GRE Prep Guide 1.0A ready reckoner for everything you need to do to hit the jackpot!

By Gopalakrishnan

CONTENTS

I. About GRE- The taker and the taken.

II. When to start? Where to take the exam?- The nitty-gritties of scheduling the test.

III.The source code- Books, notes and everything.

IV. How to master each section of the test?

V. The simulation game- Mock tests and practice tests.

VI. The last fortnight to the D-day.

Skip the sections you are familiar with. You will find that one slide that you always wanted to read about.

I. About GRE- The taker

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) by ETS is taken by people around the world for various courses.

It is usually the folks with a plan to do MS or Ph.D in various countries, popularly the US.

Ideally, the candidate needs to have his/her passport ready at the time of taking the GRE.

The candidate is not required to have the passport ready at the time of booking for the exam in the ETS-GRE website.

Let’s cut straight to the test.

About GRE- the taken

The GRE consists of 6 sections.

Analytical Writing Section (2 questions, 30-minutes each)

Two sections of Verbal (20 questions, 30-minutes each)

Two sections of Quants (20 questions, 35- minutes each)

One experimental section (Verbal or Quants) that won’t count to the overall score.

It must be noted that the experimental section can be any one of the sections which appears thrice. So it’ll be an exercise in futility to try and guess which one will be the experimental section.

II. When to start?

Why is the timeline very important?A lot of people join coaching classes for GRE and end up taking the test so many months later. This is a great folly people tend to commit regularly, periodically and with absolute misguided faith.

Ideally, for an individual with a lot of time each day to utilize, the GRE prep time shouldn’t be more than 4 months before the GRE Test date.

For the busy souls with not much time to spare, 6 months before the test date would be absolutely ideal to start of with.

I recommend this timeframe keeping in mind the necessity to carry all the momentum of our preparation into the D-day and perform at top gear.

II. When to start? (contd…)

A rough schedule over the 4 months of preparation is given below.

(For the 6 months prep, add one month buffer in the 4 month schedule after the first month and the third month).

Month 1: Base Camp period:Task: Basics, getting used to the format.

The first month should be the ideal base on which the next few months should run. For that, a proper understanding of the format of the paper, the number of questions, the time-limits during the exam should be understood.

Months 2 & 3: Expedition period.Tasks: Exploring every possible type of question that can be asked. Fixing a strategy to encounter any type of question asked.

This period is going to be the springboard for the long jump towards the GRE test date. No doubt, it is absolutely crucial.

With the sources you have (discussed later), you need to identify all the permutations and combinations of questions that can be asked, both in verbal and in quants sections.

A strategy to tackle each type of question encountered is quintessential. This will serve its purpose later, at the time of the GRE Test.

Month 4: The summit approach monthTasks: Confidently start attempting the Mock and Practice Tests. Identify places where mistakes are made and make amends.

The fourth month should be ideally dedicated to taking the Mock and practice tests. The simulation of the test situation is very important to get used to it. This will avoid the auto-panic mode at the test center due to non-familiarity with test conditions.

One needs to identify places where minor corrections or better understanding has to be reached/made and make the amends so that these hiccups don’t attack at the time of the GRE test.

At the summit, relax and enjoy the test.

When & where to take the exam?

It is absolutely important to choose the right test date and the right test center/venue. But why? Let us analyze it.

We should plan our test keeping a test date in mind. But having a test date in mind allow us to take the test on that day? The chances are slim unless the test dates are booked properly in advance.

Its good to compare the test center availability with the tickets in an Indian Railways Train for a busy weekend. Plan it out well in advance.

The cost of taking a test is $195 (as of April 2015) and an additional $50 will be levied for change of date/change of venue. Please note that the test can only be cancelled and not rescheduled if the difference between the date then and the date of examination is less than 4 business days. Please visit the ETS’ GRE website for further details regarding this.

When & where to take the Exam?

You pay $195 dollars to take the test. So why take the test at a center which has a history of being shoddy? Before booking for the test, explore the options you have with respect to the test venue.

There might be a question asked here. On what basis do you choose? My answer would be1. Exam ambience- How undisturbed can you be? How detached can you be from the person who takes the test sitting beside you? How good are your Computer systems? Are they hassle-free at least to the extent where they don’t add to your nerves at the time of the Exam?

