What is the GRE

1
What is the GRE?
Patricia Taylor-Cooke
Drew C. Appleby
2
Do any of these statements sound familiar?

• I have plenty of time to prepare.

• I didnt really study for the SAT, so why
  should I study for the GRE.

• I did okay on the SAT. So, I will do okay on
  the GRE.

• I got accepted to college. So, I will have no
  problem getting into graduate school.

• My GRE test is still a year away.

• I am only a Freshman/Sophomore/Junior. I dont
  need to worry about it yet.

• I cant afford to get help in preparing for the
  GRE

• Im not going to waste my money. It wont help
  anyway.

• I havent even thought about it.

• I dont need to practice. You can take as long
  as you want to answer the questions.

• What the heck is the GRE?

3
Overview

• What is the GRE?

• How is the GRE Administered?

• What are the Sections of the GRE?

• The New GRE!!

• How Do I Prepare for the GRE?

• Long-Term

• Short-Term

• Cost vs. Investment

• Review

4
What is the GRE?

• The GRE is the Graduate Record Examination.

• It is an examination that tests your skills in
  the following areas.

• Verbal

• Quantitative

• Writing Assessment

• Subject Test (covered later)

• It is one part of your ticket to graduate
  school.

• It is an important selection criterion for
  most graduate schools.

5
How is the GRE Administered?

• The GRE is available in CAT or paper format

• CAT Computer-Adaptive Test

• Each question is chosen based on whether you
  answered the previous question correctly

• Benefit available year-round, immediate
  feedback

• Paper Based

• Disadvantages 5 sections, offered only 3
  times a year, and a longer wait for feedback

6
What are the sections?

• Verbal

• Tests vocabulary, verbal reasoning skills,
  and ability to read with understanding and
  insight

• Types of questions include Analogies,
  antonyms, sentence completion, and reading
  comprehension

• 30 questions

• 30 minutes

(Kaplan, 2001)
7
Antonyms
Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to the word in capital
letters.

• ERRONEOUS
• careful
• vigorous
• accurate
• convincing
• thoughtful

• ERRONEOUS
• careful
• vigorous
• accurate
• convincing
• thoughtful

Explanation Erroneous incorrect Closest
Match accurate
8
Antonyms
Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly
opposite in meaning to the word in capital
letters.

• ABET
• Exaggerate
• Arrange
• Refuse
• Deter
• Confuse

• ABET
• Exaggerate
• Arrange
• Refuse
• Deter
• Confuse

Explanation ABET to aid Closest Match Deter
(Kaplan, 2001)
9
Analogies
Select the pair that best expresses a
relationship similar to that expressed in the
original pair.

• DISCHARGED SOLDIER
• fired cannon
• graduated student
• appointed judge
• transferred student
• docked salary

• DISCHARGED SOLDIER
• fired cannon
• graduated student
• appointed judge
• transferred student
• docked salary

(Kaplan, 2001)
10
Analogies
DISCHARGED SOLDIER
graduated student
Discharged is what a soldier is said to be when
his or her tour of duty is up and he or she is
released from commitment to the armed forces.
Graduated is what a student is said to be when he
or she has completed a particular stage of
schooling, and is released.
(Kaplan, 2001)
11
Analogies
Select the pair that best expresses a
relationship similar to that expressed in the
original pair.

• TITLED NOBLE
• elected candidate
• acclaimed artist
• commissioned officer
• deposed ruler
• initiated argument

• TITLED NOBLE
• elected candidate
• acclaimed artist
• commissioned officer
• deposed ruler
• initiated argument

(Kaplan, 2001)
12
Analogies
TITLED NOBLE
commissioned officer
A person is called noble because he/she is titled.
An officer, especially one of the military, is an
officer because he/she has been commissioned.
This one is easier if you work it from right to
left.
(Kaplan, 2001)
13
Sentence Completion
Choose the word or set of words for each blank
that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a
whole.

• The author presumably believes that all
  businessmen are _______, for her main characters,
  whatever qualities they may lack, are virtual
  paragons of ______.
• cleveringenuity
• covetousgreed
• virtuousdeceit
• successfulambition
• cautiousachievement

• The author presumably believes that all
  businessmen are _______, for her main characters,
  whatever qualities they may lack, are virtual
  paragons of ______.
• cleveringenuity
• covetousgreed
• virtuousdeceit
• successfulambition
• cautiousachievement

