Has anyone here ever taken the GRE?

[calvinhousecat]

I'm going to have to take this soon. But I don't even know where to start.


Prep book suggestions? I'm currently on Magoosh and using their vocab app(got like 30 vocab words memorized  )

[FLFisherman]

I've taken it, but didn't study for it.

From a friend of mine who is studying I'm going to have to suggest downloading some GRE prep apps for your phone. That way you always have the material available to you to study. The more you practice the better-prepared you'll feel, and that is key.

[noisyturtle]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

[FLFisherman]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

I definitely don't recommend this. Lol

[tp4tissue]

Just looked at a sample test.

The math looks n00ber..  as long as you're a science major..

Tp4 sux at engrish.. so no comment there.

[neverused]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

It took you 9 years? Are you thinking of the SATs or ACTs?

[calvinhousecat]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

I think you're talking about the SAT?

I've taken it, but didn't study for it.

From a friend of mine who is studying I'm going to have to suggest downloading some GRE prep apps for your phone. That way you always have the material available to you to study. The more you practice the better-prepared you'll feel, and that is key.

I'm gonna agree with you. Practice is key. Just downloaded an additional 3 apps, thanks for the suggestion 

[noisyturtle]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

It took you 9 years? Are you thinking of the SATs or ACTs?

Whatever the major standardized test that is given statewide in the US at age 15/16 is. Maybe the SAT's?

[neverused]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

It took you 9 years? Are you thinking of the SATs or ACTs?

Whatever the major test that is statewide at age 15/16 is. Maybe the SAT's?

Ah yes, that's definitely not the gre

[noisyturtle]

OK, just looked it up: The SAT is for applying to undergrad and the GRE is for grad schools. They seem to cover the same basic stuff, if anything the GRE seems like it's slightly easier.

[FLFisherman]

OK, just looked it up: The SAT is for applying to undergrad and the GRE is for grad schools. They seem to cover the same basic stuff, if anything the GRE seems like it's slightly easier.

The GRE is definitely not easier. However, it's not that much harder.

[Spopepro]

OK, just looked it up: The SAT is for applying to undergrad and the GRE is for grad schools. They seem to cover the same basic stuff, if anything the GRE seems like it's slightly easier.

Yikes... the young ones these days.  No need to have any clue what you're talking about... and then double down when wrong.

I'm going forth assuming OP is talking about the GRE general.  The subject area GREs are another beast entirely. (If anyone wants my story about the GRE math, I can share).

So the GRE was one of the first widely distributed computer adaptive assessments, which are now pretty common place.  It can still be startling to take one if you haven't ever before.  If you answer questions correctly, it will give you a harder question.  If you get it wrong it will give you an easier one.  The key point here is not to panic.  You're a smart cookie*, I'm sure, so the test is likely to get very challenging at pretty quickly.  Keeping an even head, and thinking through and not letting the test get the best of you will be step one to realizing a score that measures your true aptitude. (can you tell I'm an assessment professional?)

The next thing to do is to be as familiar as you can with the types of questions.  I remember a ton of "column a or column b" comparison questions in the math section.  The questions aren't constructed like many of the more common standardized tests so you will be at an advantage if you understand how the questions work before beginning.

Last tip: don't study too hard.  The test is written purposefully to be as study-proof as possible.  Granted, you can probably improve your score a little by cramming on the content, but most test prep courses are likely to focus on structure and strategy rather than content.  You don't have time to learn enough content.  You do have time to learn how the test works and how to maximize getting all of your ability out there.


*the reality is that in a computer adaptive test *everyone* will get to the point where they feel the test is very challenging.  The algorithm works such that you will always see at least one question at the limit of your ability, regardless of your ability.

[FLFisherman]

Last tip: don't study too hard.  The test is written purposefully to be as study-proof as possible.  Granted, you can probably improve your score a little by cramming on the content, but most test prep courses are likely to focus on structure and strategy rather than content.  You don't have time to learn enough content.  You do have time to learn how the test works and how to maximize getting all of your ability out there.

I agree with this sentiment. However, most the GRE prep isn't to learn content, but to practice what you know. Most people don't take more than a semester or two of algebra their freshman year (some may not even have to take it at all). By the time you're in your junior or senior year and ready to take the GRE the fact of the matter is you just aren't ready for it. The prep courses are to refresh your memory and help you understand the format.

Most importantly, don't stress out. If you really feel you did poorly you can take it again. No bid deal. Good luck!

[hwood34]

I bull****ted mine and filled out all bubble 'C 'so I could leave early.
9 years later I decided to apply for colleges and got into the top school of my choice, so I don't think colleges they take these standardized tests too seriously.

Considering that my standardized test scores are carrying my GPA to help me get into the schools I want, I'd say they definitely count for something. Different schools care more about different things.

