GRE and I do NOT get along

[DVMDream]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So. I am sitting here attempting to shove as many pointless vocabulary words that I can into my already stressed out brain so that I can take the GRE a second time and hopefully get a decent score. I HATE the GRE. It seems that no matter how long I study I can not retain ANY of the information. Anyone have any tips on how to actually improve your verbal score on the GRE? Thanks. 😳

 

[aspiringDVM]

Verbal is my natural strength over math, but as I've been studying my math score has steadily increased while my verbal score bounces up and down by 100 points or so. Lots of the vocab stuff is pretty hard to fake -- you either know it or you don't. My Kaplan book suggests eliminating analogy pairs with a weak "bridge," which helps some of the time. Blerrrrgggg back to studying.

 

[sumstorm]

Review all the GRE prep tricks for vocab. If you don't have a book that goes over the 6-12 techniques, go to the bookstore and sit there reading through them. Practice those tricks.

Create word lists. Words that mean 'war like' or words that mean 'menacing.' Use mnemonic links to tag the words to each other. There is one kaplan vocab book that does this, and it is the only one I have seen that gives word lists. It's actually a 'flash card' style book, but on teh definition side it gives related words.

Use the odd image mnemonic technique. Create a goofy image of the sounds of the word doing whatever the meaning is. For example, adduction = add auction = means towards the midline.....when I am adding purchases at the bake sale auction all that food moves towards my midline. Make the mental images sharp, bright, strange, weird, etc. The more it connects for you, the more likely it will trip recollection.

Etymology helps me a lot...often if I understand the origin of a word, I have an easier time remembering it. Obviously, prefixes/suffixes help.

The one technique that I used a lot which suprised me was part of speech. If you can id noun/verb/adjective/etc you can pick out relationships faster. I really resisted this because I found it obnoxious, but it works. As does knocking out non-sensical answers....and working backwards from answers to question.

Oh, sometimes looking up quotes that use the words helps as well. Knowing that it was part of a famous phrase in history helps me to hold on to the meaning. I guess I like context!

 

[twelvetigers]

The things that sumstorm mentioned are mostly from the Kaplan book, which I have found helpful so far. 😉 Maybe you could pick that up if you haven't tried it yet?

 

[PetDoc318]

I have the Kaplan GRE prep book that has the word groups and root lists in it. I made flashcards for the groups and lists to make it easier than just reading it out of the book. I also have the Kaplan vocabulary in a box. I have been studying the words, one letter at a time, and removing the words from my card deck that I have down solid. I also have the Kaplan vocab app on my ipod that is awesome. It has the words divided into easy, medium, and hard, or you can study them all. It has a great quiz feature and is great for when I don't feel like flipping cards. Vocabulary isn't my strong point either and I am studying my butt off to raise my score on the verbal. I hope this info helps you someway. If you don't have a Kaplan book, I suggest getting one or any kind of test prep book. They're about $30, but if you can raise your score a couple hundred points, like I did, it's worth it. Good luck, YOU CAN DO IT! 😀 👍

 

[DVMDream]

Thanks for all of the advice. It seems as though the Kaplan book is a good choice for studying. I will have to buy it and hopefully I can raise my score a couple hundred points. Thanks again everyone! 😀

 

[Qwerty85]

I have the Kaplan GRE prep book that has the word groups and root lists in it. I made flashcards for the groups and lists to make it easier than just reading it out of the book. I also have the Kaplan vocabulary in a box. I have been studying the words, one letter at a time, and removing the words from my card deck that I have down solid. I also have the Kaplan vocab app on my ipod that is awesome. It has the words divided into easy, medium, and hard, or you can study them all. It has a great quiz feature and is great for when I don't feel like flipping cards. Vocabulary isn't my strong point either and I am studying my butt off to raise my score on the verbal. I hope this info helps you someway. If you don't have a Kaplan book, I suggest getting one or any kind of test prep book. They're about $30, but if you can raise your score a couple hundred points, like I did, it's worth it. Good luck, YOU CAN DO IT! 😀 👍

where do you buy/download the Kaplan vocab app for your ipod

 

[david594]

The app store in Itunes.

 

[PetDoc318]

The app store in Itunes.

^ Yes! I think it was $4.99. Just search for Kaplan GRE and it should come up. There are several other GRE vocabulary apps, so make sure you get the one that with the Kaplan logo. I think they have some information about it at kaptest.com if you want to read about it before you buy it.

 

[Qwerty85]

^ Yes! I think it was $4.99. Just search for Kaplan GRE and it should come up. There are several other GRE vocabulary apps, so make sure you get the one that with the Kaplan logo. I think they have some information about it at kaptest.com if you want to read about it before you buy it.

I am going to try searching the iTunes library but offhand does anyone know if they have the app (or any similar one) for the Blackberry (Storm)???

 

[fleabear]

"Barron's Essential Words for the GRE" was very helpful to me. It contains 800 words. I like the format because there is constant reinforcement, not just a list of words and definitions.

The book presents 80 units of 10 words, their definitions, sentences to place them in context, and numerous "fill in the blank" exercises. I made my way through the book and frequently went back and re-did and rechecked the exercises to make sure I remembered the words. I did a fair amount of cramming and last-minute studying, and I found it helpful to have all these words in one place rather than studying from several lists.

If you have more time, there are also books with a couple thousand words, but I thought that was overkill and that my time would be better spent on the computer-based practice tests.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

 

[luplodw]

Well yesterday I retook the GRE and only studied for the verbal section. Soooo I learned 500 words (knew them all) and practiced some exercises and ended up doing 30 points worse on the verbal section and 20 points better on the math (which I didn't even look at). So annoying to study way more than the first time and end up doing 10 points worse overall.

 

[lyndaelyzoo]

The first time I took the GRE I didn't study, so decided to start studying my second time around. I bought all of the Kaplan books I could find and the vocabulary cards. My score went from a 1060 😱 to a 1280 (math alone went from 520 to 700) just by using those Kaplan books. The strange thing was, after taking the test, I almost clicked "do not report scores" because I wasn't confident with my math section and was struggling with relatively more difficult questions (but obviously the better you do, the harder the problems get). Needless to say, I am a big supporter of the Kaplan review books.

 

[david594]

Well yesterday I retook the GRE and only studied for the verbal section. Soooo I learned 500 words (knew them all) and practiced some exercises and ended up doing 30 points worse on the verbal section and 20 points better on the math (which I didn't even look at). So annoying to study way more than the first time and end up doing 10 points worse overall.

What was your score breakdown the first time you took the test? I saw in one of your other posts you pulled off a 1200 which is a fairly respectable score.

 

[Qwerty85]

anyone know of any good GRE vocabulary study books that give you the meaning of any roots/prefixes with each word?

 

[twelvetigers]

Kaplan has a nice list of those, too...

 

[fleabear]

Sorry I didn't include this in my original message. At the end of the Barron's book that I mentioned, there's a section with 300 common roots and prefixes, as well as matching and fill-in exercises.