Patricia Taylor-Cooke Drew C. Appleby
I have plenty of time to prepare. I didn’t really study for the SAT, so why should I study
for the GRE. I did okay on the SAT. So, I will do okay on the GRE. I got accepted to college. So, I will have no problem
getting into graduate school. My GRE test is still a year away.
I am only a Freshman/Sophomore/Junior. I don’t need to worry about it yet.
I can’t afford to get help in preparing for the GRE I’m not going to waste my money. It won’t help
anyway. I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t need to practice. You can take as long as you
want to answer the questions. What the heck is the GRE?
What is the GRE? How is the GRE Administered?
How Do I Prepare? Long-Term
Cost vs. Investment
What are the Sections?
Short-Term
Review
The New GRE!!
The Graduate Record Examination An examination that tests your skills in several different areas
Verbal Quantitative Analytical or Writing Assessment
One Part of Your Ticket to Graduate School
Subject Test (Will be covered later)
An Important Selection Criteria for Graduate Schools
The GRE is ONLY Available in CAT Format
CAT = Computer-Adaptive Test
Each question is chosen based on whether you answered the previous question correctly
Verbal Tests vocabulary, verbal reasoning skills, and ability to read with understanding and insight
30 questions
30 minutes
Types of questions include: Analogies, antonyms, sentence completion, and reading comprehension
(Kaplan, 2001)
ERRONEOUS:
o careful
o vigorous
o accurate
o convincing
o thoughtful
Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word
in capital letters.ERRONEOUS:
o careful
o vigorous
o accurate
o convincing
o thoughtful
Explanation:
Erroneous = incorrect
Closest Match = Accurate
Choose the word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word
in capital letters.ABET:
o Exaggerate
o Arrange
o Refuse
o Deter
o Confuse
ABET:
o Exaggerate
o Arrange
o Refuse
o Deter
o Confuse(Kaplan, 2001)
Explanation:
ABET = to aid
Closest Match = Deter
Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in
the original pair.DISCHARGED : SOLDIER
o fired : cannon
o graduated : student
o appointed : judge
o transferred : student
o docked : salary (Kaplan, 2001)
DISCHARGED : SOLDIER
o fired : cannon
o graduated : student
o appointed : judge
o transferred : student
o docked : salary
DISCHARGED : SOLDIER graduated : student
Discharged is what a soldier is said to be when his or her tour of duty is up and he or she is released from commitment to the armed forces.
Graduated is what a student is said to be when he or she has completed a particular stage of schooling, and is released.
(Kaplan, 2001)
Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in
the original pair.TITLED : NOBLE
o elected : candidate
o acclaimed : artist
o commissioned : officer
o deposed : ruler
o initiated : argument
TITLED : NOBLE
o elected : candidate
o acclaimed : artist
o commissioned : officer
o deposed : ruler
o initiated : argument
(Kaplan, 2001)
TITLED : NOBLE commissioned : officer
A person is called noble because he/she is titled.
An officer, especially one of the military, is an officer because he/she has been commissioned.
This one is easier if you work it from right to left.
(Kaplan, 2001)
Choose the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the
sentence as a whole.The author presumably believes that all businessmen are _______, for her main characters, whatever qualities they may lack, are virtual paragons of ______.
o clever…ingenuity
o covetous…greed
o virtuous…deceit
o successful…ambition
o cautious…achievement
The author presumably believes that all businessmen are _______, for her main characters, whatever qualities they may lack, are virtual paragons of ______.
o clever…ingenuity
o covetous…greed
o virtuous…deceit
o successful…ambition
o cautious…achievement (Kaplan, 2001)
Author believes business men are models of some quality.Implies that whatever bad points they may have, there’s one particular good thing about them.
After reading the passage, choose the best answer to each question. Answer all
questions following the passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.
(Kaplan, 2001)
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus, the very ancient surface of Callisto remains scarred by impact craters. The younger, more varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light and dark areas, the light areas featuring networks of intersecting grooves and ridges, probably resulting from later ice flows. The impact sites of Europa have been almost completely erased, apparently by water outflowing from the interior and instantly forming vast, low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io, the closest of the four to Jupiter, were revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most tectonically active object in the solar system. Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the energy for such activity, the accepted explanation has been that, forced into a highly eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming from a titanic contest between the other three Galilean moons and Jupiter.
