Psych Subject Test - How do you study?

[psyd42]

Hey Guys,

Even though I've just applied to a few Clinical Psych programs for this Fall, I still have to take the Psych GRE subject test in April (suprisingly, a lot of schools will accept you before you actually take it - you must take it before classes begin however).

I am living and working in Denmark right now and will be taking the test in Norway. However, all of my Psych. books are back home in the States. As well, I spoke to ETS on the phone and they say they can give me a free manual, but they don't sell any more comprehensive study guides or anything like that.

So, my question is, how does one study exactly for this test? Even if I had access to all my Psych books - I couldn't imagine fumbling through all of them trying to catch up that way. Does anybody know of one study guide that I can obtain that will cover everything? Any help would be great.

Cheers,
d

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[Sorg1123]

Buy the kaplan study guide/review. It worked well for me. Also, take as many practice tests as you can to get the hang of knowing when and how many q's to omit or guess on. I a previous edition of this book for practice tests in addition to the kaplan guide:

GRE Psychology w/ CD-ROM (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the GRE (Test Preps) (Paperback)

Both ordered on amazon. Good luck!!

 

[dragonstyle]

my suggestion is the same as the previous. I got a study book and read the whole thing, highlighting all the important things. The big-y for me were the names. Alot of the test is about specific people, so the book I had came with sections that just had the names and what was famous about them. Came in pretty handy. And take as many practice tests as you can find. It helps to get in the mindset and to learn the tricks to multiple choice tests. Good luck!

 

[Alicorn]

Did anyone use any introductory psychology textbooks to supplement the information in the mentioned study guides? I used to have one from my first psych class, but that was years ago (I can't even remember which book it was! 😳 ). I've heard good things about Kalat's intro book though. Any recommendations would be wonderful!

 

[Psychxiety]

If you've had a good range of psych classes...all you should need is a review book such as Kaplan's. I just read through Kaplan's book & I made a great score.

If you're not a psych major then you might want to get your hands on an intro to psych book...otherwise stick with Kaplan.

The one bad part about the Kaplan book is that it over emphasizes names...don't worry about memorizing all the names. Just know the real biggies.

 

[blindblonde]

I took the test back in November. and did okay. I had a Kaplan book which had some practice tests and review material. I also used an intro textbook as well as texts from past courses. I did not have as much time to prepare because I had some issues with re-taking the general test that involved me rescheduling it and cutting into my subject test prep time. Anyways, I made a 640 out of 990, which was 64th percentile. Not as high as I would have hoped, but not anything to turn my nose down at either.

Basically, approach the test like a really long intro final exam. It is hard to cover everything, so just do your best. I mean, during the test, I remembered something from my intro psych class that I didn't even study. I had to dust the cobwebs off a bit, but it was fine.

I hope that helped. 🙂

 

[Sorg1123]

I I made a 640 out of 990, which was 64th percentile.

I didn't know it was out of 990? Not 800?

 

[Flutterbyu]

I used the Kaplan book and referenced a Psych 101 book that I borrowed from someone to look up the names/ideas that I was well versed in. I did average on my GREs and scored in the 94th percentile for the Psych GRE.

 

[amy203]

I didn't know it was out of 990? Not 800?

The scoring system is weird - I think it does go to 990, but ETS says that schools shouldn't try to interpret scores once they hit the 99%, which is around an 800.

 

[amy203]

I also did very well using Kaplan but, as I said in a previous thread, I think it helps to use notes/books from your intro-level classes as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that no one book or study guide is going to cover everything on the test. The Psych GRE is meant to be an indication of your knowledge of psychology, including the history of the science and all of its sub-fields. If this could actually all be covered in a single book, then why did we spend 4 years in school?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

One thing to keep in mind is that no one book or study guide is going to cover everything on the test. The Psych GRE is meant to be an indication of your knowledge of psychology, including the history of the science and all of its sub-fields. If this could actually all be covered in a single book, then why did we spend 4 years in school?

Excellent point to put this into perspective.

-t

 

[blindblonde]

I agree with the points from above. Just taking classes and having been exposed to the material over and over again is the only way to do well. I could definitely tell that the classes I had not had (i.e. neuroscience), I did not do as well.

Granted, someone could theorteically study for this test a month before and not even be a psych major and do well, but that's not the point. There is a reason that many programs do not require the test--it is not the best indicator of performance. The point is just do give some idea of your undergrduate (perhaps even graduate) psych background, but more emphasis is on your SoP, LoRs, and research experience. I was not a 100% happy with my score, but I"m not really upset about it. It shows that I still have a lot to learn, and I'm happy with knowing that.

 

[chimni]

I thought the Kaplan book was waaaaay off base. Totally outdated... and it was the 2006 version. Very bad. So much of it was focused on schizophrenia which didn't appear on the test more than once, I think.

 

[MelKUPhD]

I also used the Kaplan book and did very well on the test. While it didn't provide a lot of specific answers to questions that were actually on the test, the material definitely helped me to get reaquainted with the huge amount of info I'd been exposed to in my previous classes. I think just triggering some of that learned material made the rest more accessible somehow without having to go back through all my text books.

 

[NYCPsych]

I'm studying with the Kaplan book right now & feel like it's a good review. Again, I think that it's much easier if you're using it as a review and not to actually learn all the concepts. But what I'm finding is that the Kaplan practice tests (in the back) even have questions not covered in their own book. So, I think it's a good idea to use the book as an outline, and to supplement it with intro books. (Or hey, I like Wikipedia too, for quick answers. 🙂 )
Is anyone else taking the Psych GRE test on April 14??

 

[paramour]

Slightly off-topic but still related to GRE Subject test:

Does ETS report general scores & subject scores separately (so in other words do you have to pay for them separately)? Or will they do all at the same time if you request it?

I did check out the score report info online--and I'm assuming that they do report all at the same time but want to verify it with those of you who have actually done it.

 

[spyspy]

They can report them together. You indicate which scores you want to go where. So you could do:

School A: Gen
School B: Subj
School C: Gen & Subj

And it's still the same price per report.

 

[paramour]

They can report them together. You indicate which scores you want to go where. So you could do:

School A: Gen
School B: Subj
School C: Gen & Subj

And it's still the same price per report.

Ah, thanks! Good information to know. I suspect that I will end up taking it this next app cycle in order to broaden the schools I apply to . . . pesky testing.

Of course, then I have to debate whether I should retake the general in an attempt to increase my scores there--or just leave them be as they're not totally horrific and simply take the subject. Yes, taking both might be more beneficial but for various reasons, one is really the only that's likely feasible at this time . . . unless a whole lot happens between now & then. We shall see!

 

[thewesternsky]

It's also possible to do well on the test without shelling out money for a practice book (Kaplan or otherwise). I think it really depends how much faith you have in :

a) what you learned and remember from undergraduate psychology classes
b) how confident you are in your ability to take multiple choice tests

Try the practice test that you get for free when you register. You may be able to do well without a practice book.