GRE Verbal and Math

[cquin]

Hi all,

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm retaking the GRE because my scores seriously left something to be desired. I know there are a lot of differing opinions on this topic, but I've decided to take a Kaplan prep class. Kaplan offers classes on all GRE content, and also classes exclusively on the verbal content. I'm wondering if, for my wallet's sake, I should opt for just the verbal class. I've heard time and time again that ad coms pretty much ignore your math scores, which leads me to believe that I should dedicate most of my studying to the verbal content and perhaps do some very basic math review on my own a week or so before the exam. What do you all think?

Thanks everyone

[Timshel]

I'm interested in what people tell you because I, too, am taking the test again, and while everyone says not to worry about the math, I'm still wondering if I should go over it a little bit because both times I've taken it before (once last month and once 3 years ago), I only got a 450, which is embarrassing. I don't know if I should care about that, though.

[runonsentence]

The only thing you need to worry about with your quant scores is whether or not you meet any university-wide minimums/cut-offs. As long as you can do that, you shouldn't waste time studying algebra and geometry, since adcoms will only be interested in the verbal section.

So yes, I'd recommend you only pay for a class on the verbal section. You could perhaps spend a bit of time studying for the math section on your own, but I wouldn't waste money prepping for it through Kaplan.

[Grizbert]

I've been told by professors who are currently serving on graduate admissions committees that the overall cutoff for the slush pile is usually 1200 combined, especially if GRE scores are considered in funding. I've also been told that GRE matters least out of the whole package, and that, for humanities, the math score is almost meaningless unless you completely bomb and/or it keeps your total score below 1200.

I studied on my own for about four months for the general test, about three hours a day for the final two weeks, including memorizing about 300 words using homemade flashcards and taking multiple practice tests, and got a 790. So it can be done. (BTW, my math was only 480 and I was told not to worry about it and not to re-take since my verbal was so high, YMMV.)

Granted, this was before August 1. You may be dealing with a different beast altogether now.

Edited August 10, 2011 by Grizbert

[bdon19]

Yeah, in terms of math, I figure as long as I go over enough of it that I don't go into the exam completely cold, I'll be good. I bought one of the Kaplan prep books, and I'll go through that, but that'll be the extent of it.

Also...is anyone else finding prepping for the math strangely...fun? In a weird, twisted way? I'm finding I remember a lot more math than I thought I would, and I actually don't mind studying something so concrete (for a change).

I started going through my Kaplan book yesterday and missed my train because I got completely in the zone. Weeeeeeeeird.