New GRE Math, Verbal Strategies. Score Range 1360 to 1510
Following experience with New GRE Math and Verbal strategies shared by Atins.
Hello frnds!
I took the NEW GRE on 31st Aug at Gurgaon and got the expected score as Verbal: 610-710 and Quant : 750-800.
I had taken no tutions or special classes and prepared on my own with some guidance from my friends. I hope i would be able to guide you people as well!
The exam was not that lengthy and exhausting as i had expected it to be (i had read experiences of some people beforehand) or perhaps the excitement of the test didn’t let me feel exhausted.
If you have prepared well then the duration hardly matters because the intelligently designed exam is so engrossing that you won’t feel tired.
I got two verbal sections and three quantitative sections. The AWA was very easy and I was able to get through it within time though I had a tough time typing!
I guess higher studies is the favorite topic among the GRE test makers.
GRE Quantitative Section
The quantitative sections were easy as well (for me atleast! though i m not a maths’ student).
However, one of the later sections was quite tough and time consuming and I could not answer 2 questions, probably it was difficult coz I had performed well in the first one.
The quantitative section tests you thoroughly and just a surface knowledge of the basic mathematics wont help you getting through the quantitative comparison questions as you’ll find the D option correct in almost all the questions!!
GRE Verbal Section
The verbal sections are indeed very intelligently prepared. They have the ability to test your true analytical ability and to think the right way!
There were about 3 long passages and 4-5 short passages in all.
The first VERBAL section was quite difficult as it had a lot of questions concerning the boring, verbose and obscure english literary facts and authors and movements.
(indeed very boring!!!) I guess i cudn’t do well in that section as the next section was quite easy! The sentence completion questions were very time consuming and in the some of the questions it was difficult to make out a sense. so be careful.
New GRE Tips for You
Mugging up the words is important but not the only thing to do.. A good deal of reading exercise and regular practice is required.
I was unlucky that I could not find any time for practice and took only two practice tests and that too a day before the actual exam!
I took one old BARRONS GRE book (for the master list) and NOVAs mathematics for quant.
The books are really good and I would like to mention here that the level of mathematics in NOVA is quite appropriate. There are numerous books available but I took this book and concentrated only on this book.
The book has all the topics covered in ample detail and with good level of difficulty (some VERY DIFFICULT questions in fact, are too difficult to appear on the GRE) but the best thing about the book is that it is comprehensive and you need not go for any more books after this.
Try practicing typing on a desktop keyboard rather than the keyboard of your laptop. I had a very tough time hitting the right keys as my fingers occasionally struck the area between the two keys making me spend more time in editing later on.
Take time while planning out to write your AWA. there will be enough time for typing if you know what to type and that too corresponding to the topic.
PowerPrep Test
The power prep test IS MUST!! I took the test a day before the exam and got the expected score that was only a bit lower than my actual score.
However, I would advice you to take the test once you go through all the things and are ready for the revision. Once you take the test and get the score, you ll find your trouble areas and that would help you immensely in giving your revision a right direction.
THE LEVEL OF POWERPREP TEST IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS ACTUAL GRE AND EVEN THE GUI AS WELL.
It will help you to familiarize yourself with the GRE.
Take the TIMED test for better results.
GRE Verbal Strategies
When you start with your verbal section, look out for the RCs first and finish them off! they are highly demanding as reading and comprehending the passage, understanding the questions and differentiating the answer choices from each other take a lot of mental ability and time.
You wont want such a demanding task to be done at the end when you are in a haste!
Sentence completion questions also take some time and you’ll have to read it VERY carefully and even multiple times to grasp it.
In the questions where you are required to put two words that complete a sentence, DON’T JUST LOOK OUT FOR SYNONYMS! becoz there are questions with two sets of synonyms and questions with no set of synonyms!! do it very carefully.
Concentrate on words with multiple meanings and it would be very good if you have time to read newspapers like THE HINDU and listen to the news on TIMES NOW! you’ll be able to know new connotations of the same words.
I didn’t have the time to do this exercise and this is well reflected by my score.
I hope this experience of mine and the junks of advice would help you in preparing for your GRE exam.
I would be happy if you have any queries that I can address. BEST OF LUCK to all the aspirants !!
Utilize this Experience
GRE tips shared by atins gives very good insights into how to prepare for New GRE Verbal section. Save this post and re-read GRE Verbal Strategies section. It shows what to expect and how to prepare for New GRE.
hi, m currently studyin in first year, btech, nit raipur, cs.
I wanted to noe, when is the exact tym i shud start preparing for exams like GRE, TOEFL, SAT etc..
If you could plz send me any links regarding prep plans, thn i wud b really thankful.
Regards, tejasvi.
