Struggling with GRE Q prep - any tips?

[Pinkman]

I have my test on the 24th and I am really struggling with the Quant aspect. I'm sure this has been posted tons of times before but really desperate here!

So my last couple of practice tests have been 149Q 165V, 147Q, 168V and 152Q 166V. Verbal I'm quite confident in but I just dont see what I am doing wrong in Quant. I've gone through my tests quite closely and worked on the areas I was struggling in, however I've still remained below par.

I've used Nova and Manhattan GRE for the prep, made copious notes on areas I'm struggling, gone through questions and the answers that I should have known but its showing no impact on my scores. What can I do?

I'm applying for IDEV/IR programs.

[iowaguy]

You're missing somewhere around 20 questions out of 40 total, i.e. you're only getting about half of them right (you could probably get 8 or 10 questions right just by guessing alone).  What Q areas are you struggling in?  Are you able to finish all of the questions in time without feeling "rushed"?  How many times in a Q section do you find yourself using the calculator?

 

I would slow down a bit and really analyze where you're having problems.  Geometry concepts?  Algebra concepts?  Number properties?  Probability/statistics?

[Pinkman]

I think mostly I've struggled with Algebra and Inequalities. I've been knuckling down on that stuff but it doesnt seem to come to me come test time. I'm generally decent in the rest of the stuff.

In terms of time, most of the time I finish about 5/6 mins before the end and review my answers, I make use of the review time a lot as well. I think I use the calculator a normal amount, only when necessary.

[iowaguy]

Sounds like time is not an issue, that's good.  Do you have the Manhattan books on Algebra and Number Properties?  I would think going through all of those practice questions in those 2 books would get you up to speed...

 

Another point to consider, are you missing most of your problems on the "quantitative comparisons", "multiple-choice", "numeric entry", or "data interpretation"?  The strategy for quantitative comparisons, for example, is quite different from multiple choice...

 

http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/content/quantitative_reasoning

 

Have you done the 2 ETS computer-based Powerprep tests yet?

[Pinkman]

Yes, thanks. I have the two books and have been making my way through them. Generally, I think with the content fresh in my mind, I do well in them (16/17 out of 20 most of the time) so perhaps I will go through them once more.

I think I'm missing questions throughout rather then isolated in a particular area.

I've done the two Powerprep tests, scores were the first two written above. I still have 4 of the Manhattan tests to do still beforethe 24th.

Have you taken the test? What worked for you?

[Pinkman]

Anyone with any suggestions?

[iowaguy]

Yes, thanks. I have the two books and have been making my way through them. Generally, I think with the content fresh in my mind, I do well in them (16/17 out of 20 most of the time) so perhaps I will go through them once more.

I think I'm missing questions throughout rather then isolated in a particular area.

I've done the two Powerprep tests, scores were the first two written above. I still have 4 of the Manhattan tests to do still beforethe 24th.

Have you taken the test? What worked for you?

 

I took the test 10 years ago and got a Q800, took it this fall and got Q168.  I just reviewed all the concepts real thoroughly and did a lot of practice tests (even just a smaller section at a time, but under timed conditions).  I have always been a good standardized test taker.

 

If you're able to get 16/17 correct out of 20 while practicing, why don't you think you can score that on the Powerprep test?  (that would be a Q of 162 assuming you got 16 correct on each section)

 

If you're doing that well with the content fresh on your mind but then only get 10 correct during an entire practice test, maybe it's something about the test itself that is throwing you off?  Fatigue?  Nerves?

 

I would just keep practicing, trying to study the areas you think you're weakest in.  Study close to bedtime so that the concepts really sink in (that works for me, anyway).  Best of luck!

[vish22]

Try solving problems from various sources.Set a target while practicing,like 100 questions today or something like that.Don't time yourself initially.Try using various question banks.This would probably give you a feel of the difficulty range involved.And avoid solving the same problems again.After about 500+ questions,I'm sure you'll be 160+ing the timed mock tests.

[VBD]

I would just keep practicing, trying to study the areas you think you're weakest in.  Study close to bedtime so that the concepts really sink in (that works for me, anyway).  Best of luck!

