Preparing for the GRE Dr. Nancy Alvarado

Understand the Test They will send you information when you register for the test: They will send you information when you register for the test: CD with POWERPREP software CD with POWERPREP software Practice General Test booklet (paper-based version) Practice General Test booklet (paper-based version) You can also download these materials from their website: You can also download these materials from their website:

Computer-Adaptive Testing The old way -- everyone does all the questions, both hard and easy. The old way -- everyone does all the questions, both hard and easy. Time-consuming and fatiguing for students. Time-consuming and fatiguing for students. Hard to measure scores accurately. Hard to measure scores accurately. Constant need to write and test new questions. Constant need to write and test new questions. The new way -- scores are estimated from a sample of performance. The new way -- scores are estimated from a sample of performance. The test is “customized” for each person. The test is “customized” for each person.

How It Works The computer continuously monitors your performance and adjusts difficulty of questions. The computer continuously monitors your performance and adjusts difficulty of questions. The computer starts with a moderately hard question. The computer starts with a moderately hard question. You get an easy one next if you miss it. You get an easy one next if you miss it. You get a harder one next if you are correct. You get a harder one next if you are correct.

Second Chances If you are nervous and miss the first questions, the computer will still give you harder ones later. If you are nervous and miss the first questions, the computer will still give you harder ones later. It is possible to increase your score even if you miss the first few questions. It is possible to increase your score even if you miss the first few questions. The computer also MUST sample all question types and a range of content. The computer also MUST sample all question types and a range of content.

How Are Scores Calculated? Each question has a difficulty level associated with it. Each question has a difficulty level associated with it. The computer estimates what score someone would get who was able to answer the same questions you did. The computer estimates what score someone would get who was able to answer the same questions you did. The computer “zeroes in” on the level of difficulty where you “fit” most precisely. The computer “zeroes in” on the level of difficulty where you “fit” most precisely.

Strategies for Computer Testing You can’t go back and change your answers, so be careful. You can’t go back and change your answers, so be careful. You must answer every question, even if you must guess. You must answer every question, even if you must guess. No “penalty” for guessing. No “penalty” for guessing. Using time effectively will get you a higher score. Using time effectively will get you a higher score.

Three Ways to Improve Your Scores Become familiar with the test format and with using the computer, so you don’t waste time with the mechanics. Become familiar with the test format and with using the computer, so you don’t waste time with the mechanics. Do the practice questions to develop the skills needed to answer questions quickly. Do the practice questions to develop the skills needed to answer questions quickly. Learn to guess well. Learn to guess well.

Building Your Vocabulary Does it help to memorize word lists? Does it help to memorize word lists? We remember by extracting the meaning of a word, then forming an association between it and our existing knowledge. We remember by extracting the meaning of a word, then forming an association between it and our existing knowledge. Intensive study may cause “interference” – the definitions will run together. Intensive study may cause “interference” – the definitions will run together.

How to Study Spaced study is better than “massed” study – don’t try to cram. Spaced study is better than “massed” study – don’t try to cram. Relate new words to existing knowledge: Relate new words to existing knowledge: Use them in sentences. Use them in sentences. Study words in context – read literature: Study words in context – read literature:

How to Practice Take the practice tests under timed conditions, just as you will take the real test. Take the practice tests under timed conditions, just as you will take the real test. Repetition is important – each time you do it you will be faster. Repetition is important – each time you do it you will be faster. It doesn’t matter whether you have seen the questions before. It doesn’t matter whether you have seen the questions before. Feedback is essential – check your answers and correct mistakes. Feedback is essential – check your answers and correct mistakes.

Better Guessing We learn words in context and rarely know precise definitions. We learn words in context and rarely know precise definitions. Much of our “understanding,” just like much of our “memory” is actually plausible inference. Much of our “understanding,” just like much of our “memory” is actually plausible inference. When you don’t know the exact meanings, use what you do know to eliminate wrong answers. When you don’t know the exact meanings, use what you do know to eliminate wrong answers.