2. Proximity: Proximity comes second because the exam ambience will play crucial role. But when the ambience in both options for venue is good, take one which is closer by.

The key here would be to contact a person who has already taken the test at that venue.

When to take the exam?

Ideally, the exam should be taken around July- August (for folks who think they might have to try taking the test twice to score more). That backdates to March when you have to start the GRE prep. Having said this, it is not a problem if the test is taken at any part of the year unless it leaves too much (TOEFL, planning the universities to apply for, application process) in too little time. For CS, ECE and circuit related folks, the university deadlines for the Fall intake will usually be in November and December. So plan accordingly.

Remember? Passport is a must to take the exam. So if you have to apply fresh for passport, apply for the same by March so that it reaches your hand well before you have to take the test. The key point to emphasize here is that your passport should not be a hindrance running at the back of your mind when you are preparing for the GRE exam.

The Source CodeBooks, notes and everything.

To start the preparation, books, pdfs and various other items are a must. What is the probability of getting it all for free? 100%. Yes, you read it right.

Although the hardcopies will be easy for your eyes, it is not necessarily easy on your wallet unless you find the books available in a library or through some source.

The internet is a treasure trove filled with A-Z of books to help you with preparing for GRE. The only task left in your hand is to identify what is the book that will get you results quickly and carefully avoiding the books that will not deliver in your case.

Contact me for adding you to a group in Facebook called ‘New GRE’. The plethora of files in it will be the exact collection you were always looking to possess.

The books

Princeton Review, Barron’s, Kaplan, ETS, to name a few major text books for GRE are available over the internet.

Choose the books carefully and never look back. Start preparing with a proper order.

Start with an EASY book, a book that will offer solutions, ideas, formulas and keeps things simple. Once you finish a cover-to-cover perusal of the book, move to a tougher book. This would be the ideal way to go about the GRE prep.

The notes

Kaplan’s 400 words list, Barron’s 300, 900…. There are just too many word lists and too many files.

It is very important to come with a single plan and stick to it. If you ask too many people, you might get too many book suggestions and in the end, you might not be able to finish any book completely.

Come up with a limit selection of books to read and stick it. Remember the good old saying, ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’.Here, ‘too many books spoil the GRE test’.

The rest of the Source code.

Everything is a source, to be vague.

NEWSPAPERS:Reading newspapers everyday (every single day, to throw in more emphasis) will contribute to your Verbal part and will also go a long way in helping you do well in the Analytical Writing section (a section that is unfortunately ignored by the test takers since it doesn’t under the ambit of 340. Just for the sake of clarification, the Analytical Writing section is equally important).

The editorial section of the newspapers help you encounter new words. Make an effort, take notes and find the meanings for the same. More important than knowing the meaning is knowing where and how to use it (the context of usage of each word).

The rest of the Source Code (Contd..)

APPS:Assuming that you have a smart-phone, feel free to install Apps that will directly or indirectly help you with the preparation, especially the Verbal part.

Some of the apps that will help for GRE prep and also later are:

* GRE Quantitative Formulae* GRE Vocabulary Builder (Flashcards type)* Merriam Webster Dictionary Version 3.1.1 (offline Dictionary)* Breathe Well (completely unrelated to GRE, but it might still help)

There are just too many apps. The above collection was utilized/under-utilized by me and it was helpful.

One more point to note is that the Reading Comprehension section will not be covered much by the Apps. You have to go the conventional way and refer to books and pdfs.

Let me take each app and explain why it might be the perfect prep app.

GRE Quantitative Formulae:

A collection of formulas that will be useful for easy calculation and for a quick read through. It cuts across various Quants topics and is found very useful.

Some more screenshots are attached in the next page.

‘GRE Vocabulary Builder’ by Magoosh:

Split as Basic words, Intermediate Words and Advanced Words with 7/8 levels each, this interactive app will help in ‘understanding the meaning and context of usage’ that is so vital when it comes to Verbal and Analytical Writing sections.

Merriam Webster Dictionary (Offline edition):

It is always handy to carry pocket sized e-dictionaries be it for GRE prep or for ready reference for matters beyond just the GRE. This app offers exactly that. With a wide range of words, synonyms, antonyms and the context of usage (which I keep insisting on), this app is promising.

