The GRE – everyone stresses over it. But why is it so important? Basically, if you’re hoping to get into a good graduate school, the GRE is perhaps the single most important test you’ll ever take. In many cases, your score on the GRE test is what will get you considered for admission or denied to the college of your dreams. Before many graduate schools even look at your application essay, your undergraduate GPA, or your glowing list of achievements, they check your GRE score. Your GRE score is important – so don't slack off when it comes to preparing!
Obviously, before you take the GRE you should take the time to properly prepare for it. Studying for the GRE is similar to studying for the ACT test or SAT test in that there are multiple sections, including a verbal part and a quantitative reasoning section. There are also eight separate subject tests, including chemistry, biology and literature, which you may have to take depending on what your graduate school application requires.
Since there's so much to cover, a good GRE course will help you learn different study techniques for all the types of questions you'll encounter and will give you access to test-taking tips, tricks and strategies. Some courses are self-directed, while others include classroom time or online study. Self-directed study materials may cost a hundred dollars or so, while online or classroom GRE courses can be much more expensive. However, if you're someone who needs the motivation of a classroom setting, the cost is worth it if you need a high GRE score to get into the graduate program of your choice.
Completing a self-directed GRE class is simple enough. All you need to do is purchase one of the many different GRE prep books that are on the market. Many of these include not only outlines on what to study, but also practice tests, which will help you become more familiar with the structure of the exam. Since the GRE is now mostly taken on computers, many GRE classes come with a CD of practice tests so you can get used to answering questions on the computer.
Online GRE courses and classroom courses can be very helpful, but are often too expensive for students' limited budgets. You may also be able to find in-person GRE prep courses through your college or local library system. If you can’t find any, you might consider forming a GRE study group with other students to get the human interaction and discussion on questions that you can’t get from a book.
Be sure to focus on everything the GRE course has to offer. Even if the program you're applying for favors the verbal score over the math, you should still work at achieving a solid math score. Your composite score will be lowered if you don’t do well on both portions of the test and some scholarships are based on a student’s overall GRE score, not just the verbal or the math sections.
Take the GRE seriously and reflect that attitude by adequately studying for it. The more prepared you are, the better the score you receive, the more likely you are to be accepted to the graduate school program of your choice.
