AttN: GRE veterans: GRE Questions--help please!?

Question

I am a junior right now and I plan on taking GRE next year (I hope I am not too late). People recommend to take it before it changes in september. And I also heard that we should register early because there will be many people trying to take it before it changes.

So my questions are:

1. How long does it take to prepare for it?

2. Can I register early (like now) for a test half a year in advance?

3. Do you recommend taking GRE before it changes also?

4. My weakest portion is the verbal. I heard that it's helpful to read newspapers/megazines to learn more new words. Which one do you recommend?

5. If I want to leave enough time to retake the GRE (only if I need to), how much time should I put off before September (including receiving the score from the first test and then register and take the second one befoer September)?

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

1) There is no set time it takes to prepare for the GRE. Technically, you've been preparing for it for the last few years by learning how to think critically at the university level, and by developing a college-level vocabulary. But I recommend getting the Barron's guide to the GRE. It is the best prep book out there.

2) You can register to take the GRE at any time. Just go to the ETS site, and see the dates. You can register now for one months away. It does not matter.

3) I agree with the folks who have told you to take the GRE before it changes. The changes that will be implemented are described at the link below. The major difference is one of length.

4) I strongly disagree with the people who have told you to read magazines and newspapers to prepare you for the verbal portion of the exam. Magazines and newspapers are written at an eighth to twelfth grade vocabulary level, and will be useless in terms of vocabulary development. Instead, read mountains of scholarly books and journal articles, stopping to look up EVERY word you do not understand. And use the Barron's list of words as well.

5) Most graduate schools will have application deadlines in December or January. Some few are earlier or later (Nov 15, Feb 15). This means that your scores must be ready to submit by November.

You will receive your verbal and analytical scores immediately after taking the exam. Yes, right there at the computer. Only your writing score takes a few weeks to receive. And since it is your verbal score you're worried about, you'll know right away if you want to retest.