Effective Test Taking Strategies for Effective Test Taking Strategies for the GRE® the GRE® --

Graduate Record ExaminationsGraduate Record Examinations

Prof. Julio E. Rodríguez TorresProf. Julio E. Rodríguez TorresggSr. William Estépar GarcíaSr. William Estépar García

August 29August 29thth 2009 2009August 29August 29thth, 2009, 2009

GRE® GRE® -- Graduate Record Graduate Record Examinations®Examinations®Examinations®Examinations®

The The GRE® General TestGRE® General Test measures verbal measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills that thinking and analytical writing skills that thinking, and analytical writing skills that thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any time and that are not related to any yyspecific field of study. specific field of study.

The The GRE® Subject TestsGRE® Subject Tests gauge gauge undergraduate achievement in eight undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of studyspecific fields of studyspecific fields of study.specific fields of study.

Analytical WritingAnalytical Writing —— The skills measured The skills measured include the test taker's ability toinclude the test taker's ability toinclude the test taker s ability toinclude the test taker s ability to

articulate complex ideas clearly and articulate complex ideas clearly and ff ti l ff ti l effectively. effectively.

examine claims and accompanying examine claims and accompanying id id evidence. evidence.

support ideas with relevant reasons support ideas with relevant reasons d l d l and examples. and examples.

sustain a wellsustain a well--focused, coherent focused, coherent di i di i discussion. discussion.

control the elements of standard control the elements of standard written English. written English.

VerbalVerbal ReasoningReasoning —— The skills measured The skills measured

include the test taker's ability toinclude the test taker's ability to

analyze and evaluate written analyze and evaluate written analyze and evaluate written analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize material and synthesize information obtained from it. information obtained from it. information obtained from it. information obtained from it.

analyze relationships among analyze relationships among component parts of sentences. component parts of sentences.

recognize relationships between recognize relationships between recognize relationships between recognize relationships between words and concepts.words and concepts.

QuantitativeQuantitative ReasoningReasoning —— The skills The skills measured include the test taker's ability tomeasured include the test taker's ability to

understand basic concepts of understand basic concepts of understand basic concepts of understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis and data analysis and data analysis. and data analysis.

reason quantitatively. reason quantitatively. q yq y

solve problems in a quantitative solve problems in a quantitative iisetting. setting.

GRE Subject Tests OverviewGRE Subject Tests OverviewGRE Subject Tests Overview GRE Subject Tests Overview

Th GRE®Th GRE® S bj t T t S bj t T t The GRE®The GRE® Subject Tests gauge Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in the undergraduate achievement in the i ht di i li i ht di i li eight disciplines. eight disciplines.

Each Subject Test is intended for Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or students who have majored in or jjhave extensive background in that have extensive background in that specific area.specific area.pp

DisciplinesDisciplinesDisciplinesDisciplines BiologyBiologyo ogyo ogy ChemistryChemistry Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular y,y,

BiologyBiology Computer ScienceComputer Science Literature in EnglishLiterature in English MathematicsMathematics

h ih i PhysicsPhysics PsychologyPsychology

Who Takes Them and Why?Who Takes Them and Why? Prospective graduate applicants take the Prospective graduate applicants take the

Subject Tests. GRE test scores are used Subject Tests. GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to by admissions or fellowship panels to by admissions or fellowship panels to by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for graduate study.other qualifications for graduate study.

The scores provide common measures for The scores provide common measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants comparing the qualifications of applicants p g q ppp g q ppand aid in the evaluation of grades and and aid in the evaluation of grades and recommendations. Some Subject Tests recommendations. Some Subject Tests yield sub scores that can indicate the yield sub scores that can indicate the yystrengths and weaknesses of individual strengths and weaknesses of individual students' preparation and may be useful students' preparation and may be useful for guidance and placement purposes.for guidance and placement purposes.for guidance and placement purposes.for guidance and placement purposes.

Where Do People Take Them?Where Do People Take Them?Where Do People Take Them?Where Do People Take Them? The Subject Tests are given at paperThe Subject Tests are given at paper--

based test centers worldwide three times based test centers worldwide three times based test centers worldwide three times based test centers worldwide three times a year in:a year in:•• NovemberNovember -- 07/11/200907/11/2009/ // /•• OctoberOctober -- 10/10/200910/10/2009•• AprilApril –– 10/04/201010/04/2010

In Puerto Rico, the GRE Paper Based Test In Puerto Rico, the GRE Paper Based Test is only offered in is only offered in MayagüezMayagüez (RUM) two (RUM) two is only offered in is only offered in MayagüezMayagüez (RUM) two (RUM) two times each year:times each year:•• October October –– 24/11/200924/11/2009•• February February –– 6/02/20106/02/2010

Test Dates Announced for Test Dates Announced for Revised GRE General TestRevised GRE General Test

The revised Graduate Record The revised Graduate Record E i ti ® (GRE®) G l T t E i ti ® (GRE®) G l T t Examinations® (GRE®) General Test Examinations® (GRE®) General Test was offered for the first time was offered for the first time

ld id i S t b 2007 ld id i S t b 2007 worldwide in September 2007. worldwide in September 2007.

