Preparing to take the GRE

(and getting into graduate school)Jeff Stocco, Career Center, September 2004

How can the Career Center help?

Advice on essay/candidate statement Information on programs Ratings of graduate programs Help sorting out your options

Quick Questions (M-F 2-3:30) Appointments

General Test or Subject Test?

General Test is required for most graduate programs

Subject Test may be required for some programs (exams are offered in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, English, mathematics, physics, psychology)

Registration options for General Test Prometric Candidate Services

1-800-473-2255 Call the Test Center directly (pp 12-13)

– Twin Cities sites:• Edina 952-820-5010• Woodbury 651-702-6791• U of MN 612-624-5520

Registration for Subject Test

Web– Online through ETS at www.gre.org using

a credit card Mail

– Complete the paper-based registration form in the Bulletin (test dates and deadlines on the back cover)

How do you prepare?

Take it “cold” Take a prep course (like Kaplan or

Princeton Review) Develop your own method

– PowerPrep Software (www.gre.org or borrow from the Career Center)

– Test prep books

How do you improve your score?

Learn techniques (Princeton Review) Practice on a computer for familiarity Learn vocabulary and word roots Review and master math facts Practice, practice, practice!

How have the “rules” changed?

You can’t skip items or types of questions and then return

There are fewer sections (4, not 7) You won’t know whether an item is “difficult” or “easy” Shorter in length (about 2 hrs, not 4+) You can’t write in the book (since there is no book!) Test sites are fewer (but test dates are many) Immediate scoring Analytical writing section

How does the CAT (computer adaptive test) work? Paper and pencil

(old) version– Each item is worth

approximately 10 points on a scale from 200 - 800

CAT version– Items count

differently based on where they are in the exam

CAT test – your score is not based strictly on the number of right answers

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5 0 /5 0 item

CAT tips

Be extra careful with questions at the start Answer every question

– You must answer a question in order to continue– Guess on questions at the end

Don’t obsess over time-consuming questions Use the scratch paper provided to you No points for speed, only accuracy Practice on computer versions of the GRE

– PowerPrep software has two complete tests

Geography of the GRE General Test – 4 sections 75 minute, 2 question Analytical Writing

– Present Your Perspective on an Issue - 45 min.– Analyze an Argument – 30 minutes

30-minute, 30 question verbal ability 45-minute, 28 question quantitative

ability Experimental section (verbal or quant.)

Questions about the GRE?

Applying to Grad School: What’s required? Application form Personal/candidate statement Transcripts Test scores (GRE, MAT, GMAT) Letters of recommendation

– Waiving your right to view your recs? Portfolio (if applicable)

Timeline for Applying

Spring semester of junior year– Talk with your advisor about your plans– Focus on type of program and start gathering information

Summer before senior year– Draft personal statement– Browse guides and web sites for programs

August – September– Meet with faculty– Ask for letters of recommendation– Register for required standardized tests

October– Take standardized tests– Request application materials from your desired schools– Chart timelines for desired schools

– Order transcripts

Timeline for Applying

November– Complete application forms (download, online, printed apps)– Give your recommenders all the info they will need

December / January– Submit applications

February– Contact (and possibly visit) programs

March / April– Receive acceptances/rejections and offers of financial

assistance – make a decision!

Financing Graduate School

Assistantships– Teaching– Research– Project or Program

Fellowships Scholarships Loans

Questions?

Session 2: GRE Verbal 9/20

Session 3: GRE Quantitative 9/27