Some usefull Information about GRE Test Preparation

GRE Test Preparation

Since GRE is basically an Aptitude test required for joining a graduate course, it is very important to get a good score in it. It cannot be taken lightly since it also includes other general questions in addition to what a candidate has studied in school. Although a good academic record forms a strong foundation for the test, you cannot ignore the fact that GRE test preparation is what actually adds to a better score ensuring you are equipped with confidence, knowledge, practice and training to take the test.
To start with GRE test preparation, a candidate needs to device his preparation strategy which has to include:

• Effective Time Management

An approximate time of about 2 to 3 months is enough for the GRE preparation. Fixing a certain number of hours daily with adequate time devoted to practicing the sample tests will see that a strict schedule is adhered to in order to complete the syllabus as well as revise it before the test. There are many last minute preparation courses which you can also join, which can help you in time management. Thus, no tension and a calm approach is the key.

• Awareness of Test structure

For GRE test preparation, it makes sense to find out as much as possible about the test be it information from books,
friends, instructors, Internet, newspapers etc. Knowing about the different sections of the test, the types of questions asked in it, the syllabus covered will make a candidate better prepared.

• Collecting Good Reference Materials

Looking through various reference materials like books, software, videos, coaching class notes etc. will benefit a candidate and act as a support to fall back on when doubt.
The reference materials should however be authentic, credible & worth studying from. A book written by professionals, the advice of experienced teachers as well as students who have scored well in GRE can be very useful.

• Selecting a Suitable Method of Study

In addition to studying on their own, a candidate can choose interactive and interesting methods for GRE test prep by choosing a coaching class that can help in preparation with the special modules and courses.
Another source that is extremely interactive as well as interesting is the online source. Not only do web sites provide information regarding the test, but they also offer practice tests, discussion forums and 24-hour help lines.
Special GRE test prep software is available that makes it easier for a student to study for the test. There are CDs available in the market as well as software that can be downloaded from the Internet.
Keeping all of the above points in mind, the student can take the GRE while pursuing his under-graduate course which will make him suitably ready for the admission deadlines set by the graduate schools he is interested in applying.

• Practice Original Test papers

Get hold of the BigBook or any other source that has original questions and practice at least one test a day. It won't take you more than 2 hours to do three sections. Then revise the questions and solutions. In this way you can do one paper based test in 2 days.
After each day's work, revise it carefully. Use CareerCampus.net's solutions if you have the CD. Otherwise, you can discuss with fellow students about why you got the answers wrong.

• Practice timed CATs

You should practice three full-length CATs before you go to the exam. While practicing with the BigBook, you get training on the kind of questions you will face in the exam. But practice on CATs will tune you for the front end of the exam.

• Revise your vocabulary for 2 hours a day

You can use powerful programs like CareerCampus.net-WordMine or word lists. But you must have several thousandwords at your finger tips when you attend the exam.

• Revision

Revise the strategies on one section every day for one hour.

• Practice timed reading

Take a 500 page book (preferably non-fiction). It will have around 1,50,000 words. GRE/GMAT expects you to have reading speeds of 400 words per minute. Which means that you should finish the book in 400 minutes or approximately 7 hours.
Read for 1 hour every day. You must cover approximately 70 pages. If you are well below that (most probably this will be the case), every day, try to read 10% faster than your previous day's speed. Do this for an entire month.
As you can see, I have given you a 8-hour a day work. That's a lot. But that is what you need if you want a 2200 score.
The GRE is an important part of your application to graduate school. Here is a bit of advice on how to prepare more efficiently.

What's the ideal timing?

You'll probably submit your application form between January and March of the year you want to begin your graduate degree. Ideally, you'll take the GRE around September of the previous year so that you can retake it if you feel that you haven't performed as well as you could have. If you plan for three months of preparation, you should get down to work in June of the year preceding your potential admission date.

What books and other materials should you use?

Preparation books do the job, but the official exams from ETS are only published after they're given. This is the test thatyou need more than any other. To supplement it you can use others, which may offer good advice and questions that areclose to the real thing, but concentrate first and foremost on past exam questions.

How should you organize yourself?

• You'll have to be strict with yourself. Here's a recommended plan of action:
• Start by completing a mock GRE to get yourself into exam mode (get up early, no long breaks between sections, silence, etc.).
• Depending on your first score, decide on the amount of work you're going to have to do. If you think you'll need a significant amount of preparation time, set aside weekly blocks of time.
• Go over the word list for the vocabulary questions. Get into the habit of reading as much as possible. This also has the benefit of improving your awareness of current affairs.
• At the same time, keep testing yourself with questions from past exams.
• Half-way through, do another practice GRE test under exam conditions so you can check on your progress. Depending on the results, you might now be able to turn your undivided attention to the question types that still cause problems for you. Learn to recognize such questions, so that you do not waste an inordinate amount of time on these weakness during the real test.
• Lastly, finish your preparation with one or two practice GREs under exam conditions. The last one should be close to your set target. date

During the test

Throughout the GRE exam period, time and stress management are as important as understanding and knowledge of the material covered. Stay calm during the exam (this really is of the utmost importance!), do breathing relaxation exercises during the short pauses between sections, and eat well before the test.