Preparing for GRE and getting a good score doesn’t ensure that you are all set to study abroad.
So I shall categorize my review into two parts
Successful preparation for GRE.
Preparing for the application process
Successful preparation of GRE
Since 1st oct?02 GRE exam contains three sections
Verbal Section (800 marks)
Quantitative Ability Section (800 marks)
Writing Assessment ( grading )
Word Of Caution
in each section first few questions carry more weightage then the latter ones .So while preparing practice to set your pace accordingly. Give a little bit extra time to the first few questions and leave the inevitable guessing for the last ones
Verbal Section is the most important section and apparently the most difficult one . It includes Reading Comprehensions , Analogies , fill in the blanks etc
For all these sub sections in verbal section the one thing that is very much essential is excellent vocabulary.
Take care of the vocabulary part and ur Gre test is taken care of.
Building Vocabulary
Since this is the most crucial step in GRE preparation , I will give a few tips on it.
? There is no short cut to build vocabulary .The only way to do it is to learn it rigorously and regularly without missing even a single day .
? For warm up start with ?word power made easy by Norman lewis?.
? Then move on to baron?s word list.
? Start with learning 30 words a day and slowly build the tempo.
? Cut the A4 size paper in two parts along its long side and use it to make word lists for your own reference .
? Always carry your word lists with you even while you are traveling .Make sure you go through with them whenever you can spare a few minutes. You could carry them with you to the classrooms , your work place or while you are traveling .
? Before starting the new list always go through the previous ones you have completed.
? You will notice that there are some specific words which you always forget .Prepare a separate list of those words and make it a point to go through these words every day first thing in the morning (without fail).
? Every now and then give an entire day to review all the previous lists which you think you have already done.
? Never forget to go through the foreign language words which are being used in English .You can get separate lists for these words .Then there are categorized wordlists e.g. one list for the various words describing animals for their male gender, female gender and kids.
? Read as much as you can and try to use the words you are learning.
? Always be in the close vicinity of a dictionary.
trust me once you are very thorough with the vocabulary section your 60 % preparation is through.
Quantitative Ability is one section which engg grads doesn?t have to bother much about. A few tips for this section.
? Solve as many sample question papers as time permits.
? Devise and remember shortcuts for tricky problems as time is a crucial element while solving it.
Writing Assessment
It consists of two essays .In first you have to argue fro an issue and in second you have to criticize an argument.
A few tips to prepare for this section
? Well MS itself is a good place to prepare for this section write as many quality reviews as you can and the advantage is people are rating and commenting on what you write.
? While writing keep a few things in mind. Like usage of good and appropriate words and absolutely no grammatical mistake.
? Read as much as you can .This section require you to possess good general awareness and that comes only by passionate reading.
? There are a few sited where you can find some sample writings which help you to have an idea on the writing style.
Preparing for the application process
The moment you decide to give GRE go through this check list.
? Which session you plan to go for your studies .
? Start an year in advance. Suppose you plan to go for fall 2005 then you should start preparing sometime in may- june 2004 and take your exam by September last week 2004.
? Get enrolled for the test well in advance .Usually you have to book a date for your exams almost 3-4 months in advance.
? Start selecting the list of universities the very day you start preparing for GRE.
? Make sure you have three good recommendations .I am emphasizing this point cause recommendations play a major role in your selection of any of the universities.
? Keep all the marks cards and official transcripts ready.
? Be ready with the bank statements of the right amount.
? By the time you apply you should have at least two very good projects in your respective fields to your credit. It will be in your best interest to do the projects under someone?s guidance whose credentials are impressive enough to ensure your selection .
? As I said prepare an year in advance .So now you must be knowing if you start preparing for the application process after giving your exams you will be lacking in so many places .e.g. you may not have good projects, may not have good recos .
? Participate in extra curricular activities .for example : paper presentations and keep the relevant certificates with you to prove that you did. At the time of application process this plays an important role .
? Always apply well in advance rather then waiting for the deadline to come near.
*Once again I will repeat preparing for GRE and getting a good score is quite easy (with firm determination and hard work of course) but the hardest part is to secure a place in a good university and get financial aid. That is what one should prepare for along with the test. I have tried to give a few tips on this aspect but still there is much more to it. For more information feel free to write me.
*Jai
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