Studying for the GRE Thread

[Tupamaros]

Hi folks,

 

After mentioning this to one or two posters I thought it may be useful to create a thread like this. Essentially, the intention is to provide a space where people who are currently studying for the GRE can talk about it, share their plans/progress/problems/methods, and ultimately hone their studying skills and improve their score through mutual discussion. Of course, input from people who have been through the process and can offer their 2 cents would also be very useful. It can also act as a place of motivation for students to turn to, and seek advice/have a rant if necessary, during what can be quite a long process.

 

To kick things off, I began my study in earnest this week. I am a previous test-taker (last year) and require a sizable jump on the quant side of things. I restarted studying a few weeks back but quickly got distracted and due to travel had to stop for a bit, so this week I've begun properly. I have completed over 20 hours, all of which has been focused on quant.

 

The materials I am using are Manhatten. Previously I used Princeton Review and Barron's general book, the former being quite poor if you're looking for a good Q score and the latter being a little better but ultimately limited also. Manhatten's guides are excellent thus far, but have two problems as I see them. First, they are very long, which has it's good and bad points. They seem very thorough, which is important. The other side of the coin is that study will take quite a while to get through. However, their quality is better than PR and Barron's and worth the extra cash. The second problem is the lack of Q questions available, with the 'Hard' section at the end being extremely difficult to the point I can't do any of it really. To rectify this I also have bought the 5lb book, which has more problems than you may need! So that's that problem solved.

 

Regarding study methods, previously I rushed through the content, pretty much approaching it like a book. I would go through a section, do the problems, next section. This approach doesn't work for me, as the content is quickly forgotten (and there's a lot of content to go through before you can return to your first topic etc.). Now I'm sticking with a topic a bit longer, doing the problems and then re-doing it before moving on. Hopefully this helps with both learning and retention!

 

In relation to scores, I took a test to see where I currently stand and it was a 149Q. My goal is >90 percentile in verbal and >80th percentile in quant. Let the work commence!

Edited April 12, 2013 by Tupamaros

[Imago]

Perhaps we could summarize our progress by reporting our practice test scores as well as some additional info. Here's mine:

 

Started: March 2013

Goal scores: V165 Q160

Practice test scores: 1st - V153 Q151

Previous GRE scores: V160 Q145

GRE test date: mid June

Materials: Manhattan Strategy Guides & Magoosh's Premium Package

 

I think learning how to handle time constraints is the most challenging task of the GRE. I've been trying to give myself a 45 second-1 minute time limit to spend on a question just for thinking and trying to solve it, especially on the quant section. If I exceed this limit and still haven't figured how to solve the problem, I'll choose an answer, mark the question and move on. If I have time to go back to the questions I've marked, that's fine, otherwise, so be it. 

 

This article on time management is worth a read: http://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/blog/index.php/2013/04/11/my-timing-is-killing-me/

 

 

 

 

[Tupamaros]

Perhaps we could summarize our progress by reporting our practice test scores as well as some additional info. Here's mine:

 

Started: March 2013

Goal scores: V165 Q160

Practice test scores: 1st - V153 Q151

Previous GRE scores: V160 Q145

GRE test date: mid June

Materials: Manhattan Strategy Guides & Magoosh's Premium Package

 

I think learning how to handle time constraints is the most challenging task of the GRE. I've been trying to give myself a 45 second-1 minute time limit to spend on a question just for thinking and trying to solve it, especially on the quant section. If I exceed this limit and still haven't figured how to solve the problem, I'll choose an answer, mark the question and move on. If I have time to go back to the questions I've marked, that's fine, otherwise, so be it. 

 

This article on time management is worth a read: http://www.manhattanprep.com/gre/blog/index.php/2013/04/11/my-timing-is-killing-me/

 

Good call

 

Here's mine:

 

Started: April 2013

Goal scores: V165 Q162

Practice test scores: 1st - V:N/A Q149

Previous GRE scores: V165 Q153

GRE test date: Undecided.

