An update on my GRE math

[titivillus32]

A few weeks ago, I posted here freaking about my GRE math scores. They're still horrible but they've improved from a 250 to a 400.

However, after studying a lot of Verbal it only went up from a 520 to a 530. This is not anywhere near where I'd like. I'm shooting for at least a 600 V and a 400 M so I can get a combined 1000.

My biggest problem is

Comments

[cosmicwonder]

What are you using for practice tests? I'm not sure if you know this already, but Powerprep will give you the most accurate scores. Your scores will be significantly lower on Kaplan, Barron's, and Princeton Review. Your scores will probably be higher on old ETS paper tests.

The way I dealt with going quickly was just learning how to pace myself through taking several tests. For reading comprehension, I did a lot of comprehension questions from Barron's and old ETS tests. Also, I read through Barron's tips, which helped a lot.

I hope this helps!

[obsoletechild]

I wrote a whole post of advice, so I'll boil it down here

[brittdreams]

Are you using a watch when you take your practice tests? If so, make sure you're spending at least 1-1.5 minutes on the first five questions (especially on a CAT test).

My other advice is more specific. For reading comprehension, when you read the question, identify where that information is in the passage. Then reread that part of the passage before even looking at the answer choices. Then pick the choice that's closest to what you found in the passage. Usually the answers use the same words. Do not think about what the passage means! They want to know if you understand it, not it you can place it in a broader context.

For analogies, try and make two sentences for the words in the first part of the analogy.

[jezabel]

Not that I should be giving advice, because my GRE scores sucked, but my new plan is to take a ton of practice tests and try to spend about 1 minute per question on the verbal. I go too fast, too, and then I get stressed during the reading comprehension.

Cracking the GRE is a really good book. I like how it's written and it's focused on the strategy side of it, sort of getting inside the head of ETS. It helped me familiarize myself with the test a lot. I didn't use the math portion, but I know my writing scores were better because of it and I had a much better understanding of how I should proceed through the test.

[punkybrister69]

I found www.number2.com to be a great resource for vocab. Any practice helps, you know? Also: www.freerice.com