College Students! discussion

Hi! I know that some of you are applying for Graduate School, or are already in Graduate School. I was wondering if any of you have taken or are planning to take a required test (such as the MCAT) for entry into grad school and what that test is.

I am looking at taking the GRE. It is my second time taking it, and the enormity of the test scares me. I need it to apply to grad school for psychology. As does the fact that it is timed.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to take the GRE or any other graduate school entry test. It would be interesting to hear about your experiences. I think it would be very helpful for people in this group considering grad school! Thanks for all the help!

Good thread! I'm interested also!

I took the GRE in Oct/Nov of 2009. I used Patterson's guide book as well as the website number2.com. I really liked the number2 website. The book was helpful too, I guess, but more so the website. I also attended a weekly study group on campus. We had about 6 regulars and we mostly focused on math review.

I don't know if I have any specific tips, but I will say that on ALL my practice tests, I never got anywhere near the score that I actually received. I got a 1200 on the GRE, and on my practice tests I think the highest I ever got was 1000. Sooo.. take the practice tests w/ a grain of salt. I got really upset b/c I thought I was going to totally fail the test and I ended up doing quite well (in my opinion!)

Thanks so much Lynn! I am going to check that website out! Your score is amazing. I would be very happy with a 1200. The timed aspect of the test drives me into a crazy state of anxiety!

Really, the timing isn't that bad. Definitely do some practice tests w/ the timing though. My book came w/ a CDROM that simulated 4 actual computer-based GRE tests. On the day of the test, I didn't go over on any of my timings.

I doubt I'll ever retake the GRE, but if I had it to do-over, I'd practice my writing. Everyone kinda says it's just a BS part, but I wish I had actually practiced for it. They have samples on the official GRE website.

I have a BS in civil engineering and am considering getting a masters in mechanical engineering. That said, I am looking into taking the GRE. I have absolutely no problems with the math portion but I am a little overwhelmed with the verbal. I have a decent vocabulary and I have always read quite a bit. I am curious if anyone has any suggestions for improving vocab/remembering definitions other than flash cards.

Hi Alicia, I am not sure when you are going to be taking the GRE but they are changing it (probably due to its lack of validity) and taking out antonyms and anaologies. It really depends on when you plan to take it. If it is after they have changed it then you won't have to worry about vocabulary.

Also, I thought I had a good vocabulary having read a lot and payed particular attention to English since it is my second language. However the GRE is tricky. They use a lot of secondary definitions. Things such as a rope that provides support is defined as a guy. Just start practicing now and you will have no problem. A lot of it is about understanding the tricks of the test. Goodluck :)

I took the GRE last october. I found the Kaplan books most helpful for tricks, tips for taking the test, and practice and Barron's essential words for the gre for vocab. I am horrible at math (I hadnt taken a math class since junior year of high school) and bought the kaplan math workbook, struggled through the algebra and geometry (didnt make it past the first chapter) and wound up getting a 630 in math (or quantative or whatever they call it).

I think my biggest suggestion is to not stress or cram, just study a little bit a few times a week over a few months if you can. I studied every morning for 2-3 hours 2-4 times a week for the summer and did okay.

hey I will be giving CAT n GMAT exams for MBA in finance and need some help with books and how to prepare ..........

I am taking the GMAT (hopefully next month) and I was thinking I wouldn't try to prepare. I usually do well on tests if I don't study for them and not so well when I do study. I know that is backwards but it is normal for me. I don't know though, some of the things people have told me that are on the tests I haven't had classes on except forever ago.
So I see mention of Kaplan books. Are there any others anyone recommends? Any online sample tests or anything like that?

As far as a vocab..I found this site www.vocabsushi.com a while ago and it has a setting for if you are studying for the GRE and whatnot. I mean, I'd say to go get the study books but for me I just go on this when I get online or something.

This is a great thread. I am hoping to take the test very soon and have been in a little bit of denial and not even thought about it. I figure though I'll probably want to take it twice and need to apply for grad school Feb 1st so once now, then practice over winter break and take it again. Sounds like a decent plan except for the taking it now part, and the $160 per test.

I've started studying for GRE! I have a Kaplan book which seems really good except that it assumes I know basic math (how to determine the area of something ect.) any ideas about some refresher math material?

