Analyticchic Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 Hey guys, One of the schools I'm applying to with an MS in Psychology(Drexel University) recommends the Subject test(but the GRE(my last scores were in the 140s , I'm embarrassed to say but I'm not giving up and I'm going to study like hell, is required). How long did you guys study for this exam and when did you take it? My program's deadline(along with a few others) is Dec 1st. I am also taking the GRE as well but it's quite daunting and a little intimidating to study both at the same time. I know the general consensus is picking up an intro to psych book. In addition, I have the Kaplan Psych subject book as well just in case. Any advice would be amazing, young doves
FinallyAccepted Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 A lot of the psych GRE is stuff from a Psych 101 type course. So go back through an intro text (I also used the Kaplan review), and when your head hurts from too much reading, watch Hank Green's psych crash course videos. They're about 10 minutes each, but they're entertaining, and if you realize there's something you don't understand from the video, you can go back and review it, since they're pretty basic.
Analyticchic Posted July 13, 2015 Author Posted July 13, 2015 A lot of the psych GRE is stuff from a Psych 101 type course. So go back through an intro text (I also used the Kaplan review), and when your head hurts from too much reading, watch Hank Green's psych crash course videos. They're about 10 minutes each, but they're entertaining, and if you realize there's something you don't understand from the video, you can go back and review it, since they're pretty basic. You are incredible, thanks so much!
FinallyAccepted Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 I planned in advance, so I dedicated a weekend to each unit so I wouldn't have too much going on. Some weekends I took a test, so I could start to see what areas I was doing well on and which I wasn't. Additionally, when you get to the test, try not to sweat it. I teach intro psychology for a living (or at least until a couple months ago), and there were a number of questions that I didn't know. I was starting to question how effective of an educator I could be if there were so many holes in my knowledge, but when I got my score it was in the 99th percentile. So try not to get discouraged during the test itself. You can still miss quite a few and do well.
Jay's Brain Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 Hey, as someone who recently completed both the General and Psychology subject GREs within a span of a few months (last year), and had to press for similar deadline dates, my advice is to focus a lot on scoring high on your General GRE test. Last year, I actually completed my General GRE twice within a span of a month (early August and late August), and then studied for late September subject test date. Since the Subject test is optional for your program, the school may put a stronger emphasis on looking at how well you do for the General test. You definitely have room to improve, but it's not unreasonable to think you can score a lot higher given the right frame of mind and positive attitude going into it! I was able to study the Psychology test within a month by reviewing the Princeton book and the Barron's book. I actually found the latter to be much more comprehensive, and I rarely had to crack open an introductory Psychology textbook due to those two resources. Good luck!
Analyticchic Posted July 13, 2015 Author Posted July 13, 2015 Hey, as someone who recently completed both the General and Psychology subject GREs within a span of a few months (last year), and had to press for similar deadline dates, my advice is to focus a lot on scoring high on your General GRE test. Last year, I actually completed my General GRE twice within a span of a month (early August and late August), and then studied for late September subject test date. Since the Subject test is optional for your program, the school may put a stronger emphasis on looking at how well you do for the General test. You definitely have room to improve, but it's not unreasonable to think you can score a lot higher given the right frame of mind and positive attitude going into it! I was able to study the Psychology test within a month by reviewing the Princeton book and the Barron's book. I actually found the latter to be much more comprehensive, and I rarely had to crack open an introductory Psychology textbook due to those two resources. Good luck! thanks for your advice, you have become one of the most helpful individuals on this forum, I really appreciate you! I plan to take the General GRE in October(hopefully early and worst case scenario in the middle of the month). I know scores will be mailed out 6 weeks after you test and since one of my Phd programs has a Dec 1st deadline, I'm a bit worried it won't make it there on time(even though the application allows you to put in your scores).
Jay's Brain Posted July 13, 2015 Posted July 13, 2015 thanks for your advice, you have become one of the most helpful individuals on this forum, I really appreciate you! I plan to take the General GRE in October(hopefully early and worst case scenario in the middle of the month). I know scores will be mailed out 6 weeks after you test and since one of my Phd programs has a Dec 1st deadline, I'm a bit worried it won't make it there on time(even though the application allows you to put in your scores). Aww thanks! Just happy to share some of my 'wisdom' since the stress from applying to graduate school happened to me not too long ago. Not to mention, the roller coaster lasted almost to the last possible minute before the April 14th deadline! Hope that doesn't have to happen to anyone else. The schools should be lenient in that sense. They know that it takes a bit of time for the GRE scores to come up, so as long as you do it in advance (like you will be), even if the worst case scenario happens, you won't have to worry. Even though I submitted all of my GRE scores in time, one of the schools momentarily misplaced my physical copy and still asked me to submit my scores well after the deadline date (actually luckily they did!). And good news! The 6 week mailing only refers to the Subject test! The General GRE actually takes 10-15 days, leaning more towards the shorter time period. I remember one of my official scores was released about a week after my test, so it's possible! Let me know if you have further questions!
Analyticchic Posted July 21, 2015 Author Posted July 21, 2015 Aww thanks! Just happy to share some of my 'wisdom' since the stress from applying to graduate school happened to me not too long ago. Not to mention, the roller coaster lasted almost to the last possible minute before the April 14th deadline! Hope that doesn't have to happen to anyone else. The schools should be lenient in that sense. They know that it takes a bit of time for the GRE scores to come up, so as long as you do it in advance (like you will be), even if the worst case scenario happens, you won't have to worry. Even though I submitted all of my GRE scores in time, one of the schools momentarily misplaced my physical copy and still asked me to submit my scores well after the deadline date (actually luckily they did!). And good news! The 6 week mailing only refers to the Subject test! The General GRE actually takes 10-15 days, leaning more towards the shorter time period. I remember one of my official scores was released about a week after my test, so it's possible! Let me know if you have further questions! Awesome because my testing center dates for October are 23, 27, and 30 which is fine since it'll give me 3 months and some days to study even harder The two phd programs I want to apply to(the rest are MAs or Ms) the deadline is December 15. The minimum admission for the phd programs is gre 310 total, a 3.5 gpa, or "some combination of equal merit" but the clinical has all these statistics : http://www.psych.udel.edu/graduate/detail/student_admissions_outcomes_and_other_data/ I really want to do well but I'll never give up. Do you think I have some semblance of a chance?
Jay's Brain Posted July 21, 2015 Posted July 21, 2015 Awesome because my testing center dates for October are 23, 27, and 30 which is fine since it'll give me 3 months and some days to study even harder The two phd programs I want to apply to(the rest are MAs or Ms) the deadline is December 15. The minimum admission for the phd programs is gre 310 total, a 3.5 gpa, or "some combination of equal merit" but the clinical has all these statistics : http://www.psych.udel.edu/graduate/detail/student_admissions_outcomes_and_other_data/ I really want to do well but I'll never give up. Do you think I have some semblance of a chance? Those are averages overall, so as long as you meet the requirements I don't see why you won't have a legitimate chance! The numbers seem to fluctuate each year for acceptance, so that's a sign that the program is likely to accept all students they deem to fit with their program. I do encourage you to speak with the PIs that are accepting for the application cycle, because that gives you a clearer lead-in and shot at a spot. Knowing that you have interest from potential graduate advisors go a long way. Of course, look for external funding opportunities too to make it even more enticing. It'll be a long process, but I wish you the best. Good luck!
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