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Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/21/2008 10:35:34 PM

CuriousLord

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Has anyone taken a GRE before? Mostly just interested in experiences and any advice one might be able to offer. Or even just general information they found out when taking it.

Some basic questions:
-Is it retakable, or one go?
-Does the test vary based course of study, or do English and Physics majors take the same basic sort of exam?
-Does one have to have a degree to take it already, or can one take it before graduating from a four year school?
-For those who've taken it, what was it like for you?
-Is it really a time crunch?
-How does it compare to the SAT?
-Any other thoughts or ideas on it?

PS- Thanks in advance.

A GRE is a common standardized exam taken before graduate school, much like the SAT is before college.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/21/2008 10:51:42 PM

CalifChick

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The GRE homepage, with lots of information regarding what is on it, what's been changed, etc.

Details of each type of test here for test takers.

Free online test prep here. They also have a forum and a tips/techniques section. There is a full length practice test here, and from what I understand, you will receive feedback on where your weaknesses are.

The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, which means your performance on previous questions determines which question you'll be asked next. 2 1/2 hours is allowed. There are two analytical writing essays (30 minutes for one and 45 mins for the other), in the Quantitative section there are 28 multiple choice questions (45 minutes), and in the Verbal section there are 30 multiple choice questions (30 minutes).

Regarding retakes: You can cancel your scores immediately after you take the GRE test. This is the only time you can cancel your scores. Unfortunately, you must make the decision to cancel at the testing center before you see your scores. In addition, the fact that you cancelled your scores will be noted on your official GRE score report. From what I've read, you can take it once per month, but no more than 5 times in any 12 month period.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/21/2008 10:54:11 PM

Asherdelampyr

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quote:

ORIGINAL: CalifChick

The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, which means your performance on previous questions determines which question you'll be asked next.

This makes it sound like the A+ Test, which sucks... If it is anything similar then getting a question wrong will make it so you get several more questions on the same subject

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/21/2008 11:31:09 PM

proudsub

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I'm sure the GRE has changed drastically since i took it 40 years ago, so i can't help. Good luck with it.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 12:29:29 AM

juliaoceania

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quote:

-Is it retakable, or one go?

Yes you can retake it

quote:

-Does the test vary based course of study, or do English and Physics majors take the same basic sort of exam?

There are subject tests and general. It depends on what you want to do in graduate school, and the programs that you are applying for as to which one you should take or if you should take both

quote:

-Does one have to have a degree to take it already, or can one take it before graduating from a four year school?

I took it after I got my BA, I believe you can take it before

quote:

For those who've taken it, what was it like for you?

I tend to go to another place when I take a test, and it is a place in which I get very little anxiety or fear.... it was somewhat hard because you can't study for it, which is why I do not know really what it says about you. More and more graduate programs rely on it less and less. The program I applied to doesn't much care what that score is, just that you took it to keep the university happy.

quote:

-Is it really a time crunch?

For me it seemed to be perfectly timed... had very little time left, but finished each part.

quote:

-How does it compare to the SAT?

Never took that...lol

-

quote:

Any other thoughts or ideas on it?

Go to the gre site that cali posted and do the practice tests to give you an idea of where you will place. I did extremely well on the written portions and the verbal/word parts.. not as well on the math, but I scored well above average altogether. As I stated earlier, depending on the schools you want to go to, and the attitude of the departments, more and more programs are moving away from relying on this test because not everyone does well on such tests even though they are extremely bright and well motivated. Standardized tests really do not prove much, except that there are people willing to rely on them when they basically enrich the companies that provide the tests to educational institutions...

I say the above as someone that does well on such tests, and my son always has too, but that means nothing when it comes to motivation, ability to apply knowledge, and critical thinking... these tests do not measure these things which are far more important.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 5:34:16 AM

batshalom

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The CFNC website has practice exams that respond exactly like the GRE - answer questions right, the questions get harder. Answer questions wrong, they get easier. It also keeps track of your scores so you can see your strengths and weaknesses. You have to sign up to use the site but they don't spam.

The practice exams you get on the GRE site are longer but there wasn't an option (that I found anyway - I could have overlooked it, and if so, someone please advise) to take the practice exams online.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 6:14:49 AM

Lordandmaster

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Don't they have an advisor at your school who can go over this stuff for you?

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 6:26:16 AM

Alumbrado

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Other than visiting the avaliable online resources already given, the experiences of others may not be relevant to your test taking experience, so my only advice would be....

Take the Miller!!!

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 7:01:39 AM

Muttling

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Many graduate schools will also accept the Miller Analogies Test or MAT. I took the GRE back in the early 1990's. I took the MAT a few months ago and it wasn't nearly as stressful as the GRE. I did about the same on both tests scoring in the 80th percentile.

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 8:49:21 AM

corsetgirl

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I am trying to be an elementary or high school teacher. I would agree that taking the online practice tests will help you determine what areas you need to study.

You may also want to check into Amazon or Half.com to see if there are any used GRE books on sale. Some of these books also have CD's where you can install the online practice tests on the computer. That really helped me pass the professional educationl test that I needed to become certified.

Good luck.

< Message edited by corsetgirl -- 1/22/2008 8:51:17 AM >

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RE: Anyone know about GRE's? - 1/22/2008 8:57:57 AM

tempest74

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I took the GRE about 5 years ago. I did very well, but I took the time to prepare.
When I completed the paperwork/registration to take it, I received a booklet and a cd-rom...I completed both...I found the cd-rom to be VERY helpful. I'm not sure if they still send the cd or not...if they do, use it.

As far as the graduated questioning, most online tests go that way now...if you get a question right, the next question is harder and worth more points...if you get a question wrong, you get a question of equal value to see if it was a fluke or if you really don't know the content, if you miss it also, you get an easier question, if you get it right, then they take you up to the next level, etc...makes for a very individualized assessment of your ability.

You can retake it, as long as you're willing to shell out the cash for it...different schools have different requirements for entry...some schools just require you take it, some schools you have to have a particular score, some schools don't even require them anymore...check before shelling out the cash.

It's a basic exam...similar to the ACT, if I remember correctly, it was mostly Language and Math - but don't hold me to it...not based on your chosen degree.

It is a timed test. But you need to check and see if it's better to choose something random or leave blanks if you're short on time...basically whether wrongs are better or blanks are better...different tests, different things are better.

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