 

In general, iowaguy's advice is great. I would like to note that in addition to (or instead of, depending on your time availability) studying around bedtime, you should get used to studying/running practice tests around the time of your schedule exam day, so your brain is more "prepared" come the big day.

If you feel like you're missing questions peppered throughout the various sections, why not review after each section, instead of all at once? Granted this strategy may make you run out of time at the end (or make you feel like you are so you rush. Rushing is bad.), so choose this strategy only if you think it necessary and after practicing it a couple of times. 

Good luck!

[Pinkman]

I took the test 10 years ago and got a Q800, took it this fall and got Q168.  I just reviewed all the concepts real thoroughly and did a lot of practice tests (even just a smaller section at a time, but under timed conditions).  I have always been a good standardized test taker.

 

If you're able to get 16/17 correct out of 20 while practicing, why don't you think you can score that on the Powerprep test?  (that would be a Q of 162 assuming you got 16 correct on each section)

 

If you're doing that well with the content fresh on your mind but then only get 10 correct during an entire practice test, maybe it's something about the test itself that is throwing you off?  Fatigue?  Nerves?

 

I would just keep practicing, trying to study the areas you think you're weakest in.  Study close to bedtime so that the concepts really sink in (that works for me, anyway).  Best of luck!

I have no idea why I cant replicate my success on the practice questions in the book. The concepts come nicely and everything is great. So frustrating that this wont work on the actual test. Perhaps I'm going through the test too quickly and sit back and take notice of the problems and what its asking me a little more?

I guess I'll carry on studying but really worried this could screw my plans for grad school.

[Pinkman]

Try solving problems from various sources.Set a target while practicing,like 100 questions today or something like that.Don't time yourself initially.Try using various question banks.This would probably give you a feel of the difficulty range involved.And avoid solving the same problems again.After about 500+ questions,I'm sure you'll be 160+ing the timed mock tests.

I dont think i have that many questions to go through anymore!

[Pinkman]

In general, iowaguy's advice is great. I would like to note that in addition to (or instead of, depending on your time availability) studying around bedtime, you should get used to studying/running practice tests around the time of your schedule exam day, so your brain is more "prepared" come the big day.

If you feel like you're missing questions peppered throughout the various sections, why not review after each section, instead of all at once? Granted this strategy may make you run out of time at the end (or make you feel like you are so you rush. Rushing is bad.), so choose this strategy only if you think it necessary and after practicing it a couple of times. 

Good luck!

Thanks, makes sense! What worked for you, in terms of knowing the concepts?

[VBD]

Thanks, makes sense! What worked for you, in terms of knowing the concepts?

 I'm not really sure what you mean.

 

I knew going in that I was weak with being fast and accurate at stuff like rates and percent changes, so I made sure to focus on that. So for you, you'd have to look over your past practice tests and see which sections you tended to spend a lot of time laboring over (keeping in mind some problems are designed to take a little more time than other) or missed. Then, practice those types. If you want, you can make the decision to change strategy and review after that particular section rather than all the questions at the end, but again, caveats with that strategy.

 

If you are asking which prep books helped with refining my section weaknesses, I used stuff like Kaplan's workbook since they broke up into concepts. However, I am not endorsing buying prep books. Also, some people just don't take to the methods of certain books. Check your local library though. 

[iowaguy]

I have no idea why I cant replicate my success on the practice questions in the book. The concepts come nicely and everything is great. So frustrating that this wont work on the actual test. Perhaps I'm going through the test too quickly and sit back and take notice of the problems and what its asking me a little more?

I guess I'll carry on studying but really worried this could screw my plans for grad school.

 

OK, let me ask this another way.  You said when you've taken practice tests that you've had several minutes to spare at the end of the test (yet, you're getting half of the problems wrong).  When you get "done" with a Q section, do you feel like you've missed half of the questions?  Or do you think that you mostly got them right?

 

I don't understand how you can complete the Q section fairly quickly yet get half wrong?  Many people who struggle with low Q scores have trouble getting all of the questions completed, or feel rushed at the end...

[Pinkman]

OK, let me ask this another way.  You said when you've taken practice tests that you've had several minutes to spare at the end of the test (yet, you're getting half of the problems wrong).  When you get "done" with a Q section, do you feel like you've missed half of the questions?  Or do you think that you mostly got them right?

