GRE Physics Subject TestPreparation Program

Saudi Physical Society

Agenda• US graduate program in Physics• Admission to graduate program in Physics• How to select university• TOEFL• GRE General test• GRE subject test in Physics– Content– Logistics– Test structure– Examples– Best practices for preparation– Resources

US graduate program in Physics

• Entrance exam (some)• Graduate courses:– level: (Jackson, Goldstein etc…)– Number: 8 – 12– Duration: 2 years– No need to have master

• Comprehensive exam• Oral Exam• Thesis• Total: 5 – 6.5 years

Admission to graduate program in Physics

• B.Sc. In Physics (3 out of 4, 4out of 5)• Master?• English proficiency (80 – 100 new TOEFL test)• GRE General test (300 total new test)• GRE Subject • 3 Recommendation letters• Application fee and deadlines• Statement of interest

How to select university

• Academic Criteria:– Research area– Ranking

• Non-academic Criteria:– Admission requirements– Location– Cost of living– On campus family housing– Transportation

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TOEFL• 120 full mark• 4 sections

– Reading: 3-5 passages• Understanding• Meaning of a word• Pronouns references

– Listening:• Taking notes• Conversation

– Writing• Writing about one topic• discussion

– Speaking• Recording the grading• Speak about a topic (15 sec prepare 45 sec answer)• Listen to a conversation then answer question• Read a topic then answer a question

GRE General

• 340 full mark (6 for writing)• 3 sections– Verbal

•Reading Comprehension•Text Completion•Sentence Equivalence

– Quantitative– Analytical writing

• Issue• Argument

GRE Physics - Content

• http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/physics

Topic Reference Chaptersfreshman mechanics Freshman Text Book  classical mechanics Marion & Thornton 1-3 &5-12

freshman electrodynamics Freshman Text Book  electrodynamics Grifith 1-9

relativity Serway Modern Physics 1-2

Laboratory Methods Error Analysis text book error analysis, statistics, counting statistics, radiation detection

quantum mechanics & atomic Physics Serway Modern Physics 3-6 &8-9

Thermodynamics Freshman Text Book  Statistical Physics Serway Modern Physics 10

GRE Physics - Logistics

• Dates: April – September – October• Location in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh – Jeddah• Cost: 150 USD

Test Dates Registration Deadlines Scores Available

  Regular Deadline

Late Deadline

Supplementary Test Center Online Approx. Score

Mailing Date

09/28/13 08/16/13 08/23/13 08/02/13 10/28/1

3 11/08/13

10/19/13 09/06/13 09/13/13 08/23/13 11/18/1

3 11/29/13

04/05/14 02/21/14 02/28/14 02/07/14 05/05/1

4 05/16/14

GRE Physics – Test Structure

• 100 questions in 170 minutes• No calculator• Multiple choices• First 3 years of undergraduate• Mostly SI unites• All questions of equal value• Each mistake = -.25• Empty or more than one selection=0

GRE Physics – Test Structure

• Question– 1– 5– 6– 7– 22

GRE Physics – Example

GRE Physics – Example 1

GRE Physics – Example 5

𝜆=h𝑝

GRE Physics – Example 6

– n=1 , 1S2 , 2 electrons– n=2 , 2S2, 1P6 8 electrons– Total 10 electrons

GRE Physics – Example 22

Rest: Total = E tot = 4 Erest = 16= 15= = =

GRE Physics – Preparation

• Two types of preparation:– Content• Understanding• Memorization• Solving problems

– Test• Type of questions• Speed• Real test environment

GRE Physics – Preparation

• Collect as many tests as possible• Sort questions for 3-4 tests by topic (classical mechanics –

electrodynamics etc…)• Try to solve one complete test• Start reviewing each topic (as if you are having a final exam!)

– Theory – examples– Solve all GRE questions related to that topic– Summarize special cases to memorize

• Solve as many full tests as you can in real timing• You are ready!

Resources

• Graduate school shopper• US news ranking• Universities websites• TOEFL• GRE General & Subject• GRE Physics Forum