1. Strategies for Success
GRE EXAM
Strategies for Success

2. GRE EXAM Structure of the Computer-Based Test
Analytical Writing: one section with two essays
30 minutes per essay; one hour total
Analyze an Issue
Analyze an Argument

3. Structure of the Computer-Based Test
Analytical Writing: one section with two essays
Verbal Reasoning: two sections
Approximately 20 questions per section
30 minutes per section

4. Structure of the Computer-Based Test
Analytical Writing: one section with two essays
Verbal Reasoning: two sections
Quantitative Reasoning: two sections
Approximately 20 questions
35 minutes per section

5. Structure of the Computer-Based Test
Analytical Writing: one section with two essays
Verbal Reasoning: two sections
Quantitative Reasoning: two sections
Unscored (varies)
Research (varies)

6. Structure of the Computer-Based Test
Summary: One 60-minute essay-writing session.
Plus five 30-or-35-minute multiple-choice sections (only four sections count towards your score).
Total testing time of 3 hours 45 minutes, plus breaks, etc.

7. GRE Test Design Features
You may move forward and backward throughout any section
“Mark and Review” feature
You may change or edit answers within a section
Scoring is “Section-level adaptive”
On-screen calculator for Quantitative Reasoning
New answer formats

8. GRE Test Scoring
Analytical Writing: score between 0—6; schools receive a copy of the two essays
Verbal Reasoning: scaled score between 130—170 (mean 150)
Quantitative Reasoning: scaled score between 130—170 (mean 150)

9. Reading Comprehension Introduction
HALF of the Verbal Reasoning questions are Reading Comprehension (10 out of 20)
About 6—9 passages; about 50—300 words; many are one paragraph, but some might be as long as five paragraphs
Expect 1—4 questions per passage
Passages from physical sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, everyday topics

10. Reading Comprehension Format
The passage appears here, across the top of the page.
The passage will remain on the screen until you have answered all questions.
The first question related to this passage is HERE,
across the middle of the page
The answer choices are located HERE,
near the bottom of the screen.

11. Reading Comp. Attack Strategy
1st PRE-READ the question 2nd READ the passage 3rd RE-READ the question carefully 4th ANALYZE the answer choices, eliminating wrong ones as you read

12. Strategies for Effective Reading
1. Read the passage ONCE. Avoid rereading at this time; get the content and overall point. How do I accomplish that?

13. Strategies for Effective Reading
1. Read the passage ONCE.
Avoid rereading at this time; get the content, the author’s point(s).
—READ ACTIVELY

14. Strategies for Effective Reading
1. Read the passage ONCE.
Avoid rereading at this time; get the content, the author’s point(s).
READ ACTIVELY
VISUALIZE

15. Strategies for Effective Reading
1. Read the passage ONCE.
Avoid rereading at this time; get the content, the author’s point(s).
READ ACTIVELY
VISUALLY
PARAPHRASE

16. Strategies for Effective Reading
1. Read the passage ONCE.
Avoid rereading at this time; get the content, the author’s point(s).
READ ACTIVELY
VISUALLY
PARAPHRASE
ANALYZE

17. Strategies for Insightful Analysis
Distinguish main idea from supporting ideas.
Distinguish author’s personal ideas from mere reporting.
Distinguish hypothetical or speculative ideas from author’s committed ideas.
Identify transitions from one idea to another.
Identify the relationship between different ideas.

18. Strategies for R.C. Questions
Read the passage ONCE.
Do not apply outside knowledge to either the question or the passage.

19. Strategies for R.C. Questions
Read the passage ONCE.
Do not apply outside knowledge.
Read the questions carefully. Many wrong answers stem from misreading the question; know what is being asked.

20. Strategies for R.C. Questions
Read the passage ONCE.
Do not apply outside knowledge.
Read the questions carefully. Many wrong answers stem from misreading the question; know what is being asked.
Read each answer choice carefully; ONLY use the information in the passage.

21. Reading Comprehension Question Formats
Select Only One Answer Choice

22. Select Only One Answer: format
This is the most common set-up, the one you are most familiar with: one question, five answer choices.
Most Reading Comprehension questions follow this format.

