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Doing Your Best on the New GRE

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Services

Copyright © 2006 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved.

Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing ServiceListening. Learning. Leading.

Which Tests Should Students Plan to Take?


New GRE Test - August 1, 2011

• http://www.ets.org/s/gre/flash/advising/GRE_AdvisingStudents_Video.html

• More user friendly

• More closely aligned with the skills needed to succeed in graduate school

• Computer-based - available throughout the year


New GRE:Test-taker Friendly

• Mark & Review - tag questions to skip and return later within a timed section

• Can change/edit answers within a section• Can navigate within a timed section• On-screen calculator in quantitative

section


The GRE Testing Program

I. The General TestVerbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing

II. Subject Tests

• Biochemistry, Cell &

Molecular Biology• Biology• Chemistry• Computer Science

• Literature in English• Mathematics• Physics• Psychology


How to Prepare for a Subject Test

• Review the Subject Test practice book for the test, which includes

– Content specifications for the test, including the weight assigned to each topic

– Practice test• The practice book will be mailed to you when you

register for the Subject Test or you can download it from the Web site at anytime free-of-charge.


R

General Test

Preparing for the GRE General Test


Structure of the General Test

Section Number of Questions

Time

Analytical Writing(two tasks)

Analyze an Issue 30 min.

Analyze an Argument 30 min.

Verbal Reasoning(two sections)

20 questions per section

30 min.per section

Quantitative Reasoning(two sections)

20 Questions per section

35 min.per section

Non-scored Sections (Used for GRE Research)

2 SectionsNumber varies

varies


Diagnosing Skill Areas in Which You Should Practice

• Identify weak areas that may need intensive review. Potential areas include: – arithmetic, algebra, geometry, elementary

probability theory, basic statistics, reading charts and graphs

– vocabulary, reading for meaning– analyzing arguments

– organizing short essays


The Verbal Reasoning Measure

– Two 30-minute sections• 20 Questions in each section

– Contains three question types:• Text Completion • Sentence Equivalence• Reading Comprehensive



• New Test Question Types – – Text Completion

• 1 – 5 sentences with blanks

• 1 – 3 blanks with answer choices

• Given word options – must get all 3 correct to get credit

– Sentence Equivalence (synonyms)• 6 choices

• select 2 that give sentence same meaning

– Reading comprehension• Passage with 6 choices



• Sample questions• http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/

about/content/verbal_reasoning


Quantitative Reasoning Measure

• Two 35-minute sections– 20 questions in each section

• More real-life scenarios• Covers basic concepts of

– Arithmetic– Algebra– Geometry– Data analysis



– Numeric Entry Questions• Enter a numerical answer in an answer box or

boxes instead of multiple choice

– Multiple choice – select one• Five answer choices – choose the correct one

– Multiple choice - select one or more• Select one or more choices from a list

– Quantitative Comparison Questions• Calculator provided

– Adaptive section by section



– Quantitative Comparison • Compare two quantities

– Data Interpretation Sets

– Calculator provided– Adaptive section by section



• Sample Questions• http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/

about/content/quantitative_reasoning


The Analytical Writing Measure

• The Analytical Writing Measure continues to assess critical thinking and analytical writing skills.

• The new GRE requires more focused responses to questions, reducing the possibility of reliance on memorized materials



• Assesses ability to:– articulate complex ideas clearly and

effectively– examine claims and accompanying evidence– support positions on issues with relevant

reasons and examples – sustain a well-focused coherent discussion– control the elements of standard written

English


The Analytical Writing Measure (continued)

• “Present your Perspective on an Issue” – You will be able to choose 1 of 2 essay topics

selected by the computer from the pool of topics.

– You will have 30 minutes to write your essay response.

• “Analyze an Argument”– The computer will present you with a single

topic selected from the topic pool.– You will have 30 minutes to write your essay

response.



Sample Issues

http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/content/analytical_writing

Scoring Guide

http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/score_level_descriptions/


Preparing for theAnalytical Writing Measure

• Sample essay tasks are published on the GRE Web site at www.ets.org/gre

• You can practice typing an essay response under timed conditions using GRE POWERPREP software

• ScoreitNow! Online Writing Practice is a GRE service that will machine score your practice essay responses

Listening. Learning. Leading.

