All About New GRE

VERBAL

1.READING COMPREHENSIONS-
they will be shorter and more in number. there will be short passages for critical reasoning.
single choice questions
more than 1 choice questions
select a line from passage question

2. SENTENCE EQUIVALENCE-
similar to synonyms. but in sentence form.1 blank

3. SENTENCE COMPLETION-
1, 2 or 3 blanks at the most. plus options for each blank will be separate.

NOTE
questions for more than 1 answers will have options A,B,C,D,E inside boxes and not in circles.
NEW GRE IS MULTI STAGE TEST...UR NEXT SECTION DEPENDS ON HOW WELL U HAVE DONE THE CURRENT SECTION...3 LEVELS OF SECTIONS- EASY,MEDIUM,HARD.
u can go to next question without answering the current question ONLY WITHIN UR CURRENT SECTION.
NEW GRE IS NO LONGER ADAPTIVE TEST.
'MARK and REVIEV' feature available...for details check ets site.

QUANT
single choice questions, more than 1 choice questions
numeric answer questions.here there will be no options. u need to enter ur answer in a small box.
more questions of data interpretations and real-life scenarios.
on computer CALCULATOR will be available.CHECK ETS SITE for details.
AWA
same as old patten. but timing limit has chaged.
no options for new gre.u will get only 1 topic.old gre would give 2 topics to choose from in issue essays.

NEW SCALING

VERBAL- 130 TO 170, 1 POINT INCREMENTS

QUANT- 130 TO 170, 1 POINT INCREMENTS

AWA- 0-6, 1/2 POINT INCREMENTS

this means even if u dont answer any question, ur minimum score will be: 260/340.

thus the score is spread out in mere 81 points. a 1 point difference makes a BIG difference.

EXAM PATTERN
AWA will always come first. 2 sections- issue and arguement. 30 mins per section. 1 HOUR
VERBAL- 2 sections...20 questions, 30 minutes each. 1 HOUR
QUANT- 2 sections...20 questions, 35 minutes each. 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES
1 UNSCORED section...it can be quant or verbal....it can come anytime between the test but only AFTER AWA section....u will not come to know that this section is UNSCORED....thus u will have to attend all sections as though all scores are getting counted. 30 OR 35 MINUTES depends on verbal or quant.
1 RESEARCH section MIGHT come at the end of the test...this will be UNSCORED..and it will be indicated that it is a research section....will always come at the END...

TOTAL TESTING TIME: 1hr+1hr+ 1hr 10 minutes+ 30/35 minutes=3 HOURS 45 MINUTES...excluding breaks and research section.

BREAKS:
There will be 1 minute break after every section and 10 minutes break after the 3rd section...
u can refresh ur scratch papers during breaks ONLY.

for samples of each question types, visit ets site.

Post your doubts if you have any!!-------- All the best!!!

14 must-do steps - GRE and TOEFL and study in U.S

Here are 14 must-do steps if you wish to clear your GRE and TOEFL and study in U.S (The Land Of Opportunities). If you are an aspirant then read on...

1. Passport :

A valid passport serves as a primary means of identification to gain admission to your test centre and to your dream country. If you don't have a passport then apply for one as soon as possible, as you cannot appear for the GRE or TOEFL without it, but remember you can register for exams without a passport.

2. GRE Registration :

Register for the GRE at least three months in advance to be assured of obtaining your preferred testing date.

3. TOEFL Registration :

International students who haven't studied in a country where English is the primary language, have to appear for the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the GRE.

4. Preparation :

Preparation for the GRE should begin at least an year before you plan to appear for the exam. Check out what study material is available to help you prepare for the GRE.

5. GRE :

You are expected to arrive at your test centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of your exam. You are expected to bring the following items with you to the test centre : * Acceptable Identification (Passport + Driving License/College Id Card)
* Names of 4 Colleges to which you want ETS to send your scores At the end of your test, you can specify up to 4 colleges to which ETS will send your scores for free. Therefore, before appearing for the exam, prepare a list of your first choice colleges, by anticipating the range of your likely GRE score. ETS charges $15 for every additional college you send your scores to.

6. Choosing Colleges :

When preparing a list of colleges to apply to, take into consideration the following factors :
* Your Academic grades Your GRE score Reputation of College College's minimum requirements College fees Availability of Financial aid
* Location of college Choose about 3 to 4 'dream' colleges, 3 to 4 'average' colleges and another 3 to 4 'safe' colleges. Go through the college websites for information regarding each univ - Colleges

7. Pre-Application :

Pre-application involves emailing the colleges of your choice, requesting them to send you the prospectus or application forms by mail. Mention the following in your pre-application letters :
* Your name & address Degree sought Undergraduate Academic grades GRE & TOEFL scores
* Any additional qualifications that you may have
Many colleges often inform you there and then about your chances of gaining admission into their college. By doing this you can often save the cost of the application fee by knowing before hand which colleges are likely to accept you or not.

