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I'm going to be taking the GRE sometime this summer, hopefully sooner rather than later. I'd like to do really good on it, but I'm running into a snag - I seemed to be mathematically inept. I recently took a practice test and aced the English without studying and got maybe half right in the Math portions with a good 3 hours of studying. It was discouraging.
So I was wondering if anyone knew of any website that just throw GRE level math questions at you and help explain them if you get them wrong. Something like what freerice.org does for vocab, except it doesn't need to be humanitarian, just helpful.
posted
You can get sample questions from ETS. You're probably better off getting yourself a prep book though.
You know, a simple google search yielded any amazing wealth of resources. Maybe you should have done that before you came for help here.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Prep book would be the way to go - I like Barron's, but some people find it a little too technical and dry.
Also, GRE math isn't fundamentally any more difficult than SAT math (altho the computer-adaptive format has its own... charms). How'd you do on the SAT math section? If you study in a similar way for the GRE math section, you'll probably do about the same (in terms of percentile level).
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: You can get sample questions from ETS. You're probably better off getting yourself a prep book though.
You know, a simple google search yielded any amazing wealth of resources. Maybe you should have done that before you came for help here.
Gimme a little more credit Squick . I have Barron's prep book and I've perused Google extensively, but after spending hours studying I still really struggle when I sit down and take a practice test. I can memorize how to answer specific questions, but none of the resources on Google or the prep book have really succeded in communicating the overall concepts to me thick skull. Maybe I'm hopeless, but I was hoping someone could recommend something that really helped them. If not, it's all good though. Barron's isn't bad. I'm sure I can force myself to do decent enough with it. I'm just a perfectionist.
I got a 770 on the verbal portion of the SAT without studying at all. After 3 times of taking it I finally got up to a 540 on math. And this was after I tutored College Algebra at a community college for a year. I'm not gonna lie, it's frustrating.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: You can get sample questions from ETS. You're probably better off getting yourself a prep book though.
You know, a simple google search yielded any amazing wealth of resources. Maybe you should have done that before you came for help here.
Gimme a little more credit Squick . I have Barron's prep book and I've perused Google extensively, but after spending hours studying I still really struggle when I sit down and take a practice test. I can memorize how to answer specific questions, but none of the resources on Google or the prep book have really succeded in communicating the overall concepts to me thick skull. Maybe I'm hopeless, but I was hoping someone could recommend something that really helped them. If not, it's all good though. Barron's isn't bad. I'm sure I can force myself to do decent enough with it. I'm just a perfectionist.
I got a 770 on the verbal portion of the SAT without studying at all. After 3 times of taking it I finally got up to a 540 on math. And this was after I tutored College Algebra at a community college for a year. I'm not gonna lie, it's frustrating.
I don't like the GRE. Honestly, I don't think I'm any more proficient at math than you are, but I got the first questions right, so I got a 730. I missed some of the first questions on the verbal, and some of them were hard (and I was a writing major), and I only got a 600.
Basically, I brushed up on your basic algebra and geometry, and prepared myself for questions that weren't going to simply challenge that basic knowledge, but also how I could apply it in different ways.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Aug 2007
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You are probably not going to do very well on the math portion of the GRE. It relies on an ability to grasp mathematical patterns relatively quickly.
Luckily, if you're not interested in going into a mathematically oriented discipline (which seems unlikely), the math score is essentially irrelevant, especially if you score very well on the verbal (note that any score over 700 on the GRE verbal is a very good score). Disciplines not requiring math basically don't look at the GRE quantitative score.
What subject do you want to enter grad school in?
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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Doc, If the books and all aren't helping you get the concepts, the only additional thing I can suggest is looking into getting a tutor.
You can't do well without understanding the concepts and being able to apply them quickly and I don't think what you are looking for is going to help you with that.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Yeah. I don't know why I just can't seem to grasp it. I keep on hoping for this "Aha!" experience, but it just doesn't come. I'm going into History, so I guess math isn't a big deal, but I'd still like to do well on the GRE in general. Scholarships/fellowships and all that. Also, I feel like this is going to be my last real chance to have a reason to get better at math. But alas, perhaps it is not meant to be.