New GRE General Test- Computer-Adaptive section

by section


BUILDING AN ADAPTIVE TEST

TEST DESIGN


New GRE

• Credited for correct answers• Not penalized for wrong answers• Adaptive section by section• Analytical Writing section first• Others delivered randomly


POWERPREP II FREE at www.ets.org/gre

• Practice taking the test – one complete practice test provided

• Understand what's being tested• Get familiar with the test design and various

question types• Review scored Analytical Writing responses

and reader commentary• Review test-taking strategies


Other Free Resources

• GRE Web site – provides access to all GRE test preparation materials and services. – Math Review

• Skills, concepts definitions

• Examples and exercises

– Math Conventions• Mathematical assumptions

• Guidelines for interpreting info given in test questions


Useful Resources

• The Official Guide to the GRE General Test ($35) – Two practice tests, sample questions,

strategies, samples essays

• ScoreItNow! Online Writing Practice ($13)– Receive e-rater scores on two essays and

diagnostic feedback on your responses.


Don’t Take the Actual GRE Tests for Practice

• All scores earned in official GRE test administrations become part of your official record for 5 years.

• It is more economical to use GRE practice materials to take earlier editions of actual GRE tests under timed conditions. Both paper and computer editions of GRE General Tests are available on the GRE website at www.ets.org/gre. Practice Subject Tests can also be downloaded from the site.


GRE Registration

• Computer-based (year-round)• Web – www.ets.org/gre

– Recommend online scheduling – sets up personal account

• Phone – 1-800-GRE-CALL• Can take test once every 60 days, 5 times

a year• Lexington Testing Center open until 9:30

and on Sundays• Cost - $160


Computer-based Test Centers

• Kentucky

• Lexington - 1104Prometric Testing Center2573 Richmond RoadSuite 260Lexington, Kentucky 40509United States Of America(859)268-3338

• Louisville - 1101Prometric Testing Center7400 LaGrange RoadSuite 103Louisville, Kentucky 40222United States Of America(502)423-0478

• Murray - 7731Murray State UniversityCounseling & Testing Center100 Ordway HallMurray, Kentucky 42071United States Of America(270)762-6851

• Cincinnati - 0007Prometric Testing Center11353 Reed Hartman HwySuite LL50Cincinnati, Ohio 45241United States Of America(513)671-7030

• Cincinnati - 7702• University of Cincinnati

Psychological Service Center316 Dyer Hall (M.L. 0034)Cincinnati, Ohio 45221United States Of America(513)556-7173

• Cincinnati - 0018• Prometric Testing Center

11353 Reed Hartman HwySuite LL50Cincinnati, Ohio 45241United States Of America(513)671-7030


Day of the Test

• Dress comfortably • Visitors not permitted• Take valid picture ID• No cell phones, smartphones, PDAs etc.

allowed – will be turned off• Lockers available• Computers have count-down clocks • Is taking 4- 4 ½ hours


Scratch Paper

• Test takers will receive a supply of numbered scratch paper before they begin their test.

• Pencils are supplied• Test takers will be able to replenish their

supply of scratch paper, as necessary, throughout the entire test administration.

• Scratch paper may not be taken from the test center


Breaks

• There is a 10-minute break following the third section, and a 60 second pause after each section.

• Test takers might want to replenish your supply of scratch paper during each scheduled break.

• Section timing will not stop if the test taker takes an unscheduled break, so they should proceed with their test without interruption once it begins.


Scores Scales

Three scores are reported on the General Test:

• a Verbal Reasoning score reported on a 130 - 170, in 1-point increments

• a Quantitative Reasoning score reported on a 130 -170, in 1-point increments

• an Analytical Writing score reported on a 0–6 score scale, in half-point increments.


Scores

• Results to 4 schools – at time of test• Additional schools - $23• All GRE scores received in past 5 years

are reported to each institution• Best to take only once


Scores• Report will include:

– intended Graduate Major– test dates– Scores and percentile ranks

• If took old GRE – old scores will also be reported on new scale

• Testing in November – scores reported in December

• Testing in December and beyond – scores reported 10 – 15 days after test.


Preparation

• GRE web site• EKU Libraries Learning Express –

Practice Exams• Understand all instructions ahead of time• ETS expects students to be well practiced• Kaplan offering free practice tests


• Questions/Comments from audience

OR

• E-mail GRE Program at:

[email protected]

Listening. Learning. Leading. EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, ETS, the ETS logos, GRADUATE RECORD...

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