University of Dayton - MyLife

Preparing for the GRE

I have spent a fair amount of my free time this summer preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). This test, like the SAT, is created by the ETS and has a similar fomat to the SAT. It consists of a verbal section and a math section, each scored out of 800 points. The analytical writing portion of the test is new to me, since I took the SAT before an essay was introduced to that test. By far the biggest adjustment I will have to make for the GRE is to learn how to perform well on a computerized test. Besides my road rules test that I took to getting my learner's driving permit, I have never taken a computerized test. From what I can tell, the format presents some advantages and disadvantages. The computer testing program conveniently shows the time remaining throughout each portion of the test, and your verbal and quantitative section scores are displayed immediately upon completion of the test. However, you are not able to skip a question and return to it; instead you must answer each question as it appears. Interestingly, the computerized test is adaptive to your performance throughout each section. In other words, the more questions you answer correctly, the more difficult the subsequent questions are. The harder the question, the more points it is worth if you get it right.

I will have the pleasure of taking the GRE this Saturday. Since it is not an inexpensive test, I hope this is the first AND last time I take the test. This will be the first step in my graduate school application proccess this fall.

Jul 24, 2008 10:48 PM Permalink