23. Select Only One Answer: format
The passage appears here, across the top of the page.
The question will be printed here. Sample: “The author would agree with which of the following?”
The answer choices appear here.
Choice #1
Choice #2
Choice #3
Choice #4
Choice #5
Simply click on the one correct choice.

24. Select Only One Answer: Strategies
Read ALL five of the answer choices; eliminate wrong ones as you go.
Be sure to read the question carefully.
Correct response = most accurately and completely answers the specific question.
When asked about vocabulary, use passage context and content.

25. Sample Questions 1 – 3 are based on the following passage:
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet.
And so are you.

26. Five Options, Select Only One
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet.
And so are you.
Sample Reading Comprehension Question #1
Five Options, Select Only One
#1. According to the passage, what color are roses?
Blue.
Green.
Yellow.
Red.
Sweet.
Answer: The 4th Option: Roses are red.

27. Reading Comprehension Question Formats
Select Only One Answer Choice
Select One or More Answer Choices

28. Select One or More Questions
These questions mimic the old “multiple-multiple choice” questions, the ones you loved to hate!
They were frustrating and time consuming.

29. Select One or More: old format
The “multiple-multiple choice” old format had a question here, followed by three options:
First potential option
Second potential option
Third potential option
Then, you had to choose from five answers.
I only D. II and III only
II only E. I, II, and III
I and III only

30. Select One or More: new format
The passage appears here, across the top of the page.
The directions will read “For the following question, consider each choice separately and select all that apply.”
The author suggests that…is true in which of the following respects?
First potential option.
Second potential option.
Third potential option.
You simply click on each correct option. Viola!

31. Select One or More Answer Strategies
Three choices; select ALL correct responses for credit. No partial credit.
Evaluate each answer option independently.
Correct response(s) most accurately and completely answer the question.
All three answers may be correct; do not be misled.

32. Three Options, Select All Correct Choices
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet.
And so are you.
Sample Reading Comprehension Question #2
Three Options, Select All Correct Choices
“Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.”
#2. Based on the facts presented in the passage, which of the following must be true?
Blue was the color of all the Violets that were included in this sample.
If any substance is sweet, it must be sugar.
Answer: The first two options are both true; Roses are red and Violets are blue. However, the 3rd Option is false; the passage states that sugar is sweet, but it does not state the inverse, that all sweet things are sugar.

33. Reading Comprehension Question Formats
Select Only One Answer Choice
Select One or More Answer Choices
Select-In-Passage

34. Select-In-Passage Questions
These questions mimic the old “our answer choices will repeat five quotations from the text and you choose the one that answers our question.”
This format was very time consuming.

35. Select-In-Passage: old format
A question would be printed here, such as “Which of the following best clarifies the author’s point about….”
Followed by five answer choices, all quotations from the text. You chose the one that best answered the question.
“……..” D. “……..”
“……..” E. “……..”
“……..”

36. Select-In-Passage: new format
The passage appears here, across the top of the page.
The question will read “Select a sentence in the passage that….”
The author suggests that…is true in which of the following respects?
First potential option.
Second potential option.
Third potential option.
You simply click on each correct option. Viola!

37. Select-In-Passage: Strategies
Select the one sentence that best answers the question; placing the cursor anywhere in sentence will highlight it.
Evaluate each of the relevant sentences in the designated paragraph.
Correct sentence = most accurately matches the task in the question.

38. Select-In-Passage Question:
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet.
And so are you.
Sample RC Question #3:
Select-In-Passage Question:
#3. Select the sentence in the passage that identifies the flavor sensation caused by the presence of sugar.

39. Sample Select-In-Passage Question:
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet.
And so are you.
Sample Select-In-Passage Question:
#3. Select the sentence in the passage that identifies the flavor sensation caused by the presence of sugar.
Answer: The correct answer is line 3, Sugar is sweet.

