don't expect that score to move much.

[DrFaustus666]

Hi MusicForFun,

While your scores may not be what you wanted/hoped for, I do not think they will kill your PhD application.

Based on Powerprep statistics (from 2002-2003) for PhD's in Psych:

your 530-V is 65th perentile

and your 650-Q is 80th percentile

Even taking into account the fact that everyone's scores have risen 20-30 points on average in the last 8 years since those statistics were current, they don't look that bad to me.

I'm betting the AdComms will just figure you had a bad day on GRE-day.

John

Edited October 31, 2010 by DrFaustus666

[neuropsych76]

Both were the lowest I've ever scored: V530/Q650 --> in the past I've scored between 1200-1310 in powerprep. My very first practice score was a 1080 4 months ago, so this is like a total regression.

I really don't understand. I wasn't that nervous. I received my essays first, which is what I was dreading, but I killed them. I was on and emotional up and hoping for quant and I received that next. I did hit a lot of questions with the quant section that just didn't look familiar. I've gone through the Barron's and Nova book too. I had one Geometry problem, and one that required me to double the LWH of a rectangular solid. No special triangles, no difference of squares. None of the BIG tricks all my GRE books stressed seem to be on the test, combinations, permuations, nothing. It was a total trip.

The verbal is verbal. Had I studied vocab more all summer I would have been at my 1200 mark, but I knew going into this I needed a TOTAL math review and I focused on that all summer. I went from getting almost everything wrong to getting most answers right with my practice questions.

I've decided to take the week off from work and just review quant from the Barron's quant practice book. Push vocab whenever I can, but I don't expect that score to move much.

Are you applying to clinical psychology PhD programs? If not I think you won't have to worry about it so much about missed 1200. I know clinical psych is super competitive and there are a lot of schools where less than 1200 means your application doesn't get looked at. However, if your applying to developmental programs you might be okay then. My profs said my 1100 was okay considering my experience for psych experimental programs but i'd be in trouble if it was clinical psych

(i'm still retaking to try to up my Q though)

Edited October 31, 2010 by neuropsych76

[TheDude]

No No...I wouldn't have a shot at clinical even with all my research experience and a 1200 GRE. Those programs have become insane. My one problem is most the schools on my list have big names: Harvard Graduate School of Education, Fordham, NYU Steinhardt, Boston University, Boston College (Lynch School of ed) to name a few.

I couldn't really find and "sure bets" when I was looking at programs because my past research matched these places very well.

My other stats:

3.59 (Thanks to a few choice grades when I was in music school)

3.8(something) or 3.9 last 2 years and for all my major work. My school doesn't break it down, but I was pretty much a straight A student.

8 semesters of research experience (I list semesters because I did research in the summers between a regular academic year)

Funding (3K) for my own research idea

Manuscript under review (co-author). Might get a reject for the first journal because I really wanted to reach out there past the more specified journals. It's a good manuscript and it will get in to the next submission if not this journal. This is just a matter of whether or not I'll have under review or accepted on my CV. I wanted to take the risk if it isn't the later.

My research experience was detailed: stats, manuscript prep, lit review, data collection, database management, study development. I was basically on my own.

I've got 3 posters at refereed conferences (local to east coast in scope) - 1 invited but non-refereed talk for the psych department at my university.

1 more poster and colloquium talk under review at the SRCD conference (this is the biggest conference in the field). Poster will get in, but maybe not the colloquium.

The point is I have a lot an adcom committee can look at. I'm just not sure at these programs it will get looked at with the GRE.

Edited October 31, 2010 by musicforfun

[neuropsych76]

No No...I wouldn't have a shot at clinical even with all my research experience and a 1200 GRE. Those programs have become insane. My one problem is most the schools on my list have big names: Harvard Graduate School of Education, Fordham, NYU Steinhardt, Boston University, Boston College (Lynch School of ed) to name a few.

I couldn't really find and "sure bets" when I was looking at programs because my past research matched these places very well.

My other stats:

3.59 (Thanks to a few choice grades when I was in music school)

3.8(something) or 3.9 last 2 years and for all my major work. My school doesn't break it down, but I was pretty much a straight A student.

8 semesters of research experience (I list semesters because I did research in the summers between a regular academic year)

Funding (3K) for my own research idea

Manuscript under review (co-author). Might get a reject for the first journal because I really wanted to reach out there past the more specified journals. It's a good manuscript and it will get in to the next submission if not this journal. This is just a matter of whether or not I'll have under review or accepted on my CV. I wanted to take the risk if it isn't the later.

My research experience was detailed: stats, manuscript prep, lit review, data collection, database management, study development. I was basically on my own.

I've got 3 posters at refereed conferences (local to east coast in scope) - 1 invited but non-refereed talk for the psych department at my university.

1 more poster and colloquium talk under review at the SRCD conference (this is the biggest conference in the field). Poster will get in, but maybe not the colloquium.

The point is I have a lot an adcom committee can look at. I'm just not sure at these programs it will get looked at with the GRE.

I have the same problem. Good research experience but one bad test score seems to undermine the whole application. From what I've heard the GRE won't kill experimental PhD applicants because the number of applicants is less. However, it still can be a screening tool for big time schools like the ives and top research programs.

Good luck with your retake, hopefully adcoms will look past one test of little diagnostic utility and review what we have done

[TheDude]

Exactly, that is why the 1200 is the magic number. I focused on fit so I'm hoping that helps.

What I'm really dreading is getting accepted to the Ph.D program that is located in the place I really don't want to live, ever, or picking between some conciliation Master's program that I get admitted to. That would bug me because I know with the experience I had last year I would have been admitted to any master's program I wanted to go to, even with the 1180 GRE. I just already have undergrad debt and can't really see how that is a feasible option. On the plus side I've interviewed at one program with 3 different people already, and in every instance they have gone AWESOME to the point where I keep getting followup emails to apply.

So the question for this year is: Was my year off in vAin and how much debt should I incur to make this happen?

Bleak! Maybe in 10 days I'll be riding a manic high because I got 1 more analogy question correct!

Edited November 1, 2010 by musicforfun

[TheDude]

Test 2 in the bag....above the 1200 cutoff.

560 verbal

650 quant

Nothing to write home about, but as long as my scores get to BU before the Dec. 1 deadline I am feeling good about my application getting looked at. At that point I'm confident in my research history, SOP and interview skills.

There's no reason I shouldn't have had above a 600 in verbal. I did not study for that section at all and most my issues stemmed from a lack of vocab. A word of warning to those taking in the future: Start studying vocab now!!

Quant is quant, the time limit thing kills me. I still remember a few of the problems I ended up getting wrong. When I arrived home I solved 2/3. Such is life.

Breathing somewhat easy for now...

[newms]

Congrats musicforfun!