BEYOND THE BEAKERS
8
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
Chapter Two: Doing Your Best on the GRE
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Reasons for Preparing for the GRE
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9
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
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What Good is a Sophisticated Vocabulary to a Scientist or Engineer?
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What is a Good GRE Score?
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10
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
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Resources to Prepare for the GRE
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11
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
How Can GRE Scores Influence Your “Acceptance”
to and by Graduate Schools?
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12
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
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The GRE Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) (as of October, 2005)
1.
Structure of the GRE CAT =LYIHS
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CAT Rules
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13
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
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General Strategies for Improving GRE Scores::PUJL,;:JOHUNLZ[OL.9,
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http://www.gre.org: test information, PowerPrep, on-line diagnostics
http://ets.org/criterion/highered/: writing evaluation and advice.
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14
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
Preparing for the Verbal Section of the GRE
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1. Learn the most commonly encountered words
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2. Learn root word, prefixes, suffixes to improve your ability to
guess the meaning of unfamiliar words.
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WYLÄ_Z\MÄ_YVV[^VYKJVU[L_[J\LZYLSH[PVUZOPW[VHUV[OLY
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3. Learn the relationships of words
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4. Make and use flash cards. Carry them with you!! It works!!!
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15
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
5. Learn to speak “GREse”
7YHJ[PJL`V\YUL^^VYKZPU,UNSPZO^P[OLHJOV[OLY1H]PLY:HUJOLa^V\SKJVTL
[VTLLHJOKH`HUKZH`HZLU[LUJL\ZPUNHUL^¸.9,^VYK¹OLOHKQ\Z[SLHYULK
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NYHK\H[LZJOVVS/L^VU[^VMLSSV^ZOPWZ[VZ\WWVY[OPZ7O+Z[\K`H[)*4
6. Read at a more advanced level, dictionary in hand.
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Tooth and Nail I`,SZ[LYHUK,SSPV[;OPZUV]LS^HZKLZPNULK[VOLSWWLVWSLPTWYV]L
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[OLPYTLHUPUN;OLYLPZHNSVZZHY`PU[OLIHJR^P[O[OLKLÄUP[PVUZVM[OLOPNOSPNO[LK
^VYKZ:[\KLU[Z^OVOH]L\ZLK[OPZYLZV\YJLILSPL]LKP[OLSWLK[OLTLUOHUJL[OLPY
]VJHI\SHY`;OLUTV]LVU[VTVYLZVWOPZ[PJH[LKSP[LYH[\YL0M`V\SPRLUV]LSZSPRL
Pride and PrejudiceYLHK[OLT6R`V\JHU^H[JO[OLTV]PL[VV;VT*SHUJL`
L]LU\ZLZZVTL.9,[`WL^VYKZPUOPZUV]LSZ0ZHHJ(ZPTV]»ZVYPNPUHSFoundation
PUJS\KLZHWHNLULHY[OLILNPUUPUNÄSSLK^P[O.9,[`WL^VYKZ
I. Vocabulary Building for the GRE
MAKE AND USE FLASH CARDS:
*YLH[LÅHZOJHYKZSPZ[PUNHRL`^VYK^OVZLTLHUPUN`V\RUV^[OLUHKKYLSH[LK
^VYKZPUJS\KPUNZVTL`V\KVU»[VYKPUHYPS`\ZLVYL]LURUV^^OLU`V\Z[HY[[OL
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[OH[`V\JHUYL]PL^[OLT^OPSL`V\HYL^HP[PUNIL[^LLUJSHZZLZPUSPULZVYMVYH
I\Z>OLU`V\THRL[OLJHYKZLTWSV`HZTHU`MHJL[ZVMSLHYUPUNHZWVZZPISL[V
THRLTVYLTLU[HSJVUULJ[PVUZIL[^LLU[OL^VYKZHUKJ\LZ[VYLTLTILYPUN[OLT
>YP[PUNPU]VS]LZRPULZ[OL[PJSLHYUPUN:LLPUN[OL^VYKZPU]VS]LZ]PZ\HSSLHYUPUN
I\[PM`V\ZH`[OL^VYKZV\[SV\K`V\HSZVHJ[P]H[LH\KP[VY`SLHYUPUN0M`V\ZH`[OL
^VYKZ^P[OHULTV[PVU[OH[Ä[Z`V\HKKHULTV[PVUHSJ\L[V[OL^VYK<ZLWVZP
[PVUHUKJVSVY[VOLSW`V\YLTLTILYTLHUPUNZ>YP[L^VYKZ^P[OWVZP[P]LJVUUV[H
16
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
[PVUZPUHJVSVY`V\SPRLHUK^VYKZ^P[OULNH[P]LJVUUV[H[PVUZPUHJVSVY`V\KVU»[
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STORE
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LEARN PREFIXES, SUFFIXES, and ROOT WORDS
