GRE: how bad is it really?

perioddrama · Oct 31, 2012

A review book is an excellent idea. When I took SATs, they did not have the writing portion yet, so I had no idea what to expect; I am very glad I picked up a review book. The reading and math portions are very similar to SATs, except they are on a graduate level, of course. Let us just say my math scores were :yawn: .

Good luck!

sbostonRN · Oct 31, 2012

I was wondering the same thing. How long are you giving yourself to study? I'm wondering if i should try to schedule it before Christmas or if that's not enough time.

KBICU · Oct 31, 2012

I have about a month to go....my program doesn't require a certain number score and the review book I have says the questions are a bit harder than the real test...I just want to be done standardized tests!!!

tony55! · Jan 2, 2013

I am taking GRE in Feb. Do i need to start applying to schools before I take the test? I have been reading about applying to several grad schools and wonder if you all are paying for applications to be processed at each of these schools?

KBICU · Jan 2, 2013

Many schools have GRE scores as part of the application process (along with interview, undergrad transcripts, letters of rec). Depends on the requirements of the schools you want.

tony55! · Jan 3, 2013

Hello all --- :)
So I am taking the GRE Nov 20th for admissions to a MSN program! I hear its a lot like the SATs and I had to do a lot of review classes for that...so my question is, how bad are they really ? Anyone not so good at math and still do okay? I have the McGraw Hill review book and so far so good with that...just looking for someone who's been through it! Thanks in advance :)

Thanks for your reply to my post.

I was wondering how you did on GRE since u took it in Nov ? How bad was it?

Did u get accepted to the MSN program?

KBICU · Jan 3, 2013

It wasn't as bad as I thought and yes I got accepted! I bought the review book by McGraw Hill came with a CD and it was great for studying.

phuretrotr · Jan 5, 2013

Just posting this here for other people to utilize since it fits the topic.

This is a free GRE practice test and it gives you your score. If you want to take it on your own time, in the comfort of your pj's, select the online course (not 1-on-1 or tutor or class). You just have to sign up, but I took it about a month ago and there has been no spam mail so take it or leave it....

Link: Free GRE Online Practice Test

thedewey · Sep 16, 2013

Hi [COLOR=#003366]Kara RN BSN

How was the GRE?? was it pretty hard? How long did you study for it? I am going to take it in about a year to apply to either PA or NP school. Any tips would be great, thanks!

polka-dot, RN · Sep 23, 2013

It was one of the top 5 worst experiences of my life. I am no math whiz and had to review A LOT...ended up doing so-so on the math, but spent all my energy studying for that, so I ended up doing pretty pathetically on the verbal. WHO USES THOSE WORDS? Seriously, there were words on there I had never ever heard or seen used. Ever.

If you haven't been out of college forever by the time you take it, maybe it won't be so bad. Good luck!

scarykarrey · Oct 3, 2013

I took the GRE on September 25th, and I did great on Verbal and AWA, but I'm less than pleased with my Quant score. I wish I had reviewed more. I think what might have tripped me up is that I did TOO well on the first Quant section, so the second one was way to difficult for me. I ended up skipping most of the questions in the second section and then having to work back through them slowly. It sucked, and I ended up getting in the 69th percentile with my score. :/

I used the book "Cracking the GRE" from the Princeton Review, and I feel like it really helped a lot! Especially as a math refresher (as mediocre as my score was, it would have been way worse without the book).