GRE Action Plan How to Study and Prepare for the Graduate Record Exam

GRE Action Plan: How to Study and Prepare for the Graduate Record Exam First, check out myfree GRE e-book (a work in progress): Master the GRE by Brian McElroy, my GRE Blog on Reddit, and my list ofrecommended GRE prep books on Amazon. Then...1) Go to the ETS website and "purchase" (for $0) the free GRE PowerPrep Online tests. This cloud-based software contains the only 2 real CATs (computer adaptive tests) that are freely made available to the public. After familiarizing yourself with the program using the Test Preview tool, take the first of the two practice tests (if you're looking for a diagnostic score, then make sure to select the timed test--the untimed test will not give you a score and is exactly the same as Timed Practice Test #1, with easy second sections). However, if you're anxious about taking a practice test at this point, then feel free to go ahead and take the untimed version--but it won't be scored. You can also check out my detailed guide to navigating the GRE Powerprep II Software, the popular books ofGRE PowerPrep Explanations andG RE vocabulary mnemonics that I've co-authored on Amazon, and my GRE AMA on Reddit--but don't check the explanations to the questions until you've tried the questions first. As of August 1st, 2017, ETS has removed the old PowerPrep software (download the legacy desktop software forWindows and Mac), which contains the same 2 tests from its website, and replaced it with a web-only version (still free) that requires you to sign in through your ETS account. ETS has also announced the release of 3 new GRE practice tests, called PowerPrep Plus. The tests cost $40 each, are online only / limited to 90 days access, and you can only take them once per purchase, but they do include answer explanations. (For those of you who are still using the legacy software: if the PowerPrep software instructs you to install Java, then go to this page. If PowerPrep instructs you to install a "JDK," then go to this page and search for the link that corresponds to your computer's operating system.) Each Power Prep test includes 160 possible questions, but due to the "section adaptive" nature of the test you will only see 80 per exam. Your score on Timed Practice Test #1 is your baseline score. If your initial score is low, dont worryyou havent started preparing yet. If for some reason youre not yet comfortable taking the first practice test, then switch steps #2 and #1. Save the other PowerPrep test and take it as your final practice test shortly before your test date.Quick tip: If you choose to write the essay, then please be warned that the GRE Prep software has a bad reputation for swallowing up test-takers' essays--the software is a bit clunky, and for some reason, after you write them they have a tendency to disappear. So I strongly recommend that you write your essays on an outside word processor where your work can be saved as a backup, or at least make sure to cut-and-paste the text of your essay into a text document when you are done.If you are considering taking the paper-based test, then you don't need to worry about the PowerPrep tests. Instead, you should download and print the current paper-based GRE as well as the old one. (These questions overlap with the PowerPrep II questions.)Yes, you can still feel free to print out and use these PDFs, even if you are planning to take the computer test, like 98% of GRE test-takers. However, I recommend that you don't try any of the questions from the PDFs before taking the PowerPrep CATs, or else some of the PowerPrep questions will be familiar, thus making the test's score prediction unreliable.Curious to find out how you can get the most out of your 2 free GRE PowerPrep Tests by re-taking them in order to access the "hidden sections"? Did you know, for example, that there are twice as many questions on the free PowerPrep tests as there are on any given test? For more information, check out this blog by me: Brian's GRE Powerprep Score Simulations and Analyses2) Purchase one, preferably two (the second copy shou ld be left blank) of the Official Guide to the GRE, or (even better!) the Official GRE Super Power Pack. These books contain invaluable practice problems, information, and two additional paper tests (in addition to a CD-ROM containing the exact same PowerPrep software mentioned in step 1. Start working through these books from front to back. If you get stuck on something, just mark the page and move on. The idea is to get yourself familiarized with the test as much as you can before you start taking a class or working with a tutor. I would also strongly recommend the Manhattan Prep 5-lb book of GRE Practice Questions, which does not include real GRE questions but is an excellent resource for practicing specific types of GRE skills. As far as all-in-one GRE strategy guides, I can recommend my own e-book, Master the GRE, as well as GRE Prep by Magoosh, Barron's GRE and McGraw-Hill GRE. I can of course also recommend the guide to the GRE