GRE Preparation for MPH

[the Undergrad]

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How did you guys prepare for the GRE exam? Like how many hours did you set aside during the day for studying? Did you make use of flashcards, memorization tools, etc? Any testing progam? Also, is it better to study 2-3 days of the week for extensive time period, OR... study 2-4 hours everyday?

Any recommendations/suggestions/study tips/or your own method of studying will be appreciated.

& If you guys don't mind disclosing your GRE scores (wait, what's the highest you can get again?), that might also be cool. Thanks.

 

[ronin13]

How did you guys prepare for the GRE exam? Like how many hours did you set aside during the day for studying? Did you make use of flashcards, memorization tools, etc? Any testing progam? Also, is it better to study 2-3 days of the week for extensive time period, OR... study 2-4 hours everyday?

Any recommendations/suggestions/study tips/or your own method of studying will be appreciated.

& If you guys don't mind disclosing your GRE scores (wait, what's the highest you can get again?), that might also be cool. Thanks.

I guess it depends on which section of the test you're talking about. For verbal, I didn't study at all. For quantitative, I just boned up on math formulas that I've forgotten since high school (1-2 hours tops). And for the written section I just looked over some sample questions/essays. I did 3 or 4 practice tests (the ones provided by ETS), and found them very helpful. Overall, I got a 560V 640Q (out of 800 maximum for each section) and a 6 on the written section (with 6 as the max). These scores are approximate, I can't remember them exactly. I did pretty well, but some extra studying would have helped. In the end though, I don't think there's much detailed studying you can do for the GRE, it's better to just familiarize yourself with the format.

For the subject test (which, for me, was psychology), I reviewed my undergrad intro textbook. Probably 5-6 hours of studying altogether, just reviewing the main concepts and points. I think I got something like a 680, which was 80th or so percentile.

Honestly, the GRE is nothing like the MCAT. I think you could walk in off the street and do fairly well on the GRE if you're good at standardized testing, and have solid problem solving abilities. Don't stress yourself out about it.

 

[the Undergrad]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate. 🙂

One question though: To apply for MPH, do we also have to take a subject test (for example, my major was psychology, so do I have to take psych. GRE even if I'm not applying for masters in psych?). I thought applicants of MPH only took the GRE general. 😕

 

[ronin13]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate. 🙂

One question though: To apply for MPH, do we also have to take a subject test (for example, my major was psychology, so do I have to take psych. GRE even if I'm not applying for masters in psych?). I thought applicants of MPH only took the GRE general. 😕

I'm only fairly new to the MPH game, so someone else might be able to expand on what I tell you.

As far as I know, most programs only require the general section. I wrote the subject test just so that I could apply to psych grad schools as well (backups and whatnot). I think people have mentioned that there are a few programs (e.g. the more specialized streams within the public health schools) that may require a subject GRE, but I haven't noticed any. Then again, if you were applying for a sociobehavioural stream, and you submitted a nice looking psych GRE score, it surely couldn't hurt your application.

 

[MintyKitty]

I only gave myself four days to study ("four longs days to cram") for the GRE (one for each of the four years I've been out of college?), and it was fine. 😳 I received above 80th percentiles on all sections.

Only you understand your weaknesses and on which components to focus, but I liked the extensive vocab list in Barron's, and I heard that Princeton Review has great test-taking tips for the quantitative section. Definitely practice on the computer using the sample tests from ETS/prep books because the computer feel is VERY different from paper. Look over the analytical writing section topics list and writing samples on the GRE website to familiarize yourself with the types of topics you'll likely see. Don't fret if your own writing style is nothing like the poetic types reflected in the 6 and 5.5 scored samples. Your own style is fine; they're looking for clear, strong analytical and critical skills and a string that connects your analyses.

Outside of studying and cramming, the most important thing is to go in with a clear head and a solid breakfast! Get a good night's sleep. I tried not to study at all the evening before the exam. During the test, don't second guess yourself about what the next question will be or about how well you've been doing. Just answer the questions and move on, but do NOT rush through the beginning of the sections. Your performance at the beginning of the section sets the stage (and your general score level) for the rest of the section, so even if you have to guess at the end of a section, confidence and correctness in your answers at the beginning of the section will likely produce a better score. Also, take full advantage of your breaks and non-testing periods of time to organize yourself and relax, take a short nap even. 😉

I recommend not cramming like I did. It may be possible to do well under those conditions, but it was no fun going into the test all frazzled and icky feeling.

Hope that's of some help, and beep back if you have any more thoughts. Good luck!

How did you guys prepare for the GRE exam? Like how many hours did you set aside during the day for studying? Did you make use of flashcards, memorization tools, etc? Any testing progam? Also, is it better to study 2-3 days of the week for extensive time period, OR... study 2-4 hours everyday?

Any recommendations/suggestions/study tips/or your own method of studying will be appreciated.

& If you guys don't mind disclosing your GRE scores (wait, what's the highest you can get again?), that might also be cool. Thanks.

 

[AtlChic]

How did you guys prepare for the GRE exam? Like how many hours did you set aside during the day for studying? Did you make use of flashcards, memorization tools, etc? Any testing progam? Also, is it better to study 2-3 days of the week for extensive time period, OR... study 2-4 hours everyday?

Any recommendations/suggestions/study tips/or your own method of studying will be appreciated.

& If you guys don't mind disclosing your GRE scores (wait, what's the highest you can get again?), that might also be cool. Thanks.

As someone else stated--you know what your strenghths/weaknesses are. When you sign up for the GRE, you get a GRE PREP CD from ETS, this is the best thing to use while studying. Since ETS administers the test, its best to study off of their CD (vs. Kaplan or PR)...and if you just go through it, take the sample tests (and do the exercises for areas you want to improve in) then you should definitely do okay!