(Kaplan, 2001)
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus, the very ancient surface of Callisto remains scarred by impact craters. The younger, more varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light and dark areas, the light areas featuring networks of intersecting grooves and ridges, probably resulting from later ice flows. The impact sites of Europa have been almost completely erased, apparently by water outflowing from the interior and instantly forming vast, low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io, the closest of the four to Jupiter, were revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most tectonically active object in the solar system. Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the energy for such activity, the accepted explanation has been that, forced into a highly eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming from a titanic contest between the other three Galilean moons and Jupiter.
According to the passage, which of the following is probably NOT true of the surface of Io?
a) It is not characterized by intense tectonic activity.
b) Its volcanos have resulted from powerful tides.
c) It is younger than the surface of Callisto.
d) It is distinguished by many impact craters.
e) It has apparently not been shaped by internal forces.
According to the passage, which of the following is probably NOT true of the surface of Io?
a) It is not characterized by intense tectonic activity.
b) Its volcanos have resulted from powerful tides.
c) It is younger than the surface of Callisto.
d) It is distinguished by many impact craters.
e) It has apparently not been shaped by internal forces.
The four Galilean satellites of Jupiter probably experienced early, intense bombardment. Thus, the very ancient surface of Callisto remains scarred by impact craters. The younger, more varied surface of Ganymede reveals distinct light and dark areas, the light areas featuring networks of intersecting grooves and ridges, probably resulting from later ice flows. The impact sites of Europa have been almost completely erased, apparently by water outflowing from the interior and instantly forming vast, low, frozen seas. Satellite photographs of Io, the closest of the four to Jupiter, were revelatory. They showed a landscape dominated by volcanoes, many erupting, making Io the most tectonically active object in the solar system. Since a body as small as Io cannot supply the energy for such activity, the accepted explanation has been that, forced into a highly eccentric orbit, Io is engulfed by tides stemming from a titanic contest between the other three Galilean moons and Jupiter.
It can be inferred that the geologic features found in the light areas of Ganymede were probably formed
a) subsequent to the features found in the dark areas.
b) in an earlier period than those in the dark areas.
c) at roughly the same time as the features found in the dark areas.
d) primarily by early bombardment.
e) by the satellite’s volcanic activity.
It can be inferred that the geologic features found in the light areas of Ganymede were probably formed
a) subsequent to the features found in the dark areas.
b) in an earlier period than those in the dark areas.
c) at roughly the same time as the features found in the dark areas.
d) primarily by early bombardment.
e) by the satellite’s volcanic activity.
Quantitative Tests basic math skills, understanding math concepts, and reasoning skills
45 minutes 28 questions
Types of questions include: Graph problems, problem solving, and quantitative comparison
(Kaplan, 2001)
This question consists of two quantities, one in column A and another in column B. You are to compare the two quantities and decide whether
the quantity in column A is greater;the quantity in column B is greater;the two quantities are equal;the relationship cannot be determined from
the information given
Common information: In a question, information concerning one or both of the quantities to be compared is centered above the two columns. A symbol that appears in both columns represents the same thing in column A as it does in column B.(Kaplan, 2001)
Column A Column B
a°
b°
89°91°
A
B C
D
ABCD is a rectangle
a b
(Kaplan, 2001)
First – Make the picture look like the description.
Column A Column B
a°
b°
89°91°
A
B C
D
ABCD is a rectanglea b
Answer: The quantity in column A is greater
Select the best answer choice given.
If a b = a+b for all nonnegative numbers, what is the value of 10 6?
o 0o 2o 4o 8o 16
If a b = a+b for all nonnegative numbers, what is the value of 10 6?
o 0o 2o 4o 8o 16
(Kaplan, 2001)
To solve just plug in 10 for a and 6 for b.
MEGACORP, INC.
REVENUE AND PROFIT DISTRIBUTION FOR FOOD- AND NONFOOD-RELATED OPERATIONS, 1984-1989
Total Revenues (in billions of dollars)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Non-FoodRelated
Food Related
Total Profits (in millions of dollars)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1984 1986 1988
Percent Revenues From Food-Related
Operations in 1989 By Category
30%
43%
7%
20%
Snack Foods
Soft Drinks
Alcoholic Bev.
