GRE Practice Scores - Whadda think?

[scienceisbeauty]

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I've taken 4 *practice* tests: Scores listed in order of taking the test ->

Verbal: 770, 750, 760, 790
Math: 530, 550, 540, 560

What would you think if you saw these scores? - I'm really worried about the math. I don't think Verbal is that important, so although my scores may be quite high...my math scores are meh I think, but I don't know. I really can't seem to break the 5XX mark. ARUGH.
I voice concern. Prep courses really aren't "my thing" - anyone have helpful suggestions on how to boost my math scores?

I posted this just before but ...I think it is better posted here, since Clinical Psych is after all what I want to get into.

THANXS GUYS - please respond?

 

[yikes]

my math practice scores went up considerably after i did ALL the practice problems on the ets gre website. not only was it good practice, but those questions were the most similar to ones I encountered on my test.

 

[scienceisbeauty]

COOL, *ALL* the problems....I guess I can grit my teeth and try, it's a good suggestion, especially if it worked for you 🙂. But if I were to submit any one of those score combinations (say if I take the actual GRE, not practice), do you think I'd be competitive.
I'm so scared. 🙁

 

[BorntoRun]

Fear not. On my first GRE practice test, my math scores were in the 400s. Even during subsequent practice tests they weren't too high, but on the actual test I got scores that put me solidly in the competitive range.

I recommend the Kaplan prep book and CD-ROM. It helped a ton (especially with my math score), and I did the work on my own time, in my own bedroom, without spending the $1000s a traditional prep course would've cost. The nice thing about the book/CD is it teaches you tricks for quickly eliminating wrong answers, so if you have to guess your odds are better. (Ugh- I sound like a salesperson, but I really feel like I owe them for helping me get pretty darn good GRE [and SAT, back in the day] scores!)

That, and flashcards for formulas (e.g., area of a triangle, etc.) if that's your style.

 

[scienceisbeauty]

MATH FLASH CARDS! I'd 'ave never thought of that! That's an awesome idea.
*Makes careful note of Kaplan book* *is going to go buy it*
Do you think my verbal scores would at all compensate if for some dreaded reason my math scores remain in the sameish range? I mean, with math flash cards, practicing on *ALL* of ETS math probs, and Kaplan CD problems...I don't think it will stay the same...but ..................... do I have even a chance with a lowish math score?

 

[Ollie123]

Quite an impressive verbal score - seems like you're having the opposite problem of most folks who take the test. I can think of very few people who find the math section more difficult than the verbal (which is made quite clear by the percentiles since 700 get you an awesome verbal percentile, and a mediocre math one).

I definitely think being higher would help, but I wouldn't panic about it. If you can pull it up enough to break 600, I think you're definitely okay, and already your overall is decent enough that I don't think its too likely to be a problem. Don't have any specific advice other than buy any books you haven't yet and do every practice problem you can find.

 

[WaitingKills]

My math was weak like yours. I haven't taken the official test yet this time around, but my scores on practice tests have gone from 8/28 to 18-21/28 with not a lot of time. If you are really struggling with math, I would suggest getting The Ultimate Math Refresher: for the GRE, GMAT and SAT by Lighthouse Review. It is sort of a 'Math for Dummies' book which reteaches you the basics of everything that is on the GRE.

I am supplementing it with Barron's GRE text because unfortunately it doesn't give you testing strategies or ways to eliminate answers. Anyway, I've found it brilliant!

How on earth did you get your verbal so high? I am really struggling in that area so I'm focusing really hard on the math to try to compensate. Lol, I test on Wednesday so probably nothing I can do about it now anyway.

Anyway, good luck!

 

[PhDshallsee]

We could be twins!

I found my practicve scores were very similar to the real ones, esp. the Kaplan score. And like you, my math STINKS and my verbal is really strong.

Makes no sense!

I'll be looking for tips too, as I'll be retaking it one more time!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The Quant (Math) section is all about learning the tricks, and it has very little to do with real math. I'd focus on learning the different 'types' of questions.

btw...I'm glad you are getting a lot out of the site!

-t

 

[JockNerd]

Be SURE you're learning how to do ETS' tricks in addition to the actual math. Learn how to spot the tricks quick (e.g. a right-triangle-looking thing without the box at the 90' angle is NOT a right triangle! Can't answer the question!). Almost no question should take you more than 30 seconds, and none should take more than a minute--if it does, you've missed something. Also, be sure you're getting those first half-dozen questions right, since that determines your score more than anything else.

Nice verbal.

 

[zeldazelda]

I was in a similar spot and echo the recommendation on the Kaplan book. The one I bought also gave access to some online tests/modules which were helpful. There are a lot of tricks to learn that make the math easier. I have been out of school for a while so my initial quant score was fairly low. I pulled up my quant score by approx. 200 points to well within the competitive range through practice, practice practice!

 

[scienceisbeauty]

How on earth did you get your verbal so high? I am really struggling in that area so I'm focusing really hard on the math to try to compensate. Lol, I test on Wednesday so probably nothing I can do about it now anyway.