Hey there! I am currently in my final year of B.Tech in Computer Science and Technology. I wish to pursue M.S. in the U.S. I want to do Masters in Engineering Management as I want a management degree without changing my technical field.(as an MBA would completely lose my engineering value). When should I plan to give the GRE and TOEFL exam? is it too late for FALL 2012 ? please help me.
Hello All,
Could you please tell me,Which edition of Barron’s should i purchase for preparation??
hiii
am planning to write gre ….preparing by my own at home …can u pls give some tips which books i have to follow and am very much scared of mathmetics basicly am a life science student completed my msc in biochemistry now am in US on h4 visa as am not eligible to work here am planning to study ….. so pls help me
thx ……
explore the link …
http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/top-9-gre-test-prep-books/comment-page-1/#comment-146854
u will find all answers to your questions
Hi all,
Can any one say some good online GRE test course in online. I want to take GRE test on every day to check my position in verbal and quants. I am having my GRE exam on May 16th .
Hi,
I took my GRE last year(november, 2011) but did not score that well. I’m planning for a Phd in Political Science- International Relations along with good scholarship/fellowship from the US. Therefore, I’m planning to take GRE again in September, 2012. It would be of great help if someone could tell me what score I should aim for, in order to get into a good graduate school along with scholarship. Also, how should I plan my preparation for my next GRE. My Verbal and Quant both scaled score was 146 and analytical writing was 3.5. Kindly help. Thank you.
i have scored 148 in revised gre verbal and 156 in revised gre quantitative section. I have applied to the university of florida, purdue university, NUS and university of california santa barbara.
Can u please tell me which among the above university will i get admission along with scholarship, for the marks that i have scored. revised gre essay score-3.
erbal:690 790
quant:740 800
The first thing i want to say to prospective test takers is to remain calm during the actual exam…
I just finished my gre,it was long and exhausting.The sections that i got as experimental was quant,i got 3 quant and 2 verbal sections
The quant is easy and covers the basic maths including basic concepts of statistics and only requires good application knowledge of fundamentals.As indians ,maths must be easy for us even without preperation
The verbal was really gruelling with emphasis on passage comprehension.They require clear cut comprehension and formulation and understanding of complex thoughts.So just read..its the only way to crack the new gre,you dont need to mug up words but you need to understand the idea the sentence is trying to convey..more less once you inprove your intuition will guide you to the right answers..
So everybody try hard and practice questions,but most importantly read..you need to read quality articles from papers like new york times or new york book reviews
regards
ashok
bangalore
amazing score! congrats
do you know how many out of 40 Qs in verbal should be correct to hit such a score. I am good in comprehension but still weak in vocab I can undertans the tone and sense of the sentences and have my own words but it happens that I cant figure out the meaning of the words in choices. I practiced readings and SC of “Big Book”. what is your recommendation for the remaining last month?
thanks in advance
Yasi,
If you have mastered the art of grabbing the jist of the RC and SC, u’ve won half of the battle!
For the last month you just try taking tests and practice hard. If you still feel that you are not confident with your vocabulary, take flash cards, write the most difficult words (5 wordlists per day) and then read them whenever you find time. This technique really helps!
Wish you good luck! 🙂
Atin
Hi Atin,
Congrats to you for your performance. I am planning to give the NEW GRE possibly in Jan/Feb ’12. Can you/anyone suggest me which books I should be buying to help me in the best way. I believe in self-study so I am not going for any coaching. I am thinking to give it a shot in 3.4-4 months. It would be awesome if you could give any suggestions? NEW/OLD Barron’s — Nova ??? Which one for which section? Thanks in advance.
Ajit,
Its good to hear that you believe in self study! 🙂
First you pick up these books FOR SURE, the old barrons (for the master list), the new barrons (for the pattern and new questions) and Nova (for mathematics). Read as much as you can to develop the ability to just read on screen and comprehend it instantly! Wish you good luck
Hi.i took the revised GRE in september and i av a score range of 1020-1220.i intend studying petroleum engineering. pls is it enough to get an admission? can it attract some financial aid?
i am facing problem with those words of gre.. can u suggest some good strategy for remembering those word lists.. plz…
prepare FLASH cards with the meanings of the words on the back. keep these cards handy and carry them always.. peep into them every now and then. i am sure this will help (from my personal experience), though its a very tedious job!
good luck! 🙂
hi iam giving my gre on oct 12th..could you tell me the level of the rc questions and the length of the long passages..they might be crucial in my scoring?and also how does one go about preparing awa..
Hey atin even i gave my gre on 31st aug at gurgaon, 1 pm slot. so i guess i might have seen you that day, my verbal is 650-750, maths 750-800. I dont know what to expect final score to be like? what do you reckon? will it be average or will it lean towards higher side?
