Post on 17-Jan-2016
transcript
GRE
General Facts
And
Self-defense Tips
• Verbal Section – ~30 questions
Analogies
Sentence Completion
Reading Comprehension
Antonyms
• Math Section – ~28 questions
Quantitative Comparison
Standard Multiple Choice
• Analytical Writing Section
Verbal and math sections scored from 200-800
Most programs require the sum of verbal and math scores to be at least 1000
Analytical Writing section is scored from 0-6, and is not required by most programs.
The GRE is a computer-based test
•Fewer questions than paper-and-pencil test
• Skipping questions is not allowed
• Current question based on past performance
The GRE may be taken at virtually any time of the year.
You may take the GRE once per calendar month.
Scores take approximately two weeks to arrive.
Test-taking Tips
Quantitative Comparison:
• Simplify complicated expressions:
2
8
3
12
4
Column A Column B
4
Answer: C
Column A Column B
yzyx 22
0 zx
zx
Answer: C
• Try to derive one side or the other from extra information:
Column A Column B
:1,, zyx
:2,, zyx
Answer: D
111 111
1 3
222 222
8 6
• Plug in numbers for variables:
Column A Column B
:0t
:1t
021
1
031
1
121
1
131
1
2
12
1
3
1
4
1
=
Answer: D
• Plug in numbers for variables:
• Plug in numbers for variables:
x y
1 2
2
11
2
1
1
2
undefined
1
Answer: E
2
Reciprocal: 2
Always look for ways to combine equations:
3 cb32 caAdd: + _____ ___ +
35 ba
Answer: B
Answer: C
Column A Column B
1032 yx82 yxSubtract: - (_____) __-
2 yx
• Combine equations:
• Combine equations:
0 zyx032 zyx ++043 zx
zx 43
43
z
x
3
4
z
x
Answer: B
Geometry
The strategy:
• Draw a diagram
• Translate the information into equations
• Solve the equations
Example:
A rectangle has a width equal to half its length. If the area if the rectangle is 50 square inches, what is the width of the rectangle?
Draw a diagram:
Translate the information into equations:
l
2
lw
w
50wl
Solve the equations:
2
lw
50wl
Substitute:
502
l
l
1002 l
10l
2
10w
Substitute:
5w
Sometimes there will be more than one way to draw a diagram.
In quantitative comparison items that lack a diagram, the whole point of the item may simply be to recognize different ways of representing the given information.
Example:
Pg. 200, #14:
Column A Column B
This could be K: … or this could be K:
3
443 3
4Answer: D
Many items come with diagrams. But unless told otherwise, one may not assume that the diagrams are drawn to scale.
Again, especially with quantitative comparison items, keeping in mind other diagrams consistent with the given information is crucial.
Example:
Pg. 241, #4:
Column A Column B
x
y
x
y
Answer: D
This could be the triangle …
… or this could be the triangle.
Use the diagram and any additional information from the item to gain clues about which equations to use.
If some of the angles of a triangle are labeled, facts involving angle measures are probably relevant. If some of the sides of a triangle are labeled, facts involving side lengths are probably relevant.
Examples:
1220
A
25°
x°
Here sides are labeled …
… so facts involving side lengths are relevant.
Here angles are labeled …
… so facts involving angle measures are relevant.
222 2012 A 1802590 x
Look for key words in the item that suggest equations to use:
• area
• circumference
• perimeter
Example:
Pg. 229, #19:
r2ncecircumfere
2area r
102 r
5r
252 r
Translate:
Answer: D
• Identify parts of speech
• check for similarities/differences
• Form a connection sentence
Analogies:
Answer: B
Sentence Completion:
• Pay attention to similarity/contrast clues
Answer: E
Reading Comprehension:
• “according to” vs. “inference” or “suggests”
A more than B => B less than A
Answer: D
“According to”: answer is a paraphrase of statement from passage.
Answer: B
“suggests”: answer will go beyond what is stated, usually by exploiting structural details.
Final Tips:
• Practice with PowerPrep software (GRE.org)
• Use only real GRE questions when you study
• Improving vocabulary is the key to verbal success
• Very few math skills required; emphasis is on problem-solving ability