We'll see. I was thinking about putting off taking it as long as possible but at this point I think I might just study hard for a week and then take it.
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Doc, If you can post some of the questions from the sample tests that you get wrong, your answers, and your thinking, I may be able to explain the concept you're not getting.
I aced the GRE when I took it back in 2000.
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Scholarships and fellowships take into account the area you're going to study. Your math GRE isn't going to matter much, if at all. This is particularly true because of how many people receive 800s on the math GRE -- it just isn't possible to have a truly exceptional score.
An 800 on the verbal, however, is very exceptional. Even a 770 is 99th percentile (at least it was a year and a half ago or so).
Posts: 15770 | Registered: Dec 2001
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When I took it two years ago, I really liked studying from Kaplan. I would suggest giving it a try if you haven't already.
Posts: 306 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I have never taken the GRE, the Public Health program at my school did not require it, but as with all tests like this, you should get a book. I think they may even offer classes on helping you prepare. I would not think that three hours would be enough study time, especially if math is not a strong area of yours. The books will help you develop a study plan and give you tons more practice questions.
Posts: 2064 | Registered: Dec 2003
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quote:Originally posted by fugu13: Scholarships and fellowships take into account the area you're going to study. Your math GRE isn't going to matter much, if at all. This is particularly true because of how many people receive 800s on the math GRE -- it just isn't possible to have a truly exceptional score.
An 800 on the verbal, however, is very exceptional. Even a 770 is 99th percentile (at least it was a year and a half ago or so).
My 800 (ETA: on the math) was something like 96th or 97th percentile. It was fairly ridiculous.
When you register for the GRE, you should receive a copy of the Powerprep software in the mail. I registered for the test a shortly before I took it, and got the software a day or so before I took the test.
Posts: 1757 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Carrie: It has become even worse. I think my 800 was 86th percentile or so.
As I mentioned before, my 770 Verbal was 99th percentile, and my 6 (I think that's the high score) on the analytical writing was . . . I forget, but I think 99th.
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My 800 on the math around the 94th percentile, I think. Like the SAT, it depends on which particular version of the test you took (and perhaps when you took it).
Dr. Strangelove, I've taught & tutored the math sections for both the SAT & GRE before. If you want to post more details about your particular problems, I might be able to help you, or you're free to email me (in my profile).
Posts: 2409 | Registered: Sep 2003
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My advice is not to be up all night nursing a fussy teething baby the night before you take the test. Apparently my verbal skills aren't as affected by sleep deprivation, as I got a 790 on that section, but when it got to the math section I felt like someone had stuffed my brain full of cotton. And I'd aced the practice tests.
Fortunately, for the program I was applying for the math wasn't really relevant. Fugu is right about that -- for a non-math program your math score doesn't matter, even for scholarships and fellowships. I understand about wanting to do well on it anyway, though -- I half expect I'll retake the thing at some point just because it ticks me off to have done so poorly on it. I was the captain of the high school math team for Pete's sake! (20 years ago. *sigh* My brains are decaying.)
Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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I tutor people who have not earned a high enough score on the math portion and the most helpful site I have found is this one. It offers tutorials. It also allows you to take tons of practice questions and then explains them. It divides the math into different sections (algebra, geometry, stats) so you can work on the specific area that you need.
Posts: 340 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Math is the difference between obtaining a 4year education as opposed to merely proving one can afford to take a 4year vacation.
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001
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dkw, I think baby-brain may affect math more than verbal in general. At least among the people I've talked to about this. I know I only occasionally forget a word (though when I do it's usually something really stupid like "vacuum cleaner") whereas I regularly lose the ability to do even basic mental arithmetic, and can't remember a very basic algebraic concept or formula when I need one.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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It could be because my brain works better with math then verbal normally, but baby-brain led to a lot more conversations with me forgetting half the words then problems with math. And the progress review I had to write during my 6 weeks of maternity leave (and the presentation I had to give when my baby was not quite 8 weeks old) were pretty awful. But I did not screw up any of the formulas. Posts: 2223 | Registered: Mar 2008
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So I've been studying :-). Not non-stop, but darn near close to it. I fear I may be frying my brain. But that's ok. I'm doing better. I'm consistently solving the ones that I should be able to solve. The problem is still those completely baffle me. I'm making a list and I'll likely post it here if my roommates can't help. Psh. Turns out at least two of them love math and that they'd be willing to help me out. I guess whining and moaning while studying can be effective.