Hey atin even i gave my gre on 31st aug at gurgaon, 1 pm slot. so i guess i might have seen you that day, my verbal is 650-750, maths 750-800. I dont know what to expect final score to be like? what do you reckon? will it be average or will it lean towards higher side?
oh! 🙂 i must say sakshi your score is excellent!!! i dont know how the actual score is calculated or which side fill it fall to… but one thing i know is that you’ll get the scores on NOVEMBER 8!
Once again congratulations for your score!!! 🙂
what course are u applying for?
Hi sakshi!
Congrats for ur excellent scores. Pls share with us ur experiences and books u referred.
the scores are not yet announced.. how do u guys are able to evaluate before the results
yes the final scores aren’t announced, but at the end of the exam you are given a range of your score!
yes the final scores aren’t announced, but at the end of the exam you are given a range of your score!
Hi Atin, Congo for your score. I want to know that is it really necessary to have any coaching for GRE or self practice suffice it. I am asking coz many people around me are joining coaching which are tending to be really really expensive….As you have experienced it….did u feel the need of coaching at any point of time? Thanks
thanks jatin.
If you have good reading ability and you trust your learning abiliity… there is no need of coaching classes. I didn’t take any and never felt the need to, thanks to one of my good friends, who guided me throughout. the GRe is intelligently designed to check how you can understand, interpret and analyze the situation, which the coaching classes can not teach you overnight or in a few months course! They might help you in learning the words but you can do it urself by reading more and USING those words in language. make FLASH cards on your own and carry them with you. read them as freq as possible. many people around me too joined the coaching classes but if you believe in your self- study you need not go for it.
Best of luck!
thanks jatin.
If you have good reading ability and you trust your learning abiliity… there is no need of coaching classes. I didn’t take any and never felt the need to, thanks to one of my good friends, who guided me throughout. the GRe is intelligently designed to check how you can understand, interpret and analyze the situation, which the coaching classes can not teach you overnight or in a few months course! They might help you in learning the words but you can do it urself by reading more and USING those words in language. make FLASH cards on your own and carry them with you. read them as freq as possible. many people around me too joined the coaching classes but if you believe in your self- study you need not go for it.
Best of luck!
thanks jatin.
If you have good reading ability and you trust your learning abiliity… there is no need of coaching classes. I didn’t take any and never felt the need to, thanks to one of my good friends, who guided me throughout. the GRe is intelligently designed to check how you can understand, interpret and analyze the situation, which the coaching classes can not teach you overnight or in a few months course! They might help you in learning the words but you can do it urself by reading more and USING those words in language. make FLASH cards on your own and carry them with you. read them as freq as possible. many people around me too joined the coaching classes but if you believe in your self- study you need not go for it.
Best of luck!
thanks jatin.
If you have good reading ability and you trust your learning abiliity… there is no need of coaching classes. I didn’t take any and never felt the need to, thanks to one of my good friends, who guided me throughout. the GRe is intelligently designed to check how you can understand, interpret and analyze the situation, which the coaching classes can not teach you overnight or in a few months course! They might help you in learning the words but you can do it urself by reading more and USING those words in language. make FLASH cards on your own and carry them with you. read them as freq as possible. many people around me too joined the coaching classes but if you believe in your self- study you need not go for it.
Best of luck!
pls give some gre free online test for practising so that i would able to get the new thing and some knoweledge
hi!
Congratulations on your score.I’m takin the GRE soon.I tried doing the POWERPREP test and I had access to only one test and when I tried accessing it again the questions were repeating;including the AWA.Is there only one?
and I really have problems with the verbal section,do u have any suggestions?
hi
iam taking my gre on oct 12..for my strategy in verbal
sentence equivalence 5 mins
rc till last 10 mins
sentence completion last 10 mins
quant multiple choice and fill the box 15 mins
data intepreatation 13 mins
wuant comparision 12 mins
is it a good strategy for time management…
hi Ash_adds
there is no hard and fast rule that you need to stick to. MAy be the strategy u have chosen works for you! I think you should practice this strategy in timed tests and if you do well then we might get another new and good strategy for making a go at the GRE!!
wish you good luck!
Dude! Are u saying we have to type the whole of analytical writing using the desktop keyboard in the exam?!!
Obviously, unless u enroll for a special pen and paper sitting!
unfortunately YES!! 🙂 better be prepared!!!!
Hi Atin,
Congrats for your scores! I would like to know about the Nova. Is it the same old pattern or Nova for the new pattern has been published? Because I have solved the old nova’s gre prep course.
thank u so much!
actually i knew only about the book that was based on the old pattern.. i had access to the NEW BARRONS GRE but i found that the questions in that book were the same as in the previous editions with just omission of the options in case of questions where u need to fill the box! And apart from that, the questions in the BARRONS are too damn easy (although some of them are a bit difficult too)… I dont knoe if there is a new NOVA available but since the math syllabus is the same and you wont expect maths theorems and Properties to change, i guess the old NOVA is still a good choice… and CONGRATULATIONS to you that you have completed it! you have enough time for taking the timed tests!!
wish you good luck! 🙂
hey!!!
congrats for your wonderfull score.
