1. GRE Physics Subject Test Preparation Program Saudi Physical Society

2. Agenda US graduate program in Physics Admission to graduate program in Physics How to select university TOEFL GRE General test GRE subject test in Physics – Content – Logistics – Test structure – Examples – Best practices for preparation – Resources

3. US graduate program in Physics Entrance exam (some) Graduate courses: – level: (Jackson, Goldstein etc…) – Number: 8 – 12 – Duration: 2 years – No need to have master Comprehensive exam Oral Exam Thesis Total: 5 – 6.5 years

4. Admission to graduate program in Physics B.Sc. In Physics (3 out of 4, 4out of 5) Master? English proficiency (80 – 100 new TOEFL test) GRE General test (300 total new test) GRE Subject 3 Recommendation letters Application fee and deadlines Statement of interest

5. How to select university Academic Criteria: – Research area – Ranking Non-academic Criteria: – Admission requirements – Location – Cost of living – On campus family housing – Transportation

6. TOEFL 120 full mark 4 sections – Reading: 3-5 passages Understanding Meaning of a word Pronouns references – Listening: Taking notes Conversation – Writing Writing about one topic discussion – Speaking Recording the grading Speak about a topic (15 sec prepare 45 sec answer) Listen to a conversation then answer question Read a topic then answer a question

7. GRE General 340 full mark (6 for writing) 3 sections – Verbal Reading Comprehension Text Completion Sentence Equivalence – Quantitative – Analytical writing Issue Argument

8. GRE Physics - Content http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/conten t/physics http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/conten t/physics TopicReferenceChapters freshman mechanicsFreshman Text Book classical mechanicsMarion & Thornton1-3 &5-12 freshman electrodynamicsFreshman Text Book electrodynamicsGrifith1-9 relativitySerway Modern Physics1-2 Laboratory MethodsError Analysis text book error analysis, statistics, counting statistics, radiation detection quantum mechanics & atomic Physics Serway Modern Physics3-6 & 8-9 ThermodynamicsFreshman Text Book Statistical PhysicsSerway Modern Physics10

9. GRE Physics - Logistics Dates: April – September – October Location in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh – Jeddah Cost: 150 USD Test DatesRegistration DeadlinesScores Available Regular Deadline Late Deadline Supplementary Test Center Online Approx. Score Mailing Date 09/28/1308/16/1308/23/1308/02/1310/28/1311/08/13 10/19/1309/06/1309/13/1308/23/1311/18/1311/29/13 04/05/1402/21/1402/28/1402/07/1405/05/1405/16/14

10. GRE Physics – Test Structure 100 questions in 170 minutes No calculator Multiple choices First 3 years of undergraduate Mostly SI unites All questions of equal value Each mistake = -.25 Empty or more than one selection=0

11. GRE Physics – Test Structure

12. Question – 1 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 22 GRE Physics – Example

13. GRE Physics – Example 1

14. GRE Physics – Example 5

15. GRE Physics – Example 6 – n=1, 1S 2,2 electrons – n=2, 2S 2, 1P 6 8 electrons – Total 10 electrons

16. GRE Physics – Example 22

17. GRE Physics – Preparation Two types of preparation: – Content Understanding Memorization Solving problems – Test Type of questions Speed Real test environment

18. GRE Physics – Preparation Collect as many tests as possible Sort questions for 3-4 tests by topic (classical mechanics – electrodynamics etc…) Try to solve one complete test Start reviewing each topic (as if you are having a final exam!) – Theory – examples – Solve all GRE questions related to that topic – Summarize special cases to memorize Solve as many full tests as you can in real timing You are ready!

19. Resources Graduate school shopper US news ranking Universities websites TOEFL GRE General & Subject GRE Physics Forum