When you are reading the editorial section of the newspaper (yes, as a part of the GRE prep, be prepared to do that) and you come across a not-so-familiar word, you can always go back to the pocket-sized dictionary in your hand to find the meaning and context.

Breathe well:

This app presents a set of breathing exercises. The app claims that this will calm the person down and allow him to focus. With a neat and simple plan to breathe, all you need to do is to follow the app. Panic is one big factor that creeps in during GRE. It is contagious too. You shouldn’t be surprised if you find really anxious people surrounding you at the exam center. So this app might help solve the problem. Keep calm and Breathe Well.

IV. How to master each section of the test?

Before you start to with each section, have a common plan for all the sections.

Identify all the topics in the section.

Explore in and out each topic.

Practice.

Identify a pattern to solve the questions your way. Don’t stick to an approach because your friend’s friend approached it that way and found the answer to be right.

More often than not, it is your approach that will help you out. So take your time and identify the strategy to solve it.

Practice again. Identify the mistakes. Identify the flaws. Identify the correct approach.

Practice again. Explore the various possibilities to solve a question. Decide on one strategy, believe in it and stick to it.

Move to the next topic with the confidence that your strategy is better than the one adopted by your friend’s friend (for example).

Where is the starting point?

There is a typical question that arises to everyone, not only you. Which section should I start with? Which section should I give emphasis for and practice more?Let us try to answer it. But before we get there, here are two clear strategies people tend to conceive and adopt.

Quants section will be a cakewalk as the questions are basic questions. Let us concentrate on the Verbal part.

Verbal part is really hard. There is not much scope in that section. So let us concentrate on acing the Quants part.

Both the approaches are wrong. Why? The answer is simple. Quants section contributes as much to your total out of 340 as does the Verbal section.

To leave out on section for the other is like choosing to close one eye because the things you want to see are on the other side.

One needs to strike a weighted balance between both sections. The chances of scoring 170/170 in Quants section is too high, too tempting that it should make you practice a lot more of it rather than make you ignore it.

At the same time, although the chances of pushing Verbal section scores too high are less, generally speaking, persevering to know the section in-depth will lead to amazing results. Feel motivated to study and practice more.

Should I ignore the Analytical Writing section then?

The answer is Yes and No. Yes, because Analytical Writing, generally, should be the last thing in mind you need to have about the test. Also, analytical writing needs a strategy to answer the question. It doesn’t require much practice.

No, because Analytical writing can wait until the last mile to practice. There is nothing to learn about it. Its more like you have a pencil with a blunt tip in hand and all you need to do is sharpen it. So calmly let is float over you until the last stretch to the finish.

Before we deal with each section, there is one factor that outweighs everything except precision: TIME.

If I’m curt with you, it’s because TIME is a factor. So, pretty please, with sugar on top, stick to the clock!

Time is an absolutely essential factor during the GRE exam. Why?

Your strategy to approach a question with a 5 minute time limit is completely different from your approach a question with a 2 minute time limit.

Without a conscious attempt to stick to the clock and devise a solving strategy based on it, you might have to face the danger of having a strategy that will simply fail miserably during the test due to lack of time.

Hence, don’t wait until much later to practice with the time limits factored in. Start timing yourself from the FIRST EVER QUESTION you start the GRE prep with and use it till the very end.

QUANTS SECTION

Let us look at each section, its pros and cons, what it contains and how to go about it.

How lovely it would be to start off with a section that you already have good knowledge about?

Yes, Quants section is filled with high school mathematics. This section can be challenging not because it tests your math-ability, but it will challenge your ability to read between the lines, literally.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES:

Most Quants questions that go wrong are because of two reasons:1. Calculation errors. 2. Mistake in reading the question. 3. Jumping the gun and answering the question. 4. And the worst of all, wrongly marking the answer.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

1. Calculation errors: These errors are painfully genuine and you might never notice it happening. But this will cost you one step in the ladder to 340. So be careful, avoid making those silly mistakes and be on strict vigil against such errors.

