PREPARING FOR THE

GRE

-Adarsh D K

Outline

The GRE Revised General test

Booking the test date

Setting Targets

Study Material

Preparation

Tips for the Test day

The GRE Revised General Test

Read the ETS guide to the GRE for details on test duration, number of sections, etc.

The GRE has 3 components: Quantitative

Scaled score of 130-170

35 minutes per section

2 sections

Verbal Scaled score of 130-170

30 minutes per section

2 sections

Analytical Writing – Score of 0-6 2 essays, 30 minutes each

Registering for the GRE test

Testing happens in GRE centers in all major

cities on weekdays throughout the year.

Don’t take the test in the last minute. If you’re

applying the same year, give yourself ample

time

Taking the test is expensive, and rescheduling

will cost extra – make sure you will be able to

show up.

Don’t choose the 8am batch at Bangalore

unless you live near Whitefield and are

confident you wont fall asleep during the test.

Registering for the GRE test

You will need a passport to appear for the test.

When creating an account with ETS, to avoid

complications, make sure that the name you

register with is exactly the name on your

passport

READ ALL GUIDELINES ON THE ETS SITE

before registering. If in doubt, ask!

What is a good GRE score?

Depends.

On the universities you are looking at, specific

programs, and a lot of other factors.

How to find out?

Identify your target field of study

Identify universities you like

Lookup average GRE scores for acceptance at these

places

Talk to current students and the admissions

committee

Or just try for the best score that you can get without

limiting yourself

Preparation: When?

Start off at least a month before your GRE

date, preferably two.

Preparation: What to Study?

A lot of books and material are available as books and online.

Several institutions offer GRE courses (at a very high price)

A word of warning

Self study is sufficient for doing well on the GRE.

Books I have used and recommend:

ETS guide to GRE

Manhattan Prep set of 8 books for GRE

Manhattan Prep practice book

Preparation: How?

Quant:

Quant is easy at first glance but don’t neglect it.

Questions are simple but tricky.

Practice for speed and accuracy.

Preparation: How?

Verbal:

“Verbal is all about learning words”

Questions and Reading comprehension passages

have twisted and complex sentences.

Practice Reading comprehension questions for

speed and greater understanding.

GRE Words!

The GRE uses a lot of words which you probably haven’t heard of before.

Most coaching centers and people tell you to read close to 3500 words.

However, as long as you know 4 out of 5 options in a question you should be able to solve it.

Learning around 1500 words from the right lists will give you a good chance of solving every question where vocabulary is essential.

Lists: The Ubiquitous 400

Manhattan Prep word lists.

Magoosh App

“Painless GRE” Android app.

Preparation: How?

Analytical Writing:

Topics generally are from a pool of topics present

on the ETS site.

Look through those topics and formulate ideas

beforehand if you have the time.

Practice tests

Write GRE style practice tests regularly (once

a week or two) to judge your progress and get

used to the duration of the test.

Sources for practice tests:

ETS GRE guide : 4 tests (2 in book + 2 in CD)

Manhattan Prep free online test

Barron’s Practice tests

Kaplan Free practice test

And a lot more….

On the test day

Relax, and don’t try to cram too much in the

last minute.

You will need to carry these things into the

exam hall

Passport

Printout of the GRE Appointment.

Snacks for the break in between

Anything else you need is provided

there(including water, pencils, scratch paper)

In case of queries, you can contact me at:

Email : dk.adarsh@gmail.com

Thank you!