Author believes business men are models of some
quality.
Implies that whatever bad points they may have,
theres one particular good thing about them.
(Kaplan, 2001)
14
Reading Comprehension
After reading the passage, choose the best answer
to each question. Answer all questions following
the passage on the basis of what is stated or
implied in the passage.
(Kaplan, 2001)
15
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably
experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus,
the very ancient surface of Callisto remains
scarred by impact craters. The younger, more
varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light
and dark areas, the light areas featuring
networks of intersecting grooves and ridges,
probably resulting from later ice flows. The
impact sites of Europa have been almost
completely erased, apparently by water outflowing
from the interior and instantly forming vast,
low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io,
the closest of the four to Jupiter, were
revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by
volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most
tectonically active object in the solar system.
Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the
energy for such activity, the accepted
explanation has been that, forced into a highly
eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming
from a titanic contest between the other three
Galilean moons and Jupiter.
(Kaplan, 2001)
16
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably
experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus,
the very ancient surface of Callisto remains
scarred by impact craters. The younger, more
varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light
and dark areas, the light areas featuring
networks of intersecting grooves and ridges,
probably resulting from later ice flows. The
impact sites of Europa have been almost
completely erased, apparently by water outflowing
from the interior and instantly forming vast,
low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io,
the closest of the four to Jupiter, were
revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by
volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most
tectonically active object in the solar system.
Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the
energy for such activity, the accepted
explanation has been that, forced into a highly
eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming
from a titanic contest between the other three
Galilean moons and Jupiter.

• According to the passage, which of the following
  is probably NOT true of the surface of Io?
• It is not characterized by intense tectonic
  activity.
• Its volcanos have resulted from powerful tides.
• It is younger than the surface of Callisto.
• It is distinguished by many impact craters.
• It has apparently not been shaped by internal
  forces.

• According to the passage, which of the following
  is probably NOT true of the surface of Io?
• It is not characterized by intense tectonic
  activity.
• Its volcanos have resulted from powerful tides.
• It is younger than the surface of Callisto.
• It is distinguished by many impact craters.
• It has apparently not been shaped by internal
  forces.

17
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably
experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus,
the very ancient surface of Callisto remains
scarred by impact craters. The younger, more
varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light
and dark areas, the light areas featuring
networks of intersecting grooves and ridges,
probably resulting from later ice flows. The
impact sites of Europa have been almost
completely erased, apparently by water outflowing
from the interior and instantly forming vast,
low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io,
the closest of the four to Jupiter, were
revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by
volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most
tectonically active object in the solar system.
Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the
energy for such activity, the accepted
explanation has been that, forced into a highly
eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming
from a titanic contest between the other three
Galilean moons and Jupiter.

• It can be inferred that the geologic features
  found in the light areas of Ganymede were
  probably formed
• subsequent to the features found in the dark
  areas.
• in an earlier period than those in the dark
  areas.
• at roughly the same time as the features found in
  the dark areas.
• primarily by early bombardment.
• by the satellites volcanic activity.

• It can be inferred that the geologic features
  found in the light areas of Ganymede were
  probably formed
• subsequent to the features found in the dark
  areas.
• in an earlier period than those in the dark
  areas.
• at roughly the same time as the features found in
  the dark areas.
• primarily by early bombardment.
• by the satellites volcanic activity.

18
What are the sections?

• Quantitative

• Tests basic math skills, understanding
  math concepts, and reasoning skills

• Types of questions include Graph
  problems, problem solving, and quantitative
  comparison

• 45 minutes

• 28 questions

(Kaplan, 2001)
19
Quantitative Comparisons
This question consists of two quantities, one in
column A and another in column B. You are to
compare the two quantities and decide
whether the quantity in column A is
greater the quantity in column B is
greater the two quantities are equal the
relationship cannot be determined from the
information given Common information In a
question, information concerning one or both of
the quantities to be compared is centered above
the two columns. A symbol that appears in both
columns represents the same thing in column A as
it does in column B.
(Kaplan, 2001)
20
Quantitative Comparisons
Column A Column B
ABCD is a rectangle
a
b
First Make the picture look like the
description.
(Kaplan, 2001)
21
Quantitative Comparisons
Column A Column B
B
C
b
91
89
a
A
D
ABCD is a rectangle
a
b
Answer The quantity in column A is greater
22
Problem Solving
Select the best answer choice given.

• If a ? b ?ab for all nonnegative numbers, what
  is the value of 10 ? 6?
• 0
• 2
• 4
• 8
• 16

• If a ? b ?ab for all nonnegative numbers, what
  is the value of 10 ? 6?
• 0
• 2
• 4
• 8
• 16

To solve just plug in 10 for a and 6 for b.
(Kaplan, 2001)
23
Graphs
MEGACORP, INC. REVENUE AND PROFIT DISTRIBUTION
FOR FOOD- AND NONFOOD-RELATED OPERATIONS,
1984-1989
Percent Revenues From Food-Related Operations in
1989 By Category
(Kaplan, 2001)
24
Percent Revenues From Food-Related Operations in
1989 By Category