GRE resultsGRE results

Summary of GRE Summary of GRE S y f GRS y f GRChangesChangesChangesChanges

LengthLength

The length of the GRE General Test The length of the GRE General Test has decreased from 4 hours long to has decreased from 4 hours long to 2½ hours. 2½ hours.

The test will change from a linear The test will change from a linear paper based test (PBT) to computer paper based test (PBT) to computer paper based test (PBT), to computer paper based test (PBT), to computer based test (CBT).based test (CBT).

AdministrationAdministrationAdministrationAdministration Currently, the CBT General GRE is offered Currently, the CBT General GRE is offered

l t d f th l t d f th almost every day of the year. almost every day of the year.

ContentContentAnalytical WritingAnalytical Writing

•• Essay questions will be more specific Essay questions will be more specific in nature in nature

•• Admissions Deans will now have Admissions Deans will now have t t l t d t t t l t d t access to actual student essays access to actual student essays

instead of just seeing a score instead of just seeing a score

Time: Time: One 30One 30--minute (argument task) and minute (argument task) and one 45one 45--minute essay (issue task)minute essay (issue task)one 45one 45 minute essay (issue task)minute essay (issue task)

ContentContentVerbalVerbal::•• AnalogiesAnalogies•• AnalogiesAnalogies•• AntonymsAntonyms•• Simple and complex sentence completionSimple and complex sentence completionSimple and complex sentence completionSimple and complex sentence completion•• Reading comprehension (reasoning and Reading comprehension (reasoning and

application)application)

•• Computer enabled tasks (highlighting passages Computer enabled tasks (highlighting passages and sentences) and sentences) and sentences) and sentences)

•• Time:Time: One 30One 30--minute section minute section •• Time:Time: One 30One 30 minute section minute section

ContentContentQuantitativeQuantitative:: Quantitative ComparisonQuantitative Comparison Quantitative ComparisonQuantitative Comparison Data interpretationData interpretation Problem SolvingProblem Solving Problem SolvingProblem SolvingArithmeticArithmeticAlgebraAlgebraAlgebraAlgebraGeometryGeometryStatistics and ProbabilityStatistics and Probabilityyy

•• Addition of fill in the blank questionsAddition of fill in the blank questions

Time:Time: One 45One 45--minute sectionminute section

Typical Computer-Based GRE® General Test

Section N b f TimeSection Number of Questions

Time

Analytical Writing

(1) Issue Task* 45 minutesWriting

Analytical Writing

(1) ArgumentTask*

30 minutes

Break : 10 minutesBreak : 10 minutesVerbal 30 30 minutes

Quantitative 28 45 minutes

Unscored** Varies Varies

Research*** Varies Varies*For the Issue task, two essay topics are presented and you choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic is presented.

** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.

*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included and it is always at *** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test.

Time: 3 hours (without research or unscored section).

Typical Paper-Based GRE® General Test

Section Number of Questions Time

Analytical (1) Issue Task* 45 minutesWriting

Analytical Writing

(1) Argument Task* 30 minutes

Break: 10 minutesVerbal

(2 sections)38 per section 30 minutes per

section

Quantitative (2 sections)

30 per section 30 minutes per section

Unscored** Varies 30 minutes

Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes (without unscored section)

ScoringScoring For the Quantitative and Verbal For the Quantitative and Verbal

ScoringScoring

sections, the scoring scale issections, the scoring scale is200200--800. 800.

The Analytical Writing section is The Analytical Writing section is d d 6d d 6 i t l i 5 i t l i 5 graded on a 6graded on a 6--point scale in .5 point scale in .5

increments.increments.

