gre info & strategies presentation
TRANSCRIPT
While You Are Waiting - Solve» Complete the Pattern:
O T T F F S S E N _» Rearrange three baseballs so that the triangular pattern points
down instead of up.
While You Are Waiting - Solve» Complete the Pattern:
O T T F F S S E N T» Rearrange three baseballs so that the triangular pattern points
down instead of up.
How To Achieve The Best GRE ScorePresented By: Jayson J. Green,Senior Territory Manager/Instructor/TutorThe Princeton [email protected](202) 599-0452
Your Presenter• Jayson J. Green
• Senior Territory Manager• Instructor/Tutor
(PSAT, SAT, ACT, SSAT/ISEE, GRE & MCAT)
• (202) 599-0452• [email protected]
• 11+ years with The Princeton Review
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Helping people fill in PSAT, ACT, SAT, Helping people fill in PSAT, ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, GRE, and MCAT bubbles since SSAT, ISEE, GRE, and MCAT bubbles since 1994.1994.
Thinking about Grad School?
LSAT MCAT GMAT GRELaw School Medical School Business School Everything Else
Psychiatry/PsychologyNursingEngineeringArchitectureHumanitiesPublic Policy
Thinking about Grad School?
» Each year, nearly 500,000 students apply to graduate schools.
» A great test score on a standardized admissions test (GRE) can significantly enhance your chances of getting into your top choice program.
» The Princeton Review can help you create a plan to enhance your test scores.
The Pros & Cons of Grad School • Reasons to Go
» Compete on a level playing field » Career advancement» Maximize earning potential» Want to change your life» Opportunities» Isn’t necessarily obvious
• Reasons Not to Go» You have a job people would kill for» Current loans» Giving up multiple year’s salary» Put your current career on hold» Assume substantial debt» Personal sacrifices (time, family, etc…)
The Value of a DegreeMore Education = More Money
•Average lifetime earnings (during the entirety of one's working life, working full-time, year-round)
– High school education - $1.2 million– Four-year college degree - $2.1 million – Professional degrees - $4.4 million
Grad School: First Steps• Talk to an expert and friends• Search the web• Consult rankings – US News and
World Report Rankings or www.PrincetonReview.com (list of schools that match your needs and preferences) – Graduate School Recruiter – The Tuition Cost Calculator
• Research recent graduating class stats (GPA and scores)
• Call schools/admissions staff• Talk to current students & alum• Go to fairs and conferences
• Consider your criteria: Specialize in? How competitive? Location- urban/suburban/rural Hands-on experience? Financial support? Career support services? Types of positions graduates
secure? Other logistical requirements-
spouse, day care, etc Social atmosphere Family factor Alumni influence/network Size Dr. Who? Research facilities School curriculum
=
Brand Name HypeYou need perfect grades and perfect test scores to get into a good school today.
Truth: Find the place that is right for you! Choosing a Grad School – 3 Factors
• Academic quality• Chances of getting in• Practical considerations
The Academic Fit• Well-suited • Specializations
Misconception
Entrance Exam Myths
» These exams test your IQ» High GPA = high test score» Score determines your admissions
chances» High scores are everywhere
Factors of Admission
Objective Factors:1. GPA2. Test Scores – GRE
•The Numbers » Students focus on the numbers first » The numbers don’t get you in but ________» Get a ticket
Factors of Admission
Subjective Factors:1. Recommendations2. Personal statement3. Activities/experience4. Interview5. Resume/CV6. Personal background/miscellaneous
Stand out from the rest of the crowd.
The Application ProcessWhen you apply:
Remember your audience! Normally a 3-4 person committee of faculty members
Most applications are similar, but there may be some special materials required, and varying weights of certain areas
How will you enrich the environment that they work in every day?
