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gumbyKing
Trad climber
Vancouver, BC
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Jun 18, 2010 - 04:16am PT
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I am a grad student and a GRE test prep instructor for one of the companies you mentioned (so I may be a bit biased...). I hope my boss doesnt read this (she also climbs...) but I think the most important thing is just to practice. It doesnt matter too much which book you get. The math sections are about the same, but its really the vocab that will help you out the most. Just learn it. And not to the "it sorta means...I can't explain but..." level but really make sure you are comfortable with the words so that you know precisely what is meant.
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bparry
Trad climber
New Haven, CT
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Jun 18, 2010 - 08:03am PT
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I seemed to like Barron's GRE guide. That said, I did not use it extensively as I was convinced my GRE score was nominally important during the admissions process (edit: after matriculating to my top choice school, this mentality was vindicated).
If you are taking a subject exam, remember that not all subject exams have study guides available (i.e., molecular cell biology and biochemistry).
As far as advice...
If you are going on to graduate school as a means to itself (love learning and discovery) and not a means to an end ($$$), you probably won't have trouble on the GRE and shouldn't worry about it. If this describes you well, you will have no difficulty slipping into the mentality of finding the most elegant way (which tends to be the fastest!) to solve a problem. So, my best advice is to sit back, relax, and have as much fun as you can with the hundreds of 'puzzles' they throw at you on test day.
Good luck.
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rockmuelle
Trad climber
B'ton, IN
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Jun 18, 2010 - 12:11pm PT
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I've done both approaches twice* - relax and have fun with the test and prepare using a few study guides. The difference was 290 points for about 60 hours of practice. That's going from decent on math and logic near perfect on both (disclaimer: this was the old test, not the new, essay-based one). I was average at verbal every time (not really needed for a CS PhD).
Taking practice tests is important. However it's equally important to learn how the questions work and the "methods" for answering different types of questions correctly. Turns out, all the questions (even the verbal ones) have structure and there are techniques for quickly answering them correctly. It's the time to answer that makes the biggest difference. A smart person will be able to answer all the questions without a time limit. With the time limit, the tricks make a big difference between finishing with confidence and scrambling to fill out all the answers as time runs out.
Any book that has a large amount of practice material and explanations on how to approach each type of question will do. I just went to the library and checked out a few and worked through them.
Of course, before you spend too much time (and if you can afford it), go take the test. You may be a natural test taker and do fine the first time. If that doesn't work, spend a few months preparing and take it again.
Remember: All the general GRE does is measure your ability to take the GRE. The more your practice and know how the test works, the better you'll do.
-Chris
*I have taken the GRE 4 times, twice as an undergrad and twice 7 years later when I actually went back to grad school.
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rockermike
Trad climber
Berkeley
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Jun 18, 2010 - 12:35pm PT
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I was a tutor for an online test prep firm "Grockit.com" for a while. Students pay some monthly fee (used to be cheap) and you get to take unlimited tests over and over. I think they have a free trial too.
Some people complain the questions aren't quite right. I can't judge that. But practice really does help. You get so you can quickly identify in a couple of seconds which kind of question you are looking at - and this really helps save time on test day.
For GRE vocab is the biggy (of course this depends on what field you are going into); but for myself, I find it takes a lifetime to build up a rich vocab. Not sure if cramming really works. your mileage may vary
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho-dee-do-dah-day boom-chicka-boom-chicka-boom
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Jun 18, 2010 - 02:11pm PT
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i smoked my study material
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jun 18, 2010 - 04:04pm PT
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Don't rule out a Google search for free "GRE preparatory tests" online. Just a thought..
I took the GRE once, got into Grad School, finished and haven't given it another thought since then.
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jmap
Social climber
NC
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Jun 18, 2010 - 04:51pm PT
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I took the GRE this winter and did well enough to get into grad school. Boone NC!!!
The most helpful supports for me were the online study guides, especially for the written section. There's a formula, you follow it, and you're good.
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bparry
Trad climber
New Haven, CT
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Jun 19, 2010 - 11:53am PT
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The hardest part for me was writing the declaration (or statement of whatever) IN CURSIVE!!!
