GRE or Latin.. Need to pick one for now.. WWYD?

[Yetanotherdegree]

So I'm scheduled to write the GRE in August for doctoral applications in the fall. I'm also working on Latin in my spare time.

I feel like I need to pick one or the other. I need both, but I could put off the GRE until late December and still be able to apply for the fall 2014 cycle.

I might not even apply for fall 2014- I might wait a year and aim for 2015 instead.

And my ancient languages are seriously lacking. I've been advised to take a certain course in the fall, which I can only do if I can improve my Latin.

WWYD? Postpone the GRE because I might not even need it this fall, and fix up the Latin instead? Or just do the darn test and get it out of the way?

Dumb question, I know. I kind of think I'm procrastinating on this just because I don't want to review fractions this summer.

[ἠφανισμένος]

If you really and truly can do only one or the other, I think Latin would offer more immediate and long-term reward -- you could take the fall course and your language study next year would be that much farther along.  On the other hand, I didn't find that studying for the GRE was all that time-consuming.  Get a prep book, take some practice tests, brush up on math -- I would think half an hour a day between now and August would be more than enough, which ought to leave time for Latin.  I did take the old version, though, but I doubt studying for the new version is substantially different.

[Body Politics]

I crammed for the new GRE in a month and got a good score (well, not on math, but that's because I haven't had a math course since high school). It's not that hard.

[sacklunch]

Both, if you can. I have been doing this with German for the past month without too much trouble. Spend like an hour a day on the GRE and then continue with the Latin. Hell, even spend half an hour and it will help. 

 

I have been using this for the verbal: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1479216925/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Also, this is one of the better/comprehensive sets I have used: http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Strategy-Guides-Edition-Instructional/dp/1935707981/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370543293&sr=8-1&keywords=manhattan+gre

 

The latter includes a verbal book(s) but the former is WAY better for practice verbal. 

 

Good luck!

Edited June 6, 2013 by jdmhotness

[Kuriakos]

Latin, for sure. If you get a book, it isn't that hard to beat the GRE. 

[Yetanotherdegree]

Thanks, folks. I think I can and should do both, I just don't want to do the GRe prep (insert whine here...)