Look for Relationships Kinds of relationships among words: Kinds of relationships among words: Same/different, contrast Same/different, contrast Part/whole, kinds, examples Part/whole, kinds, examples Developmental, first, last, time Developmental, first, last, time Good/bad, evaluative, judgment Good/bad, evaluative, judgment Size, proximity, spatial relation Size, proximity, spatial relation

Antonyms (Opposites) FALLACY: (A) personal philosophy (B) imaginative idea (C) unconfirmed theory (D) tentative opinion (E) valid argument FALLACY: (A) personal philosophy (B) imaginative idea (C) unconfirmed theory (D) tentative opinion (E) valid argument Is a fallacy right or wrong, true or false? Is a fallacy right or wrong, true or false? Which answer most different? Which answer most different?

Another Antonym LOQUACIOUS: (A) tranquil (B) skeptical (C) morose (D) taciturn (E) witty LOQUACIOUS: (A) tranquil (B) skeptical (C) morose (D) taciturn (E) witty Where have you ever heard the word before? Who does it describe? Where have you ever heard the word before? Who does it describe?

Fill-in Questions There are, as yet, no vegetation types or ecosystems whose study has been _____ to the extent that they no longer _____ ecologists. (A) perfected…hinder (B) exhausted… interest (C) prolonged…require (D) prevented…challenge (E) delayed…benefit There are, as yet, no vegetation types or ecosystems whose study has been _____ to the extent that they no longer _____ ecologists. (A) perfected…hinder (B) exhausted… interest (C) prolonged…require (D) prevented…challenge (E) delayed…benefit

Another Fill-In It was her view that the country’s problems had been _____ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counterproductive. (A) foreseen (B) attacked (C) ascertained (D) exacerbated (E) analyzed It was her view that the country’s problems had been _____ by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counterproductive. (A) foreseen (B) attacked (C) ascertained (D) exacerbated (E) analyzed

Analogies FRUGAL:MISERLY:: (A) confident : arrogant (B) courageous : pugnacious (C) famous : aggressive (D) rash : foolhardy (E) quiet : timid FRUGAL:MISERLY:: (A) confident : arrogant (B) courageous : pugnacious (C) famous : aggressive (D) rash : foolhardy (E) quiet : timid Determine the relationship in the first pair, then look for it in the other pairs. Determine the relationship in the first pair, then look for it in the other pairs.

Another Analogy STYGIAN:DARK :: (A) abysmal : low (B) cogent : contentious (C) fortuitous : accidental (D) reckless : threatening (E) cataclysmic : doomed STYGIAN:DARK :: (A) abysmal : low (B) cogent : contentious (C) fortuitous : accidental (D) reckless : threatening (E) cataclysmic : doomed

Reading Comprehension Two strategies: Two strategies: Read carefully the first time. Read carefully the first time. Skim, then go back and look for the answers. Skim, then go back and look for the answers. Try both and see which works best for you. Try both and see which works best for you. Consider the length of the passage. Consider the length of the passage.

Notice the Structure Certain words indicate the relationships among ideas: Certain words indicate the relationships among ideas: Why (question) Why (question) However (contradicts) However (contradicts) Moreover (emphasize & extend) Moreover (emphasize & extend) For example (gives evidence) For example (gives evidence) But (gives exception or problem) But (gives exception or problem) In short (summary) In short (summary) Thus (conclusion) Thus (conclusion)

Keep it Simple Don’t “over think” the questions. Don’t “over think” the questions. If a fact isn’t stated in the question, don’t assume it. If a fact isn’t stated in the question, don’t assume it. Don’t answer from your own knowledge – rely on what is in the question itself. Don’t answer from your own knowledge – rely on what is in the question itself. The most straightforward answer is most likely to be right. The most straightforward answer is most likely to be right.