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