• Approximately how much did total revenues
  increase from 1984 to 1987?
• 0.5 billion b) 1.5 billion
• c) 4.0 billion d) 4.5 billion
• e) 5.0 billion

• Approximately how much did total revenues
  increase from 1984 to 1987?
• 0.5 billion b) 1.5 billion
• c) 4.0 billion d) 4.5 billion
• e) 5.0 billion

(Kaplan, 2001)
25
Percent Revenues From Food-Related Operations in
1989 By Category

• In 1989, approximately how many millions of
  dollars were revenues from frozen food
  operations?
• 1,700 b) 1,100
• c) 900 d) 600
• e) 450

• In 1989, approximately how many millions of
  dollars were revenues from frozen food
  operations?
• 1,700 b) 1,100
• c) 900 d) 600
• e) 450

(Kaplan, 2001)
26
The New GRE

• Beginning October 1st 2002

• Analytical Section has been replaced with the
  Writing Assessment

(ETS, 2002)
27
The New GRE

• What if I Have Already Taken the Analytical
  Section?

• ETS is Recommending all Institutions to
  Consider both Formats Equally

• Check With the Schools, But You Should Not Be
  Required to Take the Writing Section if You Took
  the GRE Prior to October 1st 2002

(ETS, 2002)
28
The Writing Assessment

• Consists of two parts (as of July 1, 2003 must
  be word processed at CBT centers)

• Present Your Perspective on an Issue

• You are Given a Choice of Two Issues

• 45 Minutes to Write

• Analyze an Argument

• An Argument Will be Given

• 30 Minutes to Write

• Scored on a 6-Point Scale

(ETS, 2003)
29
The Writing Assessment

• Present Your Perspective on an Issue

• Assesses Your Ability to Think Critically
  About a Topic and to Clearly Express Your
  Thoughts About it

• You May Take any Approach You Wish There are
  NO Correct Answers

• You Must Write a Persuasive and Compelling
  Argument to Support Your Position

(ETS, 2002)
30
The Writing Assessment

• Present Your Perspective on an Issue

? Sample Issues

• In our time, specialists of all kinds are
  highly overrated. We need more generalists ---
  people who can provide broad perspectives.

• The best ideas arise from a passionate
  interest in commonplace things.

(ETS, 2002)
31
The Writing Assessment

• Analyze an Argument

• Assesses Your Ability to Understand, Analyze,
  and Evaluate an Argument and to Clearly Convey
  Your Critique in Writing

• This is Primarily a Critical Thinking Task
  Presented in Essay Format

(ETS, 2002)
32
The Writing Assessment

• Analyze an Argument

? Sample Argument

• Hospital statistics regarding people who go to
  the emergency room after roller-skating accidents
  indicate the need for more protective equipment.
  Within this group of people, 75 percent of those
  who had accidents in streets or parking lots were
  not wearing any protective clothing (helmets,
  knee pads, etc.) or any light-reflecting material
  (clip-on lights, glow-in-the-dark wrist pads,
  etc.). Clearly, these statistics indicate that
  by investing in high-quality protective gear and
  reflective equipment, roller skaters will greatly
  reduce their risk of being severely injured in an
  accident.

(ETS, 2002)
33
The Writing Assessment

• Visit www.gre.org for

• Sample Essays With Reader Comments

• Scoring Criteria

• Published Pool of Issues and Arguments

• Visit www.kaptest.com to

• Receive Feedback on Two of Your Essays

• Only 59.00

34
What are your thoughts and feelings?

• If you thought these questions

• Werent too difficult

• Were easy and fun

? Then start preparing for your future in
graduate school!!!
35
What are your thoughts and feelings?

• If You Thought These Questions

• Were Fairly Challenging

• Made You a Little Anxious/Uncomfortable

? Then There are Three Routes for You to Take
1) Begin Preparation Now for Graduate School
2) Consider Programs that Dont Require the GRE
3) Consider Employment Opportunities that Dont
Require a Higher Degree
36
What are your thoughts and feelings?

• If You Thought These Questions

• Were Really Confusing

• Are too Difficult for You to do Well

? Then Rethink Aspirations

• If They Involve Graduate School Then You May
  Want to Shift Your Focus to a Different
  Type of Program or to Employment

37
How do I prepare?

• Long-term Preparation

• Short-term Preparation

38
Long-Term Prep

• Dont Wait!!!!!