40. Reading Comprehension Question Categories
1. Main Idea

41. Reading Comprehension Question Categories
1. Main Idea 2. Supporting Idea

42. Reading Comprehension Question Categories
1. Main Idea 2. Supporting Idea 3. Implications / Inferences

43. Reading Comprehension Question Accessibility
Know how to access the accurate answer; questions are written in three levels:
FACTUAL QUESTIONS

44. Reading Comprehension Question Accessibility
Know how to access the accurate answer; questions are written in three levels:
FACTUAL QUESTIONS
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS

45. Reading Comprehension Question Accessibility
Know how to access the accurate answer; questions are written in three levels:
FACTUAL QUESTIONS
MAIN IDEA QUESTIONS
HIDDEN IDEA QUESTIONS

46. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted (contradicts passage)

47. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted
Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction
(e.g. weakening instead of strengthening)

48. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for: KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed (i.e. answer has outside information)

49. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted
Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction
N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed
Irr.: Answer is irrelevant to this question
(answer may be true, but not for this question)

50. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted
Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction
N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed
Irr.: Answer is irrelevant to this question
Too General/Too Specific: Answer not the right size

51. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted
Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction
N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed
Irr.: Answer is irrelevant to this question
Too General/Too Specific: Answer not right size
Qualifiers: Answer uses wrong qualifying words.

52. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for:
KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted
Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction
N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed
Irr.: Answer is irrelevant to this question
Too General/Too Specific: Answer not right size
Qualifiers: Answer uses wrong qualifying words
Absolutes: Answer uses words that are too strong

53. Reading Comprehension Eliminating Wrong Answers
To eliminate incorrect answer choices, look for: KEY: Key words misstated or key ideas twisted Reversals: Answer leads in opposite direction N/A: Answer brings up info that is not addressed Irr.: Answer is irrelevant to this question Too General/Too Specific: Answer not right size Qualifiers: Answer uses wrong qualifying words Absolutes: Answer uses words that are too strong Unreasonable: Answer just feels wrong

54. Reading Comprehension
Practice Test Questions and Review

55. Text Completion Introduction
About 6 questions (out of 20 Verbal Reasoning questions)
One or more sentences with 1, 2, or 3 blanks to fill in
One blank = five answer choices
Two or three blanks = three options per blank
Must choose ALL accurate answers for any credit; no partial credit

56. Text Completion Strategies
Read the passage to get an overall sense of it.
Identify significant words or phrases.
Think of words you’d use to complete the blanks.
Do not assume the first blank should be filled in first.
Check for logical, grammatical, and stylistic coherence.
Consider positive and/or negative connotation.

57. Sample Text Completion Question #1
Single Blank, 5 Choices
#1. From the outset, the concept of freedom of the seas from the proprietary claims of nations was challenged by a contrary notion — that of the _______ of the oceans for reasons of national security and profit.
Answer: appropriation
Answer Choices for Question #1:
promotion
exploration
surveying
conservation
appropriation

58. Sample Text Completion Question #2
2 Blanks, 3 Choices Each
#2. Vain and prone to violence, Caravaggio could not handle success: the more his (1)__________ as an artist increased, the more (2)__________ his life became.
Answer choices for Question 2:
Answer: eminence and tumultuous
Blank (1)
Blank (2)
temperance
tumultuous
notoriety
providential
eminence
dispassionate

59. Practice Test Questions and Review
Text Completion
Practice Test Questions and Review

60. Sentence Equivalence Introduction
About 4 out of 20 Verbal Reasoning questions
One sentence with only one blank
SIX answer choices; chose TWO that can each complete the sentence
No partial credit; you must select both correct words

61. Sentence Equivalence Strategies
Read the sentence to get an overall sense of it.
Identify significant words or phrases that emphasize structure or overall meaning.
Think of a word you’d use then look for equivalents, but don’t become fixated.
Make sure each word fits and that each resulting sentence has the same meaning.

62. Sample Sentence Equivalence Question #1
Just 1 Blank, but 2 “Equivalent” Choices
#1. Although it does contain some pioneering ideas, one would hardly characterize the work as __________.
Answer choices for question 1:
orthodox
eccentric
original
trifling
conventional
innovative
Answer: original and innovative

63. Practice Test Questions and Review
Sentence Equivalence
Practice Test Questions and Review

64. GRE Prep - Review Review Question Types Review Question Formats
Review Attack Strategies
Review Elimination Tools
Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!

65. You Can Do It!
GOOD LUCK
ON THE
GRE EXAM!