PowerPrep Online Software that I co-wrote, Vince and Brian's GRE PowerPrep Explanations.3) Set a score goal. GRE student improvements are usually around 10 points per section (20 points total), given time for sufficient preparation.4) Take advantage of free and/or paid online GRE resources from companies such as Lynda.com, GRE Quantum Grad Prep, Greenlight Test Prep, and Magoosh. Of course, as when doing any research online, always consider the source. All of these companies also offer paid options for video learning and practice: Lynda.com is $20/month after the trial period. Quantum (math only) is $89 for 1 month, $169 for 3 months. Greenlight Test Prep is $58 for 3 weeks and $88 for 6 months. Magoosh is about $150, $100 when there is a promotion.Be careful when trying to learn by video exclusively, however. It is important to understand that video learning is often not the best type of learning. It's easy to watch a video, of course, but it often doesn't lead to great retention and test-taking awareness. Working on practice qu estions, reviewing them, putting them aside for 7-10 days to forget the details, then reworking the ones you got wrong until you have fixed your mistakes is much more valuable than passive study.ADDITIONAL BOOKS:If youre serious about getting the highest score possible, then you should consider purchasing the following additional books (and buying 2 copies of each, one to mark up and one to keep blank):GRE Vocab Capacity (full disclosure: as is the case with Vince and Brian's GRE Powerprep Explanations, I am one of the books co-authors): An extensive vocabulary is a must for the GRE Verbal Section. Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions - Additional Math Practice Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions - Additional Verbal PracticeCliff's Notes Math Review for Standardized Tests - Excellent Math Review, especially for those who haven't taken a math class in a while. 5) Explore the free online resources from ETS, which are quite extensive. They even include a list of all possible issue essay topics and argument essay topics that could show up on the test, for example. Below is a selection of some of the most useful links.Analytical Writing Section: IntroductionIssue EssayArgument EssayQuantitative Section:Math Conventions for the GREQuantitative Comparison Sample QuestionsUsing the CalculatorKhan Academy Free Math VideosVerbal Section:Reading Comprehension Sample QuestionsText Completion Sample QuestionsSentence Equivalence Sample Questions Materials in Accessible Formats6) Since there are only 4 official ETS CATs, You might want to find another source of CATs, since (imo) you need to take around 8 tests before you are fully prepared. My preferred company for this purpose is Manhattan GRE: I recommend Manhattans 6 online GRE CATs, which are a bit harder than the real thing, and slightly different from the real GRE, but worthy imitations nonethele ss. The first test is free, so I encourage you to "try before you buy." As far as textbooks, you can either buy the entire series of books, which is helpful but pricey, or you can simply buy the books individually, based upon your needs. 7) If you need lots of remedial help, or if you havent taken a college class in a long time, then it might make sense to take a GRE classroom course, such as the ones at UCSD, where I am currently an instructor. But dont overpay for an elite course most of these courses are the same, and focus on content as well as basic strategies. Save your money for a qualified private tutor instead. 8) If you can afford it, then find a GRE tutor like me, and schedule some lessons. If you are willing to be tutored viaSkype or another online tool, then you may choose from among any tutor nationwide. Before purchasing time with your tutor, we suggest that you first schedule a phone consultation to discuss strategies and scheduling. Working with a private tutor--either in-person or online via Skype--is the very best way to maximize your score, for a variety of reasons: 1) You are given personalized attention, lessons tailored to fit your schedule, and the opportunity to discuss each question in-depth until you are fully satisfied. 2) Private tutors are usually the best instructors. 3) A skilled private tutor will serve as a friend and confidant, hold you accountable, give you specific assignments and work on any problem areas so that all you have to do is put in the effort. Simply talking about the questions with your tutor helps aid your understanding of each question and your test-taking strategies.9) Study, Study, Study. Practice, Repeat, Forget, Practice, Repeat, Forget, Practice, RepeatRemember. 10) When youre ready, decide on a test date and register for the test.11) Take periodic practice CATs in the lead-up to the actual GRE. I recommend that you take at least 8 CATs total. So if you are preparing for 24 weeks, for example, then you should take a full practice test every 3 weeks. 