Advice on GRE QV
I understand that the GRE's--particularly the QV section--can be a huge stumbling block for many of us especially those of you who are going into utterly non-math-related fields, and haven't taken a math class in 5 years (and I solidly fit this category as well).
For those of you who are struggling, consider this: what is the QV section really testing you on?
It isn't the math. Really. Honestly. I've been a GRE tutor/teaching for a long time, and one of the biggest misconceptions that my students walk in with is that they're expected to go back and regurgitate all the math they've learned. The actual math concepts are basic--not easy for all of us--but basic. The level of math the GRE require is no higher than the SAT's, and lower than the ACT's. So if you got into college, you ALREADY KNOW THIS. It's just a matter of making sure that you brush up on the basic rules. (1/100th is smaller than 1/10th , (-2)^2 is bigger than (-2)^3....2 is the smallest and the only even prime number....etc). That said, you MUST brush up on the basic rules if you can't recall them immediately. My students who neglect a much-needed math review almost never do well, regardless of how much we practice the skills.
What the QV's are REALLY testing you on...are skills, not the math. You need to be mentally flexible... be able to see patterns and similarities in equations/expressions that are not at first obvious. You need be able rearrange the numbers (or as my favorite calc teacher used to say: math is all about multiplying/dividing by useful forms of 1 and adding and subtracting by useful forms of 0) to FIT patterns, to play with numbers and rules. While you must know these mathematical rules inside and out, the test is really about how well you can play with them...how you can recognize, apply, and use them even when they are not obvious. You need to be agile at taking a general concept and playing with it at a concrete level (and in that sense--in defense of the GRE's--it's a skill that every grad student will need)
And you need to be able to approximate. Basic rule that I teach my students: if you find yourself making lengthy calculations, you're going down the wrong path. There is not a single problem on that test, regardless of how hard it might look, that requires long, tough calculations. If you're dealing with, say, 498/1504....you SHOULD train yourself to automatically see (and work with it) as a bit less than 1/3rd...NOT to drag that cumbersome fraction into every calculation. Think of it this way: someone who is agile with playing with mathematical rules, should be able to complete all 28 problems in 15 minutes. (of course, under stress, and with the slight weakness that we all have, this almost never happens).
Last thing: you need to learn when to move on. The worst--the absolute worst thing--that can happen to you on the test is if you run out of time. There is no guessing penalty. Every question that you did not get to is worth exactly the same as a question that you got wrong: 0 points. if you're struggling with a question--if you're staring at it, and can't even figure out where to begin (and that will happen regardless of how well you are scoring!), you NEED to pick any answer (maybe eliminate one or two first) and MOVE ON.
And no guessing on how well you're doing AS you're taking the exam. It's possible--it's definitely possible-- to miss questions and still score 800. It's also very hard to predict. I've had students nearly cancel their scores after thinking that they bombed the test...only to discover that they scored well beyond their expectations (one student nearly canceled an 800).
Lastly...the biggest challenge that I deal with with my students is that they take this as an ego battle. I have no idea why--I teach several other tests and GRE students take this far more personally than any other students. It's a hurdle to get over. It might be difficult, but blaming the test, or the test-makers, or the utter unfairness of this exam...might be valid, but is utterly unhelpful
Good luck, guys. It's just four hours....remember to breathe, and you will soon be done with it all.
For those of you who are struggling, consider this: what is the QV section really testing you on?
It isn't the math. Really. Honestly. I've been a GRE tutor/teaching for a long time, and one of the biggest misconceptions that my students walk in with is that they're expected to go back and regurgitate all the math they've learned. The actual math concepts are basic--not easy for all of us--but basic. The level of math the GRE require is no higher than the SAT's, and lower than the ACT's. So if you got into college, you ALREADY KNOW THIS. It's just a matter of making sure that you brush up on the basic rules. (1/100th is smaller than 1/10th , (-2)^2 is bigger than (-2)^3....2 is the smallest and the only even prime number....etc). That said, you MUST brush up on the basic rules if you can't recall them immediately. My students who neglect a much-needed math review almost never do well, regardless of how much we practice the skills.
What the QV's are REALLY testing you on...are skills, not the math. You need to be mentally flexible... be able to see patterns and similarities in equations/expressions that are not at first obvious. You need be able rearrange the numbers (or as my favorite calc teacher used to say: math is all about multiplying/dividing by useful forms of 1 and adding and subtracting by useful forms of 0) to FIT patterns, to play with numbers and rules. While you must know these mathematical rules inside and out, the test is really about how well you can play with them...how you can recognize, apply, and use them even when they are not obvious. You need to be agile at taking a general concept and playing with it at a concrete level (and in that sense--in defense of the GRE's--it's a skill that every grad student will need)
And you need to be able to approximate. Basic rule that I teach my students: if you find yourself making lengthy calculations, you're going down the wrong path. There is not a single problem on that test, regardless of how hard it might look, that requires long, tough calculations. If you're dealing with, say, 498/1504....you SHOULD train yourself to automatically see (and work with it) as a bit less than 1/3rd...NOT to drag that cumbersome fraction into every calculation. Think of it this way: someone who is agile with playing with mathematical rules, should be able to complete all 28 problems in 15 minutes. (of course, under stress, and with the slight weakness that we all have, this almost never happens).
Last thing: you need to learn when to move on. The worst--the absolute worst thing--that can happen to you on the test is if you run out of time. There is no guessing penalty. Every question that you did not get to is worth exactly the same as a question that you got wrong: 0 points. if you're struggling with a question--if you're staring at it, and can't even figure out where to begin (and that will happen regardless of how well you are scoring!), you NEED to pick any answer (maybe eliminate one or two first) and MOVE ON.
And no guessing on how well you're doing AS you're taking the exam. It's possible--it's definitely possible-- to miss questions and still score 800. It's also very hard to predict. I've had students nearly cancel their scores after thinking that they bombed the test...only to discover that they scored well beyond their expectations (one student nearly canceled an 800).
Lastly...the biggest challenge that I deal with with my students is that they take this as an ego battle. I have no idea why--I teach several other tests and GRE students take this far more personally than any other students. It's a hurdle to get over. It might be difficult, but blaming the test, or the test-makers, or the utter unfairness of this exam...might be valid, but is utterly unhelpful
Good luck, guys. It's just four hours....remember to breathe, and you will soon be done with it all.