GRE Playbook

BenchPrep’s

GRE Playbook 2014The one-stop resource for everything GRE.

Dear Student,

This Playbook is a compilation of some of the best BenchPrep

material and blog posts on the GRE. Combined with useful infor-

mation about the content of the GRE, we’ve provided advice about

how it might be smart to tackle your GRE study program and grad

school application process. We’re pleased to offer it to you for free

online and also as a downloadable PDF file.

The Playbook includes:

∞ Basic information, statistics, and advice about the Revised

General GRE and Grad School Admissions.

∞ Information about the Sections of the GRE: explanations

of the Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing sections,

and of each question type on each section.

∞ Test Prep Tips and Strategies

∞ Reviews of Test Prep Material and Online Courses.

Feel free to print this Playbook out, give it to friends and teachers,

and use it in any way that’s helpful for your study plan. As with any

Playbook, it’s up to you to call the shots, but we’re here to try to

coach you as best we can. We hope you like it!

As always, if you have questions, comments, or suggestions about

this Playbook, feel free to reach out 24/7 at 855-BENCHPREP

(855-236-2477) or email us at [email protected].

Happy Studying!

The Team at BenchPrep

Welcome

mailto:support%40benchprep.com?subject=support%40benchprep.com

Table of Contents

Ch. 1: IntroductionIntroduction to BenchPrep’s GRE Test Prep

Program • BenchPrep Games, Flashcards,

Adaptive Nature and Other Features • How

BenchPrep Can Improve Your Score

Ch. 2: GRE 101Overview of the GRE • Why You Should Take

the GRE • What the GRE Measures • What

Programs Accept the GRE • Infographics

Comparing GMAT, MAT, and GRE • How the

GRE is Scored • What the “Adaptive” GRE

Means • What is a Good GRE Score?

Ch. 3: Taking the GREWhen Shoud You Take the GRE Infographic •

How to Register for the GRE • What’s the Dif-

ference Between the Paper-Based and Com-

puter-Based GRE? • About the GRE Subject

Tests • Should You Take the Subject Tests?

Ch. 4: Quantitative SectionGRE Quantitative Basics • Multiple Choice

Questions • Quantitative Comparison Ques-

tions • Numeric Entry Questions • 25 Things

to Know for the Quantitative Section • Quan-

titative Section General Strategies and Tips •

A Special Note on the Quantitative Section

Ch. 5: Verbal SectionGRE Verbal Basics • Sentence Equivalence

Questions • Reading Comprehension Ques-

tions • Text Completion Questions • A Special

Note about Vocabulary • 25 Things to Know

for the Verbal Section • Verbal Section Gen-

eral Strategies and Tips

Ch. 6: Analytical Writing SectionGRE Writing Basics • “Analyze an Issue” Task

• “Analyze an Argument” Task • Sample Essay

Prompts • 25 Tips for Analytical Writing • What

the GRE Graders are Looking For • How to Get a

6 • Writing Section General Strategies and Tips

Ch. 7: GRE Test DayHow to Manage Stress Before the GRE • Why

Staying Relaxed Will Help You Score Well on the

GRE • Things to Bring on GRE Test Day • The 10

GRE Commandments

Ch. 8: GRE ResourcesGRE Resources Overview • Online Self-Based

Learning • Group Classes and In-Person Tutor-

ing • Free ETS Resources • GRE Apps • Physical

GRE Books and Flashcards • GRE Prep Books •

GRE Prep Book Reviews and Recommendations

Ch. 9: After the GREUnderstanding Your GRE Score Report • How

Do Schools Look a Multiple GRE Scores

Ch. 10: ConclusionSpecial $50 Off BenchPrep Promo Code

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Chapter 1

Introduction

Introduction to BenchPrep’s GRE Test Prep Program

Games, Flashcards, BenchPrep’s Adaptive Nature, and Other Features

How BenchPrep Can Improve Your Score

BenchPrep | GRE Playbook 2014 | 5

Chapter 1 – Introduction

The BenchPrep GRE Prep Course

Online GRE prep courses have become especially popular in recent years, and

BenchPrep is the leading option. With BenchPrep, you can take your lessons any-

where you go with unlimited mobile access and the ability to sync your progress

across all devices.

The BenchPrep GRE Prep Course combines four first-class study courses into a one-

of-a-kind digital resource. These courses include GRE Prep by McGraw Hill, GRE

Prep by Nova, GRE Math Prep by Nova, and GRE Math Practice Questions by Allen

Prep. Together the BenchPrep course comprises seven full-length practice tests,

900+ lessons, and over 4,100 practice questions. The course contains detailed ex-

planations for answers, time-tested success strategies, and top-tier review material

for the GRE Revised General Test.

You can choose if you’d like to have access to just one of the courses (if, for exam-

ple, you want to focus on improving your Quantitative score) or you can purchase

access to all four of the courses. Either way, by using BenchPrep you’ll be ready to

study anytime, anywhere with 24/7 access. Your material will be all in one place,

available on all of your devices.

With BenchPrep, you’ll have multiple courses from the world’s best publishers, and

customized study plans to track your progress and find your strengths and weak-

nesses. Learn more at www.benchprep.com/gre

http://www.benchprep.com/gre



Available Study Units

There are four courses available from first-rate education publishers when your sign

up for the BenchPrep GRE online study program.

1. GRE Prep by McGraw HillThis course includes excellent content for the revised General Test, including hun-

dreds of lessons and practice questions, provided by the reputable publishing com-

pany McGraw-Hill. Activate a study plan to keep yourself organized and receive

frequent reports and analysis of your progress. This course includes:

∞ 317 Lessons

∞ 105 Practice Questions

∞ 6 Full-length Exams & 4 Quizzes

∞ 470 Flashcards, including vocabulary flashcards

2. GRE Prep by NovaThis online GRE Prep Course covers every topic tested on the updated version of the

Revised General Test, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Ana-

lytical Writing. Upon completing this course, you will be ready to tackle your transi-

tion to graduate or business school. Access course material across devices, activate a

study plan, and receive frequent reports and analysis regarding your course progress.

∞ 120 Lessons


∞ 23 Quizzes

∞ 4364 Flashcards, including vocabulary flashcards

3. GRE Math Prep by NovaThis online GRE Math prep course by Nova presents a comprehensive review of each

math topic tested on the GRE. Featuring hundreds of lessons and practice questions,

you’ll be ready to achieve your desired score on the GRE Math section. Enjoy a per-

sonalized study plan to keep yourself organized, and receive detailed reports and

analysis every step of the way. Access your personalized course information any-

where, anytime.



∞ 108 Lessons


∞ 7 Quizzes

4. GRE Math Practice Questions by Allen PrepAllen Prep’s online GRE Math Prep course offers over a thousand practice questions

to help you ace the Quantitative Reasoning section. Get a handle on the basic math

skills and elementary concepts you’ll need to know before the test, and enhance

your ability to reason quantitatively and to solve problems with proper quantitative

methods. Activate a study plan to keep yourself organized, receive frequent reports

and analysis on your progress, and access course information from any capable device.




The BenchPrep GRE Course is Smart and Adaptive

At BenchPrep, we think test preparation technology should move off the page and

into the 21st Century! Because we are an online service, we are able to collect and

analyze millions of data points every week to identify techniques and learning pat-

terns that can help you get a better score. We use these learnings to create a person-

alized study plan that lays out step-by-step weekly tasks for you. The plan adapts to

your schedule and goals and will tell you exactly what to do next. Unlike most cook-

ie-cutter, one-size-fits-all programs, we personalize the entire course around you!

Select a date, and BenchPrep will figure out what you need to do.

After you select a date, BenchPrep’s algorithm will calculate what the important con-

cepts you need to learn before your test date. Whether you have one month or one

year to prepare for the GRE, BenchPrep can adapt to suit your needs.



The BenchPrep GRE Course Makes Learning Fun

At BenchPrep, we also know that studying for a test can get boring at times. That’s

why we created a full-scale game center packed with fun, addictive games built on a

foundation of spaced-repetition strategies that help you learn things like vocab fast-

er and enhance memory retention. We make sure your hard work doesn’t go unre-

warded either. That’s why we’ve added leaderboards to show you how your scores

compare against your peers.

The BenchPrep GRE Course Gives You Unrivalled Data about Your Progress

When you work your way through the GRE Course, BenchPrep will automatically

compile information about your performance. For example, after taking of the GRE

Practice Tests, you can see data about:

∞ how you performed on each question,

∞ how you performed each question type,

∞ the time spent on each question,



∞ the time spent on each question type,

∞ your estimated percentile rankings,

∞ your progress across tests, and

∞ solutions and detailed explanations for every question.

You can use this data to find areas where it’s most smart to focus your effort in or-

der to boost your score with minimal effort. We make sure your hard work doesn’t

go unrewarded. We’ve added leaderboards to show you how your scores compare

against your peers, and achievements to acknowledge your skill and progress as you

work through your test.

At BenchPrep, we think test prep

should move off the page and into the

21st Century!



Even More Features

Connections

Instantly jump to related

lessons while reviewing solu-

tions to practice questions so

that you can understand the

concept better.

Discussions

Start a conversation with

thousands of other students

studying for the same test and

are ready to help.

Ask-an-expert

Ask any question to our army

of experts and expect a de-

tailed answer within 24 hours.

Rest assured that help is

always just a click away.

Confidence Levels

Personalize the course by

marking lessons and questions

with confidence levels so that

you can focus on parts that re-

quire most attention.

Notes & Bookmarks

Create bookmarks and write

custom notes to remind yourself

of tips, questions, or concepts

that you want to revisit later.

How BenchPrep’s Subscription Can Improve Your Score

At BenchPrep we firmly believe in listening to you, the student, when we make

changes to our platform. And, we listen in different ways. Sometimes we get written

and verbal feedback and other times we dig into data to better understand what you

like and what you don’t. Data not only helps students and educators gain insight into

performance, it also guides us in making decisions that will make studying easier,

more efficient and more productive for you.



Last year, we introduced a subscription model. With this new model, a student can

access all courses related to a test in our library and pay a monthly or yearly fee,

rather than having to purchase them one at a time. We wanted students to explore

more courses and do more without worrying about paying every time they wanted

to try a course.

We have found that with this new

model, students enroll in more

courses and scores improve by

over 20%.

We measured score improvement

by comparing performance on

test of students who finished more

than 60% of a course vs students

who finished less that 20%.

With more engagement and en-

rollment in courses, BenchPrep

subscription users have the

highest score improvement at

20.5%. This is by far the most ex-

citing finding for us of offering the

new subscription model. So sign

up now!

Chapter 2

GRE 101

Overview of the GRE

Why You Should Take the GRE What the GRE Measures

What Programs Accept the GRE

Infographics Comparing GMAT, MAT, and GRE

How the GRE is Scored

What the “Adaptive” GRE Means

What is a Good GRE Score?


Chapter 2 – GRE 101

What is the GRE?

SummaryThe Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is required by most institu-

tions and programs granting Master or Doctorate degrees. Not surprisingly, the most

competitive programs generally have higher score requirements. Some programs

also require Subject Tests, which are beyond the scope of this volume. You should

speak to the admissions department at the school to which you are applying to con-

firm whether you will need to take one or more of the subject tests.

The GRE does not measure your knowledge of business procedures or law, or any

specific content area. In addition, it does not measure your value as a person, nor

does it predict your success in life. However, the GRE does a fairly good job of pre-

dicting how hard you will have to work to understand the material in your chosen

program. If you prepare for this test seriously now, you’ll sharpen your comprehen-

sion, math, and reasoning skills, and be able to focus on the relevant information in

your course work much more easily once you start graduate school.

FormatThe GRE General Test is a computer-based (or, in some locations, paper-based) test

that includes five scored sections: one Analytical Writing section (with two scored

writing tasks), two Quantitative sections, and two Verbal sections. Your test will also

include an experimental section, called the “pretest” section, which is mixed in with

the other sections of the test and appears as either a Verbal or a Quantitative sec-

tion. There might also be a “research” section, which will always be the final section

presented if you have one included in your test. The answers on the pretest and

research sections will not count toward your GRE score. The questions are meant to

help the test writers at Educational Testing Service (ETS) refine their methods and try

out new material that may be included in future GRE tests. The pretest is not identi-

fied and will seem like just another test section as you work through it. The research

section, if you have one on your test, will be identified as such.

The GRE always begins with the two Analytical Writing tasks: the Issue Task and the

Argument Task. For both tasks, if you are taking the computer-based GRE, you will



write your response using the word processor that is built into the GRE software.

