General Admissions & OTCAS When to take the GRE?

[WanderlustOT]

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Hi, I plan on completing my app for a school beginning of October. When should I take the GRE? Also, when should I start studying? I will be taking summer school (anat & physio). Also, any tips on how to study for it, and what resources?

Thank you

 

[ColorGuardLove]

If I were you, I would start studying now, just a little bit at a time, and then sign up to take the test before your summer class(es) start. That way, you won't have to worry about studying for it on top of taking classes, and it will also give you time in case you decide you want to retake it. I don't really have any tips on studying for it because I've decided to apply only to schools which do not require it, but I want to say that I think I've heard that ETS has a good GRE book, and supposedly they're the ones who make the test.

 

[Marygirl]

I would say start studying now as well. By now you've probably taken a few standardized tests, so you know how much pressure you're dealing with. Maybe give yourself time to take it twice.. Using ETS, Princeton review, and Barron's flashcards I recieved a very competitive score and was accepted into my school of choice. Best advice I've got: practice tests!! lots of books come with a disc that very closely simulates the real test, use that! Over and over and over

 

[Gemut]

http://gre.magoosh.com/invite/f5366535k1p372

Magoosh is a fantastic resource for GRE prep. They have a remarkably authentic bank of test questions with a fantastic support team to answer any questions on content that is not covered on their video rationale included with each question. I studied exclusivley using Magoosh for 5 weeks before taking the GRE. The insight I gleaned from their AWA section was instrumental to me scoring a 5 on that section. If I were you, I would study for the GRE when you are not trying to master any other new material. Building stamina for the 4 hour focused test taking is a key part of doing well on the GRE. Best of luck.

 

[brighton421]

I was in the same boat as you and had to take anatomy and physio over the summer and I ended up taking the GRE at the end of August, about one week after my summer classes finished. I did not study as much as I wanted to, so I would start studying now regardless. Read the ETS website thoroughly - they have 2 practice tests which prepare you for the real test come test day. They also have a math review packet that reviews all concepts on the quantitative portions and they have a listing of every single possible prompt on the writing sections you will have.

Some people are better test takers than others, but my advice is to know the test inside and out, at least take the 2 ETS practice tests, and prepare yourself mentally for the environment on test day. I would also practice the writing essays under the time constraints, no matter how good of a writer you think you are. I know I only wrote 1 or 2 practice essays and several of my friends didn't practice for that section at all. I walked away with a 4.5 in that section, but my friends were in the 3-3.5 range, and I would consider us all to be very good writers. I would say either take the test before your classes start or sometime in the middle of the summer. When scheduling, do be mindful of deadlines - I made sure I would have enough time to re-take the test and send out my new scores if need be before October 1st application deadlines. Good luck 🙂