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4
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17
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
TPZ
THS
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Building a Vocabulary that Opens Doors of Opportunity
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ILHKTP[[LK[VHZJOVVS
18
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
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LK\JH[LKOV\ZLOVSKZ:VTLVM[OLTHYL]LY`[HSLU[LKHUKYLHSS`UPJL
II. Analogy Section (maybe eliminated in the future)
;OL.9,OHZPUJS\KLKHZLJ[PVUVUHUHSVNPLZMVYTHU``LHYZ0U6J[VILYVM
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19
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
Strategies to improve your ability to answer analogy questions
HTPSPHYPaL`V\YZLSM^P[O[OL[`WLZVMHUHSVNPLZ[OH[`V\TPNO[LUJV\U
[LYVU[OL.9,
7YHJ[PJLJOHYHJ[LYPaPUNJVTWHYPZVUZIL[^LLU^VYKZPU[OLZ[LTWHPY
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A. Typical Analogy Relationships:
Opposites or synonyms
Opposites
Synonyms
HIH[L!PU[LUZPM`
HJJVSHKL!JYP[PJPZT
HNNYHUKPaL!TPUPTPaL
HYK\V\Z!Z[YLU\V\Z[H_PUN
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Action and activity
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HJ[PVUTLHUPUN
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Cause and effect
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Specific and general
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Parts and whole
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IVSK!H\KHJPV\Z
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Degrees
Function
20
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
Characteristics or conditions
VWWYLZZ!Z\IQLJ[
ZVTILY!JOLLY
SPILYH[L!MYLL
OVULZ[`!YLW\[HISL
Time or space
LVU!TVTLU[
LSLJ[PVU!PUH\N\YH[PVU
B. Analogy Practice:
*OVVZL[OLZLJVUKWHPYVM^VYKZ[OH[TVZ[JSLHYS`TH[JOLZ[OLYLSH[PVUZOPW
IL[^LLU[OLÄYZ[WHPY
1. teeth: comb
HPY!IY\ZO
O
Z[LW!SHKKLY
W\SSL`!YVWL
WPJ[\YL!OVVR
KVVY!SPIYHY`
2. sorrow:devastated
QV`!OHWWPULZZ
ZHKULZZ!NSLL
O\UNLY!MHTPZOLK
NSHK!LJZ[H[PJ
WYHPZL!SH\K
3. lecture:learn
H ZZPZ[!NHPUMH]VY
JYP[PJPaL!KLUPNYH[L
JYP[PJPaL!JVYYLJ[
PUMVYTH[PVU!JVUM\ZL
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4. university:school
VVR!SPIYHY`
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Q\KNL!SH^`LY
5VILS7YPaL!H^HYK
21
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
Analogy Practice Answers:
*OVVZL[OLZLJVUKWHPYVM^VYKZ[OH[TVZ[JSVZLS`TH[JOLZ[OLÄYZ[WHPYVM
Z[LT^VYKZ
Explanations
[LL[O!JVTI
OHPY!IY\ZO
¤
step:ladder
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WPJ[\YL!OVVR
KVVY!SPIYHY`
ZVYYV^!KL]HZ[H[LK
QV`!OHWWPULZZ ZHKULZZ!NSLL
¤
hunger:famished
NSHK!LJZ[H[PJ
WYHPZL!SH\K
part vs. whole analogy
SLJ[\YL!SLHYU
HZZPZ[!NHPUMH]VY
JYP[PJPaL!KLUPNYH[L
¤
criticize:correct
PUMVYTH[PVU!JVUM\ZL
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¤ Nobel Prize:award
degrees analogy
JS\LZ!WHY[VMZWLLJO
function analogy
KV\ISLJOHYHJ[LYPaH[PVU
subsetVY type of entity,
HSZVHdegree comparison
Why bother to get comfortable using analogies?
:JPLU[PZ[ZHUKLUNPULLYZVM[LU\ZLHUHSVNPLZ[VL_WSHPU\UMHTPSPHY[LYTZVYPKLHZ
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ULLKHUHSVNPLZ[V]PZ\HSPaLJVTWSL_ZP[\H[PVUZ0M`V\[LHJO`V\^PSSÄUKHUHSV
22
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
NPLZ[VIL]LY`OLSWM\SPUL_WSHPUPUNPKLHZ[VZ[\KLU[Z(UHSVNPLZJHUIL\ZLM\SPU
KLZJYPIPUN`V\Y^VYRPUHNYHU[WYVWVZHSVY[VWV[LU[PHSPU]LZ[VYZPU`V\Y
UL^KL]PJL
>OVJHUMVYNL[[OL¸RP[JOLUZPUR¹HUHSVN`\ZLKI`(\N\Z[V(KVULPU[OLTV]PL
Lorenzo’s Oil,HZOLHUKOPZ^PML4PJOHLSH[YPLK[V\UKLYZ[HUKOV^[OLSHJRVMHU
LUa`TLJH\ZLK[OLT`LSPUPU3VYLUaV»ZIYHPU[VKL[LYPVYH[L[YHWWPUN[OLPYZVU
PUZPKLOPZIVK`&0[LSSZ[\KLU[Z[OL`YLHSS`\UKLYZ[HUK[OLPYWYVQLJ[Z^OLU[OL`JHU
L_WSHPUP[[V[OLPYNYHUKWHYLU[Z6MJV\YZLP[KLMLH[Z[OLW\YWVZLVM[OL¸ZPTWSPM`[OL
L_WSHUH[PVU¹PM[OLNYHUKWHYLU[PZ4H[[PL4LSUPJRVY9VZL)\ZJO^OVHYLHJJVT
WSPZOLKZJPLU[PZ[Z
III. Sentence Completion
The goal of sentence completion questions is to find the best word or set of
words that completes a sentence based on the context cues
Read the sentence and think of choices that make sense
;OLJS\LZ[VÄUKPUN[OLYPNO[^VYKMVYZLU[LUJLJVTWSL[PVUX\LZ[PVUZVM[LU
PU]VS]LPKLU[PM`PUNJ\L^VYKZ[OH[PUKPJH[L^OL[OLY`V\HYLSVVRPUNMVYZPTPSHYVY
KPMMLYLU[^VYKZ
1.
