GRE test prep

[plee]

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What books are the best to prep for GRE??

 

[jblil]

There are quite a few out there. I have used many of them, but prefer Barron's GRE. It includes a CD with 2 practice tests that mimic the real test quite well.

 

[markelmarcel]

I got the Kaplan workbooks and "Cracking the GRE".

I'd say they were helpful, but I still didn't do that wonderful on them. Honestly, I think physics helped me with the math section! (Circular rotation and all the other formulas!) I took it 3 times and the highest math score I got was when I took the GRE a week after finishing up Physics 1&2 in the summer 😉

 

[lknight]

I just took the GRE and did alot better on the math section than the verbal. The verbal just felt overwhelming.....I am going to retake the GRE to try to improve my verbal score. I was wondering if anyone has used the Kaplan GRE Verbal Workbook or another test prep book that was very helpful in preparing them for the verbal section.

 

[pumpkinpatch]

In my experience, I don't think the GRE is the kind of exam that one can really prepare themselves for, unless you are willing to dedicate inordinate amounts of studying time. I spent a decent amount of time studying vocab and practicing essays, etc. and I really feel like I wasted my time doing so. I would suggest: do a couple practice tests just to get a feel for how the exam will run, and use the outline for the essays that the prep books suggest, and leave it at that. I spent sooo much time memorizing vocab words, and I think one of the words showed up on the test. Unless you really do an exhaustive study, it isn't likely to be worth it.

 

[markelmarcel]

In my experience, I don't think the GRE is the kind of exam that one can really prepare themselves for, unless you are willing to dedicate inordinate amounts of studying time. I spent a decent amount of time studying vocab and practicing essays, etc. and I really feel like I wasted my time doing so. I would suggest: do a couple practice tests just to get a feel for how the exam will run, and use the outline for the essays that the prep books suggest, and leave it at that. I spent sooo much time memorizing vocab words, and I think one of the words showed up on the test. Unless you really do an exhaustive study, it isn't likely to be worth it.

I agree with this.

 

[FLDPT]

There are quite a few out there. I have used many of them, but prefer Barron's GRE. It includes a CD with 2 practice tests that mimic the real test quite well.

I agree. I did the free Kaplan practice exam and got below a 1000 the first time I took it. I bought the Barron's book and their vocab and math flash cards. I didn't touch the math flash cards, but I improved my overall score between 200-300 points from these materials alone. I wouldn't advise taking the expensive classes unless you have the time and money to spare.

 

[fitzy8]

I studied with a Kaplan book and didn't do as well as I would have liked. After that I did an online Kaplan course. Although it was slightly more expensive than I would have liked it really provided me with a guide on how to go about studying and gave hints on how to approach the exam. It really stressed that its more than just flashcards and instead you have to know how to eliminate answers in a logical manner. Overall, I was really happy with my improvements.

 

[hefe]

I spent two weeks last summer at 15 hrs/wk while doing a PT internship at 30 hrs/wk and scored well enough to meet requirements for top programs.

Timing strategies, practicing, doing well on the first few questions, and general review did the trick. Quantitative I'd imagine is the easiest to pull up of the sections given the effort you put into it. Still, put enough effort and aim to get 450 or ideally 500 on verbal to open up options when applying.

Also, no need to pay $1000 for a class unless you really bomb official GRE practice tests (>800). I had a solid month to borrow the newest editions of Kaplan (W/CD), Princeton Review, and GRE for Dummies at my municipal library for free... Just don't right directly in them for the next person! The GRE for Dummies was the quickest read to get tests strategies right away for me.

Good luck!

 

[lpacho]

.

 

[hefe]

I don't want to make a new thread for this, so I'll just ask here-

I'll be applying to dpt programs next year and I just got my scores from my first GRE. I'm honestly pleasantly surprised (700 Q, 540 V, 5.0 A). Clearly I have some room for improvement, especially on verbal, but I've never been the best test taker, so I'm happy with these scores. As far as my other stats, I have a very high GPA, lots of observation hours in multiple settings, and good extracurriculars.

In an ideal world, I would have plenty of time to study and retake it to hopefully improve a bit, but my current schedule makes it hard (full time student with a job). Basically, my question is this: is it worth taking the GRE again?

Thanks!

Nope, take that score all the way to the bank... If you have 3.8 maybe even 3.7 you'll have a great chance to get in most places. Keep your score and keep your GPA up in the meantime, good work! Do well, on interviews.

Be happy. 😀

 

[HeyCmonNow]

i used the Barrons and the Princeton Review

and i liked (loved) the PR book way better. they really helped break down the questions and told you how to attack it..

they also had some cd practice exams - and they were set up to look like the screen/interface you'll see/use during the actual exam - which helps take some of the uncertainty out of it - considering the essay's text editor..'leaves a little to be desired'...

good luck

 

[Svfina]

It depends on if you need to review the material a bit, or if you already have strong basic math and verbal knowledge. I needed to review because I never truly prepared for the SAT and my basic high school math was very weak. To do this, I used Barron's. I reviewed all the math in the book, and then after I began taking practice tests. I was studying with friends that were taking the MCAT and they told me that they were advised to take at least 20 practice tests, so I followed suit. I took practice tests on free websites, from the back of Kaplan, Princeton, and Barron's review books, which I borrowed from the library. I think that the most important part was, to find where your weaknesses are and go back and fix them. After that you can begin learning the test tips and tricks that Kaplan and Princeton give.

If I didn't get a 1200 or over, I was going to take it again...I got a 1200 exactly, not the best, but it got me into first round of interviews in 3 of the 4 schools I applied for that interviewed. Schools do care about the GRE, and I think 1200 is very competitive for many schools (I would recommend it as a minimum if your GPA is low). Also, you may need to use them again to get into a PhD or other program later, so put your time in and get a good score.

Here is a website I used for the vocab, but beware it may be really overwhelming, don't use it if you don't need to.
http://www.mnemonicdictionary.com/wordlist.html

If you do use it, go through the list and eliminate all the words you already know, hopefully you can eliminate more than 50%.

 

[DPTHopeful921]

i used "GRE for Dummies" and another book "Crash Course for the GRE: The Last Minute Guide to Score High" both were really helpful. i increased my score overall by about 200 points