The Verbal and Quantitative Sections may appear in any order on your test. When

working on these sections, you may skip around, first answering questions that you

find less challenging, then coming back to the more difficult questions. Once you

have completed a section, you may not go back to it. You are allowed a total of 3

hours and 45 minutes for the computer-based GRE, including the unscored section,

and a total of 4 hours and 5 minutes for the paper-based GRE, including the un-

scored section.

Why Should I Take the GRE?

“Why am I here?” Big question! You’re likely here because you’re interested in taking

the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) to get into Graduate School . . . woo hoo!

The GRE is a standardized test required for admissions to over 60% of the graduate

schools in the US, and there’s really only two reasons why anyone would take the GRE:

Reason #1 : You know you want to pursue a Graduate Degree, and it’s a require-ment for admission.

You’ve got this bold vision of yourself heading back to Grad School to study

X, Y, or Z. Great! It’s a smart move: on average, advanced degree-holders

earn higher salaries. Masters degree-holders make 22% more than workers

with only a Bachelor degree. And workers with Doctorate degrees make a

whopping 52% more than Bachelor degree holders.

If you’re trying to go to Grad School programs that aren’t medical school or

law school, then it’s likely that you’ll have to take the GRE for admission. So,

if you’re planning on the Grad School route, then the GRE should be on your

to-do list.

Reason #2: You might want to pursue a Graduate Degree in the future, so it’s a smart move to get it out of the way.



Unlike other standardized tests where you need to know specialized content

which you might only learn in the later years of college, you already learned

most of the content on the GRE in high school (hopefully!). So, if you’re in

college now, there’s no real advantage to waiting to take the GRE later. If you

think Grad School might be in your medium-term future, it might be a smart

move to go ahead and take the GRE, because the scores are valid for 5 years

after you take the test. In fact, studies have even shown that performance on

the GRE decreases as you get older.

Taking the GRE when you’re already in in academic-mode, when high-school

math and ACT and SAT preparation is still fresh, might be a smart strategy to

get your best score and to hedge your bets about your future. This is espe-

cially true because in 2012 the GRE introduced the ScoreSelect option, which

means that even if you don’t do as well as you hoped the first time around,

you have the option to take the GRE again, and only report only your best

test results. With this new option, there’s no real risk in taking the GRE early.

Either way, the decision you make about going to Graduate School is a tough one

and ultimately a personal choice. While there are plenty of unknowns, taking the GRE

early can only help your odds of succeeding in your personal and professional goals.

What Does the GRE Measure?

According to ETS, the organization which designs and administers the GRE, the GRE

“General Test features question types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you’ll do

— and the skills you need to succeed — in today’s demanding graduate and business

school programs.”

That ETS-lingo sounds so intimidating! But it shouldn’t be. The GRE boils down three

pretty simple concepts: it tries to test how well you can (1) read, (2) do math, and

(3) write.



The three sections of the the GRE—Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing—try to

measure just this. In the list below, I’ll look some of the main things that ETS claims

the GRE measures, along with a much simpler translation of what you need to know

for the test.

#1 The ability to “analyze and draw conclusions from discourse”

Translation = can you read and understand arguments in text?

In the Verbal Section, the GRE features a number of multiple-choice ques-

tions following a short passage that makes some sort of argument. The ques-

tions ask you to identify the overall logical flow of the passage.

#2 The ability to “understand the meanings of words, sentences and entire texts”

Translation = how good is your vocabulary?

The GRE has variety of fill-in-the-blank questions (sometimes called “Text

Completion” questions) asking you to identify the correct words to use in a

given sentence or short passage. “Sentence Equivalence” questions are simi-

lar: they basically ask you to identify synonyms.

#3 The ability to “interpret and analyze quantitative information”

Translation = can you understand charts and graphs?

In the Quantitative Section, you’ll be presented with various forms of quanti-

tative information, including graphs, charts, shapes, and tables. You will need

to know how to analyze this information quickly and effectively to get to the

right answer.

#4 The ability to “solve problems using mathematical models”

Translation = can you apply formulas correctly?

Distance = rate * time. Remember?! Many questions in the Quantitative Sec-

tion will ask you to apply a mathematical formula to get a correct answer.



#5 The ability to “apply basic mathematical skills and elementary mathematical

concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation”

Translation = can you do high school math?

Throughout the Quantitative Section, you’ll face questions where a basic

understanding of high school math properties will apply. Oh yes, dear reader,

PEMDAS is back.

#6 The ability to “support ideas with relevant reasons and examples”

Translation = can you write and analyze a logical argument?

The final part of the GRE is the Analytical Writing Section. The Writing section

will ask you to write two essays, one on an Issue and one on an Argument.

While these tasks are slightly different, both will ask you to present an orderly

response to an essay prompt.

#7 The ability to “control the elements of standard written English”

Translation= can you write well?

Where “well” is pretty broad: how well-chosen are your words? Do you vary

your sentence structure? Do you use transitions to usher the reader along your

argument? All of this matters to score well in the Analytical Writing Section.

The GRE is a general test: it tries to get a lot of information about your intellectual

horsepower in a mere three hours. And so, it covers a lot of ground. Or course, the

GRE has its flaws, but by understanding what the GRE tries to measure, you can bet-

ter prepare yourself to get the score you want.

What Types of Programs Accept the GRE?

There is a huge variety of Graduate Programs out there, just waiting for eager stu-

dents like yourself to apply! Taking the GRE opens you up to a truly inspiring list of

different opportunities for professional and personal development. It’s likely that

there’s some program out there tailored just right for your interests and personality.

In particular, the GRE can prepare you for a number of different programs:



#1 Master of Arts Programs (MA)

Name a Master or Arts Program, and it’s likely that the GRE is the required

standardized test. Master of Arts in History? GRE. Master of Arts in Interna-

tional Development? GRE. For MA programs, it’s likely that the admission of-

ficers reviewing your application will look at your performance on the Verbal

and Analytical Writing requirements with more scrutiny than your score on

the Quantitative section.

#2 Master of Science Programs (MS)

Most Master of Science Programs also require the GRE. Masters of Science

in Nursing (MSN)? GRE. Master of Science in Information Technology? GRE.

It’s more likely that a Master of Science program will weigh more heavily the

Quantitative Section of the test, though it’s always wise to check with the

program you’ll be applying to.

#3 Master of Business Administration Programs (MBA)

Most MBA Programs will accept both the GRE and the GMAT for admissions,

though some MBA programs prefer that you take the GMAT. For more infor-

mation on the distinction between the GMAT and the GRE, check out our

handy GMAT-GRE infographic in this chapter.

#4 Other Masters Programs and Joint Masters Programs

Yep, you guessed it. Even Masters Programs which aren’t strictly an MA or MS

program accept the GRE. For example, the MPA or MPP (Master of Public Af-

fairs or Public Policy) both accept the GRE. So does a Masters in Architecture.

Joint masters programs, like an MPA/MBA, also accept the GRE.

#5 Doctorate Programs (PhD)

If getting that “Dr.” in front of your name is in the works, then the GRE will

likely be too. Most PhD Programs require the GRE.

#6 Graduate Certificates and other Grad School Programs

There really are just a multitude of Graduate Programs offered nowadays,

including distance-learning courses, Graduate Certificates, and other online

options. Some Certificate programs will require that you have taken the GRE,

as do Grad School Programs that we haven’t even heard of yet!



#7 Job Opportunities!

Even if you don’t end up going to Grad School, many employers, like con-

sulting firms and investment banks, will ask for your standardized test scores.

Having a knock-out score can only help you land that big-time job.

As you can see, if you take the GRE, it opens the door to a huge number of oppor-

tunities. By understanding your options and how the GRE can help you reach those

goals, the next step is to start improving your chances at acing that GRE test!

Comparing the GRE to the GMAT and MAT

When applying to Grad school you’re force-fed large spoonfuls of alphabet soup:

LSAT, MCAT, General GRE, GRE Subject Tests, GMAT, MAT . . .

We know, we know! Information overload! It’s okay; here at BenchPrep we’ve drawn

up some handy infographsics to help you understand the differences between: (1)

the GRE and the GMAT, and (2) the GRE and the MAT.

GMATGMAT GREGREvs

Which test is right for you?Which test is right for you?

All MBAPrograms

Over +1000 MBAPrograms

Grad SchoolPrograms

business schoolbusiness school Show business schools that you

are serious about getting an MBA

GRAD School& MBA

GRAD School& MBA

Investment banks and recruiters review scores for employment

Generally easier for most students than the GMAT

Time Section30 min.

30 min.

75 min.

75 min.

Analytical + 1 essay

Integrated Reasoning

Quantitative

Verbal

Time Section30 min. × 2

30 min. × 2

35 min. × 2

30 min.

Analytical Writing

Verbal

Quantitative

Experimental (math or verbal)

$250$250 $185$185

0 . =

+

-

×÷±c

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

! Excruciatingly di�cult math

! More emphasis on grammar ! Greater emphasis on writing

! Harder verbal and vocabulary

It is common to spend hundreds of hours preparing

The grading curve is easier

EconomicsPrograms

Computer adaptive tests

Scores are both valid for yrs

www.800score.com/gmat-and-gre.htmlwww.princetonreview.com/gmatvsgre.aspxwww.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/mba/programs/ http://benchprep.com

GMATGRE

If you are applying to MBA and/or graduate school programs.

3 HRS.45 MIN.3 HRS.45 MIN.

3 HRS.30 MIN.3 HRS.

30 MIN.

MATMATGREGRE vs

Which test is right for you?Which test is right for you?

Over +1000 MBAPrograms

Grad SchoolPrograms

Grad SchoolPrograms

If you are applying to MBA and/or graduate school programs

Time Section30 min. × 2

30 min. × 2

35 min. × 2

30 min.

Analytical Writing

Verbal

Quantitative

Experimental (math or verbal)

or

http://psychcorp.pearsonassessments.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/site/Community/PostSecondary/Products/MAThttp://www.ets.org/gre

http://benchprep.com

5yrs

scorevalid

1yr

scorevalid

Can be taken anywhere and anytime of year

120 questions100 will count towards your score

20 experimental items

You won't know which are experimental.

?!

MAT ONLY has one question type - analogies. The test has a broad range. !

There are math, verbal, AND essay sections to study for.

avg 400

600200130

Verbal Quantitative

Writing

170 130 170 0 6

If your program accepts it and if you are weaker in math and strong

in reading comprehension

0 . =

+

-

×÷±c

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

1 hr1 hr3 HRS.45 MIN.3 HRS.45 MIN.



How is the GRE Scored?

When you take the GRE, you’ll get three scores reported back to you: (1) your Verbal

Reasoning score; (2) your Quantitative Reasoning Score; and (3) your Analytical Writ-

ing score.

The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are based on the number

of correct responses you answer, called the “raw score”. As you may remember, all

questions on the GRE are equally weighted within sections. However, the GRE is

section-adaptive, meaning that the second Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning section

you see may be more difficult than the first, and may be more difficult than another

test-taker’s second section.

To adjust for these differences, ETS converts the raw score into a “scaled” score

using a process called “equating”. This process attempts to ensure that no matter the

difficulty of your specific test or sections you saw, the same scaled scores should

identify the same performances across time and place.

Scaled scores on the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Sections range from 130-

170, graded in 1-point increments. The statistics listed below are based on the re-

vised GRE general test taken by 417,000 students between August 1, 2011 and April

30, 2012.

For the Verbal Section, the worldwide average score is 150.8. A score of

159.3 places you in the 80th percentile, while a score of 167.8 places you in

the 97th or 98th percentile.

For the Quantitative Section, the worldwide average score is 151.3. A score

of 160 corresponds to the 81st percentile, while a score of 168.7 places you

in the 97th or 98th percentile.

The Analytical Writing Section is scored differently, on a scale from 0-6, in

half-point intervals. These essays are first graded by humans, who assess the

essays on overall quality. The essay score is then reviewed by a computer-

ized program to monitor the human reader. If there is a discrepancy between



the two grades, then a second human reader will be brought in, and the final

score will be an average of the two human readers. Then, the scores on the

two essays are averaged, and a single score is reported.

What Does it Mean that the GRE is Adaptive?

“Adaptive” testing means that the content of the test changes based on how well you

performed in previous sections. The computer-based GRE has always been adaptive,

but the current Revised GRE (introduced in 2011) is adaptive in a different way from

the “Old” computer-based GRE . Here’s a primer on the distinction.

#1 The old GRE was “question adaptive”.

The pre-2011 GRE had only one Verbal section and one Quantitative section.

This “old” GRE changed its questions within these sections based on how

well you did on previous questions. So, if you got previous questions incor-

rect, then the test would adapt to present you relatively easier questions. If

you got previous questions correct, then the test would adapt to present you

relatively more difficult questions.

