The General GRE Test Structure and Preparation Tips
The GRE is an assessment administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), for graduate programs such as business, Engineering, and the humanities with a score range from 130 to 170. The test showcases your intellectual muscle to the Admission Committees. GRE scores are a key component in admission criteria for many Law and Business school programs besides undergraduate GPA and letters of recommendation. This blog post will guide you about the GRE test: the types of questions involved and how to prepare them.
Understanding the GRE
Accepted by thousands of Law and Business institutions worldwide, the student's readiness for graduate-level programs is evaluated through the GRE General Test. You can take the 'Home Test' or at the Test Center. Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills are the key topics in this test.
Each section is designed to evaluate specific skills that are essential for graduate-level coursework.
Now, let's understand in detail the topics covered under the GRE test.
1. Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning Verbal Reasoning is divided into two sections (20 questions per section 30 minutes per section). This section assesses your ability to:
- Analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it
- Analyze relationships among parts of sentences
- Recognize relationships among words and concepts
Types of questions you'll go through in this session:
- Reading Comprehension: Give answers about their content, structure, and author's intent after reading the passage carefully.
- Text Completion: It will assess your vocabulary and comprehension skills through filling in the blank questions.
- Sentence Equivalence: You have to choose two answer choices that best complete the sentence and produce sentences that have similar meanings.
To perform well in this section, you must know the meaning of every individual word and the relationships between words and concepts.
How to Prepare
- Read Extensively: Immerse yourself in extensive reading including articles, literature, newspaper editorials, and academic texts to improve your comprehension skills.
- Enhance Vocabulary: Use apps and digital notes to build rich vocabulary. Merriam-Webster Dictionary or any standard Dictionary will be useful for building your vocabulary.
2. Quantitative Reasoning
This section tests your mathematical skills and ability to interpret and analyze quantitative information. There are two sections with 20 questions each (35 minutes per section)
Types of questions you'll go through in this session:
- Basic math concepts and applications: The questions are about Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.
- Data Analysis: The question involves data Interpretation from graphs, tables, and charts.
How to Prepare
- Revisit Basic Concepts: Refresh your basic high school-level math for better clarity. Use reliable online resources to your advantage.
- Practice with Official Questions: Practice sample questions and materials from the official Educational Testing Service (ETS) which administers the GRE.
3. Analytical Writing
Your ability to think critically and write analytically is evaluated through this section. It is One section with two separately timed tasks (30 minutes per task)
You'll be asked to write two essays: one to analyze an argument and the other to present your perspective.
Types of questions you'll go through in this session:
- Analyze an Argument: The question expects you to criticize a given argument after evaluating its validity, evidence, and reasoning.
- Issue Essay: Write your viewpoint on a specific issue and support your points with reasons and examples.
How to Prepare
- Practice Writing: Regularly write essays on various topics to develop your ability to organize thoughts and articulate arguments.
- Review Scoring Guidelines: Understand what evaluators look for in a high-scoring essay and prepare accordingly.
Scoring Overview
The GRE score range for both the Verbal and Quantitative sections is from a scale of 130 to 170, with a separate score for the Analytical Writing section from a scale of 0 to 6. Set realistic goals accordingly based on the scoring.
- Verbal and Quantitative Sections: The maximum score of each section is 170 with a mean score of 150.
- Analytical Writing: Human and computer programs rate the essay with the final score being the average of the two assessments.
Strategies to Manage time effectively
The time and energy you put into Preparation and practice will go wasted if you fail to manage time effectively during exams. Let's understand some of the key strategies to manage your time effectively:
- Use Timer when Practicing: Simulate the exam timing during practice sessions. This will help you perform better on the test day without time management-related stress.
- Divide the time: Pace yourself by deciding how much time you spend on each question. It is wise not to spend more than 1.5 minutes on easier questions.
Resources for Preparation
There is endless information floating around but knowing the right place to get the resources will help you get structured learning from reliable resources which save you time and maximize your learning. Let's see some of the important resources.
- ETS Website: The official website is the most reliable resource for materials and practice tests. Immerse yourself in their materials to prepare for the GRE.
- Online Courses: Browse reliable online websites to take crash courses or prepare for your test. Udemy will be helpful if you are looking for cost-effective practices for the GRE.
- Study Groups: Join a dedicated study group for better support, insights, and motivation. It will make the learning journey fun and fulfilling.
GRE is your ticket to academic success and preparing for GRE can be daunting. Therefore, break it down into digestible sections so it is manageable and eliminates burnout. Understand each section meticulously and prepare to excel in each section. Remember, how well you prepare for the exam will decide what opportunities lie ahead in your academic success. Harness reliable resources, simulate exam timing, practice religiously, and confidently ace the GRE. The right preparation will help you ace the GRE and build a strong foundation for your graduate studies.
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Cheers to your Academic Success!