[romevi]

I tooked it. Used The Princeton Review and Barron's flash cards. This was before the conversion, but according to the site I got 159 verbal and 152 quant. Not the best, but enough to land me in my numero uno choice (at least, that which had night classes).

[BlueNalgene]

I took the general GRE and a subject specific GRE.  I recommend preparing by learning the format of the test and the expectations.  You can find that in any reasonable study aid.  I took a few free practice tests to warm myself up, but I did not use flash cards or other "study aids" to prepare.  From my experience, I doubt it would have helped.  The test is designed to find the limit of what you know.  Since there are so many possible question options, it would not have helped.  For example, vocab flash cards and actual test questions only overlap about 5% (not a legit fact, just an approximation by me).  So practicing the same things over and over again doesn't do as much for you as simply reading something challenging and actively learning from it. 

For the record, I looked up what I got for reference.  I took the test in 2011, and my scaled scores were:
Verbal 640 90th%ile
Quant 740 87th%ile


The subject test is much different. 

In 2011 I also took the Chemistry subject GRE.  For that I studied to my strengths (analytical and physical chem) and just breezed over my weaknesses (organic and synthesis).  This was a mistake.  It turns out my weaknesses were the majority of the test questions.  I was not prepared at all. 

I don't know what my score was.  I tried to look it up on the GRE website, but I used my undergrad email which no longer exists, and I cannot access it.  The important part was my percentile score was in the teens. 

I was distraught with the horrible score.  I simply chose not to disclose it to the schools I applied to.  Instead, I played up my prior work experience in the field and my research experience.  The result?  I am currently slaving away in my 4th year of the PhD program of the school I wanted. 


TL:DR My recommendations are to study by knowing the test format, warming up with a practice or two, and just reading a good book.  If you want help on the subject test, I am the wrong man to ask.

[calvinhousecat]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[Spopepro]

I took the general GRE and a subject specific GRE.  I recommend preparing by learning the format of the test and the expectations.  You can find that in any reasonable study aid.  I took a few free practice tests to warm myself up, but I did not use flash cards or other "study aids" to prepare.  From my experience, I doubt it would have helped.  The test is designed to find the limit of what you know.  Since there are so many possible question options, it would not have helped.  For example, vocab flash cards and actual test questions only overlap about 5% (not a legit fact, just an approximation by me).  So practicing the same things over and over again doesn't do as much for you as simply reading something challenging and actively learning from it. 

For the record, I looked up what I got for reference.  I took the test in 2011, and my scaled scores were:
Verbal 640 90th%ile
Quant 740 87th%ile


The subject test is much different. 

In 2011 I also took the Chemistry subject GRE.  For that I studied to my strengths (analytical and physical chem) and just breezed over my weaknesses (organic and synthesis).  This was a mistake.  It turns out my weaknesses were the majority of the test questions.  I was not prepared at all. 

I don't know what my score was.  I tried to look it up on the GRE website, but I used my undergrad email which no longer exists, and I cannot access it.  The important part was my percentile score was in the teens. 

I was distraught with the horrible score.  I simply chose not to disclose it to the schools I applied to.  Instead, I played up my prior work experience in the field and my research experience.  The result?  I am currently slaving away in my 4th year of the PhD program of the school I wanted. 


TL:DR My recommendations are to study by knowing the test format, warming up with a practice or two, and just reading a good book.  If you want help on the subject test, I am the wrong man to ask.

No one can help you with the subject area tests.  They are absolutely brutal.

I took the GRE math.  I knew I was less than perfectly prepared so I had the strategy that I would only answer a question if I immediately knew how to find the solution, otherwise I would skip it and maybe come back to it...maybe.  I answered about 1/3 of the questions, and just as I was getting to the end, our proctor called 10min remaining.  There were audible gasps in the room with many participants not having even come close to half way through the exam.  It was insane.  So yeah, I only answered 1/3 of the questions, and I almost certainly didn't get every single one correct and I *still* ended up ~40th percentile. 

[vivalarevolución]

I took the GRE twice in 2008/2009, but I know that test has changed since then.  The first time I didn't study at all, except reading about the format of the test the day before.  The second time I put some actuall effort in studying and taking practice tests.

My thoughts are about the same as BlueNalgene.  I recommend understanding the format and structure of the test, and also understand what will result in a good score.  Get a guide or two and read it.  Take a bunch of practice tests.  Write practice essays EVERY DAY for at least a couple weeks.  With that sort of preparation, the real test will feel like a practice test.

By preparing for the test, I improved by verbal score by 80 points and math score by 30 points, and essay score by 0.5 (it was score out of 6 back then).  My scores were about the same as BlueNalgene's and I had no trouble being accepted into the grad school's that I applied for.  The harder part was obtaining financial aid.  That takes a little more leg work.