Testing CenterTesting Center (CBT)(CBT)Testing Center Testing Center (CBT)(CBT) Puerto RicoPuerto Rico

Guaynabo Guaynabo Guaynabo Guaynabo

Prometric Testing Center 0052Prometric Testing Center 0052ggMetro Office ParkMetro Office ParkSuite 114Suite 114Street, Lot 11Street, Lot 11Street, Lot 11Street, Lot 11Metro Square BldgMetro Square BldgGuaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968Puerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto RicoPuerto Rico(787)706(787)706--76207620

DirectionsDirections

FeesFeesEFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009, THROUGH JUNE 30, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009, THROUGH JUNE 30,

20102010•• $150 General Test $150 General Test •• $150 General Test $150 General Test •• $130 Subject$130 Subject TestsTests•• $ 25 Late Registration Fee$ 25 Late Registration Fee

$ 50 St db T ti$ 50 St db T ti•• $ 50 Standby Testing$ 50 Standby Testing•• $ 50 Rescheduling Fee$ 50 Rescheduling Fee•• $ 50 Changing Your Test Center or Subject Test$ 50 Changing Your Test Center or Subject Test•• $ 12 Scores by phone$ 12 Scores by phone•• $ 20 Additional score report (ASR) requests$ 20 Additional score report (ASR) requests––per per

recipientrecipientpp•• $ 30 Paper$ 30 Paper--Based Test Hand ScoringBased Test Hand Scoring•• $ 30 Score Reinstatement Fee$ 30 Score Reinstatement Fee

Test Takers with DisabilitiesTest Takers with Disabilities

ETS®ETS® is committed to serving test takers is committed to serving test takers ETS®ETS® is committed to serving test takers is committed to serving test takers with disabilities by providing services and with disabilities by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purpose of the test. appropriate given the purpose of the test. Nonstandard testing accommodations are Nonstandard testing accommodations are

il bl f t t t k h t ETS il bl f t t t k h t ETS available for test takers who meet ETS available for test takers who meet ETS requirements. Seerequirements. See Resources for Test Resources for Test Takers with DisabilitiesTakers with Disabilities for additional for additional Takers with DisabilitiesTakers with Disabilities for additional for additional information.information.

Effective StrategiesEffective StrategiesEffective Strategies Effective Strategies to study for the GREto study for the GRE®®to study for the GREto study for the GRE®®

Quantitative SectionQuantitative SectionQuantitative SectionQuantitative Section Problem Solving:Problem Solving:gg

•• Size up the questionSize up the question Area covered, formulasArea covered, formulas

•• Size up the answer choicesSize up the answer choices•• Look for a shortcut to the answersLook for a shortcut to the answers

Is there a quick way to determine the Is there a quick way to determine the correct answer?correct answer?

•• Set up the problem and solve itSet up the problem and solve it Compute, calculations, drawing.Compute, calculations, drawing.

•• Verify your selection before moving onVerify your selection before moving on

Quantitative Section (cont )Quantitative Section (cont )Quantitative Section (cont.)Quantitative Section (cont.) Comparison:Comparison:

Si th tiSi th ti•• Size up the questionSize up the question•• Check for shortcuts and cluesCheck for shortcuts and clues

Eli i Eli i Eliminate common termsEliminate common terms

•• Deal with each one of the quantitiesDeal with each one of the quantitiesIf th i t l i f ti h d If th i t l i f ti h d If there is central information, how does If there is central information, how does each relate to it?each relate to it?

•• Consider all possibilities for variablesConsider all possibilities for variables•• Consider all possibilities for variablesConsider all possibilities for variables Positive, negative, decimal, and zero. Positive, negative, decimal, and zero.

•• Compare the two quantitiesCompare the two quantitiesCompare the two quantitiesCompare the two quantities•• Check your answerCheck your answer

Quantitative Section (cont )Quantitative Section (cont )Quantitative Section (cont.)Quantitative Section (cont.)

Data interpretationData interpretation Data interpretationData interpretation•• Look at the “big picture” first.Look at the “big picture” first.

What’s the information/figure about?What’s the information/figure about? What s the information/figure about?What s the information/figure about?

•• Read the entire question carefully.Read the entire question carefully. What’s the question really about?What’s the question really about? What s the question really about?What s the question really about?

•• Perform the steps needed to reach the Perform the steps needed to reach the answer.answer.answer.answer. Look for a shortcutLook for a shortcut

•• Check the choices for your answersCheck the choices for your answersyy•• Check your calculations. Check your calculations.

Quantitative ExampleQuantitative ExampleQuantitative ExampleQuantitative ExampleColumn AColumn A Column BColumn B

0 < a < 10 < a < 10 < b < 10 < b < 1

a + b a + b aa + b+ b

a. The quantity in Column A is greater;a. The quantity in Column A is greater;a. The quantity in Column A is greater;a. The quantity in Column A is greater;b. The quantity in Column B is greater;b. The quantity in Column B is greater;c. The quantities are equal;c. The quantities are equal;d Th l ti hi t b d t i d f th d Th l ti hi t b d t i d f th d. The relationship cannot be determined from the d. The relationship cannot be determined from the

information given.information given.

