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Excelling On The GRE

Excelling On The GRE. Emily Gung Graduate Admissions Valdosta State University. Graduate Record Exam. Where and when can I take it? What is it? Scores required for VSU? How can I prepare to do my best?. Where & When Can I Take It?. See Candidate Information Booklet ETS/GRE Web Site

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Excelling On The GRE

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  1. Excelling On The GRE Emily Gung Graduate Admissions Valdosta State University

  2. Graduate Record Exam • Where and when can I take it? • What is it? • Scores required for VSU? • How can I prepare to do my best?

  3. Where & When Can I Take It? • See Candidate Information Booklet • ETS/GRE Web Site www.gre.org • Sylvan Learning Center

  4. Test Format • Computer-based • Three Scores: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing • Verbal and Quantitative - Multiple Choice • Analytical Writing : Two Essays

  5. Analytical Writing • Present your perspective on an issue = 45 min. • Analysis of an argument = 30 min. • Must be typed • Scoring

  6. Perspective on an Issue • Choose a topic and decide on perspective • Think about personal experiences and examples that support your argument. • Introduction - State your perspective and summarize your ideas. • Body - Explore your ideas in detail and include examples. • Conclusion - re-state your original idea

  7. Ask yourself the following: • Do I agree with any part of the claim? • Does the claim make certain assumptions? • How do I interpret certain terms or concepts? • What reasons support my position? • How might someone dispute my position? • How should I defend my views?

  8. Analyze An Argument • One topic. • Critique the argument. • Consider the evidence. • Does the argument make sense? • What other information is needed? • Truth and accuracy of data is not important. • Quality - not quantity.

  9. Verbal and Quantitative • Questions are in a multiple choice format. • Sections are adaptive. • Each question must be answered. • Test takers cannot return to previous questions. • Directions are given at the beginning of each section.

  10. Format • Test design factors • difficulty level of questions already answered • required question types • appropriate coverage of content • scoring

  11. Verbal • Four types of questions: • Sentence Completion • Analogies • Antonyms • Reading Comprehension

  12. Sentence Completion • Measures ability to recognize words and phrases that both logically and stylistically complete the meaning of a sentence. • The heart of sentence completion is recognizing the author’s intent and finding the best words to fit the meaning.

  13. Tips • Fill in the blanks with your own words. • Read your choices carefully. • Pay attention to context clues within the sentence. • Look for structural road signs.

  14. Road Signs • Straight-Ahead Road Signs: these make one part of the sentence support or elaborate on another part. They continue the sentence in the same direction. Clues: and, similarly, in addition, since, also, thus, because, likewise, and the use of the semicolon

  15. Sentence Completion Example: Slovenia’s declared intention to ______ and Croatia’s decision to ______ the conference aimed at preventing the breakup of the federation are twin blows to Yugoslavian unity. • secede … boycott b) withdraw … foster • divide … consolidate d) recede … avoid e) patronize … exclude

  16. Road Signs • Detour Road Signs: these words indicate a change in the direction of the sentence. They make one part of the sentence contradict another part. Clues: but, despite, yet, however, unless, rather, although, while, unfortunately, and nonetheless

  17. Sentence Correction Example: Although the seemingly _____ nature of the task appeared fundamental, further application of the principles seemed _____. • facile … awkward • complex … easy c) redundant … impossible • parallel … obvious • devious … ambiguous

  18. Analogies • Relationships among words • Do not say “is to” • Make a sentence using the words • Read all choices • 5 types of analogies on the GRE *Antonyms and Synonyms*

  19. Action/Activity • Action and its meaning Yawn: Fatigue :: Sob: Sorrow • Action and its performer Oratory: Candidate :: Soliloquy: Actor • Action and its object Hate: Villainy :: Worship: Deity • Action and its recipient Drama: Audience :: Writing: Reader

  20. Characteristic/Condition • Characteristic and related action Oppressed: Liberate :: Melancholy: Cheer • Characteristic and related person/object Craftsmanship: Artisan :: Statesmanship: Governor • Characteristic and a related result Dissatisfaction: Complaint :: Curiosity: Questioning

  21. Effect • Relationship between effect and its cause Verdict: Deliberation :: Deficit: Overspending • Relationship between effect and its object Oxidation: Paint :: Photosynthesis: Plant

  22. Time and Space • Relationship between part and whole Movement: Symphony :: Chapter: Novel • Relationship between concrete and abstract Story: Height :: Degree: Temperature • Relationship between item and category Iguana : Reptile

  23. Antonyms • Look for the word that is most nearly opposite. • Make a sentence. • Break the word apart. • Use your knowledge of prefixes, root words, and suffixes. • Positive and negative connotations (POE)

  24. Reading Comprehension • Six content areas: Narrative writing Argumentative writing Biological Science Physical Science Humanities Social Studies

  25. Reading Comprehension • Questions will reflect the following areas: • main idea or primary purpose • information explicitly stated or clearly defined • ideas that are suggested or implied • possible applications of the author’s ideas to other situations • the author’s logic, reasoning, or persuasive techniques • the tone of the passage or the author’s attitude

  26. Quantitative • Quantitative Comparison • Word Problems • Data Interpretation • Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry

  27. Quantitative Comparison • Avoid extensive computation. Try to estimate the answer. • Geometric figures may not be drawn to scale. Therefore, comparisons should be based on your knowledge of mathematics and the given information. • Ex. Column A and Column B

  28. Word Problems • Your ability to read, understand, and solve a problem that involves either an actual or an abstract situation. • Practice, practice, practice, …

  29. Data Interpretation • Scan the data to see what it is about • Try to make visual comparisons and estimate products and quotients rather than perform computations • Answer questions only on the basis of data given. • Charts, graphs, etc.,

  30. Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry • Memorize necessary algebraic formulas and basic foundations of geometry. • ETS/GRE Math Review

  31. Tips To Improve Your Score • Practice using study guides and practice tests. • Be familiar with the structure of the test. • Beware of distractors-wrong answers are not random. Read all choices. • Process of elimination. • Manage your time.

  32. Practice Materials • Test Preparation Books/Manuals • GRE POWERPREP Software • GRE ScoreItNow! = $10 www.scoreitnow.org • GRE Diagnostic Service = $15 http://grediagnostic.ets.org • Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions www.kaplan.com/gre

  33. Other Suggestions • Reduce worries related to the actual taking of the test! • Arrive early! • Bring two forms of identification (one with a picture) • Get plenty of rest. • Think positively. • Focus on each question and don’t worry about past or future questions.

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