 

I don't understand how you can complete the Q section fairly quickly yet get half wrong?  Many people who struggle with low Q scores have trouble getting all of the questions completed, or feel rushed at the end...

Thats the thing I guess! When I've completed the section, I always feel reasonable (I never tend to think I've completed all of them right or wrong). I think I am perhaps rushing through the questions too much, rather then properly ensuring my calculations are correct. I'm really stressing out because of this!

[Pinkman]

Another practice test taken - got 156Q 165V. For places like SAIS, anyone with any insight?

[iowaguy]

Thats the thing I guess! When I've completed the section, I always feel reasonable (I never tend to think I've completed all of them right or wrong). I think I am perhaps rushing through the questions too much, rather then properly ensuring my calculations are correct. I'm really stressing out because of this!

 

IMHO, since you do not feel rushed when taking the test, I would suggest taking a deep breath & reading through each Q question twice before starting to work out the answer.  It's possible that you are not understanding what exactly the question is asking, or exactly what strategy you should use to correctly answer the question...

 

In the end just relax and do your best, it looks like your Q score on practice tests is improving, I'm sure everything will work out fine!!!

[Usmivka]

Another thought, if you really are hitting 50% with no rushing, why don't you use your extra time to start by "guesstimating" and eliminating answers that are obviously wrong based on context? eg this number is outside the range I'd expect--usually a couple of the options can be eliminated this way. It will take about 5 seconds at the beginning of each question, then you can try to solve. If you get an obviously "wrong" answer, you know that you made a simple mistake that lots of folks make (otherwise it wouldn't be an option on the exam!) and can look for it. Lots of prep books have suggestions for how to do this. It's a standardized test, which means you can game it. Obviously it is better to know the material, but...meh. If you do this you will truly have a 50/50 shot at everything even if you do the problems wrong.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Usmivka

[VBD]

The quant section always has these answers that you think are right at first glance, but in reality are trick answers. So if you're breezing through these questions, you might be falling into the trap. Before you move on to a question, pause for a few beats and think through the problem logically. Some questions may be able to be answered in a few seconds, but not a lot of them. Pause. Let your brain catch up.

[blakeblake]

Do you know what kinds of scores the programs that you would like to apply for prefer?  (Or what the average score is for people accepted into your programs of interest)?  As far as I can tell, your high Quant score is around 52% and your Verbal is around 96%.  For many programs, those scores are perfectly acceptable.  I would assume that international relations prefers a high V score to a high Q score anyway.

 

Check and see what your scores need to be (check your programs websites, but email them if average or minimum scores are not listed).  If those scores are not just a touch lower than your scores, you may be putting yourself through a lot of aggrevation for no reason.  Try to relax.  Also, I did better on the actual GRE than I ever did on a practice test--probably because the questions are reviewed so carefully before they go on the actual test.  So take the real GRE and see what happens.  You can always retake if you are truly unsatisfied with your score.

[wsc215]

This is more blanket advice but I think you're having problems with the reviewing process. This is what I sent another guy that PMed me with the same question, hope it helps.

 

 

The most important thing you can do in the way of preparation is review the practice test you just took. Don't just go through and go, okay, I got this wrong, next time I'll get it right instead! Instead, follow these three steps:

 

1) Identify the type and format of the problem you missed.

 

2) Write out on a piece of paper, in a couple sentences, why you got it wrong and what strategy you can use next time you see that type and format. Writing it out is critical because your brain needs a time out to articulate the specifics.

 

3) Find examples of that type and format and grind out a few problems using that strategy. See if there are subtypes (e.g. plug and chug testing might not work well for complex equations) that might warrant picking up another strategy for that problem type.

 

Type and format of each question isn't voodoo, it's pretty set in stone and every GRE prep program classify them similarly. Write out a chart  of each question type and format to see what your weaknesses are. It's not enough to just review, you have to articulate the why (you missed the problem) and the how (you can get it right next time).

 

The good news is, Q is much more learnable than V IMO, but maybe it's because I'm ESL. Anyway, I was able to improve my Q more by studying than V. Good luck!