• SAT Scores are a Good Indicator

• Start Preparing Early in Your Education

• Sophomore Year Take a Practice Test

• Free Test at IUPUI (278-2490 check with your
  school)

• An ETS GRE Book (www.gre.org)

• Kaplan Book or Online (www.kaptest.com)

39
Long-Term Prep

• Plan Semesters to Build Weak Areas

• Verbal Section

• Take Latin

• Learn Word Roots

• Helps you Figure Out Words You Dont Know

• Take a Critical Thinking Class

• Learn to Pull Main Points From Paragraphs

40
Long-Term Prep

• Quantitative Section

• Take or Audit M111 Algebra

• Covers all Math Skills Needed

• Basic Algebra and Geometry

• Take M118 Finite Math

• Covers Some Concepts From GRE

• Probabilities

All classes listed are those offered at IUPUI.
Check with your school and different departments
(i.e., Math, English) to see if there are similar
classes available.
41
Long-Term Prep

• Writing Assessment

• Take R227 Argumentation and Debate

• Builds Skills in Analysis Evidence of
  Arguments

• Take W250 Writing in Context

• Builds Skills for Writing on Issues

• Take P162 Logic

• Builds Skills on Analyzing Arguments

• Download the Published Pool of Arguments and
  Issues and Practice

42
Long-Term Prep

• Research Schools Offering the Types of
  Programs that Interest You

• Find Out Their Cut-Off Scores

• Many Schools have Arbitrary Cut- Off Scores Used
  to Weed Out Applicants

• For Example Combined Verbal and Quantitative
  of 1200

43
Short-Term Prep

• Begin No Later Than 2 Months in Advance

• Expensive

• Less Expensive

• Inexpensive

44
Short-Term Prep

• Expensive

• Kaplan (www.kaptest.com) or 1-800-KAPTEST

• Classroom Course (1049.00)

• GRE Deluxe Course (1349.00 - 2099.00)

• Online Course (499.00 899.00)

• Private Tutoring (1999.00 - 3999.00)

Course Prices Listed on Kaplan Web Site 08-22-04
45
Short-Term Prep

• Less Expensive

• IUPUI (check you school for availability)

• Community Learning Network

• GRE Course (299.00)

• Accessing the Site ? (www.cln.iupui.edu)
  ?Continuing Studies ?Course Catalog ?College
  and Graduate Prep ?The GRE Prep. For Test-Taking

Course Price Listed on Web Site 08-22-04
46
Short-Term Prep

• Inexpensive

• Kaplan (www.kaptest.com) or 1-800-KAPTEST

• Crash Courses (99.00)

• Online Essay Grading (59.00)

• Books and Software (17.00 - 49.99)

• GRE Strategy Seminar FREE

Prices Listed on Kaplan Web Site 08-22-04
47
Short-Term Prep

• Inexpensive

• ETS (the Test Makers) (www.gre.org)

• Free PowerPrep Software Paper Test When You
  Register for the Test

• Online Diagnostic Test, Verbal Quantitative
  (15.00)

• Book Practicing to Take the GRE General Test
  10th Edition (21.00)

• Online Writing Practice or Timed Test (10.00)

• Other Free Information

Prices and Information Listed on ETS Web Site
08-22-04
48
Cost vs. Investment
Cost ? What You are Investing

• 15.00 - 4,000.00

• Time

Investment ? What You Get in Return

• Graduate Degree

• A Professional Career

• Personal Satisfaction

• Higher Average Earnings

49
Average Earnings by Education
High School Diploma/Technical Certification

• 19,930.00

Associates Degree

• 36,075.00

Bachelors Degree

• 43,500.00

Masters Degree

• 46,500.00

Doctoral Degree

• 61,178.00

Bureau of Labor Statistics
50
Bureau of Labor Statistics
51
Do any of these statements sound familiar?

• I have plenty of time to prepare.

• I didnt really study for the SAT, so why
  should I study for the GRE?

• I did okay on the SAT. So, I will do okay on
  the GRE.

• I got accepted to college. So, I will have no
  problem getting into graduate school.

• My GRE test is still a year away.

• I am only a Freshman/Sophomore/Junior. I dont
  need to worry about it yet.

• I cant afford to get help in preparing for the
  GRE

• Im not going to waste my money. It wont help
  anyway.

• I havent even thought about it.

• I dont need to practice. You can take as long
  as you want to answer the questions.

• What the heck is the GRE?

52
Review

• The GRE is Used as an Initial Determinant for
  Applicants

• If You are Even Considering Graduate School
  Dont Wait!

• This Test Partly Determines Your Future!

• Prepare Long-Term AND Short-Term!!

• Use as Many Options as You Can to be Prepared

• Cost vs. Investment

53
Has This Presentation Made You Rethink Your
Plans for Graduate School?
See Next Presentation For Information on the
Subject Test!
54
References Educational Testing Service. (2004).
Graduate record examinations. August 30, 2003,
from www.gre.org Kaplan. (2001). GRE exam (5th
ed.). New York Simon Schuster. Kaplan, Inc.
(2004). Kaplan Test prep and admissions. August
30, 2003 from www. kaplan. com U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. (2002). Occupational
employment, training, and earnings. February 3,
2002, from www.bls.gov