12) Youre ready. Good luck! Get detailed directions to the te st center and get there ahead of time. Be prepared and remember that you will get your verbal and quant scores (although not your essay score) immediately after the test, unless you decide to cancel your scores.I do NOT recommend canceling your score under any circumstancesif you cancel your score you will have no way to know how you did, and you may have done better than you thought. Remember that most students do better the second time they take the GRE. Besides, thanks to the new ScoreSelect option, you may now take the GRE as many times as you want (up to five times a year), without your lower scores being seen by anyone but you. In a nutshell, ScoreSelect allows you to choose which scores you want to send to graduate programs, and which scores you want to hide from view, which takes away some of the pressure on test day, and gives you the option of taking the GRE multiple times to achieve your optimum score. Homework and Practice Tests - Rules, Tips and Suggestions (and the art of Blind Repetition)The best way to prep for the GRE is simple on its face, yet complex in its execution.On the face, its simple: work through the Official Guide and the Math/Verbal Guides from front to back. Take all 6 Manhattan CATs. Study lots of vocabulary. Practice whenever you get a chance, and vary between timed and untimed exercises. However, the question is *how* to work your way through the books and other materials. The problem is that we often fool ourselves into thinking that weve resolved our issues with a question, because we have read the explanation and now understand why the correct answer is correct. In other words, because I now know that the answer is A, and can put together the reasons why after the fact, I can move on to other questions, in the belief that Ive learned my lesson and will not make that mistake again. Its often a mistaken belief, however. The issue here is that *understanding* the correct answer is not the same as being able to execute the question from scratch and find the correct answer. The same applies to vocab. Just because youre looking at the definition of a word, and you know its meaning in the moment, doesnt mean that youll be able to access its definition under real test conditions. As the saying goes, everything is obvious once you know the answer. Of course you think you know the meaning to a word in the moment that youre reading the definition. Its only when the answer is taken away, and we are given time to reset our short-term memory, that we can truly determine our level of understanding. Another problem is that once we remember the answer to a question, it loses much of its utility. If I know that the answer is B before I start a question, then I am going to be biased toward that answer, which affects my response and makes it much different from the process of taking a test where the answers are undetermined. Thus, we need to do 2 things: 1) Blind Repetition. This means that when we repeat a question, we do not look at our previous work, or check the correct answer beforehand. This is much easier with a blank copy of the book at your disposal. 2) Wait until youve forgotten it. Dont repeat questions whose answers you still remember. Complete enough new questions in the meantime so that when you return to a question, you can evaluate it impartially. This is where the second, blank copy of the book will prove its worth. It prevents you from spying on your previous work, or the correct/incorrect answer, and serves as a way of truly telling whether you understand a question. Your tutor will also help keep you honest, of course. - 2:1 ratio: You should spend at least two hours on homework for every one hour you spend with your tutor. Ideally, the ratio is closer to 3:1. That means, for example, that if you buy a 25-hour package with one of our tutors, that you will be spending at least 75 hours on self-study, which of cour se adds up to 100 hours of preparation. We have found that GRE scores will continue to improve past 100 hours of prep, but you will likely see diminishing returns after that point. -Vary the length of time that you study and work on practice questions. Sometimes you might study for 2 hours, sometimes for 1 hour, sometimes for 30 minutes and maybe even just for 15. In addition, alternate between timed sections and untimed sections: working on questions untimed is a crucial, yet often overlooked, element of test prep. (However, even when the section is untimed, and you are not concentrating on the clock, you might want to passively monitor your pace by marking your start and end times.)-Make sure to take a full CAT at least once a month to track your progress. Good luck! The GRE is a tricky test but it can be conquered with perseverance and the right guidance. (This page is updated frequently and I am always open to input or questions.) Regards,Brian My GRE Score Reportcopyright 2002-2018 Brian R. McElroyFounder and President, McElroy Tutoring Inc. email: mcelroy@post.harvard.eduToll-Free: 1-866-584-TUTOR (8886), x 4Direct (Call or Text): 619-889-2935www.McElroyTutoring.com