¤
¤
2.
Focus on signal or cue words
similiar:¸HUK¹¸JVTWHYHIS`¹¸SPRL^PZL¹¸ZPTPSHYS`¹
¸[OLYLMVYL¹¸[O\Z¹
JVYYLJ[JOVPJL^PSSILZPTPSHY^VYKZ
contrasting:¸HS[OV\NO¹¸I\[¹¸KLZWP[L¹¸OV^L]LY¹¸PUJVU[YHZ[¹¸VY¹
¸VU[OLV[OLYOHUK¹¸YH[OLY¹¸\UMVY[\UH[LS`¹¸\USLZZ¹¸^OPSL¹¸`L[¹
JVYYLJ[JOVPJL^PSSIL^VYKZ[OH[KPMMLYPUTLHUPUN
time frame:¸HM[LY^HYK¹¸OLYL[VMVYL¹¸WYL]PV\ZS`¹¸Z\IZLX\LU[S`¹
versions of no:¸UV¹¸UV[¹¸UV[L]LY¹¸UL]LY¹¸\UKLY
UVJPYJ\TZ[HUJL¹
For two blank sentences you may need to start with one answer and
see if it fits, then see if the other fits
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4H`ÄSSPU[OLZLJVUKISHURÄYZ[
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I\[UV[[OLV[OLY
23
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
3.
4.
Think about “good” versus “bad” words
,]LUPM`V\KVU»[YLTLTILY[OLTLHUPUNVMH^VYKL_HJ[S``V\TH`
RUV^PM[OL^VYKYLWYLZLU[ZZVTL[OPUNNVVKVYIHK
;OL[VULVM[OLZLU[LUJL^PSSNP]L`V\JS\LZHZ[V[OLYPNO[¸LTV[PVU¹
If you don’t know the meaning of some of the words, LSPTPUH[LHU`
JOVPJLZ[OH[`V\JHU"\ZLWYLÄ_LZZ\MÄ_LZYVV[^VYKZMVYJS\LZMVY
V[OLY^VYKZ
IV. Reading Comprehension
:JPLU[PZ[ZT\Z[KL]LSVWL_JLSSLU[YLHKPUNZRPSSZ;OLYLHKPUNJVTWYLOLUZPVU
WVY[PVUVM[OL.9,[LZ[Z`V\YHIPSP[`[V\UKLYZ[HUKIV[OZOVY[HUKSVUNYLHKPUN
WHZZHNLZ;OLWHZZHNL^PSSHWWLHYVU[OLZJYLLU,]LY`ÄM[OSPUL^PSSILU\TILYLK
[VWYV]PKL`V\^P[OHUVYPLU[H[PVU[V[OLWHZZHNL:VTLWHZZHNLZHYLSVUNLY[OHU
JHUÄ[VU[OLZJYLLUI\[`V\JHUZJYVSS\WHUKKV^U@V\JHU\ZL[OLU\TILYPUN
LMMLJ[P]LS`[VN\PKL`V\PUQV[[PUNKV^URL`^VYKZVYWOYHZLZVU`V\YZJYH[JOWHWLY
HZ`V\YLHK[OLWHZZHNL8\LZ[PVUZ^PSSILZOV^UVULH[H[PTL8\LZ[PVUZ[`WP
JHSS`OH]LÄ]LJOVPJLZMYVT^OPJO`V\ZLSLJ[[OLILZ[HUZ^LY@V\JHUTV]LIHJR
HUKMVY[OIL[^LLU[OLWHZZHNLHUK[OLX\LZ[PVUZLJ[PVU;OLX\LZ[PVUZVU`V\Y
L_HTTH`HZR`V\[VPKLU[PM`[OLTHPUPKLHPU[LYWYL[[OLH\[OVY»Z[VULVYVWPUPVU
WYV]PKLMHJ[\HSPUMVYTH[PVUVYKYH^HUPUMLYLUJLMYVT[OLWHZZHNLVYZOV^V[OLY
L]PKLUJL[OH[`V\\UKLYZ[VVK[OLWHZZHNL)LNPUUPUNPU6J[VILY[OL.9,
^PSSWSHJLNYLH[LYLTWOHZPZVUYLHKPUNJVTWYLOLUZPVUHUKLSPTPUH[L[OLHUHSVN`
X\LZ[PVUZ;LZ[[HRLYZ^PSSILHZRLK[VPKLU[PM`ZLU[LUJLZPU[OLWHZZHNL
[OH[YLSH[L[OLZHTLPKLHHZHWYVTW[Z[H[LTLU[*OLJR[OL.9,^LIZP[LMVY
\WJVTPUNPUMVYTH[PVU
A. EFFECTIVE READING FOR THE GRE
1. Identify the main idea of the passage.
(STVZ[L]LY`WHZZHNLOHZHTHPUPKLH2LLW[OLTHPUPKLHVM[OLWHZZHNLPU
TPUK^OPSLYLHKPUNVYHUZ^LYPUNX\LZ[PVUZWrong answers will often be
inconsistent with the “big picture.”