Anyway, good luck!

I'm not sure but I think having taken French immersion allowed me to 'get at' the roots of the word. Also, when I had been practicing prior to taking these tests - i.e. looking at vocab, I first determined whether the word seemed 'negative' or 'positive'. It eliminated a few choices. But one has to be careful - it's hard to always be correct.
Onething I found superhelpful for the ant quests was to define the CHOICES given, some of them I knew or had a slight idea of the definition, and the prompt given couldn't possibly its ant....
OMG I'm so nervous for you...for Wednesday. I hope things go well, and I'm keeping my fingers fully crossed.

 

[amy203]

You should really try to get your math score above a 600. A score in the low 500s is going to be well below the 50th percentile (the engineering majors screw up the average, which sucks but it is what it is) and most schools ask for the percent as well as your score.

My score was a 780 (verbal) 620 (quant), and I was accepted into some very competitive research-oriented programs. However, I also had a lot of research experience and had taken close to two years of advanced stats (and got a letter of rec from my stats prof). My strategy was basically to get my quant score up to a point where it could be ignored in favor of my other achievements.

In terms of studying, the thing that helped me the most was taking practice tests. You don't have far to go! Just get it above a 600!

Good luck!

 

[scienceisbeauty]

Sooo if I have research experience: 2 indendent projects, volunteered and worked in research labs, won a summer SSHRC grant, am doing an honours research thesis, have a job as an RA, and have 2 potential publications...then it should compensate for a relatively meh math scores? *so long as they are above or at 600*?
But my GPA is just okay..not so awesome, not so bad: around a 3.76 for last year and should be relatively the same (maybe higher) this year...

 

[scienceisbeauty]

I was in a similar spot and echo the recommendation on the Kaplan book. The one I bought also gave access to some online tests/modules which were helpful. There are a lot of tricks to learn that make the math easier. I have been out of school for a while so my initial quant score was fairly low. I pulled up my quant score by approx. 200 points to well within the competitive range through practice, practice practice!

Since I'm planning to take the GREs in May/early June, how much should I practice on the math do you guys think? I know it's highly personalized thing...but I know when I was going into first year, the 'standard' was 2 hours of studying for every 1 hour of class. Is there such a 'formula' when it comes to GRE success?

 

[amy203]

Sooo if I have research experience: 2 indendent projects, volunteered and worked in research labs, won a summer SSHRC grant, am doing an honours research thesis, have a job as an RA, and have 2 potential publications...then it should compensate for a relatively meh math scores? *so long as they are above or at 600*?
But my GPA is just okay..not so awesome, not so bad: around a 3.76 for last year and should be relatively the same (maybe higher) this year...

Awesome! Yes, this is what I was getting at in my post. You have to consider your score within the context of the rest of your application. I think it's OK to have some weak spots in your app as long as they aren't too weak and you make up for them in other areas. I recently suggested that a person with the same quant score as me (620) retake the test, but this person had a low verbal score and low GPA as well. Your research experiences sound great and will make a big difference (make sure to get in touch with the profs you are interested in this summer). Keep in mind that, if your GPA is below a 3.5, then your GRE will matter even more.

I'm guessing that you're planning on applying to research-oriented programs, right? I'm sure you know how competitive these programs are. The "above a 600" is just a good rule of thumb for these programs. After all your hard work, you don't want to give them an excuse to toss your application out of the pile.

 

[JockNerd]

Sooo if I have research experience: 2 indendent projects, volunteered and worked in research labs, won a summer SSHRC grant, am doing an honours research thesis, have a job as an RA, and have 2 potential publications...then it should compensate for a relatively meh math scores? *so long as they are above or at 600*?
But my GPA is just okay..not so awesome, not so bad: around a 3.76 for last year and should be relatively the same (maybe higher) this year...

haha I think you're going to be fine 😛 But still, push that quant above 600. You'll be ultra-competitive if you can pull off a combined 1400+. I think boosting your math score is easier to achieve than boosting your verbal. Verbal boosting involves literally learning hundred of words, quant boosting involves learning a few principles (and a few more tricks) and then practicing your butt off. If you're not already doing it, go back on those practice tests and see WHY you're getting the ones you got wrong, wrong.

I'm jealous of your SSHRC. I just submitted my pre-doc SSHRC proposal 🙂

 

[irish80122]

One piece of advice is before you worry about your scores take the computer sample tests from ETS called GRE PowerPrep. I (at least) found them to be very close to my score and I think they will give you the most accurate estimate possible of where you stand. Good luck!

 

[scienceisbeauty]

ALL OF YOU GUYS ARE SO SWEET. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW *scienceisbeauty* loves the help.

I think this website is awesome. I love all of you guys sooo much for being soooooo helpful. *tears*

I'm in a mushy mood. But aww....I wish success to ALLLLLLLL of youuu

I feel extra happy to have gotten so much help.