Materials: Manhatten Strategy Guides/Manhatten 5lb Book

[meaningless]

Started: mid March 2013

Goal scores: V160 Q170

Practice test scores: 1st - V:149-154 Q160-165 (Barron's online prep diagnostic)

                                     2nd - V:155 Q162 AW: 4.0 and 4.5 (Princeton review free online test)

Previous GRE scores: V144 Q160

GRE test date: 4th May 2013

Materials: RC: Manhatten Strategy Guides 

                  TC/SE: Barron's New GRE 19th edition, Majortest.com, Princeton review 1014, practice set from varies online resources (blog....)

                  AW: Manhatten Strategy Guides, GRE blogs, my working experience

                  Q: Barron's GRE math workbook, Barron's online prep, Manhatten Strategy Guides hard section

[Caffeine Junkie]

As one who squeezed four study books, a tutor, and a Powerscore course into their budget, I must say that the resource which turned out to be the most helpful was ironically the cheapest and most accessible- MAGOOSH. The only downside is that their collection of questions for each subject are a bit limited, so it may be wise to practice individual subjects sparingly yet run practice tests more frequently; you know, so that one does not begin to memorize the questions. However, assuming one is practicing a few hours a day and as many days a week then I would say there is at least a month or two worth of questions to go through before repeating them.

 

Maximal effort onto you all!

[hvasilev]

Previous GRE

Started: Late March

Goal scores: V150 Q170 A4.5

Practice test scores: V143 Q167-168

GRE test date: Early April

Result: V145 Q156 A4.5

I  was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the result, waited for the diagnostics report:

Arithmetic: 11/11

Algebra: 8/9

Geometry: 7/7

Data Analysis: 2/13

 

Will be retaking it in 2 weeks from this date forward .....

[an11]

I took the GRE last year, and am attending grad school starting this fall. So here's my input...

 

 

Previous GRE

Started: Mid August 2012

Goal scores: V160-165, Q170

Practice test scores: V~155, Q~165

GRE test date: Early October 2012

Result: V160 Q167 A4.5

 

I was aiming for a perfect Q score, because I personally found the GRE Q questions to be a piece of cake, after the highly competitive level of maths I was exposed to, back in high school! I didn't even need to put any special effort to prepare for Q, all I needed to do was to get myself accustomed with the type of questions that are usually expected in the test and the question patterns. As far as V is concerned though, I knew I had to score somewhere around the 160 range. Despite the fact that I am not a native English speaker, I already had a pretty decent background in English. So, I just decided to go through the high frequency GRE vocab and once again, get myself accustomed to and comfortable with the question patterns. I never had any issues with time constraints on either section, and usually used to finish each section, with more than 5 minutes left. I decided to follow only the Princeton Review book (I just had a little over a month to prepare anyway) and I personally found it to be quite helpful! In particular, it served my purpose of getting the hang of the type of questions I was likely to encounter in the test. I took a lot of practice tests though, which also served me with the same basic requirement. And, I noticed that, people in general tend to score higher on the actual test, than on the practice tests. 

 

The most important point to remember regarding the GRE, is that it's neither a difficult test nor an easy one. Anybody can do well in it, with the right preparation! You just need to sort out a routine, identify your strengths and weaknesses and work towards improving them. And on the day of the test itself, it's essential to remain focussed and confident, and not to get tense or carried away. While working on the Q sections on my actual test, I was pretty complacent and thought I had answered everything correct...and in the end, was kinda surprised to see I have scored 3 points less than the perfect score. So it's imperative that you get to review your answers and ensure that you are not making any mistakes. 

 

So just keep practising and wish you all the very best!! 

[Tupamaros]

Previous GRE

Started: Late March

Goal scores: V150 Q170 A4.5

Practice test scores: V143 Q167-168

GRE test date: Early April

Result: V145 Q156 A4.5

I  was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the result, waited for the diagnostics report:

Arithmetic: 11/11

Algebra: 8/9

Geometry: 7/7

Data Analysis: 2/13

 

Will be retaking it in 2 weeks from this date forward .....

