How difficult is the GRE exam?

Question

I'm getting ready to take the GRE this next spring, but I am worried about it. I really don't take tests well and it is all that is standing between me and graduate school. Someone please be honest, how hard is it? I am focusing on Psychology, what are the areas that I need to score high in? Talking to school admissions people is like talking to a brick wall, maybe ya'll know more then they do :)

I can't say that I am really worried about it, I am curious. No one I know has ever taken it and I am the first person in my family to go to grad school. I really just wanted to know what it was like. Thanks for the advice.

Answer 1

It's similar to the SAT but more difficult, since you're expected to have a full college education. But the subject areas are similar: math, verbal, analytical. You can do brush-up on these things by getting one of those "study for the GRE" books or something. There is a link below that points you to the GRE's "official" test prep book.

The subject test--if you are taking it--shouldn't be a problem if you have paid attention and absorbed what you need to know in your subject of interest (psychology).

Answer 2

There are some good answers here, and some bad ones; I think you'll be able to tell which are which.

When I registered for the GRE, I was sent a CD that had a practice test on it. It turned out to be exactly like the real GRE, so if you get such a practice test, take it. Also, when I took the actual GRE (in January '04), it seemed difficult, but I got a score of 800/800/6.0 (yes, really) -- not that you'll probably get that score yourself, but you'll almost certainly get a better score than you feel you're getting while you're taking it. The 800/800 was also the score I got on the practice test, so your practice score might be a good guide.

Also, it's a "Computer Adaptive Test", meaning that the questions will more or less move toward your level of ability. If the questions seem like they're getting harder as you go on, it's a sign that you might be doing well. In any case, take whatever practice test you can, and try not to worry about it. If you're a good student, you'll get into a good school even without a perfect score. Just try to enjoy the test -- see it as a challenge or a game, and don't feel like your future depends on it, because it really doesn't.

Best of luck! With a practice test or two, I'm sure you can do well.

Answer 3

I did not feel that the content was hard. It is purely basic skill testing, and a higher level of word recognition than you experienced on the SAT or ACT. What I found difficult about taking the exam, was how little time they gave you between sections of the exam. As soon as they said, "times up"... time was literally up and we were directed to another section of the exam. I didn't remember the SAT being that way. I found that to be very hard as I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and am not able to switch cognitive gears that quickly.

I started preparing for the exam about 4 months in advance because I do not do well on exams when I cram. Much of the math I had forgotten as well... but a good review book, such as the Princeton Review helped me a lot. It helps you review as well as giving you insight into the exam and how it works.

I would also recommend the two books, Word Smart I, and Word Smart II.

If you do not feel you are good at exams, then you may have some test anxiety as well. To assess this part of yourself, or for further information on text anxiety, I would recommend a simple google search. There are many resources out there on the topic. You will need to be relaxed, be able to pace yourself, and to give your best effort.

The best thing that I like about the Princeton Review, was that they went over all the math that you would be required to complete on the GRE. Then, while taking the GRE, when I came across a problem that did not look familiar to me, I reminded myself of the math I had reviewed and I then found myself remembering more and the problem made more sense.

I don't quite understand how the GRE is scored, but one of my professors commented that my score was extremely high. I did not do so well on the SAT... so I think the preparation I did was key to my success.

Answer 4

Some grad schools have dropped this requirement. As for me, I took two tests. One in my grad area and the regular GRE. I was just finishing my grad work, when I took the test which was required for the degree. I am pretty bad on tests too. I don't know how I did because for me the scores didn't have much bearing on my degree. I just had to take the thing. It might matter if you are trying to get into a grad school that requires it before they admit you. Some parts were more difficult than others. Especially if you haven't had art in a while which has nothing to do with my life goals. Science was important and so was math as in fractions. This is all I remember about it. It is all timed, and I remember running out of time on the math so I basically guessed on those just to have more done. I don't think I did so badly on that part, and I just don't do math basically.

Answer 5

I don't know how hard the GRE exam are. If you don't study and don't know the material. Any exam is hard. If you study and know the material then it would be easy. It all depends on what u do to prepare for the GRE exam.Here an web site I found that can supply you with some information. They even have a free text you can try. It's all up to you as to what you want to do.Now look up that web site and take the free test. It will give you an idea where you stand.

