I take the GREs this Thursday at about 2pm. I've been studying like a madman for about a month and a half now. However, I am starting to freak out. The more I study, the worse my practice scores get
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The first five questions in each section are the most important. These are the ones that determine the level of difficulty for the next set of questions. So, (assuming you've been doing computer tests) if you felt that you really knew what you were doing and that you were getting questions right but your score was going down, then probably what happened is that you got some of these first 5 questions incorrect and the test sent you to a lower level of difficulty that don't give you as many points.
some tips that I gleaned from various sources: 1) Use the tutorial at the beginning of the test (the one that tells you how to use a mouse) to write down equations or anything you want to be sure you can remember. It could also give you the chance to get used to the setting and area and destress before going into the test. 2) Don't give each question the same amount of time. Take your time on the first five questions of each section and then spend less time for rest. 3) If in doubt, guess. You lose more points if you don't finish than if you just guess. So, if you're down to the last few seconds and still have questions left, just guess and keep going. 4) Much of this is mental. When you took your first test, you had the impression that it was just diagnostic and you had your best score. After that you started freaking out and putting more and more emphasis on your scores. Get back to a point when you see this as just being a test to see how you take the GRE. I recently heard a story on NPR about a study on the effects of tests. The findings indicated that certain stereotypes (particularly for black students and women) were so deeply rooted that even if the test taker didn't even believe in the stereotype, it was still in mind and still acted as a distraction (particularly around question #17, they said). Don't give your mind the luxury of doubting yourself. You're taking a test, and that's all. You're not even taking the GRE - just a simple little test. Just filling out answers one at a time.
some tips that I gleaned from various sources:
1) Use the tutorial at the beginning of the test (the one that tells you how to use a mouse) to write down equations or anything you want to be sure you can remember. It could also give you the chance to get used to the setting and area and destress before going into the test.
2) Don't give each question the same amount of time. Take your time on the first five questions of each section and then spend less time for rest.
3) If in doubt, guess. You lose more points if you don't finish than if you just guess. So, if you're down to the last few seconds and still have questions left, just guess and keep going.
4) Much of this is mental. When you took your first test, you had the impression that it was just diagnostic and you had your best score. After that you started freaking out and putting more and more emphasis on your scores. Get back to a point when you see this as just being a test to see how you take the GRE. I recently heard a story on NPR about a study on the effects of tests. The findings indicated that certain stereotypes (particularly for black students and women) were so deeply rooted that even if the test taker didn't even believe in the stereotype, it was still in mind and still acted as a distraction (particularly around question #17, they said). Don't give your mind the luxury of doubting yourself. You're taking a test, and that's all. You're not even taking the GRE - just a simple little test. Just filling out answers one at a time.
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