 

That's a crazy drop in your quant on test day. Who did you do your practice tests with, and was it a problem with language or nerves or something?

[hvasilev]

'Till the very end of the exam, I was pretty confident that I'm doing fine .... Turns out that I screwed up almost every Data Analysis question on the test, which is surprising to me, because I'm pretty sick at solving Data Analysis questions .... The funny part is that right now I continue to be unable to identify weaknesses in my Data Analysis knowledge, line of thinking and time management.

 

On practice exams I make like 1-2 mistakes on the Q section and that's usually cuz I get distracted, cuz i get bored .... 2/12 on Data Analysis fully concentrated ... come on ETS, enough with the "random results" ...

Edited April 14, 2013 by hvasilev

[Imago]

So I took my second practice test today, this time from Manhattan prep. Unfortunately, no good news: V:158 Q:151. 

 

Even though I slowed down my studying routine quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, I've been finding it difficult to stay motivated for this test. It simply seems useless to insist on raising my quant score. Anyway, I've reviewed my performance and realized I have trouble with coordinate geometry and word problems. I'll keep on studying and focusing on my weaknesses, but I must say I've been lowering my expectations around getting into a top program. 

Edited April 23, 2013 by Imago

[msb2012]

Started: Feb 2013

Goal scores: V155 - Q 165

Practice test scores: 1st - V138 Q158 2nd - soon

Materials: Manhattan Strategy Guides, Kaplan , Cracking the GRE, and Princeton Review 1014 Q.

 

 

I see myself get improved in Quant, specially with practicing. However, there is no any improvements at all in Verbal. I'm non native speaker and I'm facing a lot of difficulties with vocab. I want to master RC. So, I'll make sure that I'll go above 150.

 

 

Any suggestions, comments ?

[Tupamaros]

So I took my second practice test today, this time from Manhattan prep. Unfortunately, no good news: V:158 Q:151. 

 

Even though I slowed down my studying routine quite a bit in the last couple of weeks, I've been finding it difficult to stay motivated for this test. It simply seems useless to insist on raising my quant score. Anyway, I've reviewed my performance and realized I have trouble with coordinate geometry and word problems. I'll keep on studying and focusing on my weaknesses, but I must say I've been lowering my expectations around getting into a top program. 

 

Have you gone through all the Manhattan guides?

 

I'm on my 3rd guide now, and dread to think how I'd do in a practice test right now. I also found early on that the guides simply don't offer enough practice questions, as the hard section is almost a write-off it can be so difficult, so that leaves just 40 questions on a couple of topics. To help I bought the 5lb book, which offers plenty of questions on all the sub-topics. Keep the faith though, people reach plateaus in their study and don't improve for a while, then make a little jump..and the process continues. But targetting your weak areas is definitely a good idea, you just need enough questions to do that. Studying is frustrating, especially when it seems there is no progress (I know, trust me). But the one thing you have to keep is a positive attitude, it is much easier said than done, but being optimistic and confident will make your study go much better.

[Tupamaros]

Started: Feb 2013

Goal scores: V155 - Q 165

Practice test scores: 1st - V138 Q158 2nd - soon

Materials: Manhattan Strategy Guides, Kaplan , Cracking the GRE, and Princeton Review 1014 Q.

 

 

I see myself get improved in Quant, specially with practicing. However, there is no any improvements at all in Verbal. I'm non native speaker and I'm facing a lot of difficulties with vocab. I want to master RC. So, I'll make sure that I'll go above 150.

 

 

Any suggestions, comments ?

 

 

Verbal is going to be quite slow to improve, so there is not much else you can do but keep at it. When you read something and see a word you don't know, always look it up. And plenty of people don't recommend just learning hundrends of new words to boost your vocabulary, but it definitely helped me and words I learns through flash cards actually came up on test day.