#2 The new GRE is “section adaptive”.

Since there are now two sections on the Verbal section and two sections

on the Quantitative section, the Revised GRE no longer adjusts its questions

based on your performance within a section. Rather, the GRE only adjusts

difficult between sections. So, your second graded Quantitative or Verbal

section (Remember: there will be one experimental section, and you won’t

know which section that is.) could be more or less difficult than your first

section, depending on how well you do.

#3 Within sections, questions are of random difficulty.

It’s important to note that within each section, the questions are of random

difficulty, regardless of the overall level of difficulty of the section. So on both

the first and second sections of the test, the first question is no more likely to

be easy or difficult than the last question. This is important to consider when

thinking about test-taking strategies.



#4 “Adaptive” tests are supposed to measure performance better.

The reason ETS, the organization which designs and administers the GRE,

uses adaptive testing is because it better allows the test-makers pinpoint

how well you do on the GRE, by getting to questions which suit your apti-

tude quicker. So, if you do well on the Quantitative sections, for example, the

adaptive GRE can get to more difficult questions which can better determine

how well you do compared with other test-takers of similar aptitude.

#5 What this means for the test-taker.

What does this mean for you in practice? Not too much. One things to con-

sider is that because the content of the second section depends on how

well you do on the first section, then you may want to be careful to do well

on the first section. While each question is still weighted the same within

sections, it could be the case that your second Verbal or Quantitative sec-

tion might be more difficult (or easier) than the first. That’s it. Either way, you

should try to do your best and answer every question.

As computers tend to be used more and more in the classroom, it’s likely that “adap-

tive” testing technology will be used increasingly more in the future. For the test-tak-

er, it doesn’t make too much difference, but it’s helpful to be aware of how the tech-

nology works for each test.

What is a Good GRE Score?

A lot of students ask us – “What is a good GRE score?”. Taking a quick look at the

statistics informs our perspective on the GRE score and what you should aim for.

The statistics are based on the revised GRE general test taken by 417,000 students

between August 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012.

Quantitative worldwide average as provided by ETS. ∞ 151.3, with standard deviation 8.7

∞ 160 is one standard deviation above mean/average, corresponds to the 81st

percentile



∞ 168.7 is 2 standard deviations above average, corresponds to the 97th or

98th percentile

Verbal worldwide average as provided by ETS. ∞ 150.8, with standard deviation 8.5

∞ 159.3 is 1 standard deviation above average, corresponds to approximately

the 80th percentile

∞ 167.8 is 2 standard deviations above average, corresponds to the 97th or

98th percentile.

Worldwide Averages By Field of Study as provided by ETS:

Analysis

As you can see, anything at least one standard deviation above the average is a solid

score, and anything at least two standard deviations above the average is an excep-

tional score. Also note that students pursuing graduate degrees in Physical sciences

and Engineering might look more favorable with a higher Quantitative Score than a

Verbal score as shown by the results. A score that is one or two standard deviation

above the average could be considered a good score, depending on your own indi-

Intended Grraduate Major

Verbal Score

(Mean)

Verbal(sd)

Quantitative Score

(Mean)

Quantitative(sd)

Analytical Writing (Mean)

Analytical Writing

(sd)

Life Sciences 151 7 151 7 3.8 0.7

Physical Sciences 153 9 158 7 3.8 0.8

Engineering 150 9 159 6 3.6 0.8

Social Sciences 153 7 150 8 4.0 0.7

Humanities & Arts 157 7 149 7 4.2 0.8

Education 157 7 149 7 4.2 0.8

Business 150 7 152 8 3.7 0.8



vidual situation. In fact, some schools simply recommend a GRE score that’s “above

the average.”

But how do you interpret all of this in terms of your own personal circumstances?

Let’s look at the Yale School of Forestry to help put things in context. The school’s

“2012 Incoming Student Profile.” states that accepted applicants had an “average of

2-4 years of professional experience prior to enrollment.” This tells us that profes-

sional “real world” experience seems to be a factor taken into account during the

admissions process. We can probably generalize a bit. If you have a great deal of

professional, real world experience, it may very well offset a GRE score lower than

the average accepted by a program.

On the other hand, if you have an exceptionally high GRE score, it could help to

compensate for a lack of professional experience; say, if you’re looking to go straight

from finishing a bachelor’s degree straight into tackling a master’s degree.

Of course, we have to remember we’re generalizing. It’s possible that some schools/

programs expect or require a combination of extensive professional experience AND

high GRE scores. Always get your information “straight from the horse’s mouth” by

referring to the information provided by the school/program you wish to apply to.

That being said, it’s still pretty safe to say that, generally speaking, schools/programs

consider lots of other things besides your GRE scores when making admissions de-

cisions. Professional experience, recommendation letters, academic record, co-cur-

ricular activities, community involvement, leadership achievements, publications,

portfolios, personal interviews: these are all ways in which you can put your best

qualities and qualifications on display to help you impress those making the admis-

sion decision that you are a candidate worth pursuing.

It really all comes down to your own unique set of circumstances. To find out what

is a good GRE score, first determine the minimum GRE requirements of the schools

you’re interested in. Search and you will find: you may even find that your target

school/program doesn’t require a GRE score, or even if it does, does not specify a

minimum GRE score to be considered for admission.



Keep in mind, however, that even if you don’t have to achieve a minimum score, that

doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set a target score and strive hard to reach it. To help

determine your target score when no minimum score is given, check to see if the

school provides information on average GRE scores of successful applicants, as well

as other information that paints a profile of the qualifications/backgrounds of suc-

cessful applicants. That information will help you to determine your target “Good

GRE Score”, and also help you to determine what you need to do to make your over-

all application as solid and well-rounded as possible--something that will stand out

from the crowd.

Of course, the higher your GRE score is, the better it will make the rest of your ap-

plication look, so set goals and pay attention to details when prepping for GRE and

when preparing your other application components.

The GRE boils down three pretty simple concepts: it tries to test how well you can (1) read, (2) do math,

and (3) write”

Chapter 3

Taking the GRE

When Shoud You Take the GRE Infographic

How to Register for the GRE

What’s the Difference Between the Paper-Based and Computer-Based GRE?

About the GRE Subject Tests

Should You Take the Subject Tests?


Chapter 3 – Taking the GRE

When Should I Take the GRE?

Whether you’re a college student or college graduate, you should try to take the GRE

so that it makes sense for your schedule. When thinking about when you should take

the GRE, it’s smart to take the following factors into consideration.

#1 Application deadlines.

First and foremost, you certainly will want to check the application deadlines

for the Universities and programs you plan to apply to: this is why you’re

studying for this thing after all! Many American Masters and PhD programs

with start dates in the Fall have deadlines for application some time from

January-March. Other programs have rolling admissions deadlines. Either

way, it’s generally best to submit your application early to have the best

chances of getting accepted.

You’ll definitely want to make sure your schools have your GRE scores in time

to consider your application, which brings us to point #2.

#2 Test processing times.

Because the Writing Section is now part of the GRE, you will not receive

your results immediately after the test, though you will receive your unoffi-

cial scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Your official scores will

be available approximately 10-15 days after your test, and are sent out to

schools you specified then. Some schools may not actually need your GRE

scores exactly on the application deadline, but this is something you’d defi-

nitely want to check with your individual program.

#3 Your schedule.

If you’re in college, your Senior year is going to be chock-full of work or fun

or both, and so it may be best to try to get the GRE out of the way during

your Junior year, or in the summer or early fall, when you’ll be stress-free and

best able to focus. If you’re out of college and working, then you’ll want to

schedule the GRE so that you’ll have time to prepare and be calm :)



#4 Your confidence in achieving the score you want.

If you aren’t sure if you’ll achieve the score you want on your first try, then

you may want to schedule the GRE so that you can take it again if you score

poorly. You can take the GRE revised General Test once every 21 days, up

to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. With the new

ScoreSelect option (we’ll explain that later), you can choose exactly what

scores you want to send to your grad school program.

Of course, the GRE is an expensive test, so you won’t want to take it more

times than you have to, but it might be a safe move to take it early anyway.

#5 Whether your college coursework will prepare you for the GRE.

Unlike other standardized tests where you need to know specialized content

which you might only learn in the later years of college, you already learned

most of the content on the GRE in high school (hopefully!). So, if you’re in

college now, there’s no real advantage to waiting to take the GRE later. Then

again, if you’re taking some coursework which might benefit you on the GRE

(like Algebra or Geometry classes), then it could be smart to learn from these

courses before you take the GRE. In fact, the ETS notes that statistically, per-

formance on the GRE tends to decline with age.

So, if you think Grad School might be in your medium-term future, it might

be a smart move to go ahead and take the GRE, because the scores are valid

for 5 years after you take the test.

#6 The most popular time to take the test is in October, November,

and December.

It’s possible to take the GRE on short notice, but keep in mind that many

people choose to take the GRE in the late fall to meet application deadlines,

so it may be harder to find a time slot you want during these months.

No matter what, if you want to perform your best on the GRE, it’s best not to put

it off to until the last minute. Of course, everyone’s situation is different, so even if

you decided to apply to grad school late and must take the GRE in a hurry, then you

can make the best of it. Whenever you decide to take the GRE, BenchPrep has study

plans to suit your needs.

212121

When Should I Take The GRE?When Should I Take The GRE?

Sources

2013

Have you started studying?

Are you feelingready for the test?

Download the BenchPrep app

& start studying

Are you ready now?

YES NO

YES

NOTYET

AugustApril

2 2Take in

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June

4 4Take in

April

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6 6Take inJune

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October

8 8Take inAugust

Take inAugust

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ScienceLibrary & Information sciencesSocial SciencesHealthPublic A�airs

BenchPrepPresents

Facts to ConsiderFacts to Consider

When do you want toapply to graduate school?

http://ets.org/grehttp://gradschool.about.com/cs/aboutthegre/a/gre.htmhttp://www.igrad.com/articles/taking-the-grehttp://www.happyschoolsblog.com/average-revised-gre-scores-universities/

TOP GRADSCHOOL PROGRAMS

In August 2011, the GRE was updated

to a new format

PERFECT SCORE

TH

EGREyour score is good for five years

The GRE is3 hrs. 40 min.long

There are3 sections.

Verbal, Writing,& Quantitative

EVERYUPTO YEARDAYS

RETAKE THEYOU CAN

IN A

Receive your GRE results

10–15 days after you take the exam

185



How to Register for the GRE

All right, you’ve made the big decision: time to the take the GRE! Great, but now

what? Luckily, registering for the GRE is as easy as 1-2-3. Check out these easy steps

below to get some more information on the registration process.

#1 Go to the ETS website and create an account.

ETS is the organization that designs and administers the GRE. The first step

to registering for the GRE is to go to the ETS website and create an account

with your name, address, and email. After that, click on the “”Register for a

General Test” on the myGRE Home Page.

You can register via phone, mail, and fax. However, test takers with disabilities

or health-related needs who are requesting special accommodations may

not register online. You can also not register online if you’re applying for fee

reduction or stand-by testing.

#2 Select your testing date, time, and place.

You can register for the GRE way far in advance, and if you’re taking the test

during a busy testing time (October, November, and December, for example)

then it’s a smart move to register early, as many testing times will be filled.

As you select your testing location, you will be redirected to the Prometric

website to select a date, time, and place to take the GRE. This is what’s sup-

posed to happen: Prometric is the testing center company who will actually

administer the test. Make sure you select a location that is close to where you

live, and where you will feel comfortable taking the test.

Also, you should register for the GRE with a name that matches your Identi-

fication (drivers license, passport, etc.) exactly. You might not be allowed to

take the test if your name doesn’t match exactly.

#3 Pay, plan, and prepare.

As of July, 2013, the Revised General GRE costs $185. After paying this fee

and completing your registration, the final step is to plan and prepare! For



example, it would be smart to scout out the location ahead of time, because

some GRE testing locations are in places you wouldn’t really notice other-

wise. Plan to be at the testing center for about four and half hours, and know

what to take with you. There is a $50 fee to change your testing location or

your date, and these changes must be made four days in advance.

Finally, after registration, now is a great time to assess how much time you

have to prepare, and budget a sensible study plan. BenchPrep offers a num-

ber different study plans, depending on how much time you have.

What is the Difference between the Paper-Based and Computer-Based GRE?

Okay, you’re taking the GRE, but you see there’s both a computer-based test and a

paper-based test. What’s the difference, and which one should I take? I’ll break down

the differences into four main reasons, and provide a little more background info on

the test.