8. Transcripts :

Request your University to provide you with transcripts of marks obtained for all four years of your undergrad study completed. Make sure that all the copies of your transcripts are attested and certified as true copies of the original. If you are in the final year of the undergraduate studies then send transcripts upto 6th or 7th semester.

9. Financial Documentation :

Along with your application, it is required that you attach a letter from your bank indicating sufficient funds to finance your education in the US. It is recommended that your bank certificate show proof of funds amounting to approximately $25,000. - Sample Bank Certificate

10. Recommendation Letters :

Try to get about 3 recommendation letters from professors at your undergraduate university who are familiar with your course work. Learn how to write a good recommendation letter by following the tips given here - Recommendation Letters.

11. Statement Of Purpose :

The Statement of Purpose is often regarded to be the single most important factor, which can decide the outcome of your application. It is a letter addressed to the college you are applying to, stating your reasons for wanting to pursue graduate study, among other things.

Your statement of purpose should include the following points :

* Reason for pursuing higher studies. Research and academic interests Goal in life Personal strengths and weaknesses Academic and other achievements Related experience / projects undertaken.

* Reasons for applying to a particular university

Spend as much time as possible over your statement of purpose because it is the only means that you have to actually 'speak' to the college authorities, in order to convince them that you really deserve to be admitted to their University. Refer to the SOP section for detailed information.

12. Application :

Send your applications to colleges well ahead of the last date mentioned in their websites. Based on personal experience, We can assure you that the earlier you send your applications, the better your chances are of gaining admission into universities. Also, the earlier you apply, the sooner you get your replies, and so you have more time to decide which college to finally go to. - Sample Application Package

13. Visa :

You have to apply for a student VISA to the US. At the time of applying for a VISA, you have to have to prove to the VISA officer that you have sufficient funds to support your study in the U.S., as well as enough reasons for returning to your home country after completion of your education. Find out more about the visa procedure at Visa Information

14. Final Preparation :

Contact students who are currently studying at the University you are going to, for information regarding what to expect once you get there.

Summary and Overview of Changes to GRE General Test from October 2006

The new GRE General Test will be slightly over four hours long, an increase from the current two-and-a-half-hour exam. It will also no longer be offered in a computer-adaptive format, where the difficulty of the test is determined by the test taker’s right or wrong answers. Instead, it will be offered in a linear format, in which every student takes the same exam.

10 Steps to Earn a High GRE Score

The following is a guide to scoring high on the GRE test. If you follow these steps, your GRE score will improve.
1. Relax:
Preparing for the GRE can be stressful. Try to focus on the task at hand and not so much on everything else you have to do. If you take GRE test prep step-by-step, day-by-day, and give yourself breaks when your body needs them, you'll be able to concentrate on GRE studies a lot better.
2. GRE Diagnostic Test:
Begin GRE test prep with a GRE practice test to find out what you're good at, and more importantly, what you're not good at. Correct your completed practice test and evaluate the questions you missed. What kind of questions did you miss? Are they mostly Quantitative or mostly Verbal? What score would you give yourself on Analytical Writing? Did you miss a lot of analogies but do well on reading comprehension? With this information you'll be able to focus your GRE test prep studies on your weaknesses.
3. GRE Study Plan:
With your GRE weaknesses in mind, make a very specific study plan for yourself. You should know what, how, and when you are going to study for the GRE test. Put your study plan somewhere in plain view, and make sure you stick to your plan.
Try to keep GRE test prep interesting by planning to study different things in different ways. For example, study GRE vocabulary from flash cards one day, from a list the second day, and by reading and learning words in context the third day.
4. GRE Vocabulary:
The single-most effective way to improve GRE Verbal score is with GRE vocabulary. Start studying GRE vocabulary now. Study a word list, use flash cards, learn with software, or learn words in context with The Wall Street Journal. Do whatever it takes to learn new words. Improve your vocabulary skills and watch your GRE score improve.
5. Active Reading:
Practice reading every day, but don't read like you would your favorite book. Read actively. Ask yourself, "What is the main theme?", "Report or opinion?", and "What is the author's purpose?" You'll see these questions on the GRE, so you should be on the lookout for the answers. You should also use GRE-level material, such as The Wall Street Journal, to practice your GRE reading comprehension. You might not like the articles, but most likely you won't like the passages on the GRE either, so you should get used to it.
6. Math Language:
Learning GRE math is like learning a new language. To improve your GRE Quantitative score you have to practice, and the more you practice the more fluent you will become. If you don't practice, you'll never improve.
Hence, do as many practice Quantitative problems as you can and learn from your mistakes. When examining your wrong answers, don't move on to the next question until you understand the current one. The whole point of math practice is so that you can learn from mistakes during practice and not on the real GRE.
7. Essay:
Get used to writing an outline before you actualy start an essay. You'll save time and know exactly what to write about if you have an outlined plan. Your paper will flow better and surely, you will score higher on the GRE Analytical Writing section.
8. GRE Practice Tests:
A GRE practice test is one of your most useful tools during GRE test prep. It's an excellent indicator of what you need to work on. Take GRE practice tests every couple of weeks to find out your weak areas, and focus your GRE study plan on those things. Also, remember to learn from your mistakes on each practice test.
9. Do Not Procrastinate:
Start preparing for the GRE now. If you start GRE prep early enough, you'll have the luxury of being able to study just an hour or so per day. When your time is limited, you have to study more hours per day, which will get tiring fast. Cramming for the GRE doesn't work, so don't procrastinate. I repeat, if you want to improve your GRE score, do not procrastinate.
10. Mentally Prepare:
Time yourself during GRE practice tests to get a feel for the length of the test and the pace you need to be answering questions at. Act like the practice test is the real GRE. The last thing you want on test day is to feel tired when you're only half-way through.
If you follow these 10 steps, your GRE score will improve. If you don't follow these 10 steps, you still might score high on the GRE, but I wouldn't risk it. Happy preparing.

