strudelle Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I took the GRE two weeks ago and my verbal score ended up being in the 11th percentile. I am usually very good with language and argument analysis, so I genuinely don't know what went wrong. My writing score was a 4.5, which isn't great but it's 75th percentile - so clearly I have some sort of grasp on language. To prepare for the GRE the first time around, I used ETS's online materials and a Princeton Review prep book. During preparation, I would generally get most of the verbal questions right and my scores on practice tests for verbal were usually in the 160's - which I was happy with. I just registered to re-take the test in a month. I started going through my study materials again and found I am still getting all the verbal questions right. I think the study materials I'm using are not adequately preparing me for the actual test. Does anyone have any suggestions on study material that is more similar to what is on the test? Preferably something free, because I just had to spend another $180 on this test that I couldn't afford in the first place. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne00 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I recommend getting the 500 verbal flashcards and making sure you know every one of those words. I took the GRE about 10 years ago and did bad on the test even though I had always done well on papers and other standardized tests. The truth was I didn't have my vocabulary down. I knew how to use the words in a sentence but if you asked me for a synonym or definition, I would blank. This time I increased my vocab and did very well. The books, I think, teach you tricks on how to take the test, maximize time and guess well, but that will only take you so far without the vocab base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteSage Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Try Magoosh. While I never really liked their lesson, they have very hard problems that help you develop a good understanding of how verbal questions work. Also, build up your vocab. Without this you're doomed, no matter if you're a native speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strudelle Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 Thanks guys. I used some flash cards last time but didn't make it all the way through them and didn't focus on them as much. Any suggestion as to exactly what flash cards to use (an app on my phone would be best because I can do that anywhere anytime)? Also, does Magoosh have any free study options? I really can't afford to spend more money right now between having to re-take this test and pay for grad school apps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne00 Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I used Barron's. However, I would say focus on the synonyms with that set. They sometimes highlighted secondary definitions instead of primary ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mesoarch Posted November 3, 2013 Share Posted November 3, 2013 There's an app called GRE Vocab Genius made by Brainscape that is $9.99 and was worth every penny in my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strudelle Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share Posted November 4, 2013 Thanks I'll check it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strudelle Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 I was just able to look at my diagnostic results for the GRE (tells you how many problems you got wrong, what level of difficulty they were etc.) and I actually didn't get that many verbal questions wrong. I only got 14 wrong out of 40. I got significantly more wrong in the quantitative section and I got a way better score there. ETS would not explain to me how the test was scored or what was going on unless I paid $50 to have my test gone over again. What the hell is going on here? strudelle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthropologygeek Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Strud- when I took it, old scoring system but on the computer, if you missed one of the first couple your score will be low Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strudelle Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Someone else suggested the same thing. I got four wrong in the first section. It seems really silly that your score would be based on this entirely rather than the ones you got correct over-all in the exam. Over-all, I did pretty well. I got a ton wrong in the quant section (2x more wrong than I got in the verbal). Completely bombed the entire first half. But ended up with a good score (84th percentile). This all just seems so counterintuitive. How is this a true representation of anyone's ability to be a graduate student? And how is one supposed to prepare for a test that is so bizarrely scored and unclear? strudelle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhavin Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 @strudelle - We (Magoosh) do have free resources including a free vocab app similar to the Brainscape one. Just search "Magoosh GRE flashcards" on your Android or iPhone. We also have free resources on our blog, just search for Magoosh GRE Blog. Thanks! Bhavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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