2. Recognize the sense of each paragraph.
3VUNWHZZHNLZHYLVYNHUPaLKPUWHYHNYHWOZ1V[KV^UWOYHZLZHUKHTHPUPKLH
MVYLHJOWHYHNYHWOVU`V\YZJYH[JOWHWLY^P[OHULHYI`SPULU\TILYKLUV[LK
24
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
MVYL_HTWSL¸MH\UHSTPNYH[PVU¹MVYPUMVYTH[PVU[OH[Z[HY[ZVUSPULHIV\[
MH\UHSHUPTHSTPNYH[PVU0M`V\ULLK[VYLMLYIHJR[V[OLWHZZHNLMVYKL[HPSZ[V
HUZ^LYHX\LZ[PVU`V\^PSSRUV^OV^[VÄUK[OLPUMVYTH[PVU^P[OV\[YLYLHKPUN
[OLLU[PYLWHZZHNLKnowing the scope and tone of the work will allow you
to eliminate answer choices that represent matters outside the spectrum of
the passage.
3. Be an active reader.
4VZ[VM[OL[PTLWLVWSLYLHKWHZZP]LS`[OH[PZ[OL`KVU»[WH`LUV\NOH[[LU[PVU
[VNYHZW^OH[[OL`HYLYLHKPUN@V\T\Z[JVTWYLOLUK¶UV[SLHYU^OH[`V\HYL
YLHKPUNYou must be a very active reader.;OPURHIV\[^OH[`V\HYLYLHKPUN
7HYHWOYHZLJVUM\ZPUNVYJVTWSPJH[LKWHY[Z(ZR`V\YZLSMX\LZ[PVUZHZ`V\HYL
YLHKPUN>OLU`V\KV[OLZL[OPUNZ`V\KVU»[Q\Z[HIZVYI[OLWHZZHNL`V\H[
[HJRP[1V[KV^U^OH[ZLLT[VILPTWVY[HU[WVPU[Z¶VM[LUUHTLZ^P[OHSPUL
U\TILY
4. Don’t try to “learn” or remember the passage.
6UZ[HUKHYKPaLK[LZ[Z`V\VUS`ULLK[VYL[HPUPUMVYTH[PVUSVUNLUV\NO[VHU
Z^LY[OLX\LZ[PVUZ4HU`VM[OLKL[HPSZPU[OLWHZZHNLHYLJVTWSL[LS`\UULJLZ
ZHY`MVYHUZ^LYPUN[OLX\LZ[PVUZIt is ineffective to read the passage for detail.
@V\JHUHUKZOV\SK go back to find the detailed information that is needed
to answer a specific question.
5. Eliminate wrong answer choices.
@V\TH`ULLK[V\ZL[OLWYVJLZZVMLSPTPUH[PVU[VKL[LYTPUL[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LY
;OLYLHYL\Z\HSS` some answer choices that will be clearly wrong. Look for
this type of choice, and eliminate it.7PJR[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYMYVT[OLYLTHPU
PUNJOVPJLZ6ULVM[OLILZ[[VVSZ[V\ZL[VLSPTPUH[L^YVUNHUZ^LYZPZ[VZL[\W
HNYPKVYSPZ[VUZJYH[JOWHWLY^OLYL`V\JHU?V\[^YVUNHUZ^LYZHUKMVJ\Z
VU[OLYLTHPUPUNJOVPJLZ0M`V\LSPTPUH[L[OYLLJOVPJLZ`V\YPUJYLHZL`V\Y
JOHUJLZVMWPJRPUN[OLYPNO[VULMYVT[V
6. Use the passage to direct your answers.
,]LY`[OPUN[OH[`V\ULLK[VHUZ^LY[OLX\LZ[PVUZPZWYV]PKLKI`[OLWHZZHNL)L
JH\[PV\ZPU\ZPUNV\[ZPKLRUV^SLKNL The author of the passage may have a
very different perspective from views with which you are familiar. 9LTLTILY
THU`X\LZ[PVUZHZR¸(JJVYKPUN[V[OLH\[OVY¯¹
25
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
EFFECTIVE USE OF SCRATCH PAPER FOR GRE
READING COMPREHENSION
Test appearance
‹The GRE reading sections will be passages of different length.
‹Some will be too long for all of the passage to appear on the screen at once.
‹You may have to scroll up and down on the screen the see parts of the passage.
‹The questions will appear one at a time.
