GRE

1
GRE
General Facts And Self-defense Tips
2
Registration and General Information

• How do I register for the GRE?
• Call 1 800 GRE CALL
• Register on-line at www.gre.org
• How often can I take the GRE?
• Once per calendar month
• How much does it cost to take the GRE?
• 130 (40 reschedule fee)
• How long are GRE scores valid?
• 5 years
• When will I see my test score?
• Immediately
• When will schools receive my scores?
• Approximately 2 weeks after you take the test
• When should I take the test?
• ???

3
GRE data and statistics

• What is the scale for the GRE?
• 200 800 Math and Verbal
• How does the raw score relate to the scaled
  score?
• It no longer directly relates to the scaled
  scorethe test is Computer Adaptive.
• What is the average score on the GRE?
• About 1000
• Where is the 90th percentile?
• About 650 per section
• What is a good GRE score?

4
Low-Cost Test Preparation Materials
PowerPrep Software www.gre.org - FREE Scoring
for Analytical Writing www.scoreitnow.org -
10 GRE Practicing to take the General Test,
10th Edition - 18
5
Test Content

• Verbal Section 30 questions, 30 minutes

Analogies
Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
Antonyms

• Math Section 28 questions, 45 minutes

Quantitative Comparison
Standard Multiple Choice

• Analytical Writing Section 2 prompts, 45 30
  minutes

6
The GRE is a computer-based test

• Fewer questions than paper-and-pencil test

• Skipping questions is not allowed

• Current question based on past performance

7
Test-taking Tips
8
Quantitative Comparison
9

• Simplify complicated expressions

Column A Column B
Answer C
10

• Try to derive one side or the other from extra
  information

Column A Column B
Answer C
11

• Plug in numbers for variables

Column A Column B
?
?
Answer D
12

• Plug in numbers for variables

Column A Column B

Answer D
?
13

• Plug in numbers for variables

x y
1
2
undefined
Reciprocal 2
Answer E
14
Always look for ways to combine equations
Add _____ ___
Answer B
15

• Combine equations

Column A Column B
Subtract - (_____) __-
Answer C
16

• Combine equations

Answer B
17
Geometry
18
The strategy

• Draw a diagram

• Translate the information into equations

• Solve the equations

19
Example
A rectangle has a width equal to half its length.
If the area of the rectangle is 50 square inches,
what is the width of the rectangle?
20
Draw a diagram
Translate the information into equations
Solve the equations
21
Sometimes there will be more than one way to draw
a diagram.
In quantitative comparison items that lack a
diagram, the whole point of the item may simply
be to recognize different ways of representing
the given information.
22
Example
Pg. 200, 14
Column A Column B
This could be K
or this could be K
Answer D
23
Many items come with diagrams. But unless told
otherwise, one may not assume that the diagrams
are drawn to scale.
Again, especially with quantitative comparison
items, keeping in mind other diagrams consistent
with the given information is crucial.
24
Example
Pg. 241, 4
Column A Column B
or this could be the triangle.
This could be the triangle
Answer D
25
Use the diagram and any additional information
from the item to gain clues about which equations
to use.
If some of the angles of a triangle are labeled,
facts involving angle measures are probably
relevant. If some of the sides of a triangle are
labeled, facts involving side lengths are
probably relevant.
26
Examples
Here sides are labeled
Here angles are labeled
25
20
12
x
A
so facts involving side lengths are relevant.
so facts involving angle measures are relevant.
27
Pg. 123, 6
Column A Column B
Answer C
28
Pg. 269, 27
Big triangle
Little triangle
Answer D
29
Pg. 204, 26
3-4-5 triangle
Answer C
30
Look for key words in the item that suggest
equations to use

• area

• circumference

• perimeter

31
Example
Pg. 229, 19
Translate
Answer A
32
Verbal Items
33
Analogy items require one to select the pair of
words related in a way most similar to that of
given pair of words

• Identify parts of speech

• Check for similarities/differences

• Form a connection sentence

Answer B
34
Sentence completion items require one to choose
the word or pair of words that best completes the
given sentence

• Pay attention to similarity/contrast clues

Answer E
35
Reading Comprehension

• according to vs. inference or suggests

36
According to answer is a paraphrase of
statement from passage.
A more than B gt B less than A
Answer D
37
suggests answer will go beyond what is stated,
usually by exploiting structural details.
Answer B
38
Final Tips

• Practice with PowerPrep software (GRE.org)

• Use only real GRE questions when you study

• Improving vocabulary is the key to verbal success

• Very few math skills are used emphasis is on
  problem-solving ability