GRE

General Facts

And

Self-defense Tips

Registration and General Information

• How do I register for the GRE?– Call: 1 – 800 – GRE – CALL– Register on-line at www.gre.org

• How often can I take the GRE?– Once per calendar month

• How much does it cost to take the GRE?– $130 ($40 reschedule fee)

• How long are GRE scores valid?– 5 years

• When will I see my test score?– Immediately

• When will schools receive my scores?– Approximately 2 weeks after you take the test

• When should I take the test?– ???

GRE data and statistics

• What is the scale for the GRE?– 200 – 800 Math and Verbal

• How does the raw score relate to the scaled score?– It no longer directly relates to the scaled score…the test is Computer Adaptive.

• What is the average score on the GRE?– About 1000

• Where is the 90th percentile?– About 650 per section

• What is a good GRE score?

Low-Cost Test Preparation Materials

PowerPrep Software

www.gre.org - FREE

Scoring for Analytical Writingwww.scoreitnow.org - $10

GRE – Practicing to take the General Test, 10th Edition - $18

• Verbal Section – 30 questions, 30 minutes

Analogies

Sentence Completion

Reading Comprehension

Antonyms

• Math Section – 28 questions, 45 minutes

Quantitative Comparison

Standard Multiple Choice

• Analytical Writing Section – 2 prompts, 45 & 30 minutes

Test Content:

The GRE is a computer-based test

•Fewer questions than paper-and-pencil test

• Skipping questions is not allowed

• Current question based on past performance

Test-taking Tips

Quantitative Comparison:

• Simplify complicated expressions:

2

8

3

12

4

Column A Column B

4

Answer: C

Column A Column B

yzyx 22

0 zx

zx

Answer: C

• Try to derive one side or the other from extra information:

Column A Column B

:1,, zyx

:2,, zyx

Answer: D

111 111

1 3

222 222

8 6

• Plug in numbers for variables:

Column A Column B

:0t

:1t

021

1

031

1

121

1

131

1

2

12

1

3

1

4

1

=

Answer: D

• Plug in numbers for variables:

• Plug in numbers for variables:

x y

1 2

2

11

2

1

1

2

undefined

1

Answer: E

2

Reciprocal: 2

Always look for ways to combine equations:

3 cb32 caAdd: + _____ ___ +

35 ba

Answer: B

Answer: C

Column A Column B

1032 yx82 yxSubtract: - (_____) __-

2 yx

• Combine equations:

• Combine equations:

0 zyx032 zyx ++043 zx

zx 43

43

z

x

3

4

z

x

Answer: B

Geometry

The strategy:

• Draw a diagram

• Translate the information into equations

• Solve the equations

Example:

A rectangle has a width equal to half its length. If the area of the rectangle is 50 square inches, what is the width of the rectangle?

Draw a diagram:

Translate the information into equations:

l

2

lw

w

50wl

Solve the equations:

502

l

l

1002 l

10l

2

10w

5w

Sometimes there will be more than one way to draw a diagram.

In quantitative comparison items that lack a diagram, the whole point of the item may simply be to recognize different ways of representing the given information.

Example:

Pg. 200, #14:

Column A Column B

This could be K: … or this could be K:

3

443 3

4Answer: D

Many items come with diagrams. But unless told otherwise, one may not assume that the diagrams are drawn to scale.

Again, especially with quantitative comparison items, keeping in mind other diagrams consistent with the given information is crucial.

Example:

Pg. 241, #4:

Column A Column B

x

y

x

y

Answer: D

This could be the triangle …

… or this could be the triangle.

Use the diagram and any additional information from the item to gain clues about which equations to use.

If some of the angles of a triangle are labeled, facts involving angle measures are probably relevant. If some of the sides of a triangle are labeled, facts involving side lengths are probably relevant.

Examples:

1220

A

25°

x°

Here sides are labeled …

… so facts involving side lengths are relevant.

Here angles are labeled …

… so facts involving angle measures are relevant.

222 2012 A 1802590 x

Pg. 123, #6:

Column A Column B

1805590 x

35xAnswer: C

Pg. 269, #27:

Answer: D

18024525 x

Big triangle:

1102 x

55x

Little triangle:

1805525 y

100y

Pg. 204, #26:

Answer: C

)5(4

)5(5

)5(3

15x

3-4-5 triangle

Look for key words in the item that suggest equations to use:

• area

• circumference

• perimeter

Example:

Pg. 229, #19:

r2ncecircumfere

2area r

102 r

5r

252 r

Translate:

Answer: A

Verbal Items

• Identify parts of speech

• Check for similarities/differences

• Form a connection sentence

Answer: B

Analogy items require one to select the pair of words related in a way most similar to that of given pair of words:

Sentence completion items require one to choose the word or pair of words that best completes the given sentence

• Pay attention to similarity/contrast clues

Answer: E

Reading Comprehension:

• “according to” vs. “inference” or “suggests”

A more than B => B less than A

Answer: D

“According to”: answer is a paraphrase of statement from passage.

Answer: B

“suggests”: answer will go beyond what is stated, usually by exploiting structural details.

Final Tips:

• Practice with PowerPrep software (GRE.org)

• Use only real GRE questions when you study

• Improving vocabulary is the key to verbal success

• Very few math skills are used; emphasis is on problem-solving ability