GRE Test and Application to CS Grad School (master)

[Alex1212]

Hello,

 

I am planning to apply to Computer Science grad school (wish to get to top 5 or 7), but I am failing GRE verbal section. Math section looks fine, but on verbal 60-70 percent of words unknown to me and I do not think this will change. Yes, I am sitting with Kaplan book, read articles, but it gives no real improvement.

 

Do cs grad schools (MS) consider verbal section? Please, do not say that they need to be sure that I can understand cs topics, as GRE and ability to read manuals, specifications and datasheets are far far away from each other. 

 

Should I consider applying with next application:

4 year BS in CS. GPA 3.74 (including non sc subjects)

4 year work experince in IT

Serveral atricles

Won several competitions

Had some research

Recommendations are as average (I hope)

I am foreigner

 

I do not want spending day-and-night additonal 3 month memorazing stuff that I fill forget within half a year  (or less), do average on test and then fail to get to university. Such loss of time is stupid.

 

Thanks for any advice or comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tspier2]

Have you taken any practice tests yet? If so, what were your scores for both sections? If not, take one of the PowerPrep ETS practice tests to see what your scores look like. I just took the test last week, and studying this list really helped me out. They also have a matching game on there. Spending ten to fifteen minutes "playing" it each day could really help.

[Cesare]

Have you taken any practice tests yet? If so, what were your scores for both sections? If not, take one of the PowerPrep ETS practice tests to see what your scores look like. I just took the test last week, and studying this list really helped me out. They also have a matching game on there. Spending ten to fifteen minutes "playing" it each day could really help.

Thanks for this! These games really do help because it makes learning vocab fun. I bought this app (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gre-vocab-genius/id380833751?mt=8) and really like it as I travel on the bus/train a lot and I've learned almost all of the words on the go. It is pricey, but I think it was worth it.

 

[Alex1212]

Have you taken any practice tests yet? If so, what were your scores for both sections? If not, take one of the PowerPrep ETS practice tests to see what your scores look like. I just took the test last week, and studying this list really helped me out. They also have a matching game on there. Spending ten to fifteen minutes "playing" it each day could really help.

Thank you. Link is cool. Will try this also.

 

I now use:

1) kaplan and princeton review

2) national geographic articles

3) several iPhone apps

4) films, poems, songs....

 

Did you try, by the way, root list? Is it really helpful?

Did you try to memorize synonyms? 

Edited August 9, 2013 by Tigran

[tspier2]

Thank you. Link is cool. Will try this also.

 

I now use:

1) kaplan and princeton review

2) national geographic articles

3) several iPhone apps

4) films, poems, songs....

 

Did you try, by the way, root list? Is it really helpful?

Did you try to memorize synonyms? 

 

I didn't use a root list, but I did use the game I described in my earlier post. I tried Kaplan and Princeton Review; they were both good resources, but the PowerPrep ETS practice tests were the closest to the actual test -- for me. You can find the program here. Honestly, I wouldn't spend too much time with #2, #3, and #4 that you posted. Learning the words in context is important, but I've rarely seen the majority of the words I needed for the GRE.