Taking the GRE (Grad School)

I think it really depends what you've been doing since college. If you still do a lot of critical thinking, writing, math, etc, then you're in a better position as far as studying goes...but if that hasn't been your life, I would say more studying and/or reviewing would help. Also, do you read alot? I was always told that to prepare for grad school, it is one of the best things you can do...read, read, read...anything! Newspaper, novels, anything. I took the GRE right after college so I was in "school" mode, but if it's been a while, you need to prepare your brain to think like that again, you know? I used the Kaplan study book and that helped me alot at that point and I really didn't actively study very much, I read through the book and did the practice problems but that was about it. I think the biggest help will be getting yourself back into the right mindset...maybe take a class (even an online class)while you are preparing... to get yourself back into that critical thinking frame of mind...Also, what was your undergrad degree??? that might tell you where to focus your studying...if your undergrad was english based you might just need to review those type of sections on the GRE studying while focusing more on learning the math...overall, i think the pretests most of the books offer are a good tool for gauging what and how much to study...also, maybe a GRE prep course might help...If you don't have time for an actual class, maybe an online prep course. If anything something like that can boost your confidence which, really, is half the battle sometimes. Good Luck!

The last time I took the GRE I did not study for it. I'm one of those weirdos though that liked taking standardized tests and they never really bothered me. If it helps, I graduated college in 96, took my first GRE in 95 (pencil and paper) and took my second GRE for my second masters in 04 (computer-based). My scores on the second GRE were actually better than the first time.

The worst part was the writing. You're given a topic and usually you'll have to pick a side or concept to defend. Practice the writing portion and time your self since you don't get a whole lot of time to write it. The sample problems in most study materials will be similar to what you see on the test.

Good luck to you!

I am glad you have the opportunity to fulfill your dreams!!!

I took the GRE about 4 or 5 years ago. I am not a good test taker and the first time I took it I bombed. The second time I used the Barron's prep book and my score was amazingly increased. I don't remember how much I studied but I did a lot of the logic and math. When I took it the vocabulary words were very similar and I remember because that was my hardest part.

All in all I felt a lot more prepared when I did study, but I was never a good standardized test taker.

Good luck!!

I took the GRE in 2005. I have always done well on standardized tests so I didn't find it too difficult. I would recommend using the study guide to the extent that you are familiar with the format of the test, the subjects covered, and how it works. I believe the GRE testing service offers free practice tests online. I would try using those to see what areas you need to improve on. I know I spent some time brushing up my math skills.