2. Mistake in reading the question: This is the most frequent mistake by a person who has the capability of avoided the calculation errors. The questions might seem to point to something while you might be on a parallel route to the middle of nothing. Read a question, see if you can get the cue.

You didn’t get the cue? No problem. Re-read the question. The key is to understand the problem the question points to, attack it and solve it. Time is a factor, but precision and accuracy are too big factors that you should never compromise on.

Jumping the gun.

Let us say a question goes like this: “Identify the number that comes first from the end.”

Our brain works myteriously. It will make you read, “Identify the number that comes first” and switch to auto-pilot mode and identify the first number. You are almost correct. But then, you are completely wrong. Under panic-driven test conditions, Auto-pilot mode is so normal. Train hard, practice hard to avoid such mistakes. Remember that the question is not over until a punctuation mark comes and run that thought at the back of your mind always.

Wrongly marking the answer. Ouch!You’ve read the question, you’ve identified the approach and you’ve solved the question. Now cut to the end-game, marking the answer. Feel free to identify the option once again and then mark it. 5 seconds of brain-freeze will make your ladder to 340 seem like a mountain. Cross-check immediately after marking the answer.

I stress on each of the 4 points because these are common mistakes found and heard from the fellow test takers and I.

Sections in Quants… (roughly) Arithmetic

Algebra

Inequalities and Absolute Values

Functions, Formulas and Sequences

Fractions and Decimals

Percents

Divisibility and Primes

Exponents and Roots

Number properties

Word problems

Two-variable Word problems

Rates and Work

Courtesy: Manhattan 5lb

Variables in the choices problems

Ratios

Averages, Weighted Averages

Median and Mode

Standard Deviation and Normal Distribution

Probability, Combinatoricsand Overlapping sets

Data Interpretation

Polygons and Rectangular Solids

Circles and Cylinders

Traingles

Co-ordinate Geometry

Mixed Geometry

The Quants Game!

Start with an easy book for quants.

One book that has been found to be ‘too easy’ for Quants and an ideal candidate for starters is BARRON’S GRE book. Recent editions might be available.

One needs to cover the nook and corner of all topics listed in the previous slide. Identify a book for the practice sessions and stick to it. If you are going to use two books, workout the problems in the first book from cover to cover, complete it and then use the second book (cover to cover again, if there is enough time)

I found the book Manhattan 5lb extremely useful for the purpose if used along with the time settings. There are various books for Quants section alone from various publishers. Whichever book that is, COVER-TO-COVER approach will be the game changer.

What is the need for COVER-TO-COVER approach?

Only when you finish a book completely would you have covered all the topics. Starting with a book, moving to another book and another won’t help. You will then be on a suicide mission and never realize it.

Finish as many topics as you can, get familiar with it as you practice and move ahead.

People usually find the topics Probability, Geometry and Standard Deviation very challenging. Probability is challenging because the questions may be worded in such a way we might not understand what it conveys at first glance. The number of Standard Deviation based Quants questions that appear during the exam is usually very less. Once you are familiar with the topics under Standard deviation, it will only be a matter of time before one aces it.

Geometry, Greek and Latin.Geometry is one of the easiest topics if you always follow two standard rules.

SEEING IS NOT BELIEVING: You might see a shape on the screen and assume that is the way the actual shape is. All shapes/diagrams need not be in the same shape as they appear.

Consider this:What triangle is this?

If your answer is that it is a right angled triangle, you have wrong. It is not a right angled triangle unless it is indicated in the diagram or that it is mentioned in the question.

The GRE question setters rely upon such ‘assumptions’ to deceive you from scoring fully. Nothing is true unless it is stated. That is the thumb rule.

Following up from where I left in the previous slide, this is a classic example of what is there and what is not.

The diagram on the left can be considered to an equilateral triangle. But it is not and assuming it be so for the calculating purposes will lead to a wrong answer. So be on vigil to such type of questions.

The same applies to a figure with n sides. There is no reason that it should be a polygon with n sides all equal and n similar angles unless stated. Such minor corrections will ensure that the chances of error creeping in while attending questions in Geometry section are weeded out.

DATA INTERPRETATIONThis is one part of the Quants section that will be a regular feature is Data Interpretation. 10-20% of questions in the Quants section will be from it.

