Preparing for the GRE
Dr. Nancy Alvarado
Understand the Test
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They will send you information
when you register for the test:
CD with POWERPREP software
 Practice General Test booklet
(paper-based version)
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You can also download these
materials from their website:
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http://ftp.ets.org/pub/gre/PPGRE31.exe
http://ftp.ets.org/pub/gre/14614.pdf
Computer-Adaptive Testing
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The old way -- everyone does all the
questions, both hard and easy.
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Time-consuming and fatiguing for
students.
Hard to measure scores accurately.
Constant need to write and test new
questions.
The new way -- scores are estimated
from a sample of performance.
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The test is “customized” for each
person.
How It Works
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The computer continuously
monitors your performance and
adjusts difficulty of questions.
The computer starts with a
moderately hard question.
You get an easy one next if you
miss it.
 You get a harder one next if you
are correct.
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Second Chances
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If you are nervous and miss the
first questions, the computer will
still give you harder ones later.
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It is possible to increase your
score even if you miss the first few
questions.
The computer also MUST
sample all question types and a
range of content.
How Are Scores Calculated?
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Each question has a difficulty
level associated with it.
The computer estimates what
score someone would get who
was able to answer the same
questions you did.
The computer “zeroes in” on the
level of difficulty where you “fit”
most precisely.
Strategies for Computer
Testing
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You can’t go back and change
your answers, so be careful.
You must answer every
question, even if you must
guess.
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No “penalty” for guessing.
Using time effectively will get
you a higher score.
Three Ways to Improve
Your Scores
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Become familiar with the test
format and with using the
computer, so you don’t waste
time with the mechanics.
Do the practice questions to
develop the skills needed to
answer questions quickly.
Learn to guess well.
Building Your Vocabulary
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Does it help to memorize word
lists?
We remember by extracting the
meaning of a word, then forming
an association between it and
our existing knowledge.
Intensive study may cause
“interference” – the definitions
will run together.
How to Study
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Spaced study is better than
“massed” study – don’t try to
cram.
Relate new words to existing
knowledge:
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Use them in sentences.
Study words in context – read
literature:
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www.gutenberg.net
How to Practice
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Take the practice tests under timed
conditions, just as you will take the
real test.
Repetition is important – each time
you do it you will be faster.
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It doesn’t matter whether you have seen
the questions before.
Feedback is essential – check your
answers and correct mistakes.
Better Guessing
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We learn words in context and
rarely know precise definitions.
Much of our “understanding,”
just like much of our “memory” is
actually plausible inference.
When you don’t know the exact
meanings, use what you do
know to eliminate wrong
answers.
Look for Relationships
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Kinds of relationships among
words:
Same/different, contrast
 Part/whole, kinds, examples
 Developmental, first, last, time
 Good/bad, evaluative, judgment
 Size, proximity, spatial relation
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Antonyms (Opposites)
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FALLACY:
(A) personal philosophy
(B) imaginative idea
(C) unconfirmed theory
(D) tentative opinion
(E) valid argument
Is a fallacy right or wrong, true
or false?
Which answer most different?
Another Antonym
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LOQUACIOUS:
(A) tranquil
(B) skeptical
(C) morose
(D) taciturn
(E) witty
Where have you ever heard the
word before? Who does it
describe?
Fill-in Questions
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There are, as yet, no vegetation types or
ecosystems whose study has been _____
to the extent that they no longer _____
ecologists.
(A) perfected…hinder
(B) exhausted… interest
(C) prolonged…require
(D) prevented…challenge
(E) delayed…benefit
Another Fill-In
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It was her view that the country’s
problems had been _____ by foreign
technocrats, so that to invite them to
come back would be
counterproductive.
(A) foreseen
(B) attacked
(C) ascertained
(D) exacerbated
(E) analyzed
Analogies
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FRUGAL:MISERLY::
(A) confident : arrogant
(B) courageous : pugnacious
(C) famous : aggressive
(D) rash : foolhardy
(E) quiet : timid
Determine the relationship in the
first pair, then look for it in the
other pairs.
Another Analogy
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STYGIAN:DARK ::
(A) abysmal : low
(B) cogent : contentious
(C) fortuitous : accidental
(D) reckless : threatening
(E) cataclysmic : doomed
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http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/Stygian
Reading Comprehension
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Two strategies:
Read carefully the first time.
 Skim, then go back and look for
the answers.
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Try both and see which works
best for you.
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Consider the length of the
passage.
Notice the Structure
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Certain words indicate the
relationships among ideas:
Why (question)
 However (contradicts)
 Moreover (emphasize & extend)
 For example (gives evidence)
 But (gives exception or problem)
 In short (summary)
 Thus (conclusion)
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Keep it Simple
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Don’t “over think” the questions.
If a fact isn’t stated in the
question, don’t assume it.
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Don’t answer from your own
knowledge – rely on what is in the
question itself.
The most straightforward
answer is most likely to be right.