TEST PREP – GETTING STARTED: WEEK 1
TEST PREP – GETTING STARTED: WEEK 1 If you are planning to sit for the GRE, it may have been at least a few years since you would have solved any questions related to basic mathematics or English vocabulary. Topics like algebra, geometry, arithmetic, reading comprehension and English grammar are normally part of the high school curriculum, and are rarely part of the undergraduate course load. For GRE aspirants, the first week is all about assessing their knowledge of these topics. We recommend that you start your preparation with a complete GRE diagnostic test. This would serve to familiarize you with the structure of the GRE, and give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses. If you do poorly in the diagnostic test, it is probably because you are out of touch with either the math or the verbal aspect of the test, or both. This guide should help you in making a proper plan to prepare for the GRE. Our 10 week test prep will guide you through the 100s of free training videos, flashcards, quantitative prep material, etc which are available on www.gre4you.com. It also includes a GRE study planner and tracking chart which you can print out and stick somewhere where you can see it. You should see, on average, a 10 point improvement in your overall GRE score if you put in a minimum of 15 hours a week. In some cases students may need a longer training period than 10 weeks. The 10 week plan is the minimum time period required to prepare adequately for the GRE. WELCOME TO WEEK 1 Let’s get started with an intensive 10 week preparation that will get you into your dream university. Over the next 10 weeks we’re going to help you in your preparation so that you gradually improve your test scores. In Week 1, we will focus on brushing up your basics, getting a better understanding of the GRE test pattern, and also look at other skills you will need to develop to be successful on the GRE. BRUSH UP THE BASICS No matter how well you do in your diagnostic tests, you need to start your preparation by brushing up on the basics. There are some amazing videos on this website to help you with this. You may also refer to your high school textbooks to help you here. ABOUT THE GRE The GRE structure was revised in 2011, and now permits students to edit or change answers and skip questions within a given section. Take a look at our video on the revised GRE at www.gre4you.com, or visit www.ETS.org/gre for information on the test. You now need to: Familiarize yourself with the question types on the GRE. Make note of the time limit for each section. Become familiar with the different topics on the test. The GRE has 3 major subject areas, which starts with 2 analytical writing passages, followed by sections on verbal and quantitative reasoning. The total test time will be approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. OTHER SKILLS The GRE computer-based test requires students to be proficient at the following: Typing skills – You require this for your 2 analytical writing essays. Use of calculator – The GRE permits you to use a basic calculator which is part of the test. You will not be permitted to carry any other calculator. The powerprep software found at www.ets.org/gre/powerprep2 will help you get familiar with using the calculator. Using a computer – If you are taking the computer based test of the GRE, you should be familiar with all the aspects of taking the CBT test, like using the Mark and Review options, moving to the next questions, going back to marked questions, etc. Time management – This is going to be your biggest challenge. Students who get a high score on the GRE allocate appropriate amount of time for each question. Finding Time to Prepare for the GRE Most students preparing for the GRE would have an existing academic course that they are studying for or would be working full-time, and hence setting aside time to prepare for the GRE would be a challenge. Here are a few suggestions to find time Turn of the TV Limit the partying! Cut back on the browsing the Internet, which means less time on Facebook, Twitter. Get used to waking up early and/or sleeping late Make sure you set aside time for preparation everyday, rather than having marathon sessions on weekends which doesn’t usually help. Before you say “OMG!”, remember, it’s just for 10 weeks. Your actions for Week 1: Take at least 1 to 2 GRE diagnostic tests. Analyze your test performance to see which sections and sub-topics you need the most help with. WRITE down the scores in the worksheet given for Week 1. Make a note of areas where you struggled most in the diagnostic test. These should be your “FOCUS” areas, wherein you have to allocate more prep time in your weekly chart. This exercise will give you an indication on what to focus on for the next few weeks. Remember to use your flashcards regularly to improve your vocabulary. Register at www.GRE4You.com in order to get access to the free GRE videos RECOMMENDED VIDEOS Introductory videos 01 Introduction to the GRE 02 Overview of the revised GRE 03 Structure of the revised GRE 01 Overview of the Verbal Reasoning section Analytical Writing Assessment Analytical Writing Assessment 10 - Introduction to argument section and argument 1 Text Completion Text Completion 01 - Question Structure Vocabulary VOCABULARY - Ten Essential Word Groups - 01 VOCABULARY - Ten Essential Word Groups - 02 VOCABULARY - Ten Essential Word Groups - 03 Arithmetic 1 ARITHMETIC-Integers and real numbers 2 ARITHMETIC-Multiple choice question on operations on integers 3 ARITHMETIC- Multiple choice question on greatest possible value when multiplying 2 negative integers 4 ARITHMETIC- Relationship between dividend and remainder 5 ARITHMETIC- Quantitative comparison question on remainder Algebra 46 ALGEBRA-Terminology of Algebraic Equations 47 ALGEBRA-Simplifying expressions with like terms 48 ALGEBRA-Multiplication of expressions 49 ALGEBRA- Identities 50 ALGEBRA-Factoring Geometry 88 GEOMETRY-Review of terms in geometry 1 89 GEOMETRY-Types of angles 90 GEOMETRY-Numeric entry question on linear pair 91 GEOMETRY-Multiple choice question on angles on a straight line Geometry 92 GEOMETRY-Angles made with parallel lines Data Analysis 122 DATA ANALYSIS-Frequency distributions 123 DATA ANALYSIS-Bar graphs 124 DATA ANALYSIS-Pie charts 125 DATA ANALYSIS-Histograms 126 DATA ANALYSIS-Scatterplot Recommended Section of E-Book Arithmetic 1.1.1 Introduction to Integers 1.1.6 Quotient and remainder 1.5 Real Numbers Data Analysis 4.1.1. Frequency Distributions 4.1.2 Bar graphs 4.1.3 Histogram 4.1.4 Scatterplot Algebra 2.1 Algebraic Equations Geometry 3.1.1. Points, Lines and Angles 3.1.2 Angles formed by parallel lines and a transversal WEEKLY GRE STUDY PLANNER AND TRACKER – WEEK 1 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Goal Setting Goal Setting Goal Setting Goal Setting Goal Setting Goal Setting Goal Setting Focus area Time allocated Practice Test Planned hrs mins Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning Time spent a day ______________ No. of Videos viewed: ______________ Tests/Exercises taken: ______________ Quantitative Reasoning Time spent a day : ______________ No. of Videos viewed: ______________ Tests/ Exercises taken: ______________ Essay Writing Time spent a day : ______________ No. of Videos viewed: ______________ Tests/Exercises taken: ______________ Full Length Test Essay/AWA hrs mins mins hrs mins hrs mins hrs mins hrs mins Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Study Tracker Verbal Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Quantitative Reasoning ______________ ______________ ______________ Essay Writing ______________ ______________ ______________ Weekly Summary Time Spent Verbal hrs Verbal Score Quants Score hrs How am I doing? Quantitative mins hrs mins Analytical Writing hrs mins Full Length Test Essay/AWA Verbal Score Quants Score
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