Should I retake some math classes?

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Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.

I want to be prepared for the GRE which I plan to take in a year. I haven't taking math classes in so many years. I was thinking about taking(auditing) some math classes in my local community college. Ex: Pre-Algrebra, beginning calculus, etc. Is this a good idea or am I just wasting money. I really want to do well the first time around. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in Open Heart.

just get a GRE book (or 2)....it will cost you maybe 15 dollars......it has everything in it you need to know as well as strategy focused on the GRE itself

Taking a traditional math course will cost more and will also cover material you don't need...and it won't help you think specifically for the GRE

plus you get help studying for the verbal and analytical

If you are willing to work a good GRE score is very attainable

I've been studying since June and although I don't take it until Aug 29th.....I've been scoring in the low 1400s on practice tests

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Specializes in SICU.

Buy a GRE review book. There is no calculus on the GRE. The math is very basic. I would get a review book and go from there. Algebra and geometry are pretty much all you need. Don't worry, the word derivative will probably only be found in the vocab section...lol :rolleyes:

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Instead of spending the money on all those classes, I would check into taking KAPLAN'S GRE (in classroom) review class. I took it, and I thought it was great. The class not only teaches GRE test-taking techniques, it's a math review. The GRE is not really a lot of higher level math. You'll have word problems, algebra, and geometry. It's not the math that's hard, it's how it is presented to you. That's why I think KAPLAN was so great. The cost is around $1100. Seems like a lot of money, but well worth it. Just go to kaplan.com.

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Specializes in CVICU, Transplant ICU, CCRN.

Thank you for the great advices. I will do all of the above. I will buy the book and I will also take the kaplan review. $1100 is well worth it. Thank you, you guys are great.

Lannie

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I can't speak for everyone, but no one in my class or anyone else I know who took the GRE for that matter, forked out that much for a prep class, and we had great scores. It's high school math on the GRE. If you have the self-discipline to work your way through the review book, you don't need to spend $1100, in my opinion. I got a really really high math score with just the review book.

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
I want to be prepared for the GRE which I plan to take in a year. I haven't taking math classes in so many years. I was thinking about taking(auditing) some math classes in my local community college. Ex: Pre-Algrebra, beginning calculus, etc. Is this a good idea or am I just wasting money. I really want to do well the first time around. Any advice would be appreciated.

Definately a waste of time and money. Most of the math is from high school believe it or not! You need to focus in on the specific GRE math. I used GRE for Dummies and did fine (1180 and 5.5).

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Sarahlannie,

It all depends on what kind of a learner you are. I do better in a classroom setting. I know people who didn't even study and they got 1180, and one unfotunate person got somewhere around a 600. YUK! The class was recommended by a co-worker of mine. She did very well and so did I. You just need to do what's best for you. I'm sure you'll do fine no matter what route you take. Good luck.

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Does anyone believe one gre book is better than the other?

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
Sarahlannie,

It all depends on what kind of a learner you are. I do better in a classroom setting. I know people who didn't even study and they got 1180, and one unfotunate person got somewhere around a 600. YUK! The class was recommended by a co-worker of mine. She did very well and so did I. You just need to do what's best for you. I'm sure you'll do fine no matter what route you take. Good luck.

You make some very, very valid points and I feel I may have been a bit flippant in my first response. I think a good starting point is to take the free online exam on the ETS website to get a rough idea of your predicted score and see how much help you need to make the requisite 1000 (or whatever your program requires). Then you need to do whatever it takes for you to make the scores you need. I was making around 1000 from the get go so I didnt need much study help to get my 1180. I am sure if I had taken a big course and studied more I could have made better but I needed a 1000 so I spent the rest of my energy on other entrance items. Good luck!!!!!

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special31,

I think the Kaplan GRE book is the best.

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I liked Princeton Review's Cracking the GRE best.

Does anyone believe one gre book is better than the other?
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