#1 The computer-based GRE is much, much more common.

Let’s start here: if you are located in the United States, you will take the

computer-based GRE. The paper-based test isn’t offered in the same places

where the computer-based test is offered. The paper-based test is offered

for the GRE subject tests, but that’s a different story. If you are located out-

side the US, there is a chance you may take the paper-based test, but it’s still

most likely that you will take the computer-based test. In 2012, ETS begin to

phase out the paper-based test, so it’s not really offered as much anymore.

The GRE is offered year-round as a computer-based test in most locations

around the world. Paper-based tests, on the other hand, are offered only up

to three times per year.

#2 The computer-based test is way more convenient.

With the computer-based test, you will get your unofficial Verbal Reasoning

and Quantitative Reasoning scores at the test center, but not your Analytical



Writing score. About 10-15 days after your your test date, your official scores

and your Analyztical Writing score will become available. With the paper-based

test, on the other hand, you won’t get your score back for SIX weeks!

#3 The computer-based test is “adpative”.

The computer-based GRE has always been adaptive, but the current Revised

GRE (introduced in 2011) is adaptive in a different way from the “Old” com-

puter-based GRE. The pre-2011 GRE changed its questions based on your

how well you did on previous questions. Since there are now two sections on

the Verbal section and two sections on the Quantitative section, the Revised

GRE no longer adjusts its questions based on your performance during a sec-

tion. Rather. the GRE only adjusts difficult between sections.

What does this mean for you in practice? Not too much. Each question is

still weighted the same within your section, but it could be the case that your

second Verbal or Quantitative section might be more difficult than the first,

and so a correct answer on a more difficult section might be “worth” more

than a correct answer on an easier section.

#4 The Computer-based test means you’ll have to prepare differently.It’s a different experience taking a standardized test on a computer: you can’t

scratch out answers or scribble all over a reading passage. So if you’ve never

taken a standardized test on a computer before, it’s wise to prepare a little

differently. Familiarize yourself with how the testing screen will look, and how

you answer a question. An online resource like BenchPrep is the perfect tool

to help you prepare for this new interface, making you comfortable as you

approach test day and maximizing your score.

Most likely, the computer-based exam will be the way you take the test. With this in

mind, it’s smart to take steps to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for test day.

Unlike other standardized tests

where you need to know specialized content which you might only learn in the later years of college, you

already learned most of the content on the GRE in high

school (hopefully!).”



About the GRE Subject Tests

The General GRE is to the GRE Subject Tests are much like SAT is to the SAT Subject

tests. Just as the SAT assess more general skills, and the SAT Subject Tests measure

more specific knowledge about a particular subject, the General GRE and the GRE

Subjects act in the same way. The GRE Subject are used by Grad Schools as a mea-

sure of how much you know about a specific field of study.

There are some key ways that the GRE Subject Tests differ from the General GRE, and

I’ll outline some of these differences below.

#1: The GRE Subject Tests are more specific.

The GRE Subject Tests are more specific than the GRE General Tests, and test

your knowledge in a specific field of study.

#2 There are 7 GRE Subject Tests.

There is only one General GRE (though of course there are different versions).

There are, in contrast, 7 GRE Subject Tests: Biochemistry, Cell , and Molecular

Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and

Psychology.

#3 GRE Subject Tests are paper-based.

It’s very likely that you will take the General GRE on a computer, while the

Subject Tests are only given in paper-based format.

#4 GRE Subject Tests are only offered three times per year.

The General GRE is offered year-round, but the GRE Subject Tests are only

offered three times per year: in September, October, and April.

#5 Not all Grad School Programs require GRE Subject Tests

Most Grad School Programs (that aren’t medical school or law school) require

the General GRE, but not all Grad Programs require the GRE Subject Tests.

#6 GRE Subject Tests are one section, of 2 hours and 50 minutes.

The structure of the GRE Subject Test depends on the specific test you need



to take. For example, the Biology GRE Subject test consists of 194 five-choice

questions. The test is split into three major content categories: cellular and

molecular biology, organismal biology and ecology and evolution. However,

each GRE Subject Test is 2 hours and 50 minutes of continuous examination.

#7 You get your scores back later.

With the General GRE Test, you get your unofficial scores immediately after

you take the test, and your official scores approximately 10-15 days after you

take the test. With the Subject Tests, you don’t get your scores back until one

month after you take the test.

You might have to take the GRE Subject Test to complement your application to

Grad School. Be sure to check the requirements for each school you’re planning on

applying to.

Should I Take the GRE Subject Tests?

Just as the SAT assess more general skills, and the SAT Subject Tests measure more

specific knowledge about a particular subject, the General GRE and the GRE Subjects

act in the same way. The GRE Subject are used by Grad Schools as a measure of how

much you know about a specific field of study.

If you are applying to a Grad School Program related to the topics of the seven GRE

Subject Tests, then there’s a chance you might have to take the GRE Subject Tests.

The seven GRE Subject Tests are:

∞ Biochemistry, Cell , and Molecular Biology,

∞ Biology,

∞ Chemistry,

∞ Literature in English,

∞ Mathematics,

∞ Physics, and

∞ Psychology



But just because there’s a GRE Subject Test in the area which is your intended field

of study doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to take that test: some Grad

School programs in areas where there are GRE Subject Tests don’t even require GRE

Subject Tests.

For example, if you Google for the list of Graduate Programs and Test Requirements

listed at the University of California, Berkeley, you’ll see that if you’re applying to get

PhD in Applied Mathematics, Astrophysics, Chemistry, English, Integrative Biology,

Mathematics, or Physics, then they recommend you take the Subject Test relating to

those areas. However, even if you’re applying for a PhD in Psychology, the Psycholo-

gy Subject Test is not required.

So, what does this mean for me: If the Subject Test is a requirement for admission,

then of course you must take it. But even where the Subject Test is not required, if

you have a strong background in a related subject to which your Graduate major

will be, then it might be a good idea to take a Subject Test to showcase this specific

knowledge and stand out from other applicants. Solid performance on a subject test

vividly demonstrates your competence and acumen in your subject area, and can

help you to present yourself as an applicant who stands out from the pack!

Chapter 4

Quantitative Section

GRE Quantitative Basics

Multiple Choice Questions

Quantitative Comparison Questions

Numeric Entry Questions

25 Things to Know for the Quantitative Section

Quantitative Section General Strategies and Tips

A Special Note on the Quantitative Section


Chapter 4 – Quantitative Section

GRE Quantitative Section

The GRE Quantitative section (the “math” section) is designed to test your ability to

reason mathematically, to understand basic math terminology, and to recall basic

mathematical formulas and principles. You should be able to solve problems and ap-

ply relevant mathematics concepts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data anal-

ysis. Keep in mind, though, that the GRE is primarily a critical thinking test, so your

ability to apply reason and logic to solving the quantitative questions is more import-

ant than your ability to recall mathematical formulas and principles.

The GRE Quantitative question types include:

∞ Two kinds of Multiple-choice questions, each with several answer choices

from which to choose,

∞ Quantitative Comparison questions, each with four possible answers (A−D),

and

∞ Numeric Entry questions, for which you must come up with an answer on

your own. Some of the Multiple-choice and Numeric Entry questions are part

of question sets based on the data in charts or graphs.

In this section, we will discuss the format of each question type and provide you with

specific strategies for successfully answering the GRE quantitative questions.

A. Quantitative- Multiple Choice QuestionsThe GRE includes two kinds of multiple-choice questions: (1) Multiple-choice— Se-

lect One Answer and (2) Multiple-choice—Select One or More Answers.

∞ Multiple-choice—Select One Answer questions each have five answer

choices. Your task is to select the one correct choice.

∞ Multiple-choice—Select One or More Answers questions can have fewer

than five answer choices or more than five answer choices. Your task is to se-

lect all the choices that answer the question correctly. The directions may tell

you how many choices to select. If you are told how many, you should select

exactly that number of choices.



Some GRE multiple-choice questions involve straightforward calculations, while others

require you to evaluate a word-problem in a real-life setting. Still others may be part of

question sets called Data Interpretation sets. All of the questions in a Data Interpreta-

tion set are based on the same data presented in tables, graphs, charts, or figures.

To solve GRE Multiple-choice questions, you typically will not be required to perform

complex calculations. However, you will be given scratch paper for whatever figuring

you wish to do, and you will also be provided with a calculator to assist you when

necessary. (In the computer-based test, the calculator will appear on screen.)

Example:

B. Quantitative ComparisonQuantitative Comparison questions ask you to compare two quantities and deter-

mine whether: (1) one is larger than the other, (2) the quantities are equal, or (3) there

is not enough information to determine a relationship between the two quantities.

Some questions include additional information that is centered above the two quan-

tities that concerns one or both of the quantities. Quantitative Comparison questions

generally require more logic skills than math skills.

Q. If 5x - 6 = 14, then 8x =

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

4

20

32

85

645

Q. The ratio of two quantities is 4 to 5. If each of the quantities is increased by 3, which of the following could be the fraction of theses two new quantities?

Indicate all answer choices that apply.

A.

B.

C.

78

2328

1113



You will be asked to select from answer choices A through D.

∞ If you decide that Quantity A is greater than Quantity B, select answer choice A.

∞ If you decide that Quantity B is greater than Quantity A, select answer choice B.

∞ If you decide that the quantities are equal, select answer choice C.

∞ If there is not enough information to determine a relationship between the

two quantities, select answer choice D.

It’s smart to memorize the order of these answer choices before the test, as they will

always be the same.

In each Quantitative section, the Quantitative Comparison questions always come

first. The other question types do not appear in any predetermined order, nor is there

any set number of each question type on every GRE General Test. The best way to

handle the Quantitative Comparison questions is to simply determine the value of

each quantity. It is often better to estimate values because you are really just trying

to decide if one value is greater than the other. After you have calculated the values,

you can easily determine the relationship, if one exists.

If one quantity is sometimes greater than or sometimes less than the other quanti-

ty, the relationship cannot be determined from the information, and so you should

select answer D.

Example:

This question gives you two quantities, Quantity A and Quantity B. Compare the two quan-tities and choose one of the following answer choices:

Q. A $25 CD was bought on sale for $17.50.

A.B.C.D.

if Quantity A is greater;if Quantity B is greater;if the two quantities are equal;if you cannot determine the relationship based on the given information.

Quantity A Quantity B

The difference between the original price and the price of the CD during the sale

75% of the original price



C. Numeric EntryQuestions of this type require you to enter your answer as an integer in a single an-

swer box or as a fraction in two separate answer boxes. You will use the computer

mouse and keyboard to make your entry.

Once you’ve calculated your answer, click on the answer box(es) to activate, then

type your answer. To erase, simply backspace. For a negative sign, type a hyphen,

and for a decimal point, type a period. You should apply the standard rules of round-

ing if the question asks for an approximate answer; otherwise, type in the exact an-

swer. It is not necessary to reduce fractions to their lowest terms.

Example:

Q. Solve the equation for x:2(x-3) + 9 = 4x - 7

x = ?



25 Things to Know: Quantitative

The Quantitative section of the GRE (the “math” section) doesn’t really have many

complicated math concepts. But there are a lot of concepts that you might have

learned in high school that are handy to catch up on.

Try to memorize as many of the math tricks below to make your GRE Quantitative

section a breeze!

12 3

45

6

3:4:5 Triangle is a “Pythagorean triple” with a

90° angle and sides lengths of 3:4:5 or 6:8:10 or

12:16:20 . . . you get the picture.

30°-60°-90° triangle has sides

of lengths of s - s√3 - 2s.

45°-90°-45° triangle has

sides of lengths s - s√2 - s.

(n-2 =180) = The sum of all

interior angles of any polygon

a²+b²=c² = the Pythagorean Theorem

1/2(base × height)

= area of a triangle



13 Πr³ = volume of a sphere

12 Πr² = area of a circle

11C=2Πr = circumference of a circle

8

109

7length × width = area of a rectangle

base×height = area of a parallelogram

1/2(base1 + base2) × height = area of a trapezoid

side² = area of a square



14

1617

18

19

15

length × width × height =

volume of a rectangular solid

(1/3)³ = (1³/3³) = 1/27

Distance between two points =

√[(X2-X1)²+(Y2-Y1)²]

Fraction tip: 1/y + 1/x = x + y /xy.

