GRE Prep

[Lab Rat83]

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So, it's looking like I will writing the GRE once again. This time I will be taking an online course as I am going wrong somewhere in my own prep. I have been looking at the one Kaplan offers. Does anyone have any comments or other recommendations? I'm looking for something under $1000.

 

[Trematode]

I was under the impression that you did a lot better the last time you wrote it 🙁
I am in the same boat.

 

[Lab Rat83]

I did do a lot better for verbal and quant. My analytical writing was 0.5 less so it knocked me back a lot of percentage points. The frustrating thing is, that was the only time I did anything to prepare for the analytical writing portion. Once my 3 percentiles were averaged, I ended up with a very similar score.

 

[TigerWillow]

I like the Kaplan plain online one. You still have to do things yourself but they give you a schedule! And it forced me to take many practice tests

 

[Trematode]

I did do a lot better for verbal and quant. My analytical writing was 0.5 less so it knocked me back a lot of percentage points. The frustrating thing is, that was the only time I did anything to prepare for the analytical writing portion. Once my 3 percentiles were averaged, I ended up with a very similar score.

The exact same thing happened to me when I wrote the new GRE:
Improved verbal
Quant stayed the same
Analytical went down 0.5, which made the average worse than my first attempt.

 

[Emiloo4]

I did do a lot better for verbal and quant. My analytical writing was 0.5 less so it knocked me back a lot of percentage points. The frustrating thing is, that was the only time I did anything to prepare for the analytical writing portion. Once my 3 percentiles were averaged, I ended up with a very similar score.

I wouldn't worry about the analytical writing score. Some schools even allow you to bypass it. 😎

 

[Trematode]

Ours, they average the percentile. Doing 0.5 less on the GRE brought that average down 6 points. 🙁

 

[Emiloo4]

Ours, they average the percentile. Doing 0.5 less on the GRE brought that average down 6 points. 🙁

Oh... boo 👎(

 

[Philliab]

The exact same thing happened to me when I wrote the new GRE:
Improved verbal
Quant stayed the same
Analytical went down 0.5, which made the average worse than my first attempt.

Exact same thing happened to me! I'm so glad to know I'm not alone. I even thought my Analytical went much better with the new test (vs. my 1st time with the old test), but apparently thee GRE grading gods didn't agree. 🙁 So I'm taking it again to get that 0.5 back. Stupid test.

Good luck to all taking it again!

 

[equineconstant]

I like the Kaplan plain online one. You still have to do things yourself but they give you a schedule! And it forced me to take many practice tests

THIS. So many practice tests...I was totally over it by the time I took the actual one. 😉

 

[Trematode]

How much is the online course?

 

[TigerWillow]

I believ 900. But it might be 1k. Still a ripoff but what can you do.

 

[Trematode]

I can upgrade two of my chemistry courses for that amount of cash, or take the GRE 4 more times.
Um, no.

 

[TigerWillow]

I was wrong. It's 499

 

[TigerWillow]

And you pay in installments.

The 1k was something else I had to do. My chemistry class lol!

 

[Trematode]

I was wrong. It's 499

Hahaha.
That is reasonable, but still steep for someone as broke as I am.
😳

 

[TigerWillow]

Hahaha.
That is reasonable, but still steep for someone as broke as I am.
😳

I know, I'm the same way. I did wayyyyy better though on my GRE though. Now if it was the course itself or just that I took all those damn practice tests, who knows. But it was worth the money to me in the end since I got what I asked for!

But I truly believe you can get the same result on your own, but you have to be mad on top of studying an practicing.

 

[Trematode]

I don't think I can justify taking the course. I could take the test twice with that kind of money (and I have time to do that before the deadline).

I am going to start the beginning of the month.
Purchase more books (I do not have all of the new Kaplan books and should probably look into getting the Princeton Review ones at least).
Take my books outside when it is nice (I am easily distracted when I try to study at home).

It is going to be difficult for me to devote time to studying on weekends for the summer. It is the only time I get to see the boyfriend and family.

 

[equineconstant]

I don't know how else to find practice tests besides the course, but there is the one on the free PowerPrep software. ...Then again, if you're re-taking the GRE you're probably familiar enough with the format.

 

[TigerWillow]

The practice tests aren't supposed to be for just learning format, but for more putting you into that awful situation where youre stressing and hoping you ain't effin up.

Really, the tests were the most valuable things bc they have a gazillion of them. There's only so many shortcuts you can learn from the books (and I never actually used them lol)

 

[Lab Rat83]

The course I want to take is through Kaplan and it's $699. I need to do awesome on my GRE an there's obviously something I'm doing wrong. I still have huge room for improvement. I will also be getting help online with the analytical writing portion.

