GRE anyone...

SigKapLily

Ok, so I've decided I'm ready to go back to school and get my masters. Now I just have to take the GRE. I've been researching online and asking friends about the best books to use to study for it. So, if you've taken it, what did you use? Anyone have a good recommendation on the best book for it??

Oh, If ya'll are feeling nice, please send some good luck vibes my way... I had a job interview on Friday and I'm now playing the waiting game to hear back from them!

Thanks ladies!

Ana_2985

I love a good standardized test.

I got the Kaplan book.  There's a lot of stuff you probably won't need- like endless amounts of vocabulary words but they all have that anyway.  I liked it because it does come with a CD that has a lot of practice tests.  So I wouldn't recommend trying to buy a used copy.  When you sign up for the test you should (I didn't) get a CD with maybe 2 practice tests, but IMO doing as many practice tests as you can is much better than trying to study vocab words.

Good luck with the test and the possible job!

megtmag

Unlike the above poster, I actually didn't get much out of the practice tests in the Kaplan books. To each his own :-)

I don't remember the exact name of the book, but it was just common GRE vocab words on flash cards that included synonyms and other test-worthy info. It won't help you with the quantitative portion, but it was definitely one of the easiest ways to study (and bring up your overall score). 

Ana_2985

PP has a good point.  Whether it is more important for you to do well on the verbal or the math section depends on what type of program you are applying to.  For example, many science programs require a score of at least 700, but an education program might care more about how you score on the verbal and written sections.

SigKapLily

Very true. I'm applying to a School Psychology program but they say the score really doesn't matter, but I want to do the best I can on both portions, so anything that will help me on both the math and science as well as the verbal and written.

Ana- You're like the 10th person to recommend the Kaplan book! I guess it's pretty good!

Thank guys!

paintgirl

Good luck with the interview! I'm sending good vibes for you!

I didn't take a GRE for my program so I'm no help. (Airplane people - if you can fly the plane again after I land it, you get in the program [kidding - sort of]. It's a different world.)

SigKapLily

Paint- Thanks! Hopefully I'll know by tomorrow! What type of program are you in that allows you to fly? Flying planes sounds awesome! I'm to much of a chicken to do it, but my bf is working on his pilots license so hopefully one day he'll be able to fly me to awesome places...hahaha

202987

OK, I'm a loser and had to Google "GRE" to know what type of test it is.  *Feels shame*

BUT the reason I did is to see if there's math, because I am mathematically challenged, and I have the "Math Review for Standardized Tests" Cliffs Notes book.  I know English teachers frown on Cliff Notes, but for math it should be OK, because there's no interpretation involved.  It breaks things down pretty well, so I will recommend it. 

Good Luck!

noelle24

English is all vocab... so just go through the lists and try to learn as many words as possible.

The math is easier than SAT math.  And there are 4 or 5 basic types of problems they will give you.  Any of the review books should explain this (I didn't use Kaplan... but I don't remember what is was) and show you how to approach any math problem. 

And definitely take lots of practice tests!

desertsun

My best recommendation is START PREPARING EARLY.

I also used the Kaplan book, and found the math section really helpful. There is also a Princeton review Crash Course or something similar that really helped me with the math.

I started studying about 2 months out, and put in an hour of study time 4 days a week or so. I really think this was key in bringing my math score up 200 points from the first practice test I took to my actual score.

Good luck!

paintgirl

SigKap - I've flown several types of airplanes. My masters is in Aeronautical Science. I don't fly now - medical reasons - but I'm still in aviation. I finished my masters over 6 years ago now. Where did the time go?? Followed quickly by, "Man I'm old".

And cool that your man is learning to fly! That's awesome. I used to be a flight instructor. It is a lot of fun to be able to rent a plane and go wherever you want - on your schedule!

PaigeMcC

I have no advice on your test but good luck with the job interview on Friday!!

yellowroseFRA

I decided on grad school here in Germany bc I would rather do everything in a foreign language than face SAT math again ok not really, but still, if math isn't your thing, a practice book helps alot - I know plenty of math-tarded people who otherwise wouldn't be in grad school!

paint - the flying thing is awesome! My sister is a flight officer on P3s in the navy and her husband is really into civil air patrol, so they are always going flying and it looks so fun. Renting a plane is a budget killer though!

nebbiolo

I also used the Kaplan book. I only studied for 2-3 weeks though, and recommend starting way earlier than I did. I had been out of undergrad for 7 years and couldn't remember jack! But I ended up doing much better than I thought I would.

Good luck to you!!

J&K10910

I used the Princeton Review books for both the general and the subject test (psych).  I know a lot of people have not like the PR books, but I found their vocab list to be helpful.  I saw MANY of their vocab list words on the test.  My tip is to review the math, especially if it's been years since you've had a math test, and then focus on studying vocab and doing practice questions (you'll get a CD with practice tests when you register for the test).  Getting used to the type of questions and knowing the vocab is what (IMO) will help your score the most.

zaneopal

Like a lot of the other PPs, I'm gonna say the Kaplan book. And vocab flash cards. I didn't prep for the math so much since I managed to retain a lot of calculus and I'm a math brain in general. (Also, generally, people get higher math than verbal scores over all)

Also, the test questions get harder as you get more of them correct, so if it suddenly gets like, ridiculously difficult, that means you're doing well. All of a sudden I was getting these vocab words that I was certain weren't actually in English.

SigKapLily

Thanks ladies!! Ya'll have great suggestions. I guess it's time to make my shopping list of books! Yay studying...haha... I'm slightly terrified of the math part, I'm so not a math person... but hopefully studying will help!

Thanks again ladies!

m983

Ditto Zaneopal.  I bought the KAPLAN book, but mostly just read the strategy section (then returned it). 

Strategy is almost more imperative than your actual knowledge.  The first five questions of each section determines your score within 200 points (if I remember correctly), so spending a lot of time on those can actually help tremendously. 

I'd recommend going to B&N or your local college bookstore and reading the introductions to a bunch of guides.  All that reading will be oh-so-fun and good practice for grad school.