Example: 1/2 +1/3 = 2 +3 / 3 × 2 = 5/6

Simple interest = P[(1 + rt)/100], where P= Principal,

r=rate, and t=time. So the interest on $100 at 5% for

two years = 100[(1 + .05×2)/100] = $11

edge³ = Volume of a cube



2021

2223

2425

Compound interest = P[(1 + r/100n]^nt, where P= Princi-

pal, r=rate, n=number of periods, and t=time. So the com-

pound interest on $100 at 5% for two years, compounded

monthly = 100[(1 + .05/100×12]^12×2 = $110.49

Work rate formula = (1/time taken by

both) = (1/time taken by person A) +

(1/ time taken by person B)

Distance = rate × time

Order of operations =

PEMDAS = Parentheses, Exponents,

Multiplication, Division, Addition,

Subratction

Solving an inequality: when multiply-

ing both sides by a negative number,

always switch the direction of the in-

equality sign. So -2x > 6 yields x<-3.

Standard deviation: the greater the standard deviation, the

more spread out a set of values is. The small the standard

deviation, the more closely the values are to the mode.

On the Quantitative section, your ability to

apply reason and logic to solving the quantitative

questions is more import-ant than your ability to

recall mathematical for-mulas and principles.”



GRE Quantitative Strategies

General Math Strategies

The following strategies can be applied to all of the GRE math sections:

∞ Draw pictures on your scratch paper as necessary to help you figure out problems.

∞ Look for a way to reason through the problem. Use your on-screen calculator

only if you really need it.

∞ When reading word problems, translate them into mathematical equations.

(“Carrie has 3 more CDs than Amy” is equivalent to C = A + 3)

∞ Remember to estimate or “ball-park” answers when you can. It is often possible

to eliminate all but the correct answer choice without doing any actual math.

Multiple-Choice Questions

∞ Make sure that you understand what information is given and what question is

being asked. Paraphrase if necessary.

∞ Many questions will allow you to “reason” your way to find an answer by per-

forming only a few or even no calculations. Avoid lengthy and complicated

calculations when possible.

∞ Remember that some questions call for more than one correct answer. For

these questions, be sure to carefully analyze ALL of the answer choices. Don’t

just select the first correct answer you see and move on.

Data Analysis Questions

∞ Before answering each question, scan the given data.

∞ Many of the questions will allow you to approximate an answer by making a

visual comparison only. Avoid performing calculations when possible.

∞ Do not base your answer to any question on an assumption or any outside in-

formation. Use only the data given.

∞ You might be asked to select more than one correct answer, so pay close atten-

tion to the format of the question.



Quantitative Comparison Questions

∞ Many comparisons require estimation only. Avoid lengthy and complicated

calculations.

∞ Be sure to take into account any information given that applies to both

quantities.

∞ If one quantity is sometimes greater or sometimes less than the other quanti-

ty, then the relationship cannot be determined from the information (Answer

choice D means that no one can determine the answer, not just that you can’t

determine the answer.)

Numeric Entry Questions

∞ Read the question carefully and be sure to provide the type of answer

indicated.

∞ You will not have any answer choices to course you, so check your answer and

make sure it is logical based on the information provided in the question.

A Final Note on the Quantitative Section

The GRE Quantitative Section is pretty broad in scope: it tests you on your knowledge

of math that you learned in first grade all the way to high school algebra and geometry.

That’s a lot! And it’s way too much to even scratch the surface with this Playbook. By

searching around on the web, you can find information on all of the topics covered by

the GRE, but the resources will be shoddy and inconsistent.

By studying with an online course like the BenchPrep GRE Prep Course you can be

assured that you’ll cover all the important topics for the Quantitative Section, so that

you can get your highest score. BenchPrep’s GRE Course even has two units specially

designed for Math review: GRE Math Prep by Nova and GRE Math Practice Questions

by Allen Prep. These units present a comprehensive review of each math topic tested

on the GRE. Featuring hundreds of lessons and practice questions, you’ll be ready to

achieve your desired score on the GRE Math section.

The Quantitative Section is definitely a section where studying can improve your score!

Chapter 5

Verbal Section

GRE Verbal Basics

Sentence Equivalence Questions

Reading Comprehension Questions

Text Completion Questions

A Special Note about Vocabulary

25 Things to Know for the Verbal Section

Verbal Section General Strategies and Tips


Chapter 5 – Verbal Section

GRE Verbal

The GRE Verbal section is designed to measure the skills required to carefully read

and understand sentences and passages in standard written English, skills vital to

success in graduate school. A GRE Verbal section includes questions of the following

types: Sentence Equivalence, Reading Comprehension, and Text Completion. The

questions appear in random order.

This section provides you with useful strategies and techniques, an overview of the

question types, and a breakdown of the critical reading skills that will be tested. This

section also includes some sample practice questions.

Types of Questions

Sentence Equivalence The Sentence Equivalence questions on the GRE Verbal section are designed to

test vocabulary in context as well as your ability to understand relationships among

words and concepts. You should be able to answer many questions with only a gen-

eral knowledge of vocabulary; however, some challenging questions might require

you to make distinctions between more subtle meanings.

Questions in this section are composed of a sentence with one blank, followed by six

answer choices. You must select the two choices that, when independently inserted

in place of the blank, best fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole and produce

two completed sentences that are alike in meaning. In other words, the two answer

choices should be synonyms that perform equivalent roles in the sentence.

Because this section of the exam tests your ability to determine the relationship be-

tween words, both answer choices are equally important. There is no partial credit

given if only one word is chosen or if only one choice is correct.

In general, the words that appear in Sentence Equivalence questions are limited to

nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Answer choices will be either single words or short



phrases. Some of the answer choices might be very similar to one another. Your job

is to select the two best choices from among the six options. Keep in mind that a

complete sentence is clear and concise, conveys a logical meaning, and is uniform in

grammar and style.

Example:

Reading Comprehension QuestionsGRE Reading Comprehension questions are designed to measure your ability to read,

understand, and analyze a written passage. Correctly answering a question requires

you to recognize both what is stated and what is implied within the passage, and to

establish the relationships and ideas expressed in the passage.

The GRE includes a balance of reading passages across different subject matter areas,

such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each passage will be ap-

proximately 150 words in length and will be followed by one to three questions. You

should select the best possible answer, or combination of answers, for each question.

In the revised GRE, Reading Comprehension questions have three formats:

1. Multiple-choice Questions—Select One Answer Choice

Question Stem: It comes as no surprise that different cultures have certain behavioral norms; however, to an outsider, the specifics of these behaviors can often be .

Answer Choices:A.B.C.D.E.F.

explicitstartlingpredictableunexpectedderisiveadmirable



2. Multiple-choice Questions—Select One or More Answer Choices

3. Select-in-Passage Questions

While these variants add some complexity to the Reading Comprehension section,

you will use essentially the same strategies to tackle questions in all three formats.

Familiarity through practice will help you tremendously. Students who possess two

key skills—paraphrasing and skimming— usually earn the best scores on this section.

These skills, along with techniques on how to determine the main idea, read and an-

swer the questions, and use the process of elimination, are discussed in more detail

in the following sections.

Example:

Text Completion QuestionsThis question type includes a short passage, usually one or two sentences in length,

containing one, two, or three numbered blanks. The blanks indicate that something

has been omitted from the text. You are required to select words or phrases from

corresponding columns of choices to fill all the blanks in a way that best completes

the text.

For questions with one blank, you will be given five answer choices. Otherwise, you

will be given a choice of three answers per blank, each of which functions inde-

pendently. Selecting an answer choice for one blank does not affect your choice for

the second or third blanks. A correct answer must include one choice for each blank,

and you will not be given partial credit.

Q. The main purpose of the passage is to

A.B.C.

D.E.

explore biological and physiological similarities between humans and chimpanzees.examine the hunting behavior and diet of chimpanzees and compare them to human activity.discuss the health benefits of eating and hunting meat while simultaneously predicting the effect of this behaviors on chimpanzee offspring.

bring attention to the pioneerig research of Dr. Jane Goodall in Tanzania.educate the public on the impact that tool use had in early human societies.



Example:

A Special Note about Vocabulary

A special note about vocabulary is appropriate. While the GRE Verbal sections require

different analytical skills from the reader, a critical element in each of these questions

is vocabulary. The GRE and SAT have always been vocabulary intensive, and GRE

vocabulary on the revised GRE is no different. It may seem easier because the vocab-

ulary all appears in context, but learning lots of new vocabulary can still improve your

score significantly.

There are several resources to find the most often used GRE vocabulary words. An-

other strategy is to write down words you do not know while you are practicing for

the GRE and memorize those.

Unlike math skills, vocabulary skills are more difficult to increase in a short period of

time. You must start several weeks before the test and continuously learn new words

before the test.

Once a word is learned, continue to review with your new words. Vocabulary should

be a key element of your study plan throughout your preparation process.

Experts believe that humans have 10 trillion cells in their bodies that(i) any number of essential genetic elements; scientists often marvel at what incredible(ii) would ensure should the cells become jumbled or misunderstand their purpose.

Blank (i) Blank (ii)

A - govern D - order

B - organize E - method

C - disclocate F- chaos

The GRE Verbal section is designed to measure the skills required to carefully read and understand sentences and passages in standard written English, skills vital to success in graduate school.”



25 Things to Know: Verbal

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3

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Use roots, prefixes, and suffixes to determine

the meaning of words you don’t know.

Vocabulary is essential. When it comes to the GRE

Verbal section, that’s the bottom line. Be proactive:

look up words you don’t know!

On definition questions, guess quickly! Many questions re-

quire you to know the definition, and because it’s likely that you

can’t use much logic to get to a better answer, select one and

move on. You can always come back if you have time.

Find your personal reading passage strategy. If you read the

questions first, when you read the passages, you can focus on find-

ing the right answers most quickly. However, some students find

that reading the passage first helps them understand the argument

more generally first, before delving into the specific questions.

Pay special attention to the first and last sentences. They provide important clues to

the meaning of each passage.

Questions with Roman numeral answers are often confus-ing and difficult. They ask you choose one more more or to

find an exception. If you’re running low on time, mark down

a guess and move to the next question.



8

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7On Reading Comprehension, make sure your answer actually answers the question, and isn’t just a true statement.

On sentence completion questions, find connector words like “although” or “but” that

may change the meaning of the sentence.

Think about connotation. On sentence completion ques-

tions, ask if the required word needs to have a positive or

negative connotation. Many times you can eliminate answer

choices because the connotations don’t fit.

Read, read read! News magazines with

well-written articles will boost your vocab.

13 Keep on pace. On the GRE, every question is

worth the same, so keep trucking through those

questions and don’t get hung up on one or two.

With analogy questions, create a sentence in your head that

shows the relationship between the two words and then use

that sentence on each answer choice.

Think of an obvious opposite word in your head on Ant-onym questions first, before you look at the answers.



1617

18

19

On the sentence completion, fill in the easiest blank first. It doesn’t have to be the first blank.

When you have made your selection for each blank,

check to make sure the passage is coherent: logi-

cally, grammatically and stylistically.

Most often, answers on the Reading Comprehension

sections will not be negative answers, but rather be neu-

tral or positive.

Again: vocab, vocab, vocab! We’ve said it once al-

ready, but it’s the truth: improving your vocab is key to

improving your score on the Verbal section.

15 On sentence completion, don’t just look among the answer choices for two words that

mean the same thing. Remember, the goal is to

make the whole sentence mean the same thing

14 On reading comprehension, distinguish ideas that the author is advancing from those the author is only reporting.



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On Reading Comprehension, answer each question only on the basis of the information provided in the passage.

Try to distinguish main ideas from supporting ideas or evidence.

Remember that some Reading Comprehension and Sen-tence Equivalence questions ask you to select more than

one answer choice. Carefully consider ALL of the answer

choices before making your selections.

Paraphrase when you need to. Putting the question

and answer choices into your own words often makes

them easier to understand.

Consider slight variations in the

meaning of each word.

Start with the blank that seems the most simple to fill, and then work on

the others.



More GRE Verbal Strategies

Reading Comprehension

∞ Read the questions first and make a mental note when the questions refer to

specific lines, words, or boldfaced text. Do not try to memorize — just get an

idea of what you should be looking for.

∞ Read each passage for Topic, Scope, and Purpose. Then skim for structure.

Try to isolate one topic word or sentence for each paragraph. Don’t spend

precious time trying to “learn” details.

∞ Try to distinguish between details that are factual and details that are the

opinions of the author.

∞ Try to predict an answer before looking at the answer choices. If an answer

choice matches your predicted answer, it is most likely correct.

∞ Paraphrase when you need to. Putting the question and answer choices into

your own words often makes them easier to understand.

∞ Remember that some Reading Comprehension questions ask you to select

more than one answer choice. Carefully consider ALL of the answer choices

before making your selections.

Sentence Equivalence

∞ Remember that for Sentence Equivalence questions, you must select two

answer choices. Always consider ALL of the answer choices before you make

your selections.