 

[equineconstant]

The practice tests aren't supposed to be for just learning format, but for more putting you into that awful situation where youre stressing and hoping you ain't effin up.

Really, the tests were the most valuable things bc they have a gazillion of them. There's only so many shortcuts you can learn from the books (and I never actually used them lol)

I completely agree with the value of the practice tests, I'm just saying if someone's taken the real test before, they could've gotten that plenty well from the real thing.

 

[Trematode]

I don't know how else to find practice tests besides the course, but there is the one on the free PowerPrep software. ...Then again, if you're re-taking the GRE you're probably familiar enough with the format.

Last time I tried to use PowerPrep, it was not compatible with my version of Windows 7.

I was NOT happy. 😡.

I have come to terms with the fact that I am only going to have a real shot at an interview if I improve my grades. I do not think going all out on the GRE by paying for the course is going to help me as much as taking more courses.

 

[Kell17]

Anyone know what is a competitive score on the new GRE for vet school???

 

[equineconstant]

I think I heard somewhere that since it's the first year using it schools will care more about percentiles than actual scores. Could be wrong, though.

 

[TigerWillow]

Anyone know what is a competitive score on the new GRE for vet school???

Scores? No. Score percentiles? Yes. 80% for each category is considered excellent.

 

[equineconstant]

Scores? No. Score percentiles? Yes. 80% for each category is considered excellent.

Oh, yay, that number makes me happy! Where'd you find it?

 

[TigerWillow]

Oh, yay, that number makes me happy! Where'd you find it?

Well I know that Davis says (or used to say) that if you get below their gpa cutoff, you would still be considered of you get > or = to 80% in both Q and V. When I did the new GRE, the old score range for q was 750-800 but it ended up being 86%. For V it was 630-730, and I was in 72%. I believe I had 161 and 156 respectively, but I can't really understand those numbers lol.

 

[pigsatuga]

I'm spending $700 for an actual GRE class in the Continuing Education department of my school. Totally not worth it. Could have just used the "The Official Guide" that comes from the folks who write the GRE (which came with the course by the way 😛) and just studied. I think they also offer an online class that is much cheaper and most likely would have been very similar to the actual class. I am mostly worried about the "math" section, not the verbal, so I thought that I would benefit from the in class experience. Well, you live and learn 😀.

 

[equineconstant]

Well I know that Davis says (or used to say) that if you get below their gpa cutoff, you would still be considered of you get > or = to 80% in both Q and V. When I did the new GRE, the old score range for q was 750-800 but it ended up being 86%. For V it was 630-730, and I was in 72%. I believe I had 161 and 156 respectively, but I can't really understand those numbers lol.

Ok, thanks.

 

[kakurubird]

I can upgrade two of my chemistry courses for that amount of cash, or take the GRE 4 more times.
Um, no.

You could take two chemistry course for $1,000?!?! So jealous of the cost of your Canadian education system. (The vets school admissions system? Not so much.)

 

[Trematode]

You could take two chemistry course for $1,000?!?! So jealous of the cost of your Canadian education system. (The vets school admissions system? Not so much.)

Well, the only way I can attend a school out of my area is if I become independently wealthy because the federal loan service gives a maximum $14 000 per year and private loan companies do not exist. So I am quite jealous of you guys. I would LOVE to apply to the Caribbean. I bought a LottoMax ticket the other night. That is my only hope for vet school at the moment.

 

[Trematode]

Other than that, I am quite fortunate that an undergraduate degree is cheaper to obtain and that there are always people fighting to lower the costs. I dont think we will be happy until we pay $3000 per year like Newfoundland.

 

[Kibo]

Ok, not gonna lie...I took the GRE a couple of years ago, was happy with my scores, moved on with life, and since then haven't paid much attention to the GRE...or the fact that the scoring system has completely changed. Imagine my confusion when I see multiple people posting that their recent GRE scores were 130-170 per section, and that said people are expecting to attend vet school. My face:

Don't worry, I've got it straight now.

 

[Animal Science]

Hi, I was wondering if you had a copy of the schedule you used..... Just so I can pace myself studying. I have the Princeton review books and an digital test prep. Thanks for any help..... This is my first time taking the GRE

 

[Bismarck]

I may be in the minority, but hunkered down for 4-5 days before my test and knocked it out of the park on my first go. Probably helped that putting in 8 hour days got me 'primed' and ready to go for the actual exam (your mileage may vary). I did use the following with the intention of studying earlier (but never did):

-Kaplan GRE book ~$20
- vocab flash cards ~$10-15 (you can make these for free if you have some paper and a list of words from the back of a GRE book)
-A second GRE book (Barron's; got it for free from older brother)
-PowerPrep software (free; from the Evil Testing Service)

Soapbox moment: if you have sufficient motivation (and time), you can master the GRE on the cheap through repetition. The only value of a course might be in having answers/solutions explained to you if you find you are having trouble mastering testing strategies otherwise. Most companies seem to prey on people's fear of bombing the test to get them to cough up $$$ for courses. I felt my money was better saved to spend on applications.

