If you are
considering graduate school after finishing your bachelor’s degree, then you
should expect to take the GRE. The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is similar to
the SAT in that it tests your verbal, writing and quantitative analysis,
demonstrating that you have the basic skills and the knowledge of a college
graduate. Most university graduate programs require that you take the GRE for
admission; in some cases, you may be required to take a subject test as well to
prove your preparedness for entering the program.
The GRE test itself is offered all year
round in testing centers nationwide. Most people take the computer-based test,
although some testing centers still offer the paper-based exam. When you
register for the test, you choose a date and time that works for you and visit
the testing center at the designated time to complete the test in a controlled
environment. Like the SATs, you can take the GRE as many times as you need to
improve your score. While many students opt to take the exam in the fall of
their senior year, before graduate school application deadlines, some take the
test in the spring of their junior year or even over the summer in order to
leave plenty of time for a re-take if necessary.
What to Expect
The GRE consists of three sections: verbal,
quantitative analysis and analytical writing. In the verbal and quantitative
sections, you’ll answer a series of multiple choice questions. Verbal questions
include reading comprehension and vocabulary-based questions. In the
quantitative section, you’ll need to perform math problems based in geometry,
algebra, and basic math. For the writing section, expect to write short essays
on assigned topics to demonstrate your ability to articulate and support an
idea as well as your grasp of basic writing mechanics.
The test is timed; if you take a
computer-based test, the test averages about 3 hours and 45 minutes. The
paper-based test takes about three and a half hours. In either case, the
analytical writing section comes first, and the remaining subjects are divided
into sections that are randomly mixed up for each individual test taker.
What You Need to Know
For most people, the general knowledge that
you gained from four years of college will help you do reasonable well on the
GRE. However, if it’s been four years since you took a math class – you’re an
English major, for example, and only took the minimum requirements for math –
you will probably want to brush up on your formulas and calculations to be
prepared for the quantitative section. If you’re taking a subject test, be sure
to study the basics of your field, including important people, places and dates.
You won’t encounter those specific types of questions on the GRE; you aren’t
trying out for a trivia show. Take some time to study Latin roots of common
words. You might not know exactly what a particular word means, but if you know
the root prefix or suffix, you can generally infer the meaning and the correct
answer from the available choices.
How to Study
Like most tests, the more time you have to
prepare for the GRE, the better. With several weeks or months to get ready, you
can break your study time into manageable chunks and focus on the areas you
need to brush up on.
While test preparation courses can help you
improve your score, you can still do well studying on your own. Review the
preparation guide provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and take
the free practice tests on the ETS website to get a baseline score and a plan
for what do study. Visit the bookstore and pick up one of the many available
test prep guides. Most include several practice tests as well as study plans
and a review of basic concepts. If you’re really struggling in one area,
consider working with a tutor to build your skills. The time and expense will
be worthwhile when you get a great score.
While the GRE is an important part of your
graduate school application package, remember that it’s only part of the story.
Admissions committees also consider our undergraduate record, recommendations
and supporting materials when making a decision. Just take time to prepare –
and not just the night before the test – and do your best. Soon, you’ll be part
of a new class of graduate students.
This
guest post article was written and provided by Marissa Krause who longs to be
part of women in leadership and has just finished
her degree online this last fall and to begin her own online marketing company.
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