∞ Use the Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes to figure out what hard words mean.

∞ Try to look for “clue” words and phrases in the sentence that might suggest a

contrast or comparison.

∞ Try filling in the blank with your own words before you look at the answer

choices. If you find answer choices that are similar to yours, they are most

likely correct.

∞ When you think that you have the correct answers, read the entire sentence

to yourself, using your choices in the blank. If it makes sense, then mark your

answers on the computer screen.

∞ Consider slight variations in the meaning of each word.



Text Completions

∞ Read through the text once to get an idea of context.

∞ Pay attention to “clue” words in the text, such as transition words, that will

help you to identify the structure of the text.

∞ Start with the blank that seems the most simple to fill, and then work on

the others.

∞ Once you’ve made your selections, check the text for logic and grammar.

Chapter 6

Analytical Writing Section

GRE Writing Basics

“Analyze an Issue” Task

“Analyze an Argument” Task

Sample Essay Prompts

25 Tips for Analytical Writing

What the GRE Graders are Looking For

How to Get a 6

Writing Section General Strategies and Tips


Chapter 6 – Analytical Writing Section

Analytical Writing Section

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE is purely a skills test. This means that you

are not tested on any knowledge whatsoever. Instead, you are given an opportunity

to demonstrate your ability to reason clearly and write coherently and concisely.

The GRE Writing Section is perhaps the hardest section to study for. As with writing in

general, there isn’t any magic formula for success. Nonetheless, some diligent study

and practice can improve your score dramatically. ETS says that the Writing Section

will measure how the test-taker can:

∞ articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively

∞ support ideas with relevant reasons and examples

∞ examine claims and accompanying evidence

∞ sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion

∞ control the elements of standard written English

There are two separate tasks within this section:

1. “Analyze an Issue” (which we’ll call the Issue Task)

2. “Analyze an Argument” (which we’ll call the Argument Task)

You are allowed 30 minutes for the Issue Task, and 30 minutes for the Argument

Task, including reading and prewriting. Note that the essays are generally weighted

equally by department admissions boards.

No specialized knowledge is required to complete either writing exercise. You are

not tested on what you might know about a particular subject. Instead, you are given

the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to reason clearly and write coherently

and concisely. Graduate schools are looking for logical reasoning, clarity, organiza-

tion, writing mechanics, and proper usage of the language.



In addition, how well you write is much more important than how much you write.

The GRE software provides more “space” than you will ever be able to use. You

should write enough to clearly support your position or analyze the given argument

within the allotted time.

It’s very important to note that the Argument Task has a very different purpose than

the Issue Task; you’re not being asked to write the same type of essay twice. If, after

practicing, you still have trouble separating the two in your mind, consider how they

might be used in graduate school. The Issue Task is similar to the writing you have

done and will continue to do in greater depth: to propose a thesis and defend it. The

Argument Task, however, reflects the processes used during research.

As an undergraduate, you have probably had most of your academic resources vet-

ted by your professors. As you will discover in graduate school, if you haven’t already,

not everything published is solid scholarship. Some theses are simply false. Others

are justifiable, but are poorly defended by their authors. You will have to be able to

evaluate published work and identify any logical flaws, if only to avoid introducing

the same mistakes into your own papers. The Argument Task measures your readi-

ness to perform this important part of academic research.

“Analyze an Issue” TaskThe purpose of the “Analyze an Issue” task is to form an argument or a position and

express it clearly. The writing prompt will make a claim, and the instructions will ask

for your response to address the degree to which you agree or disagree with the

claim, as well as to provide compelling support for your position.

There is no such thing as a “right” or “wrong” position to take on the GRE, and the

position you take should not influence your score. Your score will instead be based

on the quality of the evidence or support you provide, the soundness with which you

reason, and the clarity with which you express the position you have chosen. What

you say is less important than how you say it.

The best way to approach this writing task is to consider the issue carefully from

multiple points of view, and choose one that makes sense and for which you can



think of multiple sources of support. Then outline the main points of your position,

and write your response in the form of an introduction, body, and conclusion, mak-

ing sure your body contains at least three main supporting points.

“Analyze an Argument” TaskRather than constructing an argument for the position of your choice, for the “Ana-

lyze an Argument” task you are provided with a writing prompt that states a position

and provides a supporting argument, and your instructions are to analyze and eval-

uate the argument. You are expected to critically evaluate the logical soundness of

the reasoning the author uses to support his or her position as well as the strength of

the evidence given.

Note that you are not being asked to determine the truth or accuracy of the given

position, or to agree or disagree with it. What is instead being tested is your ability

to discern the structure of the argument and follow its line of reasoning. Your GRE

score is based on your ability to accurately understand, represent, and analyze the

argument you are presented with.

The best way to approach this GRE practice writing task is to read the position care-

fully, paying special attention to the author’s use of evidence. In addition to noticing

what is offered as evidence, you should also notice the author’s explicit and implicit

premises, as well as conclusions stated and implied. Write a brief outline for your re-

sponse, addressing the points in the order they are raised, and follow the instructions

in formulating your response, taking all of the points listed in your outline into account.

Sample Essay Prompts

“Issue” TaskIssues are carefully chosen so that they aren’t biased toward any one college ma-

jor or profession. However, luck is a bit of a factor on this section of the GRE. If you

happen to be presented with an issue that you know something about, you will

probably feel more comfortable writing about it. But, be careful to respond to the

issue presented. Don’t answer a question that wasn’t asked just because you happen



to know something about the subject matter. Finally, don’t assume your reader is an

expert in the subject; if you use specialized examples, always explain their signifi-

cance. Here are some sample Issue Prompts.

1. Prompt:“In raising a child, love is important, but discipline is most important of all.”

Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Use relevant rea-

sons and examples to support your point of view. In developing and support-

ing your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not

hold true. Explain how those considerations affect your point of view.

2. Prompt:“Health care in the United States should be free for all citizens, fully financed

by the government.”

Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the statement. Use relevant rea-

sons and examples to support your point of view. In developing and support-

ing your position, consider ways in which the statement might or might not

hold true. Explain how those considerations affect your point of view.

“Argument” TaskOn the argument section, if you happen to be presented with a topic that you know

something about, you will probably feel more comfortable in writing about it. In

these situations, be careful not to focus too much on facts themselves. Your job is to

criticize the way the facts are organized and presented. For example, you may dis-

agree with your prompt, and think that public libraries are an excellent use of public

funds. This is not the time to make that argument. Instead, focus on the ways the au-

thor has failed to be convincing. No matter what the topic, the argument will always

have multiple flaws.

1. Prompt:“Funding for space exploration and colonization needs to be greatly expanded.

At present, Earth is the only planet known to support life. A cataclysmic event



could result in the extinction not only of human life, but of all life in the known

universe. Moreover, as human society continues to progress, it will seek new

frontiers to expand to and to gather resources from. For both of these reasons,

we must ensure that humanity establishes a foothold on other worlds.”

Critique the reasoning used in the argument above. You are not being asked

to discuss your point of view on the argument. You should identify and ana-

lyze the central elements of the argument, the underlying assumptions that

are being made, and any supporting information that is given. Your critique

can also discuss other information that would strengthen or weaken the ar-

gument or make it more logical.

2. Prompt:The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a local newspaper: ‘Too

much emphasis is placed on the development of math skills in high school.

Many students who are discouraged by the difficulty of the content turn

away from schoolwork merely because they lack basic math skills. But prac-

tice questions and content review on the Internet provide an important alter-

native for students at this crucial stage in their education, an alternative that

the school board should not reject merely because of the expense involved.

After all, many studies attest to the value of using Internet-based math re-

view. Thus, allowing students to practice basic math skills and review relevant

math content on the Internet can only make students more eager to study

and learn math. Therefore, the school board should encourage schools to

purchase computers and permit high school students to access the Internet.’

In your assessment, analyze the line of reasoning used in the argument. Con-

sider what, if any, questionable assumptions underlie the reasoning and how

well any evidence given supports the conclusion. You can also discuss what

sort of additional evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what

changes would make the conclusion more logically sound, and what addi-

tional information might be needed to better evaluate the argument.



25 Tips: Analytical Writing

Keep these tips in mind when you’re thinking about how to get a top score:

1 Plan first. Spend five minutes and outline what your

position will be, and how you will say it. You don’t want

to get caught changing your mind halfway through.

2 There’s no “right” answer, only well-argued and poorly argued.

3 You don’t have to get too fancy. The GRE Writing Sec-

tion tries to measure basic writing ability. You don’t have

to write with the flair of Mart Twain to get a great score,

but rather just display a general control of writing ability.

4 Write 3-5 paragraphs. Use all 45 minutes.

6 Make an argument and stick with it! The essay prompts are often really

open-ended and vague, and tt’s easy to waste time waffling on the es-

says, but that’s not your job! Be 80% in favor of one opinion, especially

on the Argument task. Be disciplined about sticking with your plan.

5 Use topic sentences

to organize your paragraphs.

7Provide specific evidence.



8

10

1112

13

9

Think about assumptions. On the “Argument” essay, there will likely

be a number of assumptions made, which can weaken the Argu-

ment. These may be generalizations, problems with statistics, false

causes, and assumptions. Your task: find and attack!

Use transition words and phrases. Words and

phrases like “However”, “On the one hand”, “Sec-

ondly”, “For instance”, “Nevertheless”, “While”, “Even

though”, and “Indeed” are your friends. Use them!

An easy “Issue” section structure =

(1) Introduction, (2) Body, (3) Qual-

ification (a paragraph that starts

with “However” explaining how you

could possibly be wrong), and (4)

Conclusion

An easy “Argument” section structure = (1) Introduction,

(2) Body, and (3) Qualification

and Conclusion (what oth-

er information is needed to

persuade you one way or the

other?)

Keep the big picture argument in mind. While it’s important to provide specific

examples, it’s perhaps just as important

tot keep your big-picture argument in

mind as you write your essay.

Use varied sentence structure. Start your sentences

with prepositional phrases and transitions to vary your

sentence structure and improve essay flow. One way to

check if your sentence structure is varied is to check if

your sentences are all of the same length: if they are, then

it’s likely that your structure is too similar as well.



14

16

17

1819

15Proofread. While minor errors

and misspellings are okay, it’s

always smart to spend minute

or to checking for silly typos.

Don’t repeat yourself in the conclusion. There’s a

fine line between summarizing and being repetitive,

but in your conclusion, make a conscious effort to

expand and deepen your argument, rather than just

repeat yourself.

Use the active voice. Why say “Hamlet was

written by Shakespeare,” when you can say

“Shakespeare wrote Hamlet”?

Active voice generally sounds better.

Avoid slang and cliches. Nothing says

“I am not a creative writer” than using

cliches and slang.

Keep on track. You only have 30

minutes for each essay; make sure

you keep on pace.

Good grammar is a must.



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Keep the introduction short. Get to the

meat of your argument and don’t rehash

that prompt in your intro.

Get expert help. If writing is not

your strongest subject, then ask

other writers to help you out.

Study sample essays. The best way to un-

derstand what is expected of you on the

essay section is to look at essays that are

already graded. Can you understand why

some got high scores and others did not?

Read sample prompts so that

you know what types of Issues

and Arguments to expect.

Practice! You won’t become a

better writer if you don’t write!

20Go for breadth. It’s easy to spend your time analyzing

the nuances of one particular point or piece of evidence.

However, it’s a better strategy to cover multiple angles

than focusing too much on one particular angle.

The GRE

Writing Section is perhaps the hardest sec-tion to study for. As with writing in general, there

isn’t any magic formula for success. Nonetheless, dil-igent study and practice can improve your score

dramatically.”



What the GRE Readers Are Looking For

Logical structure is far more important than mechanics such as spelling and gram-

mar. However, you shouldn’t take any chances with mechanics. If you aren’t abso-

lutely certain how to use a semicolon properly, don’t use one. If you are unsure of

the meaning of a word, do not use it. Instead, think of a simpler term with the same

meaning and use it.

Here is a description of how the essays are scored at each level on both tasks. Essays

that receive the following scores exhibit one or more of the characteristics listed:

Score of 0: Response does not address the assigned task, is in a foreign lan-

guage, is indecipherable, or contains no text (not attempted).

Score of 1: Fundamentally deficient. The essay is extremely confusing or most-

ly irrelevant. There is little or no development of ideas. Contains severe and

pervasive errors. Does not present a logical analysis of the argument.

Score of 2: Seriously weak. Contains frequent problems in sentence structure

or use of language. Errors obscure meaning. The essay lacks analysis or de-

velopment of ideas.

