GRE Study guide/tips

anc33 · Jun 11, 2008

I too would emphasize the vocab. The math is really just basic algebra. Review the concepts but don't stress out over it. With the math you can at least work backwards from the answers if you are unsure of your choice. On the verbal section they really do throw some curveballs at you. While it is impossible to memorize all of the vocab from the study guides, pay close attention to your roots and try to memorize their meanings. If you have any background in Greek or Latin you will have an advantage. Best of luck.

JennRN113 · Jun 13, 2008

I took the GRE's in March. I was never confident in math, but always did ok as long as I practiced it consistently. Because of my full time work schedule, while finishing pre-reqs, while practically being a single mom b/c my hubby was away in Iraq, I decided that it would be worth the money to take a Princeton Review course for the GRE. I am SO glad I did because it really helped me with test taking strategies, which made a big difference since standardized tests really intimidate me. It also disciplined me because it would otherwise have been easy to say I was too busy with other things to study for the GRE, but taking the class really forced me to stay focused.

If you're not willing to shell out the cash for a prep course, then definitely study the vocab sections from a Kaplan or Princeton Review book with the most frequently used words. Memorizing vocab is the best way to get a good score on the verbal. Probably what helped me the most in my classes were the strategies for approaching the reading sections, which were also pretty intimidating for me. I was always focused on understanding the passages, but soon learned that is not the best way to approach them. You have to be time efficient, as you know. As for the math, it really helped going over problems with a class and asking the "how did you get that answer" from the teacher because the explanations in books (I've used Barron's and Princeton), are not always clear at all. No one else has posted their scores here, it's personal I guess. But I was aiming for 1000 and walked away with a 1230, so I have to say that I was pretty happy with my prep for the GRE.

Best of luck to you!

NPs4health · Jul 3, 2008

I took the GRE several months ago and when I got the results back I was astonished. During the test I thought "Uh OH I don't know ANY of this stuff" and pretty much left the testing center thinking I'd be back again to retake it. My scores weren't sky high but they were within middle range and the schools I applied to seemed happy with them.

So my tip is-study lots of vocab and read as much as possible. Read scientific journals or more difficult readings that you wouldn't normally encounter because that's the stuff that you need to be able to quickly read during the test. Like most people said make flash cards.

The math portion of the test as long as you can do the practice questions on the GRE website you are good. I used Princeton review study book that came with a CD and also the GRE CD.

Also it's good to find a study buddy. You can test vocab together and talk about math problems.

And finally if you feel you're doing awful during the test, just take a deep breath and keep going. If you studied hard, the results will be good!

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 7, 2008

I highly recommend the Kaplan book & CDROM. REA was lousy, in my opinion. Barrons was pretty good, but I mainly used the Kaplan book.

Go to your local library, and see what GRE books they have available for checkout. That's where I got the Kaplan book/CD.

mouni · Sep 25, 2008

I found some great tips and free learning material here -www.grevocabulary.org

Sarah Bellum · Oct 2, 2008

I used the Kalpan book as well as a CD-ROM that i bought on ebay. IIRC it was called PowerPrep or something along those lines. It really helped me with the math stuff cause I struggled with even basic algebra. Must have worked, I did really well on the GRE and am now in a master's entry program. :)

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Oct 3, 2008

I used the Kalpan book as well as a CD-ROM that i bought on ebay. IIRC it was called PowerPrep or something along those lines. It really helped me with the math stuff cause I struggled with even basic algebra. Must have worked, I did really well on the GRE and am now in a master's entry program. :)

2ndcareer- You should have received the PowerPrep CD-ROM for free from ETS, after you paid for the exam.

Sarah Bellum · Oct 3, 2008

OK, then it wasn't called powerprep. I did get that one in the mail, and the one I'm thinking of is different.

agdmarie · Nov 4, 2008

Wish I could help you, I was lucky my school took either the gre or the mat.. and I chose the MAT route... which to me was the easier way...
I just got a study book at the bookstore and started studying.. last summer. I took the test in November and I got accepted into my program.. EKU FNP program.. So I am very happy..
Good luck!!

Hey Buster, I'm an EKU-BSN grad looking to apply to the EKU FNP program in Feb or March. I was planning on taking the MAT as well. What are your feelings about the EKU program? I have been wanting to talk to someone that is in the program. Please lend me any information you can. Feel free to send my a private message. Hope to talk to you soon.

Thanks.

cooldude41 · Nov 4, 2008

There are lots of techniques available to prepare for GRE exam, if you start your preparation well in advance, then you can figure out which works best for you.

Use atleast Kaplan, Barrons and ETS Big Book for getting to learn Verbal words, strategies and practice tests. ETS powerprer will give you exact score you will get in actual GRE. I came across this link, which might help you to estimate your score and some additional words. Good luck everyone.