So am I ready or Not?

Specialties CRNA

Published

Ok here is my delima. I have been studying for the GRE for about 2.5 months now and am miserable and am ready to get it over with but am not yet confident enough to sit it. I took the princeton review coorifice and did all the work and am still studying but with working 40hrs a week in a pretty stressfull CTICU this GRE has taken a toll on me. I can honestly say this is the worst summer I have ever spent. So I have a tentative date set for Aug 25th but dont know if waiting that long will hurt or help me. Here are my diagnostic test scores = 930, 960, 1090, 870, 970, 990, so I havent improved much and am still hovering under a grand. The more time that goes by the more I seem to forget certain problem types that I have done and vocab words I have learned. I am a repetitive learner but can only read vocab and do geometry so much before I feel like puking. I admit I wasnt the most studious high school student and am paying for it now. But I have a 3.3 cum and a 3.65 nursing GPA and CRNA school is the entire reason I even went into nursing. I want to sit the CCRN in the fall and take O - Chem in the spring so getting at least a Grand on this point less excuse of a test the first time is a must. So what should I do, screw it and go take it in a week or so or tough it out and say Im gonna study and delay it till Aug 25th. Just want to get it over with so I can actually study something that will be useful in my life. x2 + 2xy + y2 is not at all goning to help me further my career. If being a CRNA is as prestigous as it is, and if programs only take top notch applicants and since it is such a high risk and demanding profession why if I may ask doesn't the aana or some organization write a entrance exam specific to the career path. Who cares if the GRE makes a nice curve. It shows no correlation b/t scores and how well students do in grad school. Just a though. Ne ways sorry so long just had to vent.

0 Votes

There comes a time when you have to stop studying and just take the test. Once you get to that point, additional studying is counter-productive in that it just adds frustration. It sounds like you're there.

Let the studying go for now, have some fun and don't pick it up at all until about a week before the test in August. Review formulas, functions, and vocabulary for about a week (with the least stressful mind-set possible), then take the test. It sounds like you're so frustrated at this point that continued studying may work against you.

I'm not in admissions but I have taken the GRE and I am in CRNA school. It is my understanding that the GRE is only one perspective of your suitability for grad school. You have a strong GPA and if you're working in a CTICU already, you have the experience-piece as well. Take the GRE, do your best and remember, the WORST POSSIBLE OUTCOME may be that you don't score as high as you wished and you decide to re-take it. Your career won't end and your aspirations won't dissolve.

I think you're ready! Best of luck!

0 Votes

I have to agree with SRNA Kate, just take the test. Your practice scores are great and it has been my experience that scores on the actual test are always higher. As for why we have to take the GRE ? I think it is just one more way of showing them (admission panels, program faculty) that you want this, that you can be disciplined and that you are capable of learning complex stuff. Basically, that you can rise to the occasion. From my own experience with the admissions process what really counted was your clinical knowledge, drive and personality. As for this being your worst summer yet, I don't want to burst your bubble but it doesn't get much better. You are still going to be learning a lot of things as a SRNA, that will be tedious and seem pointless. So start disciplining yourself to take it one step at a time. Good Luck !

0 Votes

I am extremly disciplined and have put in coutless hours over the past 2.5 months into this GRE. Wish I could take the thing tommorrow but want to work out my work schedule so I can have a least 5days before the test to hit it hard. Guess it just frustrates when I can't figure out such BS math problems that relate none what so ever to any real life situation in any field. I am ready to actually start studying something that has my interest. Any ways guess I needed to vent last night, appretiate the advice. Going to try and take it as soon as I figure out a good work schedule. I will let you guys no how it turns out.

Thanks.

0 Votes
I am extremly disciplined and have put in coutless hours over the past 2.5 months into this GRE. Wish I could take the thing tommorrow but want to work out my work schedule so I can have a least 5days before the test to hit it hard. Guess it just frustrates when I can't figure out such BS math problems that relate none what so ever to any real life situation in any field. I am ready to actually start studying something that has my interest. Any ways guess I needed to vent last night, appretiate the advice. Going to try and take it as soon as I figure out a good work schedule. I will let you guys no how it turns out.

Thanks.