Score of 3: Shows some competence. Contains some analysis and develop-

ment of ideas. The essay has limited organization with flawed control or nu-

merous sentence structure or language errors. It is vague and lacks clarity.

Score of 4: Competent. Main ideas are supported with relevant evidence and

examples. The essay shows adequate organization and is reasonably clear.

The argument is identified and important features are analyzed. There is ade-

quate control of sentences and language, but the essay might include some

errors that reduce overall clarity.

Score of 5: Generally thoughtful analysis of complex ideas. Sound reasoning and

well-chosen examples support conclusions. The essay is well organized and



focused, and includes sentences of varying length and complexity. Any errors

are minor and do not affect the meaning of the essay.

Score of 6: Insightful, in-depth analysis of complex ideas. Compelling logic and

very persuasive examples. Essay is well organized and focused and displays

skill in structuring sentences; vocabulary is precise and relevant. If there are

any errors, they do not affect the logic or meaning of the essay.

GRE Analytical Writing Strategies

Issue Task

∞ Discuss the issue from any perspective. Remember, there is no correct posi-

tion. Choose the position that you can most strongly support.

∞ No matter which position you take, make sure you have compelling reasons

and examples to support it. Make sure you consider how someone might

challenge or question your position.

∞ Do not worry about the number of examples included in your essay or the

length of your essay; focus on the quality of your ideas.

Argument Task

∞ Carefully read the given argument. Pay attention to the structure of the argu-

ment and the statements or claims, assumptions, implications, and support-

ing evidence given or left out.

∞ Remember, your task is to find flaws in the logic of the argument, NOT agree

with, disagree with, prove, or disprove the argument.

∞ Do not worry about the number of examples or the length of your essay; fo-

cus on the quality of your critique.

Chapter 7

GRE Test Day

How to Manage Stress Before the GRE

Why Staying Relaxed Will Help You Score Well on the GRE

Things to Bring on GRE Test Day

The 10 GRE Commandments


Chapter 7 – GRE Test Day

GRE Test Day

Now that we’ve covered the content of the test, it’s time to consider some practical

information about taking the test, along with some meta-strategies to help you suc-

ceed on the day of the test. These strategies include taking steps to make sure that

your relaxed, healthy, and confident when you walk into the testing room!

How to Manage Stress Before the GRE

You’re stressed about the test. Okay, but guess what? So are thousands of other stu-

dents, at this very minute!

It’s okay to be stressed about the GRE: it is stressful! You’ve got tight time con-

straints; it means a lot; you’ve spent a lot of time on it: it’s super-stressful! But hey,

stress is a part of life, and as with all difficulties in life, it’s smart to be proactive in ad-

dressing the difficulties head-on with steps that you can take right now. There’s lots

of ways you can manage stress:

#1 Exercise!You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to enjoy the benefits of exercise.

Whether it’s going for walk or run, Zumba, pumping some iron, or Richard

Simmons Dance Party 4, working out the stress is always worth it. We know

it’s hard to get out of the computer chair sometimes . . . but do it! Your body

and mind will thank you after.

#2 Distract yourself with play.Taking time for some purposeful distraction and fantasy time—and accepting

this as part of your study regimen—will keep your brain healthy, fresh, and

ready to learn. Go to the movies, play ping pong, or read a whimsical book—

anything that takes your mind off that-test-which-shall-not-be-named :)

#3 Eat right.“You are what you eat” is pretty true, isn’t it? We know it’s tough to focus on

food when you’re doing a million things + studying for the GRE. But you can



take smart moves to incorporate eating well into your study plans. For exam-

ple, join together a few study buddies for study dinners, where one person

cooks for the others. Or cook in bulk on the weekends and refrigerate your

leftovers for meals during the week.

#4 Talk about your stress.Sometimes simply talking about the stress, even if you don’t really get “an-

swers”, can be an effective strategy to manage stress. Stress is a part of ev-

eryone’s life, and more than likely you’ll find a kind ear from a family member

or friend who you can talk to to ease your mind.

#5 Stop, and dream a little!You’re taking the GRE because you’ve got some ambition of improving your-

self personally and professionally. So first, congratulate yourself on taking

steps for self-improvement! You should feel proud that you’ve taken this

step: your work ethic will pay off, no matter what happens on test day.

But even more, try to visualize the person you’re trying to become. When you

can truly envision yourself as a successful, confident person, it’s much easier

to take real and concrete steps to become that person. Hey, you might even

get an awesome GRE score too :)

#6. SleepEveryone’s different, but with your busy schedule it’s not smart to cut out on

sleep on a Tuesday night just to get through “one more” practice section. Try

to be disciplined about taking care of your body. Oh, and nap!

#7. Don’t, Don’t Compare Yourself with Other People!This may sound crazy coming from a test preparation blog, where everything

seems to be about percentiles and comparing yourself to other people. But

it’s true: you’re an individual, and trying to compare yourself with other peo-

ple simply won’t work out well.

Trust us. Do your best; control what you can control; be yourself; and remember that

your GRE score is not reflective of your worth as a person!

The First GRE Command-ment: Thou shalt

remember that every question is equal. This above all else is your most important piece

of instruction.



Why Staying Relaxed Will Help You Score Well on the GRE

Managing stress and staying relaxed is just good as a goal of its own, it will also help

you get a higher score on the test! Here’s some reasons why this is true.

1. Relaxed people have clearer heads.When you’re uptight and stressed out, for some reason the synapses in your

brain don’t fire correctly. Staying relaxed can help you your mind process all

of the little tricks that standardized test-makers like to throw in their ques-

tions when you’re taking the test.

2. Relaxed people can plan better.When you’re relaxed, you can assess all of your time commitments and plan

your life better. Taking time to visualize your day, responsibilities, and sched-

ule can help you use your time much more efficiently.

3. Relaxed people have better relationships.If you’re studying for something that’s as potentially stressful like the GRE, you

certainly don’t want to be having relationship troubles as well, whether that’s

with your boyfriend or girlfriend, friends, siblings, or whomever. Saying relaxed

will help you deal better with the ups and downs of these relationships.

4. Relaxed people remember things better.When there’s a lot of unease on your mind, it’s hard for your brain to process

and file away new information; too much of your brainpower is being spent

on stress. With a relaxed and open mind, it will be much easier to remember

those vocab words and math shortcuts.

5. Relaxed people are better at strategic thinking.Relaxed people can see the the big picture a lot better. On the GRE, taking a

big picture, composed approach to the test is really important. Caught up on

a math question? Skip it! Don’t like the looks of reading section? Come back

to it! Got three of five answers eliminated? Pick one and move on!

There’s no question about it: staying cool, composed, and sharp will help maximize

your score.



Things to Bring on GRE Test Day

On test day, you want to be as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, strict test

proctors have a tendency to make test-takers really uncomfortable. Make sure you

come to the test center prepared, and knowing what to expect. Here’s what to take

with you:

1. Comfortable clothesYou’re not going to want to be shivering or sweating when trying to remem-

ber geometry properties. Make sure you bring some layers of long-sleeved

clothes. Testing centers are often chilly.

2. Directions to the testing centerIf you have a smartphone, put the address in the night before. Sometimes

GER testing centers don’t really look like much on the outside. So it might

even be smart just to drive past beforehand just so you know exactly where

the testing center is, and where you’ll need to park.

3. Photo IDA driver’s license or passport should do the trick in the US.

4. A snack and a drink.You’ll have a 10-minute break during the test, to use the restroom, drink

something, and eat a snack. Some testing centers will allow you to access

your locker (where’s you’ll store your personal belongings) and others will

not. Either way, you’ll be able to have access to yoru snack and drink.

5. Your confirmation email.You shouldn’t need it, but just in case!

6. A positive attitude!You have already learned most of what you need to learn to do well on the

GRE. You’ve practiced and studied for countless hours. You’ve got the vocab

of Shakespeare. So all thats left for you to do is go in there knowing your go-

ing to knock it out of the park, and do it!

Oh, and PS: Do NOT bring your phone to the testing center! Not allowed!



The 10 GRE Commandments

Test day. It’s here. It’s all too easy to lose your composure and get caught up on one

question. The test-makers throw in all sorts of convoluted wording and unnecessary

information to make you get confused, take up time, and throw you off.

Don’t get caught in this trap! Heed the following 10 GRE Commandments to stay

focused during the exam.

COMMANDMENT

22

COMMANDMENT

11 Thou shalt remember that every question is equal.All questions are weighted equally. So you know that really tough ques-

tion you’ve been staring at blankly for three minutes? Worth the same as

the “2x=6” question. So, get your points on the easy stuff, and remem-

ber that every question is weighted the same. This above all else is your

most important piece of instruction.

Thou shalt use process of elimination.Pssst! Guess what? You don’t really have to know the correct answer on the

GRE; all you have to do is select the right answer. Process of elimination is

your friend; use it! Usually only two attractive answer-choices are offered, out

of five total. One is correct; the other is either intentionally misleading or only

partially correct. The other three answer-choices are usually fluff. This makes

educated guessing on the GRE very effective. If you can dismiss the three fluff

choices, your probability of answering the question successfully will increase

from 20% to 50%.

COMMANDMENT

33 Thou shalt not get flustered.The GRE is definitely too short to lose focus after getting

flustered. Train yourself to keep your composure and stay on

track through taking practice tests and monitoring how you

react to the time pressure.



COMMANDMENT

77

COMMANDMENT

66

COMMANDMENT

55

COMMANDMENT

44Thou shalt not make mistakes when marking answers.“The answer is X, so I am marking this bubble.” It’s helpful to repeat

this mantra to avoid making silly mistakes when marking your answer.

ETS won’t know you really knew the answer if you mark the wrong

one by accident . .

Thou shalt know thy strengths and weaknesses.Knowing your strengths and weaknesses

allows you to enter the testing room with

confidence and assurance. If you know you

are weaker on Verbal, for example, you will

be more able to keep composed if you have

trouble with Verbal on the test, and know

how to strategize accordingly.

Always trust thy instinct, and guess on the first pass.When you’re going through the

test and find a particular ques-

tion difficult, mark down the first

answer that caught you, flag the

question, and come back to it if

you have time. You can change

your answer later, duh!

Honor thy clock.Remember that you only have about 1.5 minutes on each question on the

Verbal section, and 1 minute and 45 seconds on the Quantitative Section. So if

you’re halfway through the Verbal (15 out of 30 questions completed) and you

only have 13 minutes to complete the section, you’re a little behind.

Practicing with online resources like BenchPrep allows you to get acquainted

with the feeling of having a ticking clock always on your screen.



COMMANDMENT

1010COMMANDMENT

99COMMANDMENT

88 Thou shalt read the questions first on the Reading passages.A reading passage in the Verbal Sec-

tion may be anywhere from one to

three paragraphs long. That passage

could contain a lot of information,

but only a fraction of that information

is useful for you to mark the correct

answer. By reading the questions first,

you’ll know what to look for when

reading the passages.

Know thy test to do thy best!The more you educate yourself about the GRE, the more review of the math,

and vocab words studied, and timed tests taken, the more comfortable you’ll

feel come test day. You and the GRE should feel like old friends by test day,

and hopefully you can never see that friend again afterwards :)

Keep a “next question” attitude.Much like the First GRE Command-

ment, when you’re taking the test you

should try to keep a “next question”

attitude. If you have a string of tough

questions, it’s ok: forget about them

and move on to the next question. The

test is too short to get hung up some

questions at the exclusion of putting

forth your best effort on the others.

Chapter 8

GRE Resources

GRE Resources Overview

Online Self-Based Learning

Group Classes and In-Person Tutoring

Free ETS Resources

GRE Apps

Physical GRE Books and Flashcards

GRE Prep Books

GRE Prep Book Reviews and Recommendations


Chapter 8 – GRE Resources

GRE Resources

There is no shortage of GRE practice materials and GRE practice exams that contain

all of the information on the test. The hard part is not finding resources, but rath-

er finding the most useful resources to you, and then putting in the time to learn it,

which is a matter of scheduling and managing your attention.

Resources for GRE practice and prep include books, flash cards, and software, in-

cluding mobile apps. Each resource has its own specific advantages. Between

books, online test prep resources, even private tutoring, everything you need to

know for the GRE is accessible and available to you.

Online Self-Based LearningThere are a number of online self-based learning programs like BenchPrep

out there. See the chart on the next page for a handy comparison of three of

the leading online programs: Kaplan, the Princeton Review, and BenchpPrep.