[Monochrome Spring]

I've just started studying for the gen. GRE. I took the bio. GRE last weekend.

 

My study plan is to do about 2 hours per weekend day, while I'm still in class. Then, over the summer, I'd like to do 2 hours per day. I will be taking a practice test in the near future and will update then.

 

When are you all taking the GRE? I was planning for end of summer/start of fall quarter.

[msb2012]

Verbal is going to be quite slow to improve, so there is not much else you can do but keep at it. When you read something and see a word you don't know, always look it up. And plenty of people don't recommend just learning hundrends of new words to boost your vocabulary, but it definitely helped me and words I learns through flash cards actually came up on test day.

 

 

What flash cards you suggest?

 

My major is engineering, So, I need very high score in quant. In the other side, I want a score between 150 - 155 in verbal.

 

I don't want more than that. What can I do???

[Imago]

Have you gone through all the Manhattan guides?

 

I'm on my 3rd guide now, and dread to think how I'd do in a practice test right now. I also found early on that the guides simply don't offer enough practice questions, as the hard section is almost a write-off it can be so difficult, so that leaves just 40 questions on a couple of topics. To help I bought the 5lb book, which offers plenty of questions on all the sub-topics. Keep the faith though, people reach plateaus in their study and don't improve for a while, then make a little jump..and the process continues. But targetting your weak areas is definitely a good idea, you just need enough questions to do that. Studying is frustrating, especially when it seems there is no progress (I know, trust me). But the one thing you have to keep is a positive attitude, it is much easier said than done, but being optimistic and confident will make your study go much better.

Thanks for the support. It can be really frustrating when you hit a plateau and realize that you're still very far from your goal score.

I haven't gone through all the guides yet. Actually, I've been trying not to follow a very "linear" study routine. I do this in order to avoid forgetting the concepts I've learned so far. One thing I noticed when reviewing my quant scores is that I made a few careless mistakes which cost me two or three questions. I did everything right, but marked the wrong answer because I didn't pay enough attention to what the question was asking. If I can avoid these mistakes consistently, I'm sure I can improve my score by 4 or 5 points.  

Edited April 24, 2013 by Imago

[Tupamaros]

What flash cards you suggest?

 

My major is engineering, So, I need very high score in quant. In the other side, I want a score between 150 - 155 in verbal.

 

I don't want more than that. What can I do???

 

I made my own. I used a 1000-word SAT list, and already knew about 600 of the words. So I learned the remaining 400 by writing the words up myself.

 

I'm not the best person to advise you on verbal as I'm a native speaker and I scored pretty high with a small amount of preparation. You are better off speaking to someone who was in your shoes and saw improvement. It's the same with quant, someone who is a maths whizz isn't always as helpful to someone struggling as another person who struggled originally and did well.

[Tupamaros]

Thanks for the support. It can be really frustrating when you hit a plateau and realize that you're still very far from your goal score.

I haven't gone through all the guides yet. Actually, I've been trying not to follow a very "linear" study routine. I do this in order to avoid forgetting the concepts I've learned so far. One thing I noticed when reviewing my quant scores is that I made a few careless mistakes which cost me two or three questions. I did everything right, but marked the wrong answer because I didn't pay enough attention to what the question was asking. If I can avoid these mistakes consistently, I'm sure I can improve my score by 4 or 5 points.  

 

From most people I speak to, it can take a couple months even to see a small jump, say 2-3 points. You've already made nice progress on your last test, so you were bound to hit a plateau. It's important to keep perspective. And even if our desired scores don't materialise, it's still important to get our scores as high as possible in the time we have available.