 

[Metry]

Hello all,

I hope I am posting this in the appropriate thread. I am a class of 2017 hopeful and I am preparing for the GRE using the new GRE Kaplan math workbook. For those of you have taken the new GRE did you find it useful to memorize the formulas for simple and compound interest? They have several of these problems in the review but since it's not familiar to me I would really have to sit down and memorize them and since time is limited im just wondering if you guys think it is worth it. Math is where my strength will be and I'm comfortable with the algebra and trig stuff but not so much with the financial type math. Thanks so much for any help. This forum is amazing and extremely helpful! 😃

 

[Trematode]

I tried to start last week. My job is so exhausting that my eyes glaze over within 20 minutes of picking up the book. 🙁

Anyone suffering from lack of motivation/sleep have any tips?

Whenever I feel like this, I wonder if I will ever succeed if I manage to get into vet school. Over the past year, my lack of motivation has been astonishing. It's not that I lack motivation to study... I was all excited to pick up my GRE book and start studying. But shortly afterwards, I find myself reading and retaining nothing and/or dozing off. I literally go into a daze and find myself staring off into space for several minutes. This has even been happening when I am doing something that I really enjoy.

 

[hai1983]

I tried to start last week. My job is so exhausting that my eyes glaze over within 20 minutes of picking up the book. 🙁

Anyone suffering from lack of motivation/sleep have any tips?

Whenever I feel like this, I wonder if I will ever succeed if I manage to get into vet school. Over the past year, my lack of motivation has been astonishing. It's not that I lack motivation to study... I was all excited to pick up my GRE book and start studying. But shortly afterwards, I find myself reading and retaining nothing and/or dozing off. I literally go into a daze and find myself staring off into space for several minutes. This has even been happening when I am doing something that I really enjoy.

I've been that unhappy and worn out, too. The things that helped me were exercise and making time for other activities I loved. The little time I had left over for studying had to be productive, because there was so little of it, and I physically and emotionally felt a lot better. YMMV. I'm sorry your job is so rough right now. 🙁

 

[Philliab]

Anyone suffering from lack of motivation/sleep have any tips?

Honestly...if I try to study when I'm tired or just not focused, it's almost counterproductive. I've just realized that I can't push myself through that and that evenings after work are the worst time to study for me. So what I did was block out a couple specific times a day to study: 1.get up 1/2 hour early in the mornings and 2. study through lunch and breaks. Neither are easy to do, but I made it a point. Then I would try and sneak in another hour on nights I could and really hit the book hard on the weekends.

Another thing I found that "tricked" my brain was to pick out a section or several sections that I had to do in that sitting. Then I felt like I'd accomplished something, and usually once I got started, I could keep going long past I originally thought.

Those are just some things that worked for me. 🙂 I'm studying for one more go at it next month, too. To me: GRE = stupidest test ever 👎 Good luck!

 

[Lab Rat83]

My GRE course started Monday and so far I'm really happy I'm doing it. I love the structure of it and I'm forced to do a lot of review, practice tests and preview. Other than being at home it feels just like I'm in an actual class.

 

[thaowey]

selling GRE study books by Kaplan ALL for ~$80!

includes:
-NEW GRE Premier [with CD] **no writing**
-NEW GRE Verbal **no writing**
-NEW GRE Math *some pencil writing*
-old GRE [still useful!] **no writing**
-old GRE Verbal [still useful!] **no writing**

i'll be moving to Ireland for UCD in a month and want to put these study books in good use for someone else, so if anyone's interested in buying, send me a message! thanks :]

 

[EdinBelle]

Question.. When is the last time I can take the GRE and have the results back before the deadline? Im signed up to take them on July 31st.. But I'm currently taking 2 summer classes and don't really think I'm ready to take them. Would I be okay to take them like the second/third week of August? I would be so much happier if I could actually prepare for it rather than going in blind!!

 

[hai1983]

Question.. When is the last time I can take the GRE and have the results back before the deadline? Im signed up to take them on July 31st.. But I'm currently taking 2 summer classes and don't really think I'm ready to take them. Would I be okay to take them like the second/third week of August? I would be so much happier if I could actually prepare for it rather than going in blind!!

Assuming you're taking the computerized exam, you'll have your verbal and and quantitative results at the end of the exam, before you leave the testing center. They won't be official, but they're good enough to self-report at most schools (if I'm reading instructions correctly).