About GRE

Getting into Graduate School is tough enough on its own, but in order to do so, there is one last test that you need to do well on if you want extra insurance on your application. That test is the GRE or Graduate Record Examination. Not related to, or testing a specific field of study, this test instead is to be a culmination of all of your learning up to this point. It is designed to test your analytical writing as well as your verbal and quantitative reasoning. Test locations are spread out across the United States which are called "Test Centers" and if there is specific information you need about the test, these are the people to contact. The test is also done on a computer, so it is easier to grade and to complete for the people taking it. Each year thousands of hopeful students take the GRE, all with the hope of scoring well and assisting their application process.

What is the Graduate Record Examination Comprised of?

When you are taking the GRE, there are 3 sections that you will be tested on, and there are specific reasons why you are being tested in those areas. With each section, different types of skills of the test-takers are required, and this gives the reviewer of the scores a general overview of the applicants intelligences in those 3 areas.

Analytical Writing Section:

This section measures each persons abilities to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, to examine claims and accompanying evidence, to support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, to sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, and to control the elements of standard written English. The writing is expected to be well thought out, and to be concise in its arguments. Critical thinking and the analytical thought that goes into the writing is graded the most intensely, with only a little focus put on grammar or spelling. In this section there are two tasks for which you are to respond, and each of the tasks will weigh into your final score for this section. For the first part, which is the "Issue Task", two tasks are presented, and one is chosen to be answered. The second part is the "argument task", where an argument must be taken according to a scenario presented.

Verbal Reasoning Section:

In this section, the test-taker is tested on their ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it as well as analyze relationships among component parts of sentences, and recognize relationships between words and concepts.
The verbal and quantitative scores will depend on the performance on the questions given, and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted.

Quantitative Reasoning Section:

For this final section, takers of the GRE are required to show their understanding basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, to show they are able to reason quantitatively, and solve problems in a quantitative setting.

Taking The Test:

When you sit down to take the exam, know that you are in for about 3 hours of work in this sitting. For the analytical section you will spend 45 minutes on the Issue Task, and then 30 minutes on the Argument Task before hitting the other sections. The Verbal Section is 30 questions with 30 minutes to answer them, and the Quantitative Section is 45 minutes with only 28 questions being asked. You can plan out just about how much time you can spend on each question by figuring out how many minutes on average you will be able to take. Knowing that before you jump into the exam can help you to pace yourself as you are taking it.

Scoring:

Each of the sections is scored a little differently, with the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections being scored between 200 and 800 points, with 10 point increments. The analytical section is the average of two reviewers, who award a score of 0-6 in 1/2 point increments to the essays. For the verbal and quantitative sections, the scores are of course based on the number of correct answers for the questions that were answered. Being computer based, the questions will rotate based on random selections, and the final scores will be based on the assigned difficulty of the questions given to a particular test taker. Your final score will then be based on a 1600 point scale, with an additional score between 0 and 6 for your analytical section.

Preparing and then Taking the GRE:

Knowing what is going to be asked is almost as important as showing up to the test itself, because it gives you plenty of time to prepare for the Graduate Record Examination. The national GRE site (www.ets.org) actually provides free information such as frequently asked questions, practice tests, and topics that the essays could possibly be on. By taking a quick look at those study materials a test taker can get ahead in the game, and go into the test with a clear mind of what to expect. Upon registering for the exam, each person is also sent software that can be studied from in their own homes. Registration is of course done online as well, and you pay up front for the privilege of getting to take the test. The importance of the GRE cannot be underscored for those people looking to attend a Graduate School, because it is simply that important. Taking the time to prepare, and taking the time to glean any knowledge you can about the test will only serve to benefit every test-taker in the end.

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