How to speed up your test taking

[samman1994]

Hello everyone,

So I plan on retaking the GRE in less than a month. The last time I took it I scored relatively low on my quant (150), and am looking to score higher; however, this was basically because I ran out of time. Now I know the GRE is basic concept memorization for the quant section. I know it's primarily knowing which questions to skip and to plug and chug (because it's a bullshit test). I don't have a lot of money to spend on these GRE programs however. I'm curious, what would be the best way to learn how to speed up my test taking ability and to learn simple techniques for the quant section, without selling my soul? I know there are cheap books out there with a billion problems, would that be the best option? Do a lot of problems and see the connections between them and hope practice speeds me up? Any help will be appreciated, thank you!

[_kita]

Targeted practice. You need to focus on timing yourself during practice tests and practice problems. Find out where you are taking the most time and focus on the time saving techniques at that point instead. 

[samman1994]

I did that prior, but my main problem is how I approach the problems. I approach each problem as completely brand new, and try to create an equation (or relationship) for the problem that will help me solve it (rather than plug and chug). But this method takes too long. Now Magoosh and Princeton and other sites have fine tuned methods for dealing with problems quick and easy, but again, most of these can cost anywhere from 50-200 bucks, and I'm already having a problem paying to retake the GRE in the first place. So trying to find another approach other than taking timed practice tests (that didn't work out too well last time). 

[_kita]

6 hours ago, samman1994 said:

I did that prior, but my main problem is how I approach the problems. I approach each problem as completely brand new, and try to create an equation (or relationship) for the problem that will help me solve it (rather than plug and chug). But this method takes too long. Now Magoosh and Princeton and other sites have fine tuned methods for dealing with problems quick and easy, but again, most of these can cost anywhere from 50-200 bucks, and I'm already having a problem paying to retake the GRE in the first place. So trying to find another approach other than taking timed practice tests (that didn't work out too well last time). 

To clarify, did you take just timed practice tests, or did you also time your practice problems? Go through a section in the ets guide where they talk about one type of math (arithmetic, algebra, etc.) Time yourself just on similar problems and see what your speed is like. If it matches what you want, move on to another type of problem. Narrow down where you are losing time. Then focus on learning strategies beyond equation creation for those specific problem types.

 Talking to you on other posts, I knew suggesting paying for tutoring software wouldn't be an option. Yes, it is easier with those Magoosh or Princeton. Magoosh specifically times you on each problem and analyzes where your slower spots are compared to their average user.  But it can be done without the fancy software. If you're not able to go through targeted timed practice, than you really just need to focus on the entire test and learning the strategies to analyze all equations more effectively for their simple solutions. ETS guide does outline them - as do free youtube GRE guides. The information is out there for free. It just takes more work to get it.

[cowgirlsdontcry]

9 hours ago, samman1994 said:

I did that prior, but my main problem is how I approach the problems. I approach each problem as completely brand new, and try to create an equation (or relationship) for the problem that will help me solve it (rather than plug and chug). But this method takes too long. Now Magoosh and Princeton and other sites have fine tuned methods for dealing with problems quick and easy, but again, most of these can cost anywhere from 50-200 bucks, and I'm already having a problem paying to retake the GRE in the first place. So trying to find another approach other than taking timed practice tests (that didn't work out too well last time). 

It really is important to understand how ETS sets up the problems. I believe that is key to understanding any standardized testing. From what I remember of the GRE (took it 3 years ago), the quant. section was all algebra and finite math. I had never memorized the finite formulas, but rather used the TI 84 to solve them in the class. I knew the albebraic formulas, but had to best guess on the finite problems, which caused me to have a lower Q score than I would have, had I known the formulas. That is one thing you can do--learn the formulas, so that when you read the problem the formula is immediately available. You don't have to set up anything--just work it. The answer choices for the finite questions were far enough apart that if you worked most of the problem, the answer would become obvious. The other thing I have learned about this sort of testing is not to spend too much time on any one problem. If I can't get an answer right away that's one of the choices, I move on to the next problem and when I finish, I go back if there is time.

[samman1994]

I primarily took practice timed tests. I did do a few practice problems (timed) for the most part, but they weren't super helpful. The test questions from the practice test were pretty good, but again, my timing didn't really improve throughout them because my technique didn't change. I'm looking for something that will help me change my technique. Now the paid programs do exactly that, but I'm looking for something more along the lines of basically free. I've looked at youtube videos, but most don't really go into detail (they just give you a tease and say here go to my site to pay to get real information). 

[TakeruK]

On 9/28/2017 at 8:54 AM, samman1994 said:

Do a lot of problems and see the connections between them and hope practice speeds me up? Any help will be appreciated, thank you!

 

On 9/28/2017 at 9:52 AM, _kita said:

Targeted practice. You need to focus on timing yourself during practice tests and practice problems. Find out where you are taking the most time and focus on the time saving techniques at that point instead. 

The combination of these two strategies worked really well for me. After doing a bunch of questions, you start to see the "logic" behind their exam questions (i.e. what are the concepts they are testing for?) Then when you see the question, you match the question with the concept tested. Usually knowing the concept they are looking for will reveal the approach they want to you take (since it involves using that concept). If you have not already read the exam booklet that gives the background and describes the "rules" of the exam, I would suggest you do that! It gives you deep insight into the mind of the test writer, in my opinion.

I took the "old" GRE (just prior to the "Revised" version). I finished the very last question of the quant section with 1 second left! I really hate these types of tests.