Anyone taken the GRE test?

bruinlaura · Nov 23, 2004

Can you give me the url for the ETS website please? Is it ETS.com. I will be taking GRE next year. I wanted to go into nursing but think I will be going for speech therapy instead.

www.gre.org

Tony35NYC · Nov 27, 2004

Great info in this thread! I'm sitting the GRE early in '05 and I just downloaded the study guide from the ETS website.

Thanks.

Jess RN · Jan 3, 2005

I used the princeton review book to brush up on math and get test taking strategies. I got a 580 math 710 verbal and I'm waiting to hear back about the essays. I thought it was easier than the SATs. My math score wasn't awesome but much better than the practice tests I took (on the cd that ETS sent out) and hey- I've been away from math for 12 years!

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 6, 2005

I used the princeton review book to brush up on math and get test taking strategies. I got a 580 math 710 verbal and I'm waiting to hear back about the essays. I thought it was easier than the SATs. My math score wasn't awesome but much better than the practice tests I took (on the cd that ETS sent out) and hey- I've been away from math for 12 years!

Does anyone know what the 'desired' range is for grad school? Originally I was going to finish up the required classes for my RN in a local junior college in the fall, (I graduate with my BA in Sociology this upcoming spring with minors in psych and spanish and an AAS in biology). Luckily, I found a new program that is in its second year at a local university for MSN for non nursing graduate students, as long as they have completed all their nursing pre-reqs, (this is me!) The first 15 months of the program is an intense preparation for the nclex and then in the next fall you start your graduate nurse courses, (for me it will be either NP Women's health or Clinical acute-care).

Well, since I found this I discover that I have to hurry up and take the GRE within a couple weeks in order for my results to be in, intime for the application deadline.

Yikes, the cost is $105.00 for the test! I'm still a student and only earn minimum wage (resigned from my patient care assistant job to complete my degree.) I'm still going to go for it.

I have borrowed the princeton review book and am going to study up for two weeks and then take the GRE.

Wish me luck! Fingers crossed.

Gennaver near Chicago

Jess RN · Jan 6, 2005

Does anyone know what the 'desired' range is for grad school? ...
I have borrowed the princeton review book and am going to study up for two weeks and then take the GRE.
Wish me luck! Fingers crossed.
Gennaver near Chicago

Gennaver Good Luck! You should be fine- I only really practiced with the Princeton Review book for a few weeks. I just got my analytical writing score back and I scored a 6! I was pretty shocked and pleased. :)

I don't know what the desired ranges are- I think they are different for different programs. What direct entry program are you applying to? I think you will want to score at least 1000 combined math and verbal from what I'm hearing about most direct entry programs- but as I said they all are different.

Good luck!

Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 10, 2005

[i don't know what the desired ranges are- I think they are different for different programs. What direct entry program are you applying to? I think you will want to score at least 1000 combined math and verbal from what I'm hearing about most direct entry programs- but as I said they all are different.

Good luck!

Jess

Thank you for the info FNJ and congratulations!

So far on the practice tests things are only going so so, (math 330 and verbal at 530). Just practiced this weekend. I felt stronger than the numbers but, am very glad to have the book and cds to use to review. Phew.

It turns out the price for the test is $115. I called and tentatively registered for it for January 18th, I have to pay first, today.

Future Nurse Jess, your scores are very good. I am going to post a link which you may or may not be interested in reading, (this also goes for others who shared such good scores) about international IQ societies.

http://members.shaw.ca/delajara/criteria.html

I do have mixed feelings about them because IQ only reveals potentiality whereas dedicated nurses working every day truly reveal 'actual' real-life acheivements! This is what I think that we are 'really' working to achieve but, figured it might be interesting to take a look at what the numbers can mean. I hope that makes sense.

Gennaver (anxious for the test)

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 10, 2005

What direct entry program are you applying to? I think you will want to score at least 1000 combined math and verbal from what I'm hearing about most direct entry programs- but as I said they all are different.
Good luck!
Jess

Jess,

I did not answer this question, sorry about that.

I am applying to University of Illinois College of Nursing Graduate entry program for non-nursing graduates. There are a list of pre-requisites that need to be completed first and must be current within the last five years, (the same list that are required that I have seen listed for most RN programs). My degree was originally for a BSN but I changed it seeing as I was adding up minors (two) and will have my Associates completed in Biology (one course left) and realized that I could have enough credits to complete a BA at the same time that I only qualify at my current university to enter the BSN program.

I thought I would just choose to complete my BA and then enter into a local college ADN program (seeing as I only need six classes to complete the RN there).

This UIC GEP starts with an intense 15 month courseload which enables students to take the nclex-rn and then the following term to start the graduate nursing courses.

It should be very intense indeed but, I want to give it a shot. This would be a 'dream come true'!

Thank you again for the vote of confidence and also, congrats again.

Hey now? Where are you applying with such good scores? Also, if I can ask, (I don't know if I overlooked it) which area of nursing are you hoping to specialize in and what is your current area?