Frozen Foods
(Kaplan, 2001)
Total Revenues (in billions of dollars)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Non-FoodRelated
Food Related
Total Profits (in millions of dollars)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1984 1986 1988
Percent Revenues From Food-Related Operations
in 1989 By Category
30%
43%
7%
20%
Snack Foods
Soft Drinks
Alcoholic Bev.
Frozen Foods
Approximately how much did total revenues increase from 1984 to 1987?
a) $ 0.5 billion b) $ 1.5 billion
c) $ 4.0 billion d) $ 4.5 billion
e) $ 5.0 billion
Approximately how much did total revenues increase from 1984 to 1987?
a) $ 0.5 billion b) $ 1.5 billion
c) $ 4.0 billion d) $ 4.5 billion
e) $ 5.0 billion
(Kaplan, 2001)
Total Revenues (in billions of dollars)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Non-FoodRelated
Food Related
Total Profits (in millions of dollars)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1984 1986 1988
30%
43%
7%
20%
Snack Foods
Soft Drinks
Alcoholic Bev.
Frozen Foods
In 1989, approximately how many millions of dollars were revenues from frozen food operations?
a) 1,700 b) 1,100
c) 900 d) 600
e) 450
In 1989, approximately how many millions of dollars were revenues from frozen food operations?
a) 1,700 b) 1,100
c) 900 d) 600
e) 450
Percent Revenues From Food-Related Operations
in 1989 By Category
(Kaplan, 2001)
Analytical Tests ability to draw logical conclusions and analyze and understand arguments
60 minutes 35 questions
Types of questions include: Logic games and logical reasoning
(Kaplan, 2001)
Each question or group of questions is based on a passage or a set of conditions.
You may wish to draw a diagram to answer some of the questions. Choose
the best answer for each question and fill in the corresponding space on your
answer sheet.
(Kaplan, 2001)
The creative director of an ad agency wants to select four employees to work on different aspects of a new campaign. The seven employees available are Alan, Beatrice, Cindy, Dalen, Enid, Felicity, and Godfrey.
Alan and Beatrice will not work together.
Enid and Beatrice will not work together.
Felicity will not work on a new campaign unless Dalen does, and vice versa.
Which of the following is an acceptable group of four employees?
a) Alan, Cindy, Enid, Dalenb) Beatrice, Dalen, Cindy, Godfreyc) Beatrice, Dalen, Enid, Felicityd) Beatrice, Dalen, Alan, Felicitye) Beatrice, Dalen, Felicity, Godfrey
(Kaplan, 2001)
First – Represent all Names by Using Letters ETS Writes all Names/Items to Begin with Different Letters of the Alphabet
Alan - ABeatrice - BCindy - CDalen - DEnid - EFelicity - FGodfrey - G
A B C D E F G
Rules:
A B
E B
If D F
If not D F
Which of the following is an acceptable group of four employees?
a) Alan, Cindy, Enid, Dalenb) Beatrice, Dalen, Cindy, Godfreyc) Beatrice, Dalen, Enid, Felicityd) Beatrice, Dalen, Alan, Felicitye) Beatrice, Dalen, Felicity, Godfrey
Start by rewriting the rules.Next eliminate wrong choices.
Rule 1 eliminates choice D.Rule 2 eliminates choice C.Rule 3 eliminates choices A and B.
Which of the following is an acceptable group of four employees?
a) Alan, Cindy, Enid, Dalenb) Beatrice, Dalen, Cindy, Godfreyc) Beatrice, Dalen, Enid, Felicityd) Beatrice, Dalen, Alan, Felicitye) Beatrice, Dalen, Felicity, Godfrey
(Kaplan, 2001)
A B C D E F G
Rules:
A B
E B
If D F
If not D F
If Beatrice is selected, which of the following must also be selected?
a) Godfreyb) Dalenc) Enidd) Cindye) Alan
B F D ?
Rules 1 & 2 eliminates choices C & E.Leaves people C, D, F & G.
If leave out F & D then only three possible.Therefore, we must choose F & D.
Leaves C & G to choose from and either could go, but neither must go.
If Beatrice is selected, which of the following must also be selected?
a) Godfreyb) Dalenc) Enidd) Cindye) Alan
(Kaplan, 2001)
First, draw 4 blanks to represent possibilities
You already have B so you can’t have A (choice E) or E (choice C).
Plant Y thrives in environments of great sunlight and very little moisture. Desert X is an environment with constant, powerful sunlight, and next-to-no moisture. Although, plant Y thrives in the areas surrounding desert X, it does not exist naturally in the desert, nor does it survive long when introduced there.
