What is GRE exam?
GRE
(Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test directed by most
institutions of higher education in the United States and other English
speaking countries, to determine the qualifications of the students to
postgraduate degree programs.
It
is created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit
organization in 1949 and can be taken either through paper-and-pencil test or
its computer-based version. However the most common administration of the test
nowadays, is through the latter. Also, this test could run about three hours
and forty-five minutes and mostly conducted thrice a year.
On
GRE the examiner will be tested in the areas of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative
Reasoning and Analytical Writing for it gauges critical thinking and analytical
skills.
Qualifications and Requirements
Everyone who wants to take GRE can take
the exam regardless of their academic qualification, age, social strata and
religion. Also, it is usually taken as an admission test for graduate, post
graduate and doctoral levels. Moreover, applicants are required to provide
their identification (ID) information in order to register for GRE.
ID requirements may vary depending on
the country or location where the exam will be taken. However, the general ID
requirement is that each ID document should:
ü
be
an original document.
ü
be
valid and not expired.
ü
have
the exact full name of the applicant, including accents, apostrophes and
spaces.
ü
include
a recent photograph as well as the applicant’s signature.
Exam Fees and Venues
GRE is offered for $195 worldwide. On
top of that, are additional charges for special requests such as, late
registration fee ($25