Preparing for the GRE

1
Preparing for the GRE

• Dr. Nancy Alvarado

2
Understand the Test

• They will send you information when you register
  for the test
• CD with POWERPREP software
• Practice General Test booklet (paper-based
  version)
• You can also download these materials from their
  website
• http//ftp.ets.org/pub/gre/PPGRE31.exe
• http//ftp.ets.org/pub/gre/14614.pdf

3
Computer-Adaptive Testing

• The old way -- everyone does all the questions,
  both hard and easy.
• Time-consuming and fatiguing for students.
• Hard to measure scores accurately.
• Constant need to write and test new questions.
• The new way -- scores are estimated from a sample
  of performance.
• The test is customized for each person.

4
How It Works

• The computer continuously monitors your
  performance and adjusts difficulty of questions.
• The computer starts with a moderately hard
  question.
• You get an easy one next if you miss it.
• You get a harder one next if you are correct.

5
Second Chances

• If you are nervous and miss the first questions,
  the computer will still give you harder ones
  later.
• It is possible to increase your score even if you
  miss the first few questions.
• The computer also MUST sample all question types
  and a range of content.

6
How Are Scores Calculated?

• Each question has a difficulty level associated
  with it.
• The computer estimates what score someone would
  get who was able to answer the same questions you
  did.
• The computer zeroes in on the level of
  difficulty where you fit most precisely.

7
Strategies for Computer Testing

• You cant go back and change your answers, so be
  careful.
• You must answer every question, even if you must
  guess.
• No penalty for guessing.
• Using time effectively will get you a higher
  score.

8
Three Ways to Improve Your Scores

• Become familiar with the test format and with
  using the computer, so you dont waste time with
  the mechanics.
• Do the practice questions to develop the skills
  needed to answer questions quickly.
• Learn to guess well.

9
Building Your Vocabulary

• Does it help to memorize word lists?
• We remember by extracting the meaning of a word,
  then forming an association between it and our
  existing knowledge.
• Intensive study may cause interference the
  definitions will run together.

10
How to Study

• Spaced study is better than massed study
  dont try to cram.
• Relate new words to existing knowledge
• Use them in sentences.
• Study words in context read literature
• www.gutenberg.net

11
How to Practice

• Take the practice tests under timed conditions,
  just as you will take the real test.
• Repetition is important each time you do it you
  will be faster.
• It doesnt matter whether you have seen the
  questions before.
• Feedback is essential check your answers and
  correct mistakes.

12
Better Guessing

• We learn words in context and rarely know precise
  definitions.
• Much of our understanding, just like much of
  our memory is actually plausible inference.
• When you dont know the exact meanings, use what
  you do know to eliminate wrong answers.

13
Look for Relationships

• Kinds of relationships among words
• Same/different, contrast
• Part/whole, kinds, examples
• Developmental, first, last, time
• Good/bad, evaluative, judgment
• Size, proximity, spatial relation

14
Antonyms (Opposites)

• FALLACY (A) personal philosophy(B) imaginative
  idea(C) unconfirmed theory(D) tentative
  opinion(E) valid argument
• Is a fallacy right or wrong, true or false?
• Which answer most different?

15
Another Antonym

• LOQUACIOUS(A) tranquil(B) skeptical(C)
  morose(D) taciturn(E) witty
• Where have you ever heard the word before? Who
  does it describe?

16
Fill-in Questions

• There are, as yet, no vegetation types or
  ecosystems whose study has been _____ to the
  extent that they no longer _____ ecologists.(A)
  perfectedhinder(B) exhausted interest(C)
  prolongedrequire(D) preventedchallenge(E)
  delayedbenefit

17
Another Fill-In

• It was her view that the countrys problems had
  been _____ by foreign technocrats, so that to
  invite them to come back would be
  counterproductive.(A) foreseen(B) attacked(C)
  ascertained(D) exacerbated(E) analyzed

18
Analogies

• FRUGALMISERLY(A) confident arrogant(B)
  courageous pugnacious(C) famous
  aggressive(D) rash foolhardy(E) quiet timid
• Determine the relationship in the first pair,
  then look for it in the other pairs.

19
Another Analogy

• STYGIANDARK (A) abysmal low(B) cogent
  contentious(C) fortuitous accidental(D)
  reckless threatening(E) cataclysmic doomed
• http//www.infoplease.com/dictionary/Stygian

20
Reading Comprehension

• Two strategies
• Read carefully the first time.
• Skim, then go back and look for the answers.
• Try both and see which works best for you.
• Consider the length of the passage.

21
Notice the Structure

• Certain words indicate the relationships among
  ideas
• Why (question)
• However (contradicts)
• Moreover (emphasize extend)
• For example (gives evidence)
• But (gives exception or problem)
• In short (summary)
• Thus (conclusion)

22
Keep it Simple

• Dont over think the questions.
• If a fact isnt stated in the question, dont
  assume it.
• Dont answer from your own knowledge rely on
  what is in the question itself.
• The most straightforward answer is most likely to
  be right.