Making notes
‹6ULVM[OLIPNNLZ[KPMMLYLUJLZPU[HRPUN[OL.9,VU[OLJVTW\[LYPZ[OH[`V\
JHU»[JPYJSLHUK\UKLYSPULPTWVY[HU[[OPUNZVU[OLYLHKPUNWHZZHNLZSPRL
WLVWSLKPKPU[OLWHWLY[LZ[ZVKVU»[KVP[VUWYHJ[PJLL_HTZ
‹,HJOÄM[OSPULPZU\TILYLK¶ZV\ZL[OPZ[V`V\YHK]HU[HNL>OLU`V\ZWV[H
^VYKVMWOYHZL[OH[ZLLTZPTWVY[HU[¶QV[KV^UHYLTPUKLYHUKHSPULU\T
ILY@V\KVU»[OH]L[VJV\U[HUKSPZ[[OLL_HJ[SPULU\TILYQ\Z[NL[JSVZL
-VYL_HTWSLSPULZH`Z¸0UJYLHZLKJVUJLU[YH[PVUZVMNYLLUOV\ZLNHZLZ
LUOHUJLNYLLUOV\ZLLMMLJ[[YHWWPUNTVYLOLH[ULHY[OL,HY[O»ZZ\YMHJL¹
MYVT7YPUJL[VU*YHJRPUN[OL.9,
‹5V[LJV\SKZH`!NYLLUOV\ZLNHZVYL]LU./NHZ
‹4H`IL`V\^HU[[VSPZ[¸(VWPU¹MVY[OLH\[OVY»ZVWPUPVUVMHUHY[PJSL
SPZ[LKVUSPUL
‹@V\ULLKQ\Z[LUV\NOVMHYLTPUKLY[VÄUKZVTL[OPUNPUHSVUNWHYHNYHWO
‹>VYRPUNV\[HZ`Z[LTVMHIIYL]PH[PVUZHUKU\TILYPUNHOLHKVM[PTLHZ`V\
YL]PL^TH[LYPHSHUK[HRLWYHJ[PJL[LZ[Z^PSSIL]LY`]HS\HISL
B. CHOOSING CORRECT ANSWERS TO READING
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
/LYLHYLZVTLPTWVY[HU[[PWZ[VYLTLTILYHIV\[[OL.9,!
;OL.9,KVLZU»[\ZLHIZVS\[LZ[H[LTLU[Z\USLZZ[OLX\LZ[PVU
PZHU¸(JJVYKPUN[V[OLH\[OVYVYWHZZHNL¯¹
5VULVM[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYZ^PSSTLU[PVUWVPU[ZUV[YLSL]HU[[V
[OLX\LZ[PVU
5VULVM[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYZ^PSSYHPZLH[VWPJV\[ZPKL[OLZJVWLVM
[OLWHZZHNL
5VULVM[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYZ^PSSILV\[YHNLV\ZVYOH]LH[VULUV[
ZLLUPU[OLWHZZHNL
5VULVM[OLJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYZ^PSSPUJS\KLL_[YLTLZ[H[LTLU[Z
26
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
Therefore, eliminate any answer choice that:
THRLZHIZVS\[LZ[H[LTLU[Z[OH[\ZL^VYKZSPRL¸HS^H`ZUL]LY
\UKLYL]LY`JPYJ\TZ[HUJL¹\USLZZ[OLX\LZ[PVUPZHU
¸(JJVYKPUN[V[OLH\[OVY¹[`WL
TLU[PVUZZVTL[OPUN`V\KPKUV[YLHKPU[OLWHZZHNL
PZ[VVKL[HPSLKVYZWLJPÄJMVYNLULYHSVYPUMLYLUJLX\LZ[PVUZ
\ZLZL_[YLTLVYV]LYS`LTV[PVUHSSHUN\HNL
TPZYLWYLZLU[Z[OLPUMVYTH[PVUPU[OLWHZZHNL
YLWLH[ZHSHYNLWVY[PVUVM[OLWHZZHNL
THE QUANTITATIVE SECTION:
I. General Quantitative Pointers
;OL.9,[LZ[Z]LY`NLULYHSTH[OZRPSSZ@V\WYVIHIS`SLHYULK[OPZTH[OPUOPNO
ZJOVVS4VZ[.9,TH[O^PSSILHYL]PL^I\[`V\TH`ULLK[V\ZLYL]PL^IVVRZ[V
YLTPUK`V\YZLSMVYSLHYUOV^[VZVS]L[OLWYVISLTZLUJV\U[LYLKVU[OLX\HU[P[H
[P]LZLJ[PVUVM[OL.9,2HWSHUWYVK\JLZH4H[O9L]PL^[OH[THU`VMV\YZ[\KLU[Z
ÄUKOLSWM\S(YL]PL^NYV\WJVTWVZLKVMWLVWSL^P[OKPMMLYLU[TH[OZ[YLUN[OZJHU
ILOLSWM\SPUZH]PUN`V\[PTLVUHJX\PYPUNWVPU[LYZVY[OLMHZ[LZ[^H`[VHWWYVHJO
WYVISLTZ;OL[PTLKUH[\YLVM[OL.9,[LZ[Z[OLHIPSP[`[VLSPTPUH[L[OL^YVUN
HUZ^LYZHUKPKLU[PM`[OLYPNO[HUZ^LYZX\PJRS`UV[I`IY\[LMVYJL0UHKKP[PVU[V
X\LZ[PVUZ[OH[[LZ[HSNLIYHHUKNLVTL[Y`ZRPSSZWYVISLTZ^PSS[LZ[SVNPJZRPSSZ4HU`
JVTWSL_NLVTL[YPJÄN\YLZJHUILIYVRLUKV^UPU[VZPTWSLÄN\YLZ^P[OZPKLZVY
HUNSLZ[OH[`V\JHUKLK\JLMYVTZPTWSLY\SLZ:VTLWYVISLTZ^PSSPU]VS]LLX\H
[PVUZVYU\TLYPJHSJVTWHYPZVU:VTLX\LZ[PVUZ^PSSPU]VS]L¸^VYK¹WYVISLTZMVY
^OPJO`V\^PSSULLK[V^YP[LLX\H[PVUZHUKZVS]L[OLT[VKL[LYTPUL[OLYPNO[HU
Z^LY:VTLX\LZ[PVUZPU]VS]LPU[LYWYL[H[PVUVMNYHWOZVY[HISLZZRPSSZVM[LU\ZLKI`
ZJPLU[PZ[ZHUKLUNPULLYZ;OLYLHYLUVX\LZ[PVUZ[OH[YLSH[L[VJHSJ\S\ZVY[YPNVUVT
L[Y`VU[OLNLULYHS.9,
The Composition of the Quantitative Component is typically
‹.LULYHS(YP[OTL[PJ!