Application forms ask for a lot of data
Usually some short answer questions – an opportunity to distinguish yourself from others
Be thorough but succinct
Essays
Essays
Range from broad to specific questions
Put yourself in the place of your audience
Familiarize yourself with work of faculty members to make sure interest match up, then will be easier to write essay
Research vs. Professional programs
Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation
Requires great awareness of audience reviewing your application
Good if at least 2 of letters of recommendation are from academics in field
Input of a professional from work context will be good for practice-oriented careers
Contact programs to find out what they’re looking for in applicant’s recommendation letters
Work Samples and Interviews Visual arts - usually require a portfolio
Performing arts - recorded or live audition
Some programs may require an interview
If a live or phone interview is required, be prepared with questions to ask your interviewer (that means……do your research on the program!)
Give yourself plenty of time to assemble material that represents your best work
Graduate School: FAQQuestion AnswerShould I get a Master’s before pursuing a PhD?
Depends. If you had a low undergrad GPA, it may make you a more competitive applicant. Otherwise, some PhD programs will grant you a Master’s while earning your doctorate.
Can I go to Grad School for free, AND get paid?
Research oriented programs- possible. Other programs may have assistantships, but rarely covers cost of tuition.
I want to pursue a second graduate degree in a different field, will this look poor in my application?
Not necessarily. Explain clearly in personal statement the “why” and the “how”.
I’m concerned about my low GPA, how does that factor into my application?
GPA in your field of interest is most important. Also consider doing some advanced coursework (and ACING them!) before applying.
Online Toolswww.PrincetonReview.com Search schools by rankings or programs in our Advanced Grad School SearchExpert advice about Master’s vs. PhD programs, teaching assistantships, and strengthening your applicationScholarship search and FAFSA timelineGet more information about our classroom, small group instruction, private tutoring, and online test prep optionsFree online practice test at www.PrincetonReview.com/DemoSchedule of FREE events in your area: www.PrincetonReview.com/Events
Graduate School: Timing
Start planning applications at least a year in advance
Work independently to deadlines, and work throughout the year on separate parts of your applications
The care and time invested in application preparation can pay off in a lifelong, satisfying career
Putting It All Together • Choosing Targets
1. Start your list of universities that offer the program you're interested in. 2. Eliminate - not academically strong enough or unacceptable due to practical
considerations.
• FAQs» How many schools should I apply to? » Should I apply to schools that I think are out of my league (my GPA or test score
might be too low)?
3. Divide the remaining schools into three groups: 1-2-1 Ratioo 100% sure/shoe-inso Good “match”o Schools you'll get into only if touched by the hand of God
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The GRE is usually required for non-business graduate programs
The GRE is now accepted by many business schools too!
Consider scores within the context of the rest of the application
Different disciplines weight sections differently, but don’t take the risk of slacking off on one “not counted”
$175
GRE Testing Timeline Offered year round on most days of the week
Late summer and fall are most popular test dates
Take it no later than October or November (earlier the better) before you plan to enter grad school
Try to take the GRE at least 6 months before earliest deadline, in case you need to take test again
Can take once every 30 days, but no more than five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period
Register early to guarantee a seat in the nearest testing center
Takes 10-15 days for official scores to arrive at schools
• Multi-Stage Test (MST)• 3 ¾ hours of testing• Allows testers to navigate entire sections, skipping and returning
to questions and/or changing responses as they see fit
GRE Format
GRE Sections
Sections Questions Time
Analytical Writing
Assessment
1 2 Essays •Analysis of an Issue
•Analysis of an Argument
30 min eachNo Breaks between
Essays
Quantitative 2 20 35 min each
Verbal 2 20 30 min each
Experimental 1 20 30 or 35 min (can be Quant or
Verbal)
GRE Quantitative
Quantitative GREFormat Multiple choice
Select all that applyNumeric entry
Content Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation
Question Types Problem SolvingQuantitative ComparisonNumeric EntrySelect All That Apply
Calculators Yes -but don’t get too excited…
GRE Verbal
Verbal GREQuestion Format Multiple choice
Select all that applySelect-in passage responses
Question Types Reading ComprehensionText CompletionSentence Equivalence
GRE Scoring
Section GRE Scoring
Analytic Writing Assessment
0-6, half-point increments
Each Essay scored by a person & checked by a computer
Quantitative 130-170(1-point increments)
Verbal 130-170(1-point increments)
GRE Scoring
151/152 170130
The 50th Percentile for Verbal is about a 151
The 50th Percentile for Quantitative is about a 152
How “Adaptive by Section” works
GRE: Adaptive by Section
1
20
1
20
1
20
1
20
Do OK
Do Poorly
Do Well
Mostly Hard Q’s
Mostly Medium Q’s
Mostly Easy Q’s
Student A:Does well in the 1st section, does poorly in the 2nd section
Student B:Does poorly in the 1st section, does well in the 2nd section
Who gets the higher score?