Which of the following would be most useful in explaining the apparent discrepancy above?a) Desert X’s climate is far too harsh for the animals
that normally feed on plant Y.
b) For one week in the fall, desert X gets consistent rainfall.
c) The environment around desert X is ideally suited to the needs of plant Y.
d) Due to lack of sufficient moisture, desert X can support almost no plant life.
e) Plant Y cannot survive in temperatures as high as those normally found in desert X.
(Kaplan, 2001)
Explanation:
a) Desert X’s climate is far too harsh for the animals that normally feed on plant Y.
b) For one week in the fall, desert X gets consistent rainfall.
c) The environment around desert X is ideally suited to the needs of plant Y.
d) Due to lack of sufficient moisture, desert X can support almost no plant life.
e) Plant Y cannot survive in temperatures as high as those normally found in desert X.
Answer A doesn’t work because a plant doesn’t need animals to feed on it to survive.B is out because one week of consistent rainfall doesn’t explain why Y isn’t in desert X at other times.C is out because the fact that it can easily grow elsewhere isn’t relevant to the question of why it doesn’t grow in desert X.D fails because the ability of other plants to grow in desert X has nothing to do with plant Y.
So, E is the correct answer.a) Desert X’s climate is far too harsh for the animals that
normally feed on plant Y.
b) For one week in the fall, desert X gets consistent rainfall.
c) The environment around desert X is ideally suited to the needs of plant Y.
d) Due to lack of sufficient moisture, desert X can support almost no plant life.
e) Plant Y cannot survive in temperatures as high as those normally found in desert X. (Kaplan, 2001)
Beginning October 1st 2002
Analytical Section Replaced with the Writing Assessment
(ETS, 2002)
You Have Two Options Take the GRE Before October 1st
What if I Have Already Prepared for the Analytical Section?
Prepare for the Writing Assessment
ETS is Recommending all Institutions to Consider both Formats Equally
Will the Universities Make me Retake the GRE if I Didn’t Take the Writing Assessment?
(ETS, 2002)
Choose By Considering Your Strengths Are You a Strong Writer?
How Do I Choose Which One to Take?
Are You Stronger at the Analytical Section?
You Can Always Choose to Take the Writing Assessment Separately Until October 1, 2002
(ETS, 2002)
Consists of 2 Parts Present Your Perspective on an Issue
Analyze an Argument
You are Given a Choice of Two Issues 45 Minutes to Write
An Argument Will be Given 30 Minutes to Write
Scored on a 6-Point Scale
(ETS, 2002)
Present Your Perspective on an Issue Assesses Your Ability to Think
Critically About a Topic and to Clearly Express Your Thoughts About it You May Take any Approach You Wish – There are NO Correct Answers You Must Write a Persuasive and Compelling Argument to Back Your Position
(ETS, 2002)
Present Your Perspective on an Issue
“In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly overrated. We need more generalists --- people who can provide broad perspectives.”
Sample Issues:
“The best ideas arise from a passionate interest in commonplace things.”
(ETS, 2002)
Analyze an Argument Assesses Your Ability to Understand, Analyze, and Evaluate an Argument and to Clearly Convey Your Critique in Writing This is Primarily a Critical Thinking Task Presented in Essay Format
(ETS, 2002)
Analyze an Argument
Hospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency room after roller-skating accidents indicate the need for more protective equipment. Within this group of people, 75 percent of those who had accidents in streets or parking lots were not wearing any protective clothing (helmets, knee pads, etc.) or any light-reflecting material (clip-on lights, glow-in-the-dark wrist pads, etc.). Clearly, these statistics indicate that by investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being severely injured in an accident.
Sample Argument:
(ETS, 2002)
Visit www.gre.org for… Sample Essays With Reader Comments Scoring Criteria
Published Pool of Issues and Arguments Visit www.kaptest.com to… Receive Feedback on Two of Your Essays Only $59.00
If you thought these questions… Weren’t too difficult
Were easy and fun
Then start preparing for your future in graduate school!!!
