HOW IS THE GRE STRUCTURED?

 

The computer-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included, and this section can appear in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total testing time is up to three hours, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Analytical Writing section is always first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified unscored section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typical Computer-Based GRE® General Test

 

Section	Number of Questions	Time
Analytical Writing	1 Issue Task*	45 minutes
Analytical Writing	1 Argument Task*	30 minutes
Verbal	30	30 minutes
Quantitative	28	45 minutes
Unscored**	Varies	Varies
Research***	Varies	Varies

* For the Issue task, two essay topics are presented and you choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic is presented.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.
*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The test is computerized; for the Quantitative and Verbal Sections, questions will appear on the screen one question at a time.  You must complete the assigned question first before moving on to the next one.  The test is also a Computer Adaptive Test, or CAT.  This means that the test adapts to your performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you begin a section, the computer will assume you have an average score.  You will be given a medium-difficulty question, and what happens next is based on whether you answer the question correctly.  If you answer the question correctly, your score goes up and you are given a question that is slightly more difficult.  If you answer the question incorrectly, your score goes down, and you are given a question that is slightly less difficult.  This process will continue throughout the entire test.

 

 

 

 

HOW DO I SIGN UP TO TAKE THE GRE?

 

Applicants can apply either by phone (800) GRE-CALL or via the official website, www.ets.org.  As of this writing, the cost to take the test is $140.

 

 

WHY IS THE GRE SO IMPORTANT TO MY OVERALL GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION?

 

Graduate school draws individuals from a variety of undergraduate institutions.  In order to predict academic success in graduate school, the standardized GRE is used.  Historically, the GRE is just as important as one’s undergraduate academic achievements in determining admission to graduate school.

 

I’M IN SCHOOL ALREADY (or) I’M A WORKING ADULT WITH RESPONSIBILITIES…I CAN’T AFFORD TO SPEND TIME STUDYING FOR A ONE-TIME TEST WHEN I HAVE ALL OF MY OTHER CLASSES TO FINISH/MY LIFE TO LIVE!

 

Actually, you can’t afford not to study for the GRE!!!  For many graduate programs, not only is overall acceptance determined in part by your GRE score, but also fellowship and scholarship opportunities.  Programs vary throughout the nation, but graduate applicants are well served by focusing to score their very best on the GRE.

 

HOW CAN ‘MyTestPrepAce’ HELP ME IMPROVE MY SCORE?

Top performers from all walks of life seek out the advice of coaches and trainers who have themselves succeeded in the very thing they train.  Books or courses can give you a listing of the strategies, but a tutor can show you insights that a book cannot, and can help you refine your skills.

 

I have helped people in a variety of different areas on the GRE, such as:

 

• Humanities students who haven’t had math since high school or freshman year of college.
• Science students who haven’t had to write humanities papers for several semesters.
• Working adults who haven’t been in a classroom setting for several years and who have areas for improvement in either the math section, the verbal section, or both sections.
• Students whose first language is not English, yet who want to improve their overall test comprehension.

 

I pride myself on being current with all of the different test prep books on the market and methodologies.  Not any one test prep company has cornered the market exclusively on the best method for any one particular section of the GRE.  I have read virtually every test prep manual for the GRE on the market today.  I can assist you in becoming familiar with a variety of different strategies that will help you become efficient and effective on all portions of this test.

 

HOW AND WHERE WOULD OUR TUTORING SESSIONS TAKE PLACE?  COULD YOU COME TO A PLACE CONVENIENT TO ME FOR TUTORING?

 

 

After gauging your strengths and weakness via a diagnostic exam, MyTestPrepAce will help you design a study program that will target your weakness, improve your question timing, and increase your overall test endurance.  I can also assist you in design a structured, yet efficient program that can fit into your busy schedule.

 

Typically, I design my tutoring/teaching sessions to fit the needs of the individual student I’m helping.  If you are just starting your preparation for the GRE, I can lead you through a set of ‘mini-classes’ to teach you the basic skill sets.  Such classes can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars compared to the cost of classes through a major test prep company!  Or, if you are looking to refine a particular skill set or to focus only the difficult question sets, I can tailor our lessons to focus on those types of questions.

 

As a professional, I always meet my students at times and locations convenient to them.  Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC,  Asheville, NC,  Athens, GA,  Columbia, SC,  Lancaster, PA,  Philadelphia, PA,  Glassboro, NJ, Camden, NJ,  Wilmington, DE,  Newark, DE,  Baltimore, MD, and Annapolis, MD are included in my travel range.

 

Typically, I like to tutor students in a setting with Wi-Fi access and a blackboard/whiteboard.  I can meet you at your workplace, a library, your home, or a coffee shop, if you prefer!!

 

 

 

SOUNDS INTERESTING!!! ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

 

Most students I know want to hire a well-qualified tutor, but find the cost the large test prep companies charge to be prohibitive.  With MyTestPrepAce.com, you get the best of both worlds – the know-how and experience of a full-time, ‘master’ GRE tutor at one of the major test prep companies, but for a fraction of the cost.  

 

If you would like to study with a friend or with a group of friends, I do offer significant discounts for each additional student in a small-group tutoring situation (max – 3 people). Three people is the largest GRE group size that, through experience, I feel does not significantly affect individual student comprehension. 

 

Finally, I know it may sound ‘corny’ or ‘cheesy,’ but I really do care about my students’ performance and my ability to motivate and teach them.  I consider it a privilege to serve others achieve their long-term career goals and dreams in this small way.

 

If you have any questions concerning my services, suggestions on how to structure your study time, or if you simply have general questions concerning GRE study, I’d be happy to give you a free phone consultation.  Feel free to give me a call at (302) 545-2010 (preferred) or email me directly at MyTestPrepAce@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

 

MyTestPrepAce.com
(302) 545-2010
MyTestPrepAce@hotmail.com

Rob Swinson – Graduate Instructor