GRE anxiety! Any New Jersey folks ?

[fataorgana]

Hey everyone! So I'm an undergrad in my senior year studying psychology and doing some speech perception research as well. I am hoping to get into a PhD clinical psychology program and now it's time to start studying for the GREs (I plan to take the test in May and apply for the Fall 2015) .

If there's one thing I know, it's that I am terrible with standardized tests . I just bought the Kaplan study guide and vocabulary cards and realized that I ABSOLUTELY DONT KNOW ANYTHING. It amazes me that I've managed to do so well in college.

Please tell me that Im not the only one who felt this way. I also took a diagnostic test and got a chunk of questions wrong in all areas.

Lastly, if there are any folks in the NJ area studying for them, would anyone want to join me?

Good luck everyone

[asymptoticallyAbnormal]

Hello,

 

I am the same way.  I got a math major, with a high GPA, and my quant score on my first one (okay, two) practice tests were much lower than they should have been given my background.  I have realized a few things:

 

(1) This is a test of your ability to take the test.  Not entirely your knowledge of maths or ability to write.

(2) It is a test of ENDURANCE.  Seldom in college do you have to sit still for 4 hours on end, not allowed to drink water, crack your back, etc, save for a 10 minute break.  This was huge for me.

(3) It is a test of STRATEGY.

 

Advice.

(0) Prioritize which sections are most important.  Unfortunately I could see how for psychology they are all relatively equal, though maybe they care less about vocab?

(1) Start by practicing (take a diagnostic test).  Buying a Kaplan book unlocks 6 realistic online tests and 2 in-book tests.  As you take the first test, write down your weaknesses both conceptually and strategically.  After, read over what you got wrong and write down more conceptual and strategic weaknesses.

 

(2) Shore up your weaknesses.

 

(3) Repeat.

 

I studied for about 10 weeks.  I would go to the library 2 or 3 times a week, alternating study and practice tests.  

The other thing I have to emphasize is that PRACTICE will help you get over the ENDURANCE part of the test.  Practice in realistic situations.  For me, I drink like a liter of water every hour.  Without going into detail, I had strategies for overcoming this.

 

As far as resources, I mentioned Kaplan.  I'm sure the other ones are good too.  Just make sure they offer ONLINE SIMULATIONS. 

 

Lastly, I'm not 100% sure studying in groups will be that beneficial.  But that might just be my own study habits.

 

--asymptoticallyAbnormal

[belle00]

Jersey girl here, but I'm sorry to report that I just wrapped up my GRE in December! I walked into studying for the GRE thinking that it would be a piece of cake. After my first practice test I was in a puddle of tears and more defeated than I have been in a long, long time, ha. I actually got a Kaplan tutor for a few months, and it raised my scores dramatically. The Kaplan methods helped me so much. I'm not a math gal. I absolutely knew that there was no way I was going to master all of the math needed to make a grand quant score on the GRE. The Kaplan methods helped me attack the problems in a way that was far more efficient and logical than I could have ever imagined. Use that cheat sheet at the back of the book. Understand those methods. Memorize them, put them into use on the practice tests. TAKE THE PRACTICE TESTS. Every single one of them. 

 

Because of the nature of my job, I have many small pockets of free time during my day, generally 10-15 minutes. Download apps like Quizlet and Freerice for vocab practice. Quizlet already has multiple sets of the Kaplan 500 words loaded. They were enormously helpful for me as I was able to constantly practice outside of my set aside study time.

 

As for testing day, make sure you check out the center BEFORE you go for your test. If you're in Lodi I'm assuming you're going to the Fair Lawn testing center. If you're doing a Saturday test, go on a weekend. If you're doing a weekday test, go on a weekday. The center is on Broadway which may require a jughandle turn depending on which direction you come from. They also had minor construction going on when I was taking my exam. Checking out the route and the parking situation a week ahead of time really eased my mind. 

[jayem]

Jersey research technician here studying for GREs in the "off-season" in preparation to apply to Immunology PhD programs next winter. I've been studying vocabulary since November, and I have just started to seriously take the full practice exams. As asymptoticallyAbnormal mentioned, I too am using the Kaplan book with the 6 practice tests. My first go-around with the GRE wasn't too sucessful. I studied a bit over the past summer, became busy with undergrad, and then forced myself to take a GRE in October in time for applications. Now, however, I am trying to seriously defeat this annoying exam.