I actually did disappointingly bad on the antonym section of that number2.com thing. One which particularly infuriated me:
Iconoclast a) conformist b) theologian c) rebel d) heretic
blah blah. I can't remember the last one exactly, but it was of the same sort. There was no "iconodule"! And when the answer finally ended up being "conformist" the explanation it gave said "While the definition of an iconoclast is someone against religious imagery it is also commonly used in the context of nonconformity". Says who? Now, I'm ok with the principle of using taking a fuzzy concept and expanding its definition, but this just completely discarded the concrete definition of "iconoclast". The word has a definition, which I know, but which you choose not to use, and you expect me to know the antonym of your made up meaning. Gah!
But overeall I'd say I'm doing well. Thanks for the offers of tutoring. Don't be surprised if I take you up on it.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Iconoclast started out meaning someone who destroys icons. It has come to mean someone who attacks any sacred beliefs. This isn't a made up meaning. Look it up in any dictionary of your choice and it will be there.
Conformist isn't an exact antonym, but it's by far the best choice.
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The problem is me being a history major and iconoclast a term that I'm very familiar with being used ... in a historical context. It's difficult sometimes for me to think not in historical terms but in dictionary terms. I love language, and I love the evolution of language, the growth of words. Sometimes though ... it's just a little hard to watch my babies grow up into broad, general terms. Ah for the days when it just meant smashing idols and burning false images ...
I am glad that I'm studying the Verbal portion as well. I've been out of the realm of general education for so long (the past two years have almost only been history classes), I've almost forgotten how to not only be thinking of history.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by MrSquicky: Conformist isn't an exact antonym, but it's by far the best choice.
Agreed. I wasn't even aware of the original meaning of the word (although the etymology is quite clear).
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Tomorrow's the big day. I got a 610 on a practice test I did yesterday (one I downloaded for ETS), so that was encouraging. We'll see though. I fear I've neglected the Verbal portion too much. We'll see though. I have fuzzy butterflies.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Thanks for the well-wishes. I've probably spent upwards of 50 hours studying math over the past three weeks. Maybe more. And it's helped. It's given me confidence. I feel like I've made up for a lot of the ground I lost by completely neglecting math for so many years. And it wasn't impossible for me. It took a lot of work and some rewiring of my brain, but my mistakes are less conceptual and more careless now. There are still some things I don't get, but this new found confidence makes me look at them as something I can learn instead of this indecipherable gaggledeegook. In the practice tests I've taken, antonyms have given me quite a bit of trouble. Well, more trouble than I expected I should say. I'll do good enough on them, though I do wish I'd prepared just a little bit more.
I want to thank everyone who offered to help me. Yes, I didn't take any of you up on your offers because I'm a prideful fool, but knowing that if I got too frustrated I would have to lose my pride and come to one of you helped me through the hard times .
Dear God I hope I do good on this thing tomorrow .
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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1310! Ironically, the same score I got on the SAT. Different combination though. I got a 630 on the Verbal portion. Not bad, but not great. I guess that's what I get for not studying at all. But that means a 680 on math! That's beyond my wildest expectations. Ok, so not my wildest dreams, but according to my standards, I seriously exceeded expectations. Man. I am so stoked. I guess studying does help. Weird.
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If I'm not mistaken, doesn't that mean you missed one, possibly two of the first questions, and then proceeded to completely ace the rest of the test? Sounds like an accomplishment itself.
Posts: 368 | Registered: Aug 2007
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By the way, katdog, I definitely used that number2.com to the fullest extent it would let me. Thanks bunches.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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