GRE General Facts And Self-defense Tips

Verbal Section – ~30 questions Analogies Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension Antonyms Math Section – ~28 questions Quantitative Comparison Standard Multiple Choice Analytical Writing Section

Verbal and math sections scored from 200-800 Most programs require the sum of verbal and math scores to be at least 1000 Analytical Writing section is scored from 0-6, and is not required by most programs.

The GRE is a computer-based test Fewer questions than paper-and-pencil test Skipping questions is not allowed Current question based on past performance

The GRE may be taken at virtually any time of the year. You may take the GRE once per calendar month. Scores take approximately two weeks to arrive.

Test-taking Tips

Quantitative Comparison:

Simplify complicated expressions: Column A Column B Answer: C

Try to derive one side or the other from extra information: Column A Column B Answer: C

Plug in numbers for variables: Column A Column B   Answer: D

Plug in numbers for variables: Column A Column B = Answer: D 

Plug in numbers for variables: x y 1 2 undefined Reciprocal: 2 Answer: E

Always look for ways to combine equations: Add: + _____ ___ + Answer: B

Combine equations: Column A Column B Subtract: - (_____) __- Answer: C

Combine equations: + + Answer: B

Geometry

The strategy: Draw a diagram Translate the information into equations Solve the equations

Example: A rectangle has a width equal to half its length. If the area if the rectangle is 50 square inches, what is the width of the rectangle?

Draw a diagram: Translate the information into equations:

Solve the equations: Substitute: Substitute:

Sometimes there will be more than one way to draw a diagram. In quantitative comparison items that lack a diagram, the whole point of the item may simply be to recognize different ways of representing the given information.

Example: Pg. 200, #14: Column A Column B This could be K: … or this could be K: 3 4 3 4 Answer: D

Many items come with diagrams Many items come with diagrams. But unless told otherwise, one may not assume that the diagrams are drawn to scale. Again, especially with quantitative comparison items, keeping in mind other diagrams consistent with the given information is crucial.

… or this could be the triangle. This could be the triangle … Example: Pg. 241, #4: Column A Column B … or this could be the triangle. This could be the triangle … x y x y Answer: D

Use the diagram and any additional information from the item to gain clues about which equations to use. If some of the angles of a triangle are labeled, facts involving angle measures are probably relevant. If some of the sides of a triangle are labeled, facts involving side lengths are probably relevant.

Here sides are labeled … Here angles are labeled … Examples: Here sides are labeled … Here angles are labeled … 25° 20 12 x° A … so facts involving side lengths are relevant. … so facts involving angle measures are relevant.

Look for key words in the item that suggest equations to use: area circumference perimeter

Example: Pg. 229, #19: Translate: Answer: D

Analogies: Identify parts of speech check for similarities/differences Form a connection sentence Answer: B

Sentence Completion: Pay attention to similarity/contrast clues Answer: E

Reading Comprehension: “according to” vs. “inference” or “suggests”

“According to”: answer is a paraphrase of statement from passage. A more than B => B less than A Answer: D

“suggests”: answer will go beyond what is stated, usually by exploiting structural details. Answer: B

Final Tips: Practice with PowerPrep software (GRE.org) Use only real GRE questions when you study Improving vocabulary is the key to verbal success Very few math skills required; emphasis is on problem-solving ability