Quantitative Example 2Quantitative Example 2Quantitative Example 2Quantitative Example 2

If O is the center of the circle in the figure above If O is the center of the circle in the figure above If O is the center of the circle in the figure above, If O is the center of the circle in the figure above, what is the area of the shaded region, expressed what is the area of the shaded region, expressed in square units? in square units?

A) 3A) 3 /2 /2 •• A) 3A) 3ππ/2 /2 •• B) 2B) 2ππ•• C) 5C) 5π π /2/2•• D) 8D) 8ππ/3/3•• E) 3E) 3ππ

Verbal SectionVerbal SectionVerbal SectionVerbal Section AntonymsAntonyms

D t i th h d d’ t f hD t i th h d d’ t f h•• Determine the headword’s part of speech.Determine the headword’s part of speech.•• Define the headword in your own words.Define the headword in your own words.•• Compare each answer with your definition Compare each answer with your definition

of the headword.of the headword.Eli i t th t d ’t fit d fi iti Eli i t th t d ’t fit d fi iti Eliminate answers that don’t fit your definition. Eliminate answers that don’t fit your definition.

•• Compare the quality of the remaining Compare the quality of the remaining choiceschoiceschoices.choices.

•• Confirm your selection by comparing it to Confirm your selection by comparing it to the headwordthe headwordthe headword.the headword.

Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont.)Verbal Section (cont.) AnalogiesAnalogies (A : B :: C : D)(A : B :: C : D)gg ( )( )

•• Determine the meaning of the wordsDetermine the meaning of the words prefix, suffix, root, etc.prefix, suffix, root, etc.

•• Figure out how the words are relatedFigure out how the words are related•• Try out your sentence using the answer Try out your sentence using the answer y y gy y g

choiceschoices•• Try again if you have more than one Try again if you have more than one

answeranswer•• Choose the best answerChoose the best answer

Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont.)Verbal Section (cont.) Sentence and text completionsSentence and text completions

•• Read the sentence in its entirety.Read the sentence in its entirety. Find logical connectionsFind logical connections

•• Reread the sentence and try answering Reread the sentence and try answering with your own word(s)with your own word(s)Fill i th d bl k ith Fill i th d bl k ith •• Fill in the second blank with your own Fill in the second blank with your own words.words.T t h h iT t h h i•• Test each answer choice.Test each answer choice. Eliminate the ones that don’t make sense. Eliminate the ones that don’t make sense.

•• Compare the remaining choices and Compare the remaining choices and •• Compare the remaining choices and Compare the remaining choices and choose the best one. choose the best one.

Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont )Verbal Section (cont.)Verbal Section (cont.) Reading comprehensionReading comprehension

•• Read the first question and answer choice Read the first question and answer choice before reading the passage.before reading the passage.Read the passage with a possible thesis in Read the passage with a possible thesis in •• Read the passage with a possible thesis in Read the passage with a possible thesis in mind.mind.

•• Choose a tentative answerChoose a tentative answer•• Choose a tentative answer.Choose a tentative answer.•• Formulate an outline of the passage as you Formulate an outline of the passage as you

go.go.gg•• Formulate a brief thesis statement.Formulate a brief thesis statement.•• Confirm your selection for the first question.Confirm your selection for the first question.•• Move on to the remaining questions. Move on to the remaining questions.

Verbal ExampleVerbal ExampleVerbal ExampleVerbal Example

Write : Scribble ::Write : Scribble :: Write : Scribble ::Write : Scribble ::a) shout : muttera) shout : mutterb) send : dispatchb) send : dispatchb) send : dispatchb) send : dispatchc) cut : carvec) cut : carved) walk : staggerd) walk : staggerd) walk : staggerd) walk : staggere) please : worrye) please : worry

The Issue TaskThe Issue TaskThe Issue TaskThe Issue Task Choose a task, then brainstorm and make notes Choose a task, then brainstorm and make notes

(3 i t )(3 i t )(3 minutes)(3 minutes) Review your notes and decide on a viewpointReview your notes and decide on a viewpoint

(1 minute)(1 minute)(1 minute)(1 minute) Organize your ideas into a logical sequenceOrganize your ideas into a logical sequence

(1 minute)(1 minute) Compose a brief introductory paragraphCompose a brief introductory paragraph

(2 minutes) (2 minutes) Compose the body of your essay (30 minutes)Compose the body of your essay (30 minutes) Compose the body of your essay (30 minutes)Compose the body of your essay (30 minutes) Compose a brief concluding summary paragraph Compose a brief concluding summary paragraph

