GRE Focus

[Megan Verhagen]

So I took my first GRE earlier in August, and I take it again in late September. When taking my test in  August, I found that the complete silence of the testing room was incredibly distracting. I tend to benefit from constant sensory input when I'm in classes or taking tests. For example, having noise around me or being able to fiddle with a ponytail helps me concentrate. I know that both of these forms of input are impossible to use while taking the GRE. so does anyone have any ideas or examples on how to stay focused and ignore the quite of the testing room?

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

Hi Megan,

From what you describe, there are 2 ways to approach the issue that you're facing:

1) Get comfortable with working in a quiet room. This will require that you choose your study environment more careful (maybe a private area in a library) so that you can build up a tolerance for working in this way.

2) Find something that you can use to provide the sensory input that you're looking for. There will likely not be much in the way of examples that will 'fit' this approach though. Did the Testing Center offer earplugs? And would wearing earplugs provide the type of sensory input that you are looking for?

How did you score on your GRE?

What is your goal score?

GRE Masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich

[Megan Verhagen]

For my first test I studied in my usual coffee shop where I always go to do homework ect... However, I've since moved into the library.

 The testing center offered silencing earmuffs but they honestly made concentrating harder and they also didn't really fit over my ear piercings.

I got a 148 Quant and a 165 Verbal but I'd really like to get my Quant score up to 155 (which is where I've been scoring on practice tests). I've been studying using the official GRE book and Magoosh so materials aren't a problem, I just need to up the focus... 

[GREMasterEMPOWERRichC]

Hi Megan,

With a Q148, there are likely other areas to work on besides your general 'focus'; the GRE Quant sections are remarkably consistent and predictable, so you CAN train to score at a high level. If you're inconsistent with the 'steps' that you go through or the tactics that you use, then your scores can vary. I'll bet that you know your math formulas and rules just fine, but if you don't 'see' (and respond to) the GRE in the right ways, the result can be low scores.

Have you set your next Test Date yet?

GRE Masters aren't born, they're made,

Rich