I'm looking at taking the GRE this summer (bad choice? Maybe) and I got a couple review books and made flashcards for the vocab. I know I can do the math, but like someone else said, words aren't my thing.

Also, if anyone wants a biology GRE subject review book, I have one that I decided I don't need that y'all are welcome to :)

As for refresher books, maybe hunt around for something that is specifically a refresher book? I know they make them, my friend has one since he took his first math class of college as a freshman, and his second as a senior.

I ended up getting the Kaplan math workbook and it helped a lot. I also used the Kaplan study book and found it really helpful and well designed like everyone else said, but it seemed like the questions on the actual GRE were more difficult than the study book, for example I knew most of the words in the book but hardly any on the test but maybe I was just unlucky. I don't know what study books you already have but I did see that Kaplan made a verbal work book and if it is anything like the math one it just breaks down the basic concepts in the general book and goes really in depth.

I ended up getting a 1160 on my test. I feel like it is a pretty good score and the grad schools I'm looking at recommend a score of 1000. Do you guys think that I have a good enough margin above that or should I try to take it again and get higher? I'm not sure I could get much higher and I don't know if I want to pay the money and go through the stress of more studying.

Annashu that is a great score! Congrats!

Grad schools not only consider your GRE score, but also your grades, references, and statement of intent. If you feel like you are solid in these, I would not re-take the GRE. If you feel like one of these is a bit weak, then I would retake the GRE to impress them with an even higher score.

Another tip for those studying to take the GRE or any other kind of standardized test: I went to my University library and found a variety of GRE books. You can browse throught these, and find which one you find is most helpful before buying a copy for yourself. Also make sure the books are up to date (published recently).

Sorry reply took so long didn't notice there was a new post in here.
I decided not to re-take it. I just didn't want to pay the fee again and go through the stress especially since I don't think I could do that much better. My GPA and letters of recommendation are pretty good so I think I've got a pretty fair shot. All I need to do know is write a killer personal statement.

Good luck with the personal statement. I find it difficult to write about myself in that setting, so I wish you the best of luck! I'm sure you'll kill it.

I have a hard time because I find it a little uncomfortable to brag about myself. I've been writing bits of it in my head so I'm working up to it.

While waiting to take the test I was dinking around on my phone and found that there is an app for GRE vocab through Kaplan on my blackberry, there are most likely other smart phone study guides and I can see how they would be useful.
I would also recommend talking to someone who had taken the test at the same location you are planning to. I talked to a gal who works at the test center and she let me know about the center and how it works so I didn't feel overwhelmed by the strangeness of the location. Small things like that can really throw me off my game.

Nice. I have that problem too. I've been interviewing with professors and trying to figure out how to tell them what I've done without sounding like a douchebag.

Standardized testing has always been my forte, so I'm not worried about the GRE, just the stupid personal statement. And deciding on a course of study.

I took the GREs about two years ago. I like math so I didnt mind that section but the verbal was awful. I prepared by using the lists of most tested words and things like that. Then just tried to remember those. I still got a lot of ridiculous words I never heard of. and I think math is just ones of those things you need to practice so doing alot of test problems is probably the best strategy.

I took both the GRE and LSAT. I'm not a math guy, and my big recommendation on math for those taking the GRE are to brush up on some of the formulas you may not have encountered in a while. While I went through calculus, I hadn't had a math class since my freshman year and had forgotten a lot of the things I had once had no trouble with.

As for the vocab for both of them, brush up on how words work. Many of the words on both tests (especially the "hard" questions) don't always expect you to know the word, but rather be able to break it down. Become familiar with prefixes and suffixes. Figure out how to identify the root word.

Finally, prepare. It seems obvious, but take it from someone who didn't. These tests are designed to be taken by people who prepared. I'm not saying you need to spend 100+ hours doing tests and so forth, but don't go in blind. Sit down with a book and go through it. The techniques they give you are good, especially when tackling a question that you would have otherwise not known what to do with.

this thread really helped! im taking my mcats this year and am really nervous for it. i have to get a super good score to get into JHU, so i need all the advice i can get.

thanks for posting that number2.com site. I'm checking it out now and it looks really helpful.
FYI: If you qualify for a Pell Grant through Financial Aid, you can get a waiver to take the GRE at half price your first time. You have to go through your school's Financial Aid dept. That's what I did and I'm taking mine in the next month or two. Still need to sign up for a date :(