If You Thought These Questions… Were Fairly Challenging
Made You a Little Anxious/Uncomfortable Then There are Three
Routes for You to Take1) Begin Preparation Now for Graduate School2) Consider Programs that Don’t Require the GRE3) Consider Employment Opportunities that Don’t Require a Higher Degree
If You Thought These Questions… Were Really Confusing
Are too Difficult for You to do Well
Then Rethink Aspirations
• If They Involve Graduate School Then You May Want to Shift Your Focus to a Different Type of Program or to
Employment
Long-term Preparation Short-term Preparation
Don’t Wait!!!!!
SAT Scores are a Good Indicator
Free Test at IUPUI (278-2490) An ETS GRE Book (www.gre.org) Kaplan Book (www.kaptest.com)
Start Preparing Early in Your Education Sophomore Year Take a Practice Test
Plan Semesters to Build Weak Areas Verbal Section
Take Latin Learn Word Roots
Take a Critical Thinking Class
Helps you Figure Out Words You Don’t Know
Learn to Pull Main Points From Paragraphs
Quantitative Section Take or Audit M111 Algebra Covers all Math Skills
Needed Basic Algebra and Geometry
Take M118 Finite Math Covers Some Concepts From GRE Probabilities
Analytical Section Take M118 Finite Math
Builds Problem Solving Skills Builds Skills in Analyzing all Possibilities
Take P162 Logic Builds Skills Needed for Analytical Problems
Writing Assessment Take R227 Argumentation and Debate Builds Skills in Analysis &
Evidence of Arguments Take W250 Writing in Context Builds Skills for Writing on
Issues Take P162 Logic Builds Skills on Analyzing Arguments Download the Published Pool
of Arguments and Issues and Practice
Research Schools Offering the Types of Programs that Interest You Find Out Their Cut-Off
Scores Many Schools have Arbitrary Cut- Off Scores Used to Weed Out Applicants
For Example – Combined Verbal and Quantitative of 1200
Expensive
Inexpensive
Begin No Later Than 2 Months in Advance
Less Expensive
Expensive Kaplan (www.kaptest.com) or 1-800-KAPTEST Classroom Course ($999.00)
Math or Verbal Course ($599.00) Online Course ($499.00) Private Tutoring ($1999.00 - $3999.00)
Course Prices Listed on Kaplan Web Site 01-15-02
Less Expensive IUPUI
Community Learning Network GRE Course ($259.00)
Accessing the Site (www.cln.iupui.edu) Continuing Studies Course Catalog College and Graduate Prep The GRE: Prep. For Test-Taking
Course Price Listed on Web Site 01-15-02
Inexpensive Kaplan (www.kaptest.com) or 1-800-KAPTEST Crash Courses ($59.00 -
$99.00)
Workshops ($29.00 each) Books and Software ($16.00 - $39.99)
Prices Listed on Kaplan Web Site 01-15-02
Online Essay Grading ($59.00)
Inexpensive ETS (the Test Makers) (www.gre.org) Free PowerPrep Software
When You Register for the Test Online Diagnostic Test ($15.00) Book: Practicing to Take the GRE General Test 9th Edition ($18.00)
Prices and Information Listed on ETS Web Site 01-15-02
Cost What You are Investing $16.00 - $4,000.00
Time
Investment What You Get in Return Graduate Degree A Professional Career Personal Satisfaction Higher Average Earnings
High School Diploma/Technical Certification: $19,930.00
Associate’s Degree: $36,075.00
Bachelor’s Degree: $43,500.00
Master’s Degree: $46,500.00
Doctoral Degree: $61,178.00
Bureau of Labor Statistics
00.20.40.60.8
11.21.4
Mil
lion
s of
Dol
lars
Average Earnings over 20 Years
Bureau of Labor Statistics
I have plenty of time to prepare. I didn’t really study for the SAT, so why should I study
for the GRE? I did okay on the SAT. So, I will do okay on the GRE. I got accepted to college. So, I will have no problem
getting into graduate school. My GRE test is still a year away.
I am only a Freshman/Sophomore/Junior. I don’t need to worry about it yet.
I can’t afford to get help in preparing for the GRE I’m not going to waste my money. It won’t help
anyway. I haven’t even thought about it. I don’t need to practice. You can take as long as you
want to answer the questions. What the heck is the GRE?
The GRE is Used as an Initial Determinant for Applicants If You are Even Considering Graduate School – Don’t Wait!
This Test Partly Determines Your Future!
Prepare Long-Term AND Short-Term!!
Use as Many Options as You Can to be Prepared Cost vs. Investment
See Next Presentation For Information on the Subject Test!