[Scarf in the wind]

Started: March 2013

Goal scores: V160 - Q 160

Practice test scores: 1st - V150 Q147 AWA Not graded

Materials: Princeton Review Cracking the GRE, Princeton Review Math Workout, Princeton Review Verbal Workout, ETS Offical Guide 2nd Edition, Barron's Essential Words for the GRE

 

I will be taking the test either in late May or early-mid June. This will be the 3rd time I take the GRE exam. In my first attempt I cancelled my score. On my second attempt, I received a 1040 cumulative, more specifically a 460 in verbal and 580 in quantitative. Yes, it was a couple of years ago.

 

However, the school I am interested in applying to requires scores that are at or above the 50th percentile.

 

Worried that I'll do worse than I did when I got the 1040 (which, suffice it to say isn't a bad score, but it isn't high either). On the practice exam I guess quite a bit in both the quant section, and the reading comprehension. My strong suit is definitely Sentence Equivalency with Text Completion coming a close second. Also need to work on my essays.

 

What other books do you recommend? Is the Manhattan 5 pound book good? What is Magoosh?

[nakuu]

Hey all, I'm aiming to take the test this August and I started going through the Manhattan series yesterday. I'm planning to take a practice test to establish a baseline before I actually book the test so I can determine what I need to improve on.

 

Does the Manhattan 5lb book allow you to score yourself or is it purely practice questions?

 

I'm assuming the powerprep software will give me a score so that I can figure out where i need to improve?

 

Any help is appreciated.

[Tupamaros]

Started: March 2013

Goal scores: V160 - Q 160

Practice test scores: 1st - V150 Q147 AWA Not graded

Materials: Princeton Review Cracking the GRE, Princeton Review Math Workout, Princeton Review Verbal Workout, ETS Offical Guide 2nd Edition, Barron's Essential Words for the GRE

 

I will be taking the test either in late May or early-mid June. This will be the 3rd time I take the GRE exam. In my first attempt I cancelled my score. On my second attempt, I received a 1040 cumulative, more specifically a 460 in verbal and 580 in quantitative. Yes, it was a couple of years ago.

 

However, the school I am interested in applying to requires scores that are at or above the 50th percentile.

 

Worried that I'll do worse than I did when I got the 1040 (which, suffice it to say isn't a bad score, but it isn't high either). On the practice exam I guess quite a bit in both the quant section, and the reading comprehension. My strong suit is definitely Sentence Equivalency with Text Completion coming a close second. Also need to work on my essays.

 

What other books do you recommend? Is the Manhattan 5 pound book good? What is Magoosh?

 

 

Magoosh is an online resource, learning through videos as opposed to books. Just google it and it'll come up. Their blog is quite helpful actually, so you could start there to get a feel for it before spending some coin.

 

Manhatten's 5lb book is the ideal companion to their strategy guides in my opinion, as the guides simply don't have enough problems for practice.

[Tupamaros]

Hey all, I'm aiming to take the test this August and I started going through the Manhattan series yesterday. I'm planning to take a practice test to establish a baseline before I actually book the test so I can determine what I need to improve on.

 

Does the Manhattan 5lb book allow you to score yourself or is it purely practice questions?

 

I'm assuming the powerprep software will give me a score so that I can figure out where i need to improve?

 

Any help is appreciated.

 

 

The Manhatten books (in fact any of them) give you access to six practice tests on their website. I would use of these first, and save powerprep for an accurate assessment of your level just before you are due to take the test.

 

The 5lb book is basically all practice questions divided by sub-topic. There is a section at the end to test yourself, but the six online tests are the best resource for that as the functionality will resemble what you'll be dealing with on test day.

[bb1235]

170Q 168V took it in Feb.  I actually kind of enjoyed preparing for and taking the exam.  

[Scarf in the wind]

170Q 168V took it in Feb.  I actually kind of enjoyed preparing for and taking the exam.  

 

As people who have gone on to be successful in their field have told me, you have to enjoy the process.

[Scarf in the wind]

170Q 168V took it in Feb.  I actually kind of enjoyed preparing for and taking the exam.  

 

As people who have gone on to be successful in their field have told me, you have to enjoy the process.