GRE-bound & "1000" score goal for June 30th test date. Adequate time to prepare?

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Hello to all who have taken the "current" GRE, either as preparing to apply to nurse anesthesia school, or already a SRNA or CRNA!

The program to which I am applying requires at least a 1000 composite on the GRE. I am scheduled to take the GRE on June 30, 2011. As far as reviewing goes, I have been studying word lists via flash-cards from Barron's Essential GRE Words and flash cards from Kaplan, knowing that the verbal section (except reading comprehension) is "verbal-words" intensive. For the math section, I have covered only the math review from The Princeton Review book. However, I have not taken any practice tests yet.

Since this past April, I started working night shift, 7P-7A, 3 times a week, in medical ICU (MICU), which means: I only have 4 OFF days (including weekends...when not working the weekends) and the day-time-before-going-in-to-work (reduce sleep time?). So, here is my big question: Is there,...do I have...sufficient time to study, prepare, and take practice tests, to get a score of 1000 or more on the GRE this June 30th?? I also have a "back-up/alternative" plan, which is to re-take the GRE, if needed, in July 2011, before the "revised" version of GRE takes effect in August.

Any advice, wisdom, encouragement...is welcomed!! Thank you!! :)

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I'm replying to this per your request on another thread of mine.

I took the GRE last July. I had just finished my junior year of nursing school and wanted to "get them out of the way". I purchased three books to study. The first was by Kaplan, which included the 500(?) most frequently tested GRE words. I made notecards and memorized them in about a month. I also purchased two Princeton Review books. One was just test taking strategy (which I didn't find too helpful -- other than the 5 practice tests included which did help me gague my expectations and where I was at in my prep.) and the other which I would HIGHLY recommend was the 1014 practice questions.

I went through every math question and answered it as though it were the real test, and then would understand why I got certain questions wrong. I did have an extensive background in math, albeit that was in highschool. I earned AP Physics and Calculus credit and was on numerous math competitions in highschool. The first PRACTICE test I took I scored a 560V and a 600M. On the actual exam (after studying), I scored a 530V, 760M, and a 5 on the writing. I think it is much easier to increase your math score than your verbal. My first word was "jingoism".. smh.

Other than the obvious studying, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is that the test is a literally war of attrition against your brain. I was too nervous to eat before the exam and this definately hurt me more than anything. I was pleased with my score and don't plan on retaking it. I apologize for the lengthy response, but best of luck and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

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I think a month and a half is quick but do-able. If found the Kaplan CD really good as it asks the questions then goes over rationale, and it gives you scores which are relatively close to the true scores. I studied for about three months. I found trying to learn words was useless. Kaplan shows you how to try and decipher the question and get you to at least a 50/50 guess. You will never learn all of the words. You may study 2000 words and never see a single one on the test. Very hard. I focused on the math, and tried to learn how to eliminate bad choices on the verbal (I didn't even think the words they were giving me were English. Anyways, I got an 1140 (480V, 660Q) so it worked for me. Good luck.

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Psych.

I took the GRE last June 26th, and I began studying for it immediately after finals week, so I have exactly a month and a half to study. I used the Kaplan book and the 1014 GRE Questions book, and I put about 3-4 hours a day into studying. I focused mainly on the math since I knew that would be my weakness. The entire test was EXTREMELY difficult, IMO. I could barely drive home after taking it! I did well (680 V, 660 M, 5 writing), so I would think that a month and a half is doable as long as you can carve out 3-4 hours of study time a day and can accurately assess your weak spots and focus on that. If you had to study EVERYTHING, you would need a lot more time.

Good luck!

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I am currently studying for the GRE with a test date scheduled for July 18. I have the GRE study books from ETS, Kaplan, Barron, and Princeton Review. My primary concern is the writing portion. Does anyone have tips/suggestions/advice on preparing for the writing portion? Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in Intensive Care (SICU, NICU, CICU, VICU).
I am currently studying for the GRE with a test date scheduled for July 18. I have the GRE study books from ETS, Kaplan, Barron, and Princeton Review. My primary concern is the writing portion. Does anyone have tips/suggestions/advice on preparing for the writing portion? Thank you in advance!

If you go to the ETs website, they give you all of the topics for both writing sections. Go to http://www.ets.org/gre/general/prepare/sample_questions/analytical/issues/

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