Before plunging into the questions that follow the graph or a set of data, make sure that you thoroughly see the graph or the data. Mistakes are usually made in misinterpreting the graph. The questions will be worded in such a way that it will not directly convey the intent, sometimes. You got to have your eyes wide open, really.

Types of Quants Questions

Quantitative Comparison questions Given A and B, you have to choose if A is greater, B is greater, both are equal or if the relationship cannot be determined.

Problem SolvingA problem will be asked. The answers will either be one of the 5 options listed or the answer should be entered into a box.

Data InterpretationA set of data will be provided and questions will be asked based on that. All questions will revolve only around the set of data provided. Any extrapolation beyond the scope of the data is unnecessary and should be avoided.

The Verbal Joust!

Verbal section consists of 4 types of questions namely

Sentence Equivalence (20%)In each sentence, one word will be missing. You must choose two appropriate words to fill the same blank.

Text Completion (30%)An answer for each blank from the set of choices should be chosen. The more the number of blanks, the easier it will be to answer them.

Reading Comprehension A passage will be presented and questions will be based on that.

Logical Reading ComprehensionA theory/assumption/small paragraph will be given and the question will be based on the underlying theme/sentence construct pertaining to it.

RC’s/ Logical RC’s cover the remaining 50% of the Verbal section.

The books and beyond… There is no shortcut to achieving big in Verbal.

Read a lot of new words, take time to note it down, understandthe context of its usage and use it.

It is best to rely upon a good set of books to read from.

Barron’s, Manhattan 5lb are really good when it comes to theverbal section. Make full use of it.

Reading Comprehension Logical Reading Comprehension

• Understand how the RC’s work.

• Read and practice as many RC’s as you can and try to answer them all.

• When you check the answers for the RC’s, don’t just check if they are right or wrong.

• Check the approach/methodology adopted by the publisher to arrive at the solution.

• More often than not, the methodology /approach adopted is the learning you carry out of RC practice. You can believe for sure that the RC’s you just practiced are not going to appear in the exam.

• Cause & Effect (Identifying between two events which is the cause and which is the effect)

• Strengthening/Weakening the argument (An argument is presented and you will be asked to identify one additional sentence that will Strengthen/Weaken the argument.

• What is the assumption made to connect two events?

• Identify which sentence has the same sentence logic.

• Which sentence is the conclusion to the argument?

The RC/Logical RC strategy.

Rule of the hand: NEVER read the question before you have read the paragraph preceding it.

Having read the paragraph and the question, go back to the paragraph if you want to find the cue to answer the question.

For the 20 question verbal section, all you get is 30 minutes. Hence, it is highly important to manage it effectively.

RC’s can sometimes test your ability to be logical in arriving at an answer. It might seem ethically, emotionally unsuitable to choose that option as an answer. But no, LOGICAL is the way forward.

Additional note for Verbal prep..

LSAT tests.

LSAT tests (Law School Admission Tests) in US have been found to be more difficult in verbal part. Try the mock LSATs or the old LSAT papers. Their ability to help you in your though process will go a long way in serving you later when you sit for the GRE exam.

Analytical Writing section.

You will start your GRE test with the first one hour spent answering two Analytical Writing questions.

Issue Essay(An issue will given. You will have to provide your views and properly reinforce the same).

Argument Essay(A problem or a situation will be stated. Based on that, you need to discuss the questions that will be raised, the answers for the same and the implications of the answers)

Each essay can extend upto 30 minutes.

Practice tips..

POWER TIP: When you prepare, type it down in NOTEPAD (remove text editors).

It is good to start practicing for Analytical Writing by writing it down in a piece of paper or note. But in the long run, in the build-up to the exam, this practice won’t help.

This is because you are going to type into a ETS GRE text-editor which will not indicate in case of Typos, grammatical errors and every other error under the sun. So you have to practice in NOTEPAD (which doesn’t indicate errors), practice to type error-free and fast. All this, while you conceptualize your ideas.

The books… Analytical Writing doesn’t need much time to read. An ideal book to read

how to go about this section will be Manhattan 5lb book.

Everything you need to know about this section will be covered and that is all is needed.