Math doesn't relate to the real world? Calculus is the basis for physics, physics is the basis for chemistry, chemistry is the basis for biology, biology is the basis for ALL medical sciences. Gee, I wouldn't want a CRNA filling my lungs with some gas who couldn't understand important concepts like Boyle's Gas Law because simple math was too difficult.

0 Votes
Specializes in SICU, Anesthesia.

I understand your frustration in preparing for the GRE, however it has its purpose. While no standardized test is perfect many schools consider the GRE a valuable tool to level the playing field when evaluating their applicant pool. The GRE can be prepared for. Everyone has access to the type of material that will be tested on the exam. The math is all basic high school math. Many graduate schools place a great deal of emphasis on it as they feel it is a good indicator of who will and who will not succeed in graduate school. I know countless RN's who voice the desire to attend CRNA school yet do not want to take the time to prepare for the GRE. I am not referring to you but others who are discouraged from applying because of this test. If one is not willing to take the time to prepare for and take the GRE one should probably forget about CRNA school. Preparing for and taking the GRE pales in comparison to the frustration and stress that our entire SRNA class feels in covering 960 pages of biochemistry in 9 weeks of time. Take the test, knowing that you have done all that you can do to prepare for the test. If you don't do well, take it again. In the end, if you get in, it willl have been worth it. And trust me, your memories of the GRE will fade as there will be many more frustrations ahead in preparation of becoming a CRNA. But what a great reward lies ahead for those willing to step up to the plate and swing the bat.

I am extremly disciplined and have put in coutless hours over the past 2.5 months into this GRE. Wish I could take the thing tommorrow but want to work out my work schedule so I can have a least 5days before the test to hit it hard. Guess it just frustrates when I can't figure out such BS math problems that relate none what so ever to any real life situation in any field. I am ready to actually start studying something that has my interest. Any ways guess I needed to vent last night, appretiate the advice. Going to try and take it as soon as I figure out a good work schedule. I will let you guys no how it turns out.

Thanks.

0 Votes

just take it, if you don't do as well as you liked then take it again, its one of those test that you'll never be able to study enough for, just get it over with so you can stop worrying about it, good luck

0 Votes

I HAD ONLY 2 WEEKS TO TAKE THE GRE BECAUSE OF AN APPLICATION DEADLINE. IT WAS SINK OR SWIM FOR ME. I WAS STRESSED OUT SINCE MY ELEMENTARY MATH SKILLS SUCK, AND THOSE VOCABULARY WORDS ARE JUST TORTUROUS. HOWEVER, I REMEMBER IN MY SCHOOLS OPEN HOUSE THEY AND AVG. GRADE IS ABOUT A 450 ON EACH PART. MY PRACTICE SCORES LOOKED ALOT LIKE YOURS. I DOVE RIGHT IN AND TOOK THE TEST, GOT ONLY A 1010, AND THAT WAS SUFFICE. MY FRIEND GOT A 1000, AND GOT IN. I BET YOU'LL BREAK 1000 ON THE ACTUAL TEST JUST GO FOR IT. REMEBER THIS IS ONLY 1 FACTOR OUT OF MANY WEIGHED AGAINST YOUR APPLICATION.--BEST OF LUCK!

0 Votes

Going to take it soon. My math scores pretty much carry me though so I have invested alot into the math. I have been scoring high 600's on math and 350's to 400's in verbal. Anyways enough about the GRE, no matter what anyone says I still believe it's a ridiculous excuse for an entrance exam.

0 Votes

Good Luck on your upcoming GRE, I am sure that you will do great!

0 Votes

hey nitecap - i know how you feel.

set the date, take the test. you'll do fine. those practice scores are great. i found the reviews harder than the test itself.

swallow hard, pick up the phone, set the date for next available time. you sound ready.

gc.

0 Votes
hey nitecap - i know how you feel.

set the date, take the test. you'll do fine. those practice scores are great. i found the reviews harder than the test itself.

swallow hard, pick up the phone, set the date for next available time. you sound ready.

gc.

More than studying...just relax!! That will take you so much farther!! I took the GRE. I did terrible on one section and fine on the others. I retook it and got so much better on the section I did poorly on because I was relaxed. I didn't study any more in between!! You know the stuff or you can figure it out....just don't get yourself to worked up about it. :coollook:
0 Votes
+ Add a Comment