They sure stumped me on that one. I'm pretty sure mine was a cursive/print mixture, and likely contained fictitious cursive characters.
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Lissiehoya
climber
Saint Louis, MO
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Jun 19, 2010 - 12:20pm PT
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I used the first book that you linked--and that book alone--the second time I took the test and raised my score. I also used Word Smart for the GRE, from which I basically made a million flashcards and got as familiar with the words as I could in the time I had.
(By "that book alone" I mean that the first time I took the GRE I bought 5-6 study guides. That was to much.)
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jun 19, 2010 - 12:24pm PT
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Are you also planning to take an exam in your specialty at the same time?
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TwistedCrank
climber
Ideeho-dee-do-dah-day boom-chicka-boom-chicka-boom
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Jun 19, 2010 - 03:49pm PT
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Are you also planning to take an exam in your specialty at the same time?
If he can take an exam in his specialty at the same time it'll prove that the Internet age has fostered excellence in multiprocessing. I'd drop coin to watch him juggle at the same time too.
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Jun 19, 2010 - 04:17pm PT
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The same day!
One session in the AM, the specialty in the PM!
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kwit
climber
california
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Jun 19, 2010 - 04:22pm PT
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www.freerice.com
i'm serious: it uses a similar algorithm to that used on the verbal section of the GRE. good practice and you can help the hungry also. i tell all of my grad school aspiring undergrads to use this and they find it helpful.
k
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Bertrand
Trad climber
SF
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Jun 22, 2010 - 04:08pm PT
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I took it last December and got 760 math, 780 verbal. I only used Kaplan.
Their process was good for the math..especially the probability questions. But for verbal, I think most students are kinda on their own. I developed my own tricks and word exercises that I think were quite valuable....and I would be happy to share.
incidentally, I was trying to get into Stanford GSB's PhD program...and... Rejected! If anyone out there knows someone in the program or faculty, I would love to have an intro!
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s.d.
climber
CA
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Jun 23, 2010 - 12:19am PT
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Study guides are all alike, most overlap in content and strategy. I recall the GRE being way easier than the SAT - I took it electronically too.
It seems that providing a GRE score is more of a formality for many graduate programs. Finding an advisor to take you on is the crux!
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Bertrand
Trad climber
SF
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Jun 23, 2010 - 12:22am PT
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LEB's right. beyond the first week or two of reviewing high school trig and polynomials, it's all in the technique of breaking down the fastest way of ruling out wrong choices...AND knowing when to punt on a problem and move on. I got totally into it, and over the period improved my math gradually from the 500's to the 700's on practice tests. Actually, I bought a few hours with one of Kaplan's math tutors too (Andy Shapiro); he knew some additional good tricks beyond what you get in the coursework.
LEB, GSB is Graduate School of Business....I never wanted an MBA, but they have a bad-ass Econ PhD program for people who want to apply theory in the field. My non-profit company does biotech ventures to take shelved (but desperately needed) medicines off the shelf and into commercially viable production. And I wanted to promote the model in academia. But alas my calculus coursework in college wasn't too strong. I was an idiot when I was 18, and now it's catching up with me!
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Buju
Big Wall climber
the range of light
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Jun 23, 2010 - 12:47am PT
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it seems to me to be about practice.
i tried to onsight the GREs last april, and did not do as well as i wanted. now i have purchased the kaplan books and they seem to be helping. good luck....i feel your pain!!!
in fact, i should study more and supertopo less!!!!
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bparry
Trad climber
New Haven, CT
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Jun 23, 2010 - 07:22am PT
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t*r - what field/degree will you be applying in/for?
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Rankin
climber
North Carolina
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Jun 23, 2010 - 08:01am PT
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Hey tr, I haven't taken the GRE, but I took the LSAT this past year. The LSAT is kind of a monster, and I found success by studying every day. Stay consistent with your material, especially the math, since that is your perceived weakness. Learning to take a high stakes test is like any other skill: practice, practice, practice.
I'm sure you'll do well. Good luck with everything!
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quartziteflight
climber
Who knows?
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Jun 23, 2010 - 08:25am PT
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TR,
What is your goal/required score?
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SuperTopo on the Web
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Let us know!