How To Do Better In Revised GRE - My GRE Prepration

Earning a graduate degree can hone your skills and net you a promotion. It can boost your salary, too. The proof is in the paycheck: Four-year college graduates earn about $51,000 a year, but those with advanced degrees earn double that amount.

Before you cash in, though, you'll need to understand how to study for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Many graduate degree programs require that all applicants take the GRE, a nearly four-hour test that assesses verbal, quantitative and analytical writing skills. Graduate programs use the exam as a window into an applicant's overall skill sets and consider GRE scores along with transcripts, resumes, letters of recommendation and other qualifications.

Doing well on the GRE can require a good deal of preparation. Although the exam's designers say the it's intended to measure only general ability -- meaning you shouldn't have to study for it -- that doesn't mean it's a good idea to simply walk in on exam day and hope for the best. This is especially true if you've been out of school for several years or if you're applying to a competitive graduate program that accepts a limited number of applicants. You may be unfamiliar with some of the vocabulary and math skills on the exam, but will still need to earn the highest possible score. You'll also need to formulate an essay. Our 10 tips to help you prepare begin on the next page.

EXPERIMENTAL QUESTIONS

When you take the GRE, you'll complete one section of experimental questions that are either verbal or quantitative. This section is used to test questions for future exams and does not count toward your score. Unfortunately, you won't know which section it is while you're taking the exam.

The first step in preparing yourself is to learn what to expect from the exam's format and structure. The GRE has three types of sections, and each has a time limit in which it must be completed:

Verbal: Two 30-minute sections testing vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension skills. Question types include text completion, sentence equivalence and reading comprehension.

Quantitative: Two 35-minute sections testing arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis skills. Question types including comparing values, solving word problems and analyzing data. As of Aug. 1, 2011, a calculator is permitted.

Analytical Writing: One section with two separately timed 30-minute essays testing your ability to write clearly and effectively. The first asks you to state and support your opinion on an issue, and the second asks you to evaluate an argument.

In most testing places, all sections of the GRE are taken on a computer and the verbal and quantitative sections use computer-adaptive testing. This means that if you answer questions correctly, the computer will give you harder questions that are worth more points. Answer them incorrectly, and you'll get easier questions -- but getting them right won't boost your score as much.

It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with how the computer interface works to ensure that you're used to the format. You can learn more about the system, in addition to how to schedule your exam, at the GRE Web site.