(3 minutes)(3 minutes)( )( ) Proofread for mechanical problems (5 minutes)Proofread for mechanical problems (5 minutes)

Issue Task ExamplesIssue Task ExamplesIssue Task ExamplesIssue Task Examples “Schools should be responsible not only “Schools should be responsible not only

for teaching academic skills but also for for teaching academic skills but also for teaching ethical and social values”teaching ethical and social values”

“As adults, we prefer to define “As adults, we prefer to define l b ti th l b ti th ourselves more by our occupation than ourselves more by our occupation than

by our affiliation with social groups”by our affiliation with social groups”

•• Pool of Issue TopicsPool of Issue Topics

The Argument TaskThe Argument TaskThe Argument TaskThe Argument Task Read the argument and identify its conclusion(s) Read the argument and identify its conclusion(s)

(1 minute)(1 minute) Examine the arguments evidence and determine Examine the arguments evidence and determine

how strongly supports the conclusion (3 minutes)how strongly supports the conclusion (3 minutes)•• Look for reasoning flaws (3Look for reasoning flaws (3 4)4)•• Look for reasoning flaws (3Look for reasoning flaws (3--4)4)

Organize and prioritize your points of critique (1 Organize and prioritize your points of critique (1 minute)minute)

Compose a brief introductory paragraph (2 Compose a brief introductory paragraph (2 minutes)minutes)C th b d f (16 i t )C th b d f (16 i t ) Compose the body of your essay (16 minutes)Compose the body of your essay (16 minutes)•• Support your critique with examples. Support your critique with examples. •• Appear organized and in control Appear organized and in control –– structure structure

Compose your final paragraph (2 minutes)Compose your final paragraph (2 minutes) Proofread for mechanical problems (5 minutes)Proofread for mechanical problems (5 minutes)

Argument Task exampleArgument Task exampleArgument Task exampleArgument Task example “Workforce Systems, a consulting firm specializing “Workforce Systems, a consulting firm specializing

in workplace productivity and efficiency reports in workplace productivity and efficiency reports in workplace productivity and efficiency, reports in workplace productivity and efficiency, reports that nearly 70 percent of Maxtech’s employees that nearly 70 percent of Maxtech’s employees who enrolled in Workforce System’s one week who enrolled in Workforce System’s one week yyseminar last year claim to be more content with seminar last year claim to be more content with their current jobs that prior to enrolling in the their current jobs that prior to enrolling in the seminar By requiring managers at all large seminar By requiring managers at all large seminar. By requiring managers at all large seminar. By requiring managers at all large corporations to enroll in the kinds of seminars that corporations to enroll in the kinds of seminars that Workforce System offers, productivity in our Workforce System offers, productivity in our economy’s private sector is certain to improve”economy’s private sector is certain to improve”

P l f A t T kP l f A t T k•• Pool of Argument TasksPool of Argument Tasks

Lets take a 10 minute break before ia practice test

Tips for taking the GRETips for taking the GRETips for taking the GRETips for taking the GRE Find out when are the deadlines for the application to Find out when are the deadlines for the application to

Graduate School and take the GRE 2Graduate School and take the GRE 2--4 months before.4 months before.

Enroll using Enroll using exactly the name that appears in your IDexactly the name that appears in your ID: : with your with your two last names and a hyphen in between. two last names and a hyphen in between. •• Ex. Ex. EsteparEstepar--GarciaGarcia

Prepare a Prepare a study calendar study calendar per day, per day, and stick with itand stick with it..22 5 th b f t ki th t t5 th b f t ki th t t•• 22--5 months before taking the test5 months before taking the test

•• The last weeks, prepare with The last weeks, prepare with GRE GRE PowerprepPowerprep® Software® Software

Don’t study the day before the testDon’t study the day before the test Don t study the day before the test.Don t study the day before the test.

Arrive early. Arrive early.

B i t d/ d i liB i t d/ d i li Bring your passport and/or your drivers license.Bring your passport and/or your drivers license.

Bring a snack for your 10 minute break.Bring a snack for your 10 minute break.

Tips for taking the GRE (cont )Tips for taking the GRE (cont )Tips for taking the GRE (cont.)Tips for taking the GRE (cont.)

Prepare with GRE practice materials Prepare with GRE practice materials that ETS publishes. • The GRE Program is investigating the • The GRE Program is investigating the

feasibility of reusing questions that have been published in GRE practice materials. bee pub s ed G p act ce ate a sAs part of that investigation, you may see questions from these materials on a test you take. Source: ETS.org

Questions?Questions?We hope that this presentation along with

the materials we compile for you can

Questions? Questions?

the materials we compile for you can help you to achieve a high score on your GRE General Testyour GRE General Test.

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