I think I've seen most deadlines for taking the GRE as September 30 or October 1, so you're probably fine to take it in August. Obviously, you should double check for each of your schools.

Good luck! I'm taking two classes right now, too, and it's a lot. I wouldn't want to be taking the GRE on top of it!

 

[wldlfstdnt]

Assuming you're taking the computerized exam, you'll have your verbal and and quantitative results at the end of the exam, before you leave the testing center. They won't be official, but they're good enough to self-report at most schools (if I'm reading instructions correctly).

I think I've seen most deadlines for taking the GRE as September 30 or October 1, so you're probably fine to take it in August. Obviously, you should double check for each of your schools.

Good luck! I'm taking two classes right now, too, and it's a lot. I wouldn't want to be taking the GRE on top of it!

Also, you won't have your percentages, which you have to self report. So

 

[abbercadaver]

Dunno if someone has mentioned this, but it helped me to sit down every Saturday morning at 8am (when I would be taking the GRE, on Test Day) and taking a different practice exam each time after studying all week.

That way my mind was prepared when D Day at H Hour came. 🙂

 

[ilovezeefishies]

Hi I am new to all this. I have some advice for free GRE prep. I did poorly the first time and so I needed to retake the GRE in order to improve my quant score. So I actually used the Khan academy frequently. You are able to watch videos to practice certain concepts ( I had issues remembering how to convert sentences into equations). Also you can practice using their free software. I am not sure if it is the most time effective method of studying. But it is free! I also found it really helpful to watch the set of videos that went over SAT questions. I know the test isn't the same, but a l of the concepts were.

I also worked through the Cliff Notes Standardized Test review book. It wasn't too expensive, and I thought it was well formatted and the concepts definitely helped me improve.

As others have mentioned before, I think that the Powerprep software put out by ETS was the most effective way to measure how I would do on the actually test. It was very accurate!

 

[Beady]

I know I'm late to the party, but for anyone that's looking to improve primarily on their quant score (which I imagine is what most people here are focusing on): I can't say enough good things about the Nova's GRE math prep book. It provides a very thorough review with individual chapters on every math topic that is covered on the test (with a decently sized quiz at the end of each section), which I find is much more helpful in reinforcing a sound base than addressing the different formats of questions and mixing different types of math together. Obviously the latter type is more realistic to the test itself and it's good to go through several practice tests in the days leading up to the exam, but with respect to making sure you're confident in all areas of basic math, this book has been the best by far. The first time I took the exam back in March I used the Princeton Review, Barron's Math Prep and Kaplan books, but I think that the Nova prep is overall stronger at giving you hundreds of problems (sorted by the level of difficulty) on different topics and really testing your conceptual knowledge of the problems rather than bogging you down with calculations. I thought that the other 3 books focused more on learning how to identify tricks and traps in questions which is definitely useful, but if you want to make sure that you truly understand some more difficult math problems I really recommend the Nova book. There's also a comprehensive diagnostic test that helps to identify specific weak areas for you, and helps you focus your studies on those sections.

Anyone suffering from lack of motivation/sleep have any tips?

I've been studying for the past few weeks, and honestly the best thing that I've found (for me at least) is to make a habit out of studying. I haven't been forcing myself into marathon study sessions (I work about 60 hours a week so that wouldn't work out so well), but doing an hour or two of prep each night after work has been great. It's just a part of my routine now, and I actually look forward to getting to go over math problems at the end of the day as a productive way to unwind and be happy with my progress. Obviously curling up on the couch with some pizza & beer and watching several hours of breaking bad helps you unwind too (not that I've ever done that), but I think that doing something productive actually makes you much more content at the end of the day.

Good luck to everyone that's studying for the GRE right now! I take it again in 2 weeks and I really can't wait for it to be out of the way so that I can focus on the many other things that need to be done between now and October...

 

[485501]

If people are looking for free prep resources, I used FreeRice a lot. It's an online vocab game, and every time you get an answer right the site donates rice to the UN world hunger relief organization (because they have ads on the page). I played FreeRice a bit every day, and I actually saw at least 5 of the FreeRice words on the GRE when I took it, and more that had similar roots to words I'd seen on FreeRice. A bunch of my friends studied with FreeRice too, and they all did decently/well/really well on the verbal.

 

[Emiloo4]

If people are looking for free prep resources, I used FreeRice a lot. It's an online vocab game, and every time you get an answer right the site donates rice to the UN world hunger relief organization (because they have ads on the page). I played FreeRice a bit every day, and I actually saw at least 5 of the FreeRice words on the GRE when I took it, and more that had similar roots to words I'd seen on FreeRice. A bunch of my friends studied with FreeRice too, and they all did decently/well/really well on the verbal.

I 😍 FreeRice. I try to do 20 words everyday 🙂