damn you GRE

[bbq555]

i have been practicing for the GRE for the past two weeks now and the scores i get on powerprep aren't increasing at all. I have been hovering around the 630 range for quant and 520 for verbal. I understand what I need to do for verbal (cram my brain with vocabulary) but i dont understand where i need to improve or how i can improve on the quant. I completed the kaplans practice book and princeton's practice book as well. ill be taking my test in early july so I still have a month and a half to study. should i keep doing practice problems out of books or buckle up and spend the money for a class? I HATE THE GRE...sorry i didnt know who to complain to besides my own community

[junebug62]

Are you running out of time on the math? Making small calculation errors? Forgetting the tricks?

I would work on memorizing the types of math problems you are likely to see and the method for answering that type. They all fit the pattern after awhile.

And two weeks isn't very long. Keep at it.

[bbq555]

Are you running out of time on the math? Making small calculation errors? Forgetting the tricks?

I would work on memorizing the types of math problems you are likely to see and the method for answering that type. They all fit the pattern after awhile.

And two weeks isn't very long. Keep at it.

i think my problem is applying the tricks to the appropriate problems. i'll either forget them and have no idea how to solve the problem or solve it in a totally different way

[africagirl]

i have been practicing for the GRE for the past two weeks now and the scores i get on powerprep aren't increasing at all. I have been hovering around the 630 range for quant and 520 for verbal. I understand what I need to do for verbal (cram my brain with vocabulary) but i dont understand where i need to improve or how i can improve on the quant.

Yes, cram your head with vocab, but practice enough with the analogies to make sure you understand the relationship that is given. As for math, eat, sleep and breath math...and make sure you pace yourself and don't run out of time. When I would pace myself, I always got higher than when I focused on trying to make sure it was right, instead of just admitting when one was too difficult and simply moving on to the next one. And don't forget to practice the writing section either. Writing under that sort of time restriction is quite different from what one is usually accustomed to.

[LiberalHawk]

bbq555,

I feel your pain! I recall my own dismay at the headache that is called the GRE. For a few months it was the bane of my existence. Keep at it, with a little luck and lots of preparation you'll defeat and overcome this foe.

Just fyi, don't blow it off but also don't let it drive you crazy. Just remember that it's simply a hurdle to be overcome and you can get into any of the top programs even if your GRE scores are not perfect. You simply have to cross a minimum threshold and be 'in the range' to get consideration and almost everyone else who will be applying will also be in this same range.

What will really set you apart will be your SOP, recs and work experience. Never forget this.

While rare, it is possible to get into your dream program even if you bomb the GRE as long as you dazzle the adcomm with a stellar SOP, strong recs from respected individuals who know you well and speak highly of you and your work, combined with substantive work experience that is relevant to what you want to study. Schools want good people who will be successful and reflect well on their program not just good test scores and gpas.

That being said, your chances are better if you combine all of those characteristics with a strong GRE performance.

As someone posted earlier, focus on your pace. It is better to have more correct answers than it is to get this ONE answer correct.

Treat the test as though you were a commander in battle who must make critical decisions under time constraints with imperfect information. Remember that the GRE is Blitzkrieg not siege warfare. If you encounter stiff resistance from one question, take your best shot and pass it by in order to keep moving along to conquer the next set of questions. You will face confusion and uncertainty, which will lead to mistakes, but you must maintain a clear focus on your overarching strategic goal and persist in relentlessly moving forward toward the completion of that goal.

[fall09]

bbq555,

While rare, it is possible to get into your dream program even if you bomb the GRE as long as you dazzle the adcomm with a stellar SOP, strong recs from respected individuals who know you well and speak highly of you and your work, combined with substantive work experience that is relevant to what you want to study. Schools want good people who will be successful and reflect well on their program not just good test scores and gpas.

Point in case, I got 590 on my vocab. and 630 on my quant and got into LSE - MPP, Columbia-SIPA,MIA and Georgetown-MSFS. I did however not get into KSG and WWS and largely blame it on the GRE. If you have good college grades, solid work experience and can produce and excellent personal statement and/or policy memo, you stand as good a chance as anyone. Also, if you do have a weaker GRE make sure you've taken the micro/macro prerequisites most schools ask for before you apply and that you ace them.

[bbq555]

thanks for the encouragement guys. Although, my GPA, LOR, and SOP are all well above average i only have a year of work experience under my belt and its only through internships and campaigns. With this weakness on my application, I dont want to add another one by scoring low on the GRE :-( bahhhh time to buckle up and overdose on more vocab.

[fighter_2008]

for vocab i recommend dictionary.com Word Of The Day. i only found out about it after I took my GREs back in 2001, but the words featured on WOTD are uncannily similar to those that appear on GRE Verbal!

[Ipolgrad]

I also just want to reiterate what a lot of people have already said-you CAN get into a great school with the scores you have already achieved. So don't put to much pressure on yourself!! Schools really do consider Work experience, Grades, LOR's and your statement...I am living proof--my quant score barely broke 600. So relax and just keep reviewing your study guides--you'll be fine!!

[mppguy]

Try reading magazines that use lofty prose, such as the New Yorker or the Economist. You'll come across a lot of words you didn't know and it's a great way to make studying vocab not so tedious.

As for math, just keep in mind the types of problems that exist on the GRE and drill them constantly. Even if you're going over old problems, do them again to reinforce formulas and to make new inferences.

That said, I'm off to go study for the LSAT which is so difficult, it makes the GRE look like a pie eating contest.

Good luck!