‹(SNLIYH!
‹.LVTL[Y`!^PSSILYLK\JLKPU6J[VILY
‹.YHWOZ!
‹>VYKWYVISLTZTHRL\WVULX\HY[LYVM[OLX\HU[P[H[P]LWYVISLTZ
27
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
Pointers for preparing for the Quantitative GRE Exam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12
28
Review math symbols:$“#%˜™
Review math formulas. .VV]LY[OPUNZSPRL[OLHYLHVMHJPYJSL[OLX\H
KYH[PJLX\H[PVU[OLLX\H[PVU[VKL[LYTPUL[OLSLUN[OVM[OLO`WV[LU\ZL
-SHZOJHYKZHYLLZWLJPHSS`OLSWM\SMVYYL]PL^PUNMVYT\SHZ
Review math operations SPRLT\S[PWS`PUN ZX\HYLYVV[ZL_WVULU[Z
KLJPTHSZMYHJ[PVUZMHJ[VYPUNJVUZLJ\[P]LPU[LNLYZWVZP[P]L?ULNH[P]L
U\TILYZWYPTLZL[J
Review geometry:[YPHUNSLZJVTWHYPUNZPKLZHUKHUNSLZ"KPZZLJ[PUN
JVTWSL_ÄN\YLZPU[VZPTWSLMVYTZ^OLYL`V\JHUKL[LYTPUL]HS\LZ
Memorize common values:ŸPZJSVZLLUV\NOZX\HYLYVV[Z
\W[VJVTTVU[YPHUNSLZPKLZ
+VU»[ILWHUPJRLKI` variablesL]LUZ[YHUNLVULZ^P[OTHKL\W
KLÄUP[PVUZ
3LHYU[Vapproximate^P[OV\[SLUN[O`JHSJ\SH[PVUZ
@V\JHULSPTPUH[LTHU`HUZ^LYZPTTLKPH[LS`
<ZLJVTTVUZLUZL"JOLJR[OL\UP[Z
In the future, there will be a simple calculator on the computer that
will be used to derive actual numbers for some questions.
*VTWHYPZVUX\LZ[PVUZHSS\ZL[OLZHTLMVYT
@V\T\Z[JVTWHYL[OL]HS\LZPU*VS\TU(HUK*VS\TU)
*VS\TU(PZLP[OLYLX\HS[V$SLZZ[OHU#VYNYLH[LY[OHU%JVS\TU
)VY[OLJVTWHYH[P]L]HS\LVM(HUK)¸JHUUV[ILKL[LYTPULK¹MYVT[OL
PUMVYTH[PVUNP]LUPU[OLWYVISLT
;OLanswer cannot be “cannot be determined” if both sides contain
known numbersZX\HYLYVV[ZTH`ILWVZP[P]LVYULNH[P]LU\TILY
Always simplify; [OPZPZZVTL[PTLZHSS[OH[PZULLKLK[VKL[LYTPUL[OL
JVYYLJ[HUZ^LY)YLHRKV^U`V\YJVTW\[H[PVUPU[V^VYRHISLZ[LWZ
Read the entire question,LZWLJPHSS`^VYKWYVISLTZJHYLM\SS`ILMVYL
LTIHYRPUNVU[OLTH[O
+VU»[HZZ\TL[OLÄN\YLZHYLKYH^U[VZJHSL\USLZZZWLJPÄJHSS`Z[H[LK
Draw! (WPJ[\YLTH`IL^VY[OH[OV\ZHUK^VYKZ
@V\JHUwork backwards from the answer choicesPMULJLZZHY`;Y`
Z[HY[PUN^P[O[OLTPKKSL]HS\LAssign values[V]HYPHISLZPM[PTLHSSV^Z
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
II. Analyzing Charts and Graphs
;OPZWHY[VM[OLL_HT[LZ[Z`V\YHIPSP[`[VPU[LYWYL[PUMVYTH[PVUKPZWSH`LKPU
NYHWOZ8\LZ[PVUZJVTIPULPU[LYWYL[H[PVUVM[L_[HUKÄN\YLZ4VYL[OHUVULNYHWO
VY[HISLTH`ILYLX\PYLK[VHUZ^LYHX\LZ[PVU:VTL[PTL[OLÄN\YLZJHUUV[HSSIL
ZLLUVU[OLZJYLLUH[[OLZHTL[PTLHUK`V\OH]L[VZJYVSS\WHUKKV^U[VZLL
[OLT@V\TH`ULLK[VJVU]LY[MYHJ[PVUZ[VMYVTWLYJLU[HNLZYL]PL^[OPZZRPSS
There are 3 basic kinds of graphs
7PLJOHY[Z\ZLK[VYLWYLZLU[[OLWHY[ZVMH^OVSLVY
3PULNYHWOZ\ZLK[VYLWYLZLU[TH[OLTH[PJHSYLSH[PVUZOPWZ
)HYNYHWOZ\ZLK[VJVTWHYLKH[H
1. Pie charts- must add up to 100%
8\LZ[PVUZ\Z\HSS`PU]VS]L[OLYH[PVVMKPMMLYLU[NYV\WZ
4H`PU]VS]LWLYJLU[HNLZVYMYHJ[PVUZ
4H`ULLK[VKYH^MYVTPUMVYTH[PVUPUHYLHKPUNWYVISLT
2. Line graphs-have no lower or upper limit, although 0 is often,
but not always, the start.