170
150
160
140
150
130
GRE Testing Center
GRE Test Tips POE like a maniac
Take the easy test first
Skip and come back
Scratch paper
Know your math formulas…ahead of time
Know directions ahead of time (don’t waste time on test day while the clock is ticking)
GRE Subject Tests
8 GRE Subject Tests:
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular BiologyBiologyChemistryComputer ScienceLiterature in EnglishMathematicsPhysicsPsychology
These tests are given in paper–and–pencil format three times per year (October, November, and April)
$150
FAQs• When should I take the test?
• Times I can retake? Downside? • What is the best way to prepare?
• How can I see how my score compares?
• How important is it to prepare?
About The Princeton Review For 30 years, The Princeton Review has helped students, parents,
and educators deal responsibly with the increasingly competitive and complex process of admissions to colleges and graduate school.
The Princeton Review courses and tutors are the most personal and effective ways to prepare for standardized tests including theGRE, MCAT, LSAT, and GMAT.• More than 1,000 classroom locations throughout the United
States. • Convenient Online schedules also available! • An outstanding track record with guaranteed score improvement.
4 out of 5 Princeton Review graduates get into their top choice school.
Elements of The Princeton Review GRE Course
Course Features:24 hours of live instruction8 full-length, adaptive practice tests184 hours of online questions, practice tests and lessonsScore higher or get your money back
Score ImprovementsThe Princeton Review GRE Course
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Techniques
GRE Techniques
GRE Techniques
GRE Techniques
#2 Verbal Scratch Paper
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Results Come in Stages
GRE Sample Math Question
GRE Sample Math Question
GRE Sample Math Question
1st shirt costs 21.2nd shirt is 9
$21 + $9 = $30
2 Shirts @ Original Price = $42 (2 x $21)
$42 - $30 = $12 Whew Done Right?
No RTFQ!!!
Answer: customer saves $6 per shirt buying 2 instead of 1. ($12 divided by 2 = $6 per shirt)
GRE Sentence Equivalence
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Sentence Equivalence questions have sentences with one blank and six answer choices and your job is to find the TWO words that give the sentence “equivalent” meanings.
Sentence Equivalences Basic Technique1.Find the story2.Come up with your own word or phrase for the blank3.Check each answer choice and use your scratch paper4.Use Process of Elimination
GRE Reasoning Argument Essay
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Critical Reasoning problems require you to identify flaws in a given argument.
To get started you must be comfortable identifying the 3 parts of an argument:
1. Conclusion2. Premise3. Assumptions
GRE Reasoning Argument Essay
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Basic Strategy
• Assumption/flaw• Weaken/strengthen• Inference• Resolve/explain• Identify the reasoning• Evaluate the argument
Main Question Types
GRE Reading Comp.
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• How long is the passage?
• How well do I read?
• How far along am I on the test?
Decide how much to read: Basis Strategy
GRE Reading Comp.
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Process of Elimination (POE) Notes POE answers that are too specific (for main idea Q’s) POE answers that are not stated in the passage POE answers that are too extreme POE answers that don’t answer the question or come
from the wrong part of the passage POE answers that go against what the passage says
On your own? In a class or with a tutor?
Now What?
How will you prep?
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Wrap-Up & Take-Aways
THE PRINCETON REVIEW is happy to help!
AAUW15
15%off In-Person / LiveOnline Grad Course
Who to contact:
Debbie RubioTerritory Manager
www.PrincetonReview.com800-2-Review
The Princeton Review – DC/MD/NoVA1776 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