I eventually would like to specialize not only in women's health but to become qualified with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (who also certify Doctors to perform this) to perform Colposcopies. I was lucky enough to work at a women's health center and assisted with some and helped to set up for many and had one myself as a patient an am highly motivated for this!

Yes, I can be prattley!

Gennaver

Jess RN · Jan 10, 2005

HI Gennaver,

I was kind of limited by geography when selecting schools to apply to since we wouldnt consider moving our family. Luckilly we live right outside of Boston, so there are quite a few options. I'm applying to the direct enry programs at Boston College and Mass General Hospital. Judging from people I've spoken to who have applied to both places I think I have a good shot for MGH- but BC may be a reach. We'll see.

I too scored way lower on the practice tests than I did on the actual GRE. When you are in the test just remember to work slow and steady at the start of each test as the first 10 ?s determine the bulk of your schore and after that the remaining ?s are just fine tuning your score. With the math, my big challenge was to stay in the moment and not stress and worry about the past ?s that I suspected I had not answerwed correctly. Just take it as it comes and do your best. My scores were a pleasant surprize. My math was only 42% but it was much MUCH beter than I expected based on my practice tests.

Hmmm, what else? Oh yes- I am going for WHNP as well. I have two young children and going thorugh pregnancy and childbirth with them has strentgthened my longstanding interest in women's health. I have no idea about the competitiveness of this specialty. From what I hear of the schools I'm applying to- BC admits fixed numbers based on specialty and MGH does not. So depending on what the applicant pool of WHNP applicants at BC looks like this year will determine my chances. I have no idea how to handicap that- because there is no real way of knowing how competitve/popular each specialty is.

Well, I have to get breakfast for my 2 yr old so I have to run! Great chatting and happy studying!

Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 18, 2005

HI Gennaver,
I too scored way lower on the practice tests than I did on the actual GRE. When you are in the test just remember to work slow and steady at the start of each test as the first 10 ?s determine the bulk of your schore and after that the remaining ?s are just fine tuning your score.
Jess

Hello again here,

Took the test this morning. Did okay~ish. I do recommend studying for more than the week or so that I did. The point of diminishing returns from cramming is a risk.

On my practice test I did better than the regular test, (the practice powerprepp that is). On the princeton review cd I did worse, that cd was very difficult and I do not recommend it, unless someone really likes to feel overwhelmed! :)

Turns out that my Verbal was only 560, :uhoh21: and my Quantitative a 530 :rolleyes: I don't want to be overly confident but am pretty sure the analytical will be okay.

Luckily though, I think I made the minimum requirements!!! :rotfl:

Phew, I will take it!

Gennaver

p.s. I am so really hoping to post here in May that I am accepted!!

Jess RN · Jan 18, 2005

Hi Gennaver!

Congrats on finishing the GREs and on your score! I thought sitting for the actual test for close to 4 hrs was just grueling! Not an experience I'd care to repeat. I know everyone says it- but I do think scores are just one piece of the application. I personally think if your essays are well written and tell a coherent, compelling story that makes a huge impact on admissions. If I had to do it over again, I would spend more time on the essay process and less time stressing and practicing for the GRE.

Both my apps have been in for three weeks now and the suspense is killing me! I'd love some inside info on how my programs make their admissions decisions- I feel so out of the loop. LOL

Take care and good luck finishing up your application!

Jess

Gennaver, MSN · Jan 18, 2005

Hi Gennaver!
-- I know everyone says it- but I do think scores are just one piece of the application.
--snipped to shorten--
Both my apps have been in for three weeks now and the suspense is killing me! I'd love some inside info on how my programs make their admissions decisions- I feel so out of the loop. LOL
Take care and good luck finishing up your application!
Jess

Hi Jess,

Luckily the program I am applying for has a timeline for our applications so that the appliers will know when the calls for interveiws are and when the final choices are made. If my application is going to be chosen for consideration (after being completed by this March 1st) I will be notified by mid April for an interview. I think they also said that the final choice for the cohort would be by May 1st.

I've read that the GPA (3.0 minimum out of 4.0) and the GRE (a minimum of 1000 Q+A)would weigh heaver if the letters of recommendation or anything else is weak. Hopefully my work experience and letters of recommendtion will weigh heavier in my application than my numbers. While my numbers do indeed meet the minimum requirements they do not exactly have any fireworks going off. :)

According to UIC's schedule the time from turning in the application to knowing the final choice is nearly 8 weeks. This should be good news Jess. Is there any way to find out your school's timelines?

Good luck to you too! Looking forward to us BOTH getting in!!

Gennaver/Jen

CardioTrans, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2005

I am planning on taking my GRE or MAT in March 05. The grad school I am applying to requires at least a 1000 on V and Q, or combined 1500 on all 3.

They require at least a 50 on the MAT.

Have any of you taken the MAT?? If so, which one was better????