Answer 6

Apply for it early and they will send you a practice CD which has some tests and such. Do those and if you know someone who has the booklet, try that. Its not worth it buying the book but if you are nervous it might be an idea. It shows the format of the test and some test questions. Will be good practice and you will be more confident in your skills.
As for what is required by each school...look at their websites, most have reqs listed and what they expect you to get. If its the general GRE then you need to get a minimum of 1200-1400 for quantitative for most programs and minimum of 4.5 in written. It is tough but if you practice a couple weeks or so in advance you should be good.

Answer 7

I took it, but it's been a looooonnnnnnnnnggggggg time ago, as in 1973, and I did fairly well, I think. I scored something between 1000 and 1100 but I just can't remember that long ago. I can tell you that I approached it and the SAT the exact same way: I either knew the stuff, or I didn't, and cramming just pumps up our anxiety and causes mistakes that would not happen if I relaxed and took my time. I never studied for either exam, and I scored an 1190 on my SAT on the first and only time I took the exam, in 1969. Remembering that score makes me all the more sure I scored like a 1050 or somesuch on my GRE. To what extent the exam has changed since "way back then" and to what extent the scoring has changed since "the dark ages", I don't know, but I can tell you that in any exam I took, I did better going in relaxed and not rushing or panicking. All that does is cause unneccessary mistakes. You probably know more than you give yourself credit for, so just relax. You've done your learning to this point, so go to the exam just to prove it and show 'em what'cha know. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. God Bless you.

Answer 8

Okay, first, don't bother talking to the college admissions people, call the grad department directly, talk to the grad coordinator, and ask them what they weight more with the GRE. Ask them to be specific and tell you the score they're looking for. While you're at it, ask them exactly how many people they are planning to accept Fall. If they're only taking 7 people, and you score the lowest possible score on your GRE that they will accept, then you NEED to know what else you can do to make YOUR application stand out. So ASK THEM THAT! :D Also, address your GRE score in your letter to the school, particularly is you don't do so well on it. Highlight in the letter any applicable volunteer work you've done, and name names of people you've worked with. Get letters from important people you've worked with, also, to give you more credibility.

Okay, as far as the test goes, I would imagine you need to score high in all catagories, but math/quantitative is probably most relevant. But you need to find this out, right? Anyway, the thing that most people don't do is study. They SAY they study, they PLAN to study, they may even buy the software and test prep books to study....but then they do NOT study. And that's a mistake. My husband scored adequately, the lowest number he could score and the grad school would accept, but he was NOT accepted. Now, it may not have anything to do with his relatively low GRE...but it MIGHT! Right??!!! So definately study. In fact, if you can afford one of those horrendously over-priced test prep classes, I'd recommend going for it! People who tell you it's easy are lying. People who tell you they scored high and did NOT study, are, well, lying. People who tell you....oh, you get the point. Study!

Don't let whatever happens discourage you, though, for going to grad school. Make sure you're applying at several, and don't set your hopes on Ivies only. Be realistic. There are some terrific programs with good reputations that you can get into with a good cv/resume, letters of recommendation, and a solid undergrad gpa, to where the GRE isn't such a huge deal.

Greatest of luck to you!!!

Answer 9

Are you taking both the General and the Psychology one? I took the psych one and did well, if you know it then you know it and if you don't know it just skip the question because you lose less points bu not answering then by answering wrong. But the general one I took a kaplan review and will be taking it this summer.

With the general one you could do okay if you study damn hard and memorize the math equations you learned way back when (like geometry) and study lots of vocab. I would not suggest taking it before either taking a review course and/or reading a book. It is a tricky computer adaptive test so it's not like the normal tests you've taken. You can't skip questions and it's on a screen so you can't highlight during the reading passages.

Answer 10

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How difficult is the GRE exam?
I'm getting ready to take the GRE this next spring, but I am worried about it. I really don't take tests well and it is all that is standing between me and graduate school. Someone please be honest, how hard is it? I am focusing on Psychology, what are the areas that I need to score high...