Lets Talk GRE's

[psychadelics]

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Sorry for the late night post and please take it into consideration.

As I am aware, the new GRE's take into effect in August. Considering the difference in scales and content, a big question has arisen.

Which GRE is better to take?

A very short (late night) google search turned up this, as a summary of changes (obviously the GRE site was full of "good for you propaganda") :

http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/university-news/2010/01/15/grad-students-react-new-gre/

or this from (http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/12/07/gre)

• "Test takers using the computer version of the test will be able to move around among questions within sections, skipping a question and coming back later or revising an answer before finishing a section. In the current version, a test taker must give a final answer to a question before getting the next question.
• The scoring system for the verbal and quantitative sections of the test will be revised to be on scales of 130-170, with score increments of one point. This replaces scales of 200-800, with score increments of 10 points. (The writing test's 1-6 scale will not change.)
• The section of antonyms and analogies in the verbal section will be removed, with more reading comprehension added.
• The geometry section in the quantitative section will shrink, with additional questions being added related to data analysis.
• A calculator will be provided so that mathematics answers will be based on test-takers' comprehension of concepts and not their speed at basic calculations.
• The time of the exam will increase from around 3 hours to 3 hours, 45 minutes."

What is the consensus on which test will resonate more with schools. Obviously there will be some ambiguities concerning scores, at first, and thus applicants. As some applying a second time, this is really something to consider. What are your thoughts? Especially those planning to take/retake the test before the December application seasons.

👍 or 👎

 

[Psy01]

As I am aware, the new GRE's take into effect in August.

Of 2011. So unless you weren't going to be taking them for more than a year from now, this is a non-issue for you.

 

[justme08]

Yikes, you scared me. I'm studying and planning to take the exam for the first, and hopefully last, time in August. I haven't registered yet, but that's the goal.

I'd say it depends on your strenghts. I personally like antonmys and analogies. I'm not saying that I cannot read and comprehend, but those reading passages make me want to poke my eyes out . Plus, I think if you are weaker in math, the new test would be more difficult given the fact you are allowed to use a calculator.

 

[livetosail]

All I can say is that I am glad I'll be taking them again next year after the changes are in effect. I have always felt handicapped by doing math the long-hand method.

 

[psychadelics]

I knew writing such a late night post would pose issues. Thanks for pointing this out.

Of 2011. So unless you weren't going to be taking them for more than a year from now, this is a non-issue for you.

 

[Psychology 76]

Plus, I think if you are weaker in math, the new test would be more difficult given the fact you are allowed to use a calculator.

Why do you think this is the case? I'm taking the GRE this year too but I'm not strong in math so I was wondering if I got lucky or unlucky having to take the old one. I still think the math is challenging but with all the tricks you can learn it seems like its not that bad. Doing math with a calculator seems like it could make the problems a lot more complex.

 

[Psy01]

I knew writing such a late night post would pose issues. Thanks for pointing this out.

Pose issues? What are you talking about?

 

[psychadelics]

As in not realizing that the year was 2011...

Pose issues? What are you talking about?

 

[Psy01]

As in not realizing that the year was 2011...

You call that "issues"? Please.

You seem to be taking offense over nothing. I simply pointed out something that could have been missed by you or anyone else reading. (Indeed, you expressed concern that it was "late" and that we should "take it into consideration.")

 

[justme08]

Why do you think this is the case? I'm taking the GRE this year too but I'm not strong in math so I was wondering if I got lucky or unlucky having to take the old one. I still think the math is challenging but with all the tricks you can learn it seems like its not that bad. Doing math with a calculator seems like it could make the problems a lot more complex.

I agree, I think they would make the math problems much more complex.

 

[Psy01]

I agree, I think they would make the math problems much more complex.

It's been stated that one of the ways ETS would try to trip you up was not allowing a calculator and putting "tricks" into the problems. So in this sense, having a calculator could improve your chances.

Then again, as has been stated, they could now resort to more complex problems to try to trip you up.

This, I think, is a more individual thing. Some people can do well with a calculator, even with more complex problems, but may have a tendency to makes a lot of errors with hand calculations. And vice versa. So you'd need to figure out which is more you.

 

[psychadelics]

I'm not taking offense. At this point it feels like I should be taking defense. Ya know what I'm sayin'?

You call that "issues"? Please.

You seem to be taking offense over nothing. I simply pointed out something that could have been missed by you or anyone else reading. (Indeed, you expressed concern that it was "late" and that we should "take it into consideration.")

 

[Psy01]

I'm not taking offense. At this point it feels like I should be taking defense. Ya know what I'm sayin'?

You "should be taking defense"?

C'mon. Seriously. You're taking exception to what I've said for no reason.

 

[jnine]

Hey Psy01, I think something has been lost in e-translation here. I don't think psychadelics ever took offense at what you said. The defense comment was related to post #9 and seems tongue-in-cheek.

 

[Psy01]

Hey Psy01, I think something has been lost in e-translation here. I don't think psychadelics ever took offense at what you said. The defense comment was related to post #9 and seems tongue-in-cheek.

Whether psychadelics is referring to one or all of my posts, it doesn't make a difference. I'm referring to everything as a whole, not just post #9. Whatever level of sarcasm vs. seriousness is in his/her replies I really don't care, because it actually doesn't make a difference to my main point. Likewise, whether or not psychadelics felt offended, or felt defensive, or whatever they might call it, is actually rather tangential to my main point.

But whatever.

 

[psychadelics]

What is the point? that the date is 2011? Or that I don't or do have "issues?" I'm not really sure any more. Regardless, I am not offended. My previous comment was a joke meant to lighten to the mood. Instead it seems it has added flame to the fire. Anyway... I'm over it. Thanks for all your help!

Whether psychadelics is referring to one or all of my posts, it doesn't make a difference. I'm referring to everything as a whole, not just post #9. Whatever level of sarcasm vs. seriousness is in his/her replies I really don't care, because it actually doesn't make a difference to my main point. Likewise, whether or not psychadelics felt offended, or felt defensive, or whatever they might call it, is actually rather tangential to my main point.

But whatever.

 

[psich]

I also understood that comment as a joke.

 

[PsychGraduate]

Why do you think this is the case? I'm taking the GRE this year too but I'm not strong in math so I was wondering if I got lucky or unlucky having to take the old one. I still think the math is challenging but with all the tricks you can learn it seems like its not that bad. Doing math with a calculator seems like it could make the problems a lot more complex.

Either version of the GRE does have a math section that will be difficult if your basic algebra, geometry and pre-trigonometry is really rusty. Neither version is VERY math intensive. Oxford offers a pretty good GRE preparation test. The Kaplan preparation textbook is decent as well and the Cliff Notes GRE preparation is not thorough enough. If you have forgotten the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and cannot see how to cut them up from a 360 degree standpoint for slightly more complex multi-step problems then now is the time to study. Starting to study 9-12 months prior to when you think you will take the GRE is not a bad idea either. I have several years tutoring others in preparation for the GRE and C-BEST. Neither are very difficult tests, but if you are weak in math it is easy to end up failing the mathematics section. Key thing to remember is to study consistently, identify weaknesses, improve upon them, and not to be to anxious going into the test.