*OLJR[OLunitsVUIV[OH_LZ
4LHZ\YLTLU[ZTH`ILcontinuous or discontinuous
:JHSLZmay be linear,I\[UV[N\HYHU[LLK
.YHWOZmay not begin at 0;VUS`WHY[VMHYHUNLTH`ILZOV^U
3. Bar graphs (histograms)-used to compare groups to each other
*OLJRunits VUIV[OH_LZ
4LHZ\YLTLU[ZTH`ILcontinuous or discontinuous
:JHSLZmay be linear,I\[UV[N\HYHU[LLK
.YHWOZTH`not begin at 0; VUS`WHY[VMHYHUNLTH`ILZOV^U
Negative valuesTH`IL\ZLK
@V\TH`not see all of the graphs that relate to a question on the screen at the
same time.:JYVSS\WVYKV^U[VNL[[V[OL¸YPNO[¹NYHWOMVY[OLX\LZ[PVU
Rely on the numbers if given,UV[[OL^H`[OLNYHWO¸SVVRZ¹[V`V\I\[sometimesUVL_HJ[U\TILYPZWYV]PKLKHUKyou have to approximate a value by looking at the graph.0U[OLZLJHZLZ[OLYPNO[HUZ^LYZHYLMHYLUV\NOHWHY[[OH[LYYVYPU
HWWYV_PTH[PUN[OL]HS\LZOV\SKU»[SLHK`V\[V[OL^YVUNHUZ^LY@V\JV\SKL]LU
LSPTPUH[L[^VHUZ^LYZ[OH[HYLZVJSVZL[VNL[OLY[OH[HWWYV_PTH[PVU^V\SKU»[^VYR
29
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
You do not need to do exact calculations[VHUZ^LYTHU`X\LZ[PVUZ7YHJ[PJL
THUPW\SH[PUNHWWYV_PTH[L]HS\LZSPRLHZVYHZ
III. Final Tips for the Quantitative Section
(S^H`ZH]VPK\UULLKLKSLUN[O`JVTW\[H[PVUZ
<ZLHWWYV_PTH[PVUZHUKSVNPJ
>OLU^VYRPUN^P[O]HYPHISLZYLTLTILY[OH[
[OL`JHUYLWYLZLU[HU`U\TILY\USLZZV[OLY
^PZLZ[H[LK[OPZPUJS\KLZMYHJ[PVUZKLJPTHSZ
aLYVULNH[P]LHUKWVZP[P]LU\TILYZ+VU»[NL[
WHUPJRLKPM[OL]HYPHISLHYLUV[HI_VY`
_HTPULHSS[OLNYHWOZHUKÄN\YLZILMVYL^VYRPUN[OLWYVISLT;OL
,
HUZ^LYTH`ILTHKLTVYLVI]PV\ZPU[OLÄN\YLZ[OHUPU[OL[L_[
_HTPUL[OLJVTWHYH[P]LUH[\YLVM[OL[^VJVS\TUZPUJVTWHYPZVU
,
X\LZ[PVUZILMVYLKVPUN[OLTH[O6M[LU[OLHUZ^LYPZVI]PV\Z^P[OV\[H
JVTWSPJH[LKJVTW\[H[PVU
L]LYN\LZZ¸JHUUV[ILKL[LYTPULK¹PUHJVTWHYPZVUX\LZ[PVU\USLZZ
5
[OLX\LZ[PVUJVU[HPUZ]HYPHISLZVYNLVTL[YPJÄN\YLZVYZX\HYLYVV[Z
HRLZ\YL`V\YHUZ^LYPZPU[OLYLX\LZ[LK\UP[Z*SHZZPJ^YVUNHUZ^LYZ
4
SPZ[[OLJVYYLJ[U\TLYPJHS]HS\LI\[PU[OL^YVUN\UP[Z
(S^H`ZTHRLZ\YL`V\YHUZ^LYJOVPJLPZYLHZVUHISL
OLJR`V\YTH[O^P[O[OLHUZ^LYJOVPJLZ0M`V\YHUZ^LYPZU»[HJOVPJL
*
[OLU`V\OH]LTHKLHTPZJHSJ\SH[PVU
OLPUJVYYLJ[HUZ^LYJOVPJLZHYLWPJRLKMVYHYLHZVU;OL`VM[LUYLWYL
;
ZLU[[OLYLZ\S[VMHWVZZPISLLYYVYKLJPTHSWVPU[VYTPZPU[LYWYL[H[PVUVM
[OLX\LZ[PVU
30
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
+
VU»[WYLZ\TL[OH[ILJH\ZL`V\HYLHTH[OTPUVY`V\KVU»[ULLK[V
WYHJ[PJLVYL]LUYL]PL^TH[LYPHSMVY[OLX\HU[P[H[P]LWVY[PVUVM[OL.9,
@V\WYVIHIS`OH]LU»[\ZLKZVTLVM[OLTH[OZRPSSZZPUJLOPNOZJOVVS
(KPHNUVZ[PJ[LZ[ZJVYL^PSSNP]L`V\LUV\NOPUMVYTH[PVU[VRUV^
OV^T\JOLMMVY[`V\ULLK[VZWLUK[VNL[HNVVKZJVYLVU[OPZWHY[VM
[OL.9,
THE ANALYTICAL WRITING SECTION
I. Description of the GRE Writing Assessment
What skills does it measure?
