GRE

1
GRE
General Facts And Self-defense Tips
2

• Verbal Section 30 questions

Analogies
Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
Antonyms

• Math Section 28 questions

Quantitative Comparison
Standard Multiple Choice

• Analytical Writing Section

3
Verbal and math sections scored from 200-800
Most programs require the sum of verbal and math
scores to be at least 1000
Analytical Writing section is scored from 0-6,
and is not required by most programs.
4
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

5
The GRE may be taken at virtually any time of the
year.
You may take the GRE once per calendar month.
Scores take approximately two weeks to arrive.
6
Test-taking Tips
7
Quantitative Comparison
8

• Simplify complicated expressions

Column A Column B
Answer C
9

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

Column A Column B
Answer C
10

• Plug in numbers for variables

Column A Column B
?
?
Answer D
11

• Plug in numbers for variables

Column A Column B

Answer D
?
12

• Plug in numbers for variables

x y
1
2
undefined
Reciprocal 2
Answer E
13
Always look for ways to combine equations
Add _____ ___
Answer B
14

• Combine equations

Column A Column B
Subtract - (_____) __-
Answer C
15

• Combine equations

Answer B
16
Geometry
17
The strategy

• Draw a diagram

• Translate the information into equations

• Solve the equations

18
Example
A rectangle has a width equal to half its length.
If the area if the rectangle is 50 square inches,
what is the width of the rectangle?
19
Draw a diagram
Translate the information into equations
20
Solve the equations
Substitute
Substitute
21
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.
22
Example
Pg. 200, 14
Column A Column B
This could be K
or this could be K
Answer D
23
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.
24
Example
Pg. 241, 4
Column A Column B
or this could be the triangle.
This could be the triangle
Answer D
25
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.
26
Examples
Here sides are labeled
Here angles are labeled
25
20
12
x
A
so facts involving side lengths are relevant.
so facts involving angle measures are relevant.
27
Look for key words in the item that suggest
equations to use

• area

• circumference

• perimeter

28
Example
Pg. 229, 19
Translate
Answer D
29
Analogies

• Identify parts of speech

• check for similarities/differences

• Form a connection sentence

Answer B
30
Sentence Completion

• Pay attention to similarity/contrast clues

Answer E
31
Reading Comprehension

• according to vs. inference or suggests

32
According to answer is a paraphrase of
statement from passage.
A more than B gt B less than A
Answer D
33
suggests answer will go beyond what is stated,
usually by exploiting structural details.
Answer B
34
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 required emphasis is on
  problem-solving ability