. just wanted to know hw many months did u prepare for?? i have just 20 days left fr my gre and i still have a lot to study … please help me out 🙂
hi Pooja!
thanx a lot
Although i started of casually with those wordlists quite a few months before my GRE, but the actual preparation took about 3 months.. and not to forget that i missed out on practice!! so for a good preparation i guess 4 months is a good time
i dont know if i can help you much or not but i’ll surely give it a try… ( i dont know what you have already prepared)
… now that you are left with very little time,
first, make your mathematics strong. Since, we all are well versed with the level of maths used in the GRE you can easily get hold of it in less time…
next, cram those words on the Wordlists as they would help you a LOT in sentence completion,,, focus more on the HIGH FREQ. words, try doing upto 5 lists a day!!!!
then keep 2 days spare for the revision and practice atleast!!
i guess that might help you…
wish u good luck! 🙂
Hi, any one who already took the NEWGRE! please help me in providing some informations, I have two basic questions
1. Is it possible to return to difficult questions once passed it not done carefully, I did not see the possiblity to do so while I am trying to do some practice tests.
2. The calculator is unsuitable for mean, I mean it hides the questions and has limited bottoms which do not include some standard functions, can I use my own calculator, or what I have to do!
thank you for your help
Getnet
Hello there,
Firstly, it possible to go back to the question you have left “carefully”.. by marking it on the check box at the upper right hand side of your screen & latter you can re- check them by clicking on the ‘ review’ button.
Secondly, when you use onscreen calculator you can drag it to any where on the screen, so place it wherever you want ! YOU CANNOT USE YOUR OWN CALCULATOR DURING EXAM. It can lead to disqualification also . So be aware of that fact.
hello!
1. you can always skip a question and come back to it ANYTIME you want. may be the tests you have taken were based on the previous pattern where you weren’t allowed to go back. You can even mark those tough questions and then at the end press review button at the top and then see which questions you have marked, which ones you have left unanswered!
2. You cannot take your calculator. Infact, the test conducting facility will ask you to keep all your belongings pens, pencils, wallet, cards, etc (even your handkerchief !!) out! You’ll be given a locker to put these things in. Ya the calculator is very awkward kind of thing and i would suggest you to do manual calculations. Dont worry the questions are not that difficult or demanding. . you can easily work them out!
Good luck frnd! 🙂
you mean we won’t be allowed a pencil during the test to do some rough work/scribbling on a scratch sheet?
that’s tough, many (including myself!) have a habit of pencil and paper scribbling during the test, though we’d select the answers onscreen.
No! did i say that? 🙂 the people at the test center would provide you their OWN pencils and whenever you feel like chnging them (once they blunt out) just inform them!
AND they wont allow you to to chew the pencil! (I was particularly warned by the invigilator :D)
you can do any sorts of scribbling though!
GOOD LUCK! 🙂
hi Atins
hope u hv achieved ur target score. i m giving my gre on 13th oct
till now i hv prepared a remarkable vocab. what would u prefer me doing for this almost one month left
i m also pursuing my job so it becomes tough for me to manage time
al the best for ur future
hey priyank!
you know its a big boon for you that you are almost done with vocab building part. i would advise you to get into reading more and more so that you get to know the correct usage of words and different connotations of the words… that would assist you immensely in sentence completion
Good Luck fella!
hi Atins,
hope u hv achieved ur target score.
i m giving my gre on 13 oct . tilll now i hv done a remarkable vocab
now what should i prefer doing with this almost one month left.
i m pursuing my job also so it becomes tough for me to mange time
all the best for your future
thaknx HSB chum!!!!
1st of all congratulation for your great score.
I am going to give GRE on 29th sept. and my weakness is RC…..can you please tell me how to prepare for RC?
hello!
try reading some books and newspapers… try http://www.coadcoax.com
Awesome score. Thanks for the tips.
1.Could please give me more info on how you practiced RC passages and which material did you use ?
2.How many words did you mug and which wordlist did you use?
3.Any tips on AWA?
1. as i told you earlier as well, i didnt have much time for practice. for RC you must read more read more and read more! 🙂 you may try http://www.coadcoax.com
2. i read that barrons master word list that has approx. 3500 words. That is a MUST i guess, until and unless you have a very good vocabulary. the high frequency word list is very important to do.
3. for AWA try the topics given on POWERPREP. the topic i got was on similar lines. . practice typing well and do focus on what the question is actually asking you before you run out and start hitting the keys!
good luck!