;OL.9,^YP[PUNHZZLZZTLU[NP]LZ`V\[OLVWWVY[\UP[`[VKPZWSH`JYP[PJHS[OPUR
PUNHUKHUHS`[PJHS^YP[PUNZRPSSZ0[HZZLZZLZ`V\YHIPSP[`[VHY[PJ\SH[LHUKZ\WWVY[
JVTWSL_PKLHZHUHS`aLHUHYN\TLU[HUKZ\WWS`MVJ\ZLKHUKJVOLYLU[KPZJ\ZZPVU
0[PZ56;H[LZ[VMZWLJPÄJJVU[LU[RUV^SLKNLHUK[OLYLPZUVZPUNSLILZ[HUZ^LY
-VY[OLZLYLHZVUZHUKILJH\ZL`V\^PSSILKL]LSVWPUN`V\YV^U^LSSYLHZVULK
YLZWVUZLZYH[OLY[OHUZLSLJ[PUNHUZ^LYZMYVTHT\S[PWSLJOVPJLSPZ[[OLHZZLZZ
TLU[WYV]PKLZ]LY`KPMMLYLU[PUMVYTH[PVUHIV\[`V\YHIPSP[PLZ[OHU[OH[WYV]PKLK
I`[OL.LULYHS;LZ[@V\Y^YP[PUNPZUV[L_WLJ[LK[VILHÄUPZOLKWVSPZOLKLZZH`
0[PZJVUZPKLYLKKYHM[^YP[PUN^OLYL[OLPKLHZHUKOV^`V\WYLZLU[[OLTHYLTVYL
PTWVY[HU[[OHUWLYMLJ[NYHTTHY
The assessment consists of two analytical writing tasks:
1. “Present your Perspective on an Issue” task: 45-minutes
*\YYLU[S``V\HYLNP]LUHJOVPJLIL[^LLU[^V¸0ZZ\L¹[VWPJZ,HJOZ[H[LZHU
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WLYZWLJ[P]LZ`V\^PZOHZSVUNHZ`V\WYV]PKLrelevant reasons and examples to
explain and support your views.
This task requires you to construct you own argument by taking a position
and providing evidence supporting your views on the issue.
Issue Topics: 9LSH[L[VHIYVHKYHUNLVMZ\IQLJ[ZMYVT[OLÄULHY[ZHUKO\THUP
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In the future, it has been proposed that the GRE will not use pre-set prompts. You
will be presented one prompt, so the time limit will be reduced to 30 minutes.
31
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
2. “Analyze an Argument” task: 30-minutes
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KPZHNYLL^P[O[OLWVZP[PVUP[WYLZLU[Z
This task requires you to critique someone else’s argument by assessing its
claims and evaluating the evidence it provides.
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[VWPJYLX\PYLZZWLJPÄJJVU[LU[RUV^SLKNL
The Published Pools of “Issue” and Argument Prompts
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^P[OHML^[VWPJZ
Changes to how the prompts will be selected in the future will be announced on
the GRE website. ETS may begin using a broader base of prompts to eliminate preprepared essays. ETS constantly struggles with people trying to find ways to cheat on
their tests.
Scoring Guidelines for the Analytical Writing Section
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WYV]PKLKVU[OL.9,^LIZP[L
II. STRATEGIES FOR THE “PRESENT YOUR PERSPECTIVE
ON AN ISSUE” TASK
Understanding the “ISSUE” Task
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32
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
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`V\YHIPSP[`[V[OPURIYVHKS`)LZ\YLPM`V\KV[OPZ[OH[`V\KVU»[HWWLHYPUKLJPZP]L
Understanding the Context for Writing: Purpose and Audience
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Preparing for the “ISSUE” Task
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33
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
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Have Fun Preparing for the “Present
Your Perspective on an Issue” Task
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Writing the “Present Your Perspective on an Issue” Essay
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34
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
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III. STRATEGIES FOR THE “Analyze an Argument” TASK
Understanding the “ANALYZE AN ARGUMENT” Task
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Understanding the Context for Writing: Purpose and Audience
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Preparing for the “ANALYZE AN ARGUMENT” Task
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35
BEYOND THE BEAKERS
Writing the Essay for the “ANALYZE AN ARGUMENT” Task
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Psyching-Up to Succeed on the GRE or at Anything
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Assess your mental frame of mind during test taking
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36
Baylor College of Medicine
National Science Foundation
Strategies to combat nervousness:
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Strategies to combat paralysis:
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7
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3.
Final preparation
A week before the exam
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Night before and day of the exam
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(YYP]LLHYS`"NL[ZJYH[JOWHWLY"write anything you
want on scratch paper
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TLU[HSYV\[PUL
Remember you prepared for this- you deserve to do well and
achieve your dreams!
37