The Kaplan program is the most expensive of the bunch, at over $500. While

Kaplan is a well-respected company, $500 only provides access to this study

program for 3 months! The Princeton Review online course is about the

same price, and offers access for 6 months. Unlike Kaplan and the Princeton

Review, BenchPrep offers both monthly and yearly subscriptions, and is the

most reasonably priced of the three (Also pssst! Check out the conclusion of

this e-book for a discount code!).

Group Classes and In-Person TutoringWhen prepping for the GRE, you can also choose to enroll in in-person

classes and private tutoring. The in-person teaching obviously has its advan-

tages, and will generally also provide you access to the online material as

well. But they’re expensive: 8 classroom sessions with Kaplan will cost around

$1,300. With Princeton Review, you can take 8 classroom sessions (for a total

of about 24 hours of class time) for $1,000-$1,300.



Kaplan Princeton Review BenchPrep

GRE® Advantage: The New GRE − On Demand

GRE Self-Paced Study GRE Prep Program

Price $524 $499 $499

Access 3 months 6 months 12 months

Score Improvement Promise

Higher score guarantee or your money back

Satisfaction guarantee 16% score improvement

Custom Study Plan

Integrated Mobile Apps

Game Center

Ability to discuss with other students

Ability to ask an expert

Reporting dashboard

Includes official GRE material from ETS

Lessons 8 video sessions and study materials,

including workbooks

24 hours of recorded sessions and a com-plete set of printed

materials including The Princeton Review On-line Student Workbook

for the GRE

900+ lessons including videos

Practice Questions 5,000 N/A 4,100+

Exams 7 Full-length 8 Full-length 7 Full-length

Flashcards

The hard

part is not finding GRE resources, but

rather finding the most useful resources to you, and

then putting in the time to learn it, which is a matter of scheduling and managing your

attention.”



You can also hire a tutor to work with you on a one-on-one basis. There are

many individuals and companies which specialize in this type of tutoring. For

example, Kaplan offers 15, 25, and 35 hour tutoring plans. However, for the

vast majority for students, this will cost way too much. For students in the

Chicago area, for example, private tutoring lessons from Kaplan run from

$2,400 to $4,600!

Free ETS Resources

While there is a lot of free GRE prep material out there, most of it is not a

complete or reputable study tool. However, the free resources on the ETS

website are top-notch. ETS is the organization which designs and administers

the GRE. The ETS Website (www.ets.org/gre/) features a number of free re-

sources and is the definitive source for information about the test. The

best free resource is the POWERPREP II software which ETS offers for free

download after registering at the official website of Educational Testing Ser-

vices. This software offers two complete, timed full practice tests and one

untimed test.

These tests are written and designed by the people who make the actual test,

and the interface looks just like how the real GRE interface will look. So, in

your study plan, combined with your use of other resources like BenchPrep,

it’s a no-brainer to take advantage of these two free POWERPREP II tests.

Downloading this software is a great first step to beginning your GRE study

program. After taking the first test, then spend time prepping with review

exercises and practice tests available in other prep software, apps, and/or

books. Once you feel you’ve improved and are hitting at or near your target

score, take the second official practice test. That will allow you to confirm

whether you’re reaching your target score.

GRE Apps Mobile apps can replicate much of the look and feel of flashcards and books.

Apps that are playable on a smartphone or tablet are as convenient for prac-

ticing on the go as conventional flashcards. The only limitations of apps are



the technical limitations (such as battery life) of the mobile device on which

they’re played, and the typically more linear navigation patterns (compared to

physical books or flashcards). BenchPrep offers a number of Games, Flash-

cards, and Apps that you can use on your mobile devices.

Besides mobile apps, there are plenty of other types of test prep software

available for the GRE. Some are included on a CD as a bonus feature when

you purchase a physical test prep book. Others may be downloaded directly.

Physical GRE Books and Flashcards

A set of flashcards contains a more limited amount of information than most

test prep books, but is more portable. Flashcards provide a unique feedback

mechanism for refreshing and reinforcing important concepts.

Although physical books and flashcards are excellent learning tools for the

GRE, they cannot fully replicate the experience of taking the real GRE com-

puter-based test. In order to approximate as closely as possible the feel of

the real computer-based test, it’s important to practice with electronic simu-

lations available as mobile apps or other types of software.

This is of course why a service like BenchPrep provides the strongest combi-

nation of learning, flash cards, real-time tests, and with the same feel as the

actual GRE.

Many students who are preparing for the GRE use a GRE Prep Book, whether

they choose to take a GRE Prep Course or not. In some ways, books are the

most flexible resource, because they contain a large amount of information,

typically including chapters of content review for each test section, more

chapters of example test questions, one or more practice tests, and general

information about the test and process of taking the test. In a prep book, you

can cover the information in any order that you want.

However, in our opinion, books are limiting when preparing for the GRE.

GRE Prep Books don’t offer interaction, or analytics to help you with your



preparation. Most importantly, books can’t simulate the test day experience,

since you’ll most likely be taking the computer-based GRE. For these reasons,

it is important to consider online prep options to get the best preparation for

test day.

Regardless, there is some great information is test prep books, and so here

are a few things to consider when choosing your GRE Prep Book. First, you

should try to get your hands on the latest edition of the book. The latest

edition will have the most up-to-date content for the GRE. Another thing

to consider when looking for a GRE Prep Book is the amount of content. In

particular, you should look for books with both a lot of lessons, or concept

review, as well as practice questions and practice tests. In addition to looking

for a book with a lot of practice questions, your GRE Prep Book should have

difficult questions to challenge you as you study.

Achieving your target score is well worth investing some money in test prep

resources.

Typically, we at BenchPrep recommend the following GRE Prep Books:

1. Kaplan GRE Book Review Premier 2014 with 6 Practice Tests: book + online

+ DVD + mobile

Kaplan GRE® Premier 2014 with 6 Practice Tests contains 1,800+ total prac-

tice questions with detailed explanations, covering the revised and expanded

Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing Assessment Test sections, and

strategies for all the question types you’ll encounter on Test Day. It also

comes with a digital copy of the book and study plans to help you make the

most of your time preparing for the GRE. Overall, this book is well organized,

clear, and concise.

2. Barron’s GRE Book Review, 20th Edition

This newly revised and updated manual gives you a test overview plus

test-taking advice and a timetable for a typical computer-based GRE test.

Added features include a verbal reasoning review with practice questions in



sentence completion and reading comprehension, an analytical writing re-

view with scoring guidelines and practice exercises, a quantitative reasoning

review that includes general math strategies, discrete quantitative questions,

quantitative comparison questions, and data interpretation questions, and

two full-length model GRE tests with answer keys and answer explanations.

This book offers complete material for a good price, and is an overall good

GRE prep resource.

3. McGraw-Hill’s GRE Book Review, 2014 Edition

This book will give you the essential skill-building techniques and strategies

developed by a team of renowned test-prep tutors. You’ll get all the facts

about the exam, hundreds of practice questions, and six full-length prac-

tice tests. With McGraw-Hill’s GRE, you will be guided step by step through

your preparation program--and receive the tools you need to succeed. Mc-

Graw-Hill is one of the more well-known test prep companies in the world,

and this book is particularly inexpensive.

4. Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Book Review Practice Problems

Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems is an essential re-

source for students of any level who are preparing for the Revised GRE Gen-

eral Exam. With 33 chapters and over 1,800 practice problems, students can

build fundamental skills in math and verbal through targeted practice. Plus,

with easy-to-follow explanations and step-by-step applications, each ques-

tion will help students cement their understanding of those concepts tested

on the GRE. This is a very comprehensive book, especially for its price.

Once you start studying, you should begin to gauge how hard the GRE will be for

you and where you need to focus. You will also start to pick up on how much time

you will we need to actually prepare for the test. Ask yourself if you are able to ded-

icate a couple hours a day for a couple months. If not, you may want to start study-

ing earlier than most. Sometimes the scariest part of the exam, and inevitably what

seems like the most difficult, is setting enough time aside for studying and preparing.

Chapter 9

After the GRE

Understanding Your GRE Score Report

How Do Schools Look a Multiple GRE Scores


Chapter 9 – After the GRE

After the GRE

Taking the GRE is just one step in your Grad School application process. After you’ve

taken the GRE—and after you’ve taken some time to relax!—now’s a good time to

assess where your are in your application process.

Understanding Your GRE Score Report

Immediately after you take the computer-based GRE, you’ll be able to view your un-

official Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. You’ll receive your An-

alytical Writing score, and your official Quantitative and Verbal scores, approximately

10-15 days after your test date in your My GRE Account. At that time your scores will

also be sent to the schools you designate. When taking a look at your “examinee”

GRE Score report, you’ll be able to see:

∞ Personal information like your name and intended graduate major.

∞ Your GRE test scores and your associated percentile ranks.

∞ Authorized score recipients and the scores reported to those institutions.

∞ Record of ALL scores reported within the last five years

Regardless of which scores you choose to send to your schools, all scores of GRE

tests you have take can be found in your “examinee” GRE score report. Although the

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on the same scale,

they should not be compared to one another, because they are scaled differently.

The most relevant piece of information related to your score on each of the GRE’s

three measures (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing) is

your GRE percentile rank.

The percentile rank gives the best comparison of your performance on the three

different measures, as well as the best indicator of your overall performance on the

test. Your percentile rank measures how well you do relative to everyone else who

took the test within the most recent three year period. More information about the

scores and how they are calculated can be found on the ETS website.



Official score reports are the reports that are sent to the schools you designate, will

only include the score(s) which you have selected to send to these organizations.

They will include your:

∞ Contact information

∞ Intended graduate major

∞ GRE test score(s) of only SELECTED tests and the associated percentile ranks

Score reports sent to institutions will not include any information concerning the

other score recipients you have chosen (so if you’re sending your scores to Universi-

ty A and University B, University A won’t know about B and B won’t know about A).

How do Schools Look at Multiple GRE Scores?

It might happen that you have to take the GRE two or more times to get the score

you want. Luckily, with the new ScoreSelect option, you have more freedom than

ever to select which of these scores you send on to the programs you’re applying to.

With ScoreSelect, you can send any single score, or any combination of scores, that

you want.

When selecting which scores to send to which universities,

it’s helpful to know how the admissions committee consider

scores from multiple GRE tests. Most programs and Grad

Schools provide details on their website about how they

look at multiple GRE scores. Practices vary widely, and a

school can use one of many approaches:

Approach #1 “All scores considered”Some schools may simply consider all of your

scores, with no further

details provided.



Approach #2 “All scores considered, but taking into account score increases.”Some schools may simply consider all of your scores, but will take into account

improvements.

Approach #3 “Mix ‘n match”Some schools may take the highest section scores from different testing dates.

So, for example, say that on GRE #1, you scored a 150 on Verbal, a 160 on

Quantitative, and a 4 on the Writing; and on GRE #2, you scored a 160 on Ver-

bal, a 150 on Quantitative and a 5 on the Writing. In this case, then the school

will take both 160 scores and the 5 into consideration.

Approach #4 “Mix, match, and weight”Some schools may take the highest section scores from different testing dates,

but also weight more heavily more recent scores.

Approach #5 “Most recent scores.”The school could simply take your most recent GRE score.

Approach #6 “Average scores.”The school could also average all of your test scores that you provide.

What this means for you:From our research, #2 and #3 are the most common approaches: considering all

scores and taking the highest individual scores from different sections. Depending on

how many Grad Schools you plan to apply to, you may be able to see how keeping

track of all the schools’ GRE policies could get confusing.

In practice, though, a lot of these distinctions aren’t as important now that ETS has

started the ScoreSelect option. Now, you can select your top score and only report

that. But, of course, it might be advantageous to report more than one score if, for

example, the school adopts a “Mix ‘n match” approach to considering GRE scores, and

you did better on one section on one test, and another section on another test.

There isn’t one really cut-and-dry way to explain how this might work in your situation.

It’ll just take a little thinking and strategy to figure out how to put your best foot for-

ward on your applications!

Luckily,

with the new ScoreSelect option,

you have more freedom than ever to select which of these scores you send

on to the programs you’re applying to.”


Conclusion

Dear Student,

We hope you’ve found this GRE Playbook useful as an intro-

duction to the test and the strategies that can help you earn

your target score. Feel free to print this Playbook out, give it

to friends and teachers, and use it in any way that’s helpful for

your study plan. As with any Playbook, it’s up to you to call

the shots, but we’re here to try to coach you as best we can.

Taking the GRE can be intimidating, but with the proper prepa-

ration, you can ensure that your give your very best effort.

As always, if you have questions, comments, or suggestions,

feel free to reach out to us 24/7 at 855-BENCHPREP (855-

236-2477) or [email protected].

Happy Studying!

The Team at BenchPrep

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