Practice a bare minimum of two essays before taking the mocks. One has to try mock tests with Analytical Writing section at least twice. That makes it 4 times in total prior to the actual GRE exam.

V. The Simulation Game- Mock tests!

One can conveniently believe that mock tests will help big time during the exam.

A simulation of the test conditions will be helpful in understanding the endurance needed from your side and to identify the key areas of improvement.

People who have a huge reservoir of talent might end up in the dumps because of lack of endurance. GRE exam is a test of your basic skills and your ability to retain focus over a substantial stretch of period, say, close to 4 hours. MOCK tests allow you to do exactly that.

Tests available..

Mock tests by famous publishers like Barron’s , Kaplan, Manhattan, Princeton, etc. are pretty good. Just go on and register/find them online.

Why waste time simulating paper based tests when you are going to take Internet based test? This is the reason why the mock tests shouldn’t be wasted in doing paper based tests.

Online/ Internet Based tests are the keys to success. I found Kaplan (4 or 5 tests package) and ETS Powerprep(2 test package) highly useful. Some of the tests can be found online for free. Don’t miss out on the opportunity.

A slightly quirky suggestion…

So you have started taking the mock tests a good amount of time before the actual test date. But what time of the day do you want to take it?

One suggestion is to take the test at timings you find highly uncomfortable. Yes, you read it right! Highly Uncomfortable time of the day would be ideal. Why?

It would be ideal if you experience all the tough conditions at the time of taking the mocks instead of experiencing it at the exam center. So this practice could be a game changer. Try it out with at least one of the mocks.

I tried taking the test between midnight and 4 am, 2 am to 6 am, etc. On one hand, it will create this surrounding where everything is silent (during the exam, you might hear a few clickety-clicks of the mouse and tap-tapa-tap sounds of the keyboard when everyone is typing during the analytical writing section).

One major point is: Your Mock scores are an eye-opener, but they needn’t be the exact scores you will get when you take the GRE test. So, if you score less, don’t panic. And if you score too high, be on vigil so that you don’t slacken during the exam.

Take the mock tests along with the Analytical Writing section at least twice. That will be the best preparation for that section.

The Best Practice for MOCK tests

While taking mocks, make sure that you always take the entire test. Starting the mock test, striving for sometime and then closing down in the middle of the test won’t do you any good. Also, take the mock tests at a stretch. Taking breaks in the middle of the test is a big no no.

However, due to unavoidable circumstances, if you still end up taking a break, feel free to go back and complete the test. Although it might take away the Test experience, it will still end up helping you by serving as a practice set and a warmup for the subsequent mock test you will take.

VI. The fortnight to the D-day.

Having put in the hard yards in practice and mock tests, you must be all set for the fortnight before the exam.

For some, this will actually be the time they start taking mock tests. For others, this will be the time they would have finished all the mock tests.

I would suggest striking a balance. Keep a minimum of two mock tests for the last two weeks, one of them in the last week. It will ensure that your momentum isn’t lost and you go into the exam with gargantuan momentum!

The additional pages….

All set for the dash to the finish? Don’t try anything fancy in the last few days to the test. New food? Chuck it.

Did anyone tell you that the questions came exactly from that book? It doesn’t matter.

Back yourself to come good (unless your preparation is down the drain). This is the time to trust your preparations and be calm.

The Test day.

Don’t join a feast before you go for the exam.

It is well advised to plan and reach the test center 1.5 to 2 hours before the Reporting time for the exam. Usually the exam centers will see close to 100-200 people taking the test along with you, depending on the test center capacity. So if you go late, you might have a long queue in front of you.

Standing in that queue is as futile as the ‘ueue’ that follows the ‘q’. So avoid it.

For folks who plan to send the test scores to the universities of choice, remember the University codes. You won’t be able to carry any piece of paper with the numbers written down inside the test hall.

Remember, sending the test scores to universities later will cost $46 per university ($ 27 for GRE, $19 for TOEFL). So plan your universities wisely (don’t waste the precious mock tests time doing this!).

That’s all folks.

This has been compiled based on my experience writing the GRE. So if you have a better plan, feel free to adopt it. I used this and I vouch for the effectiveness of this plan.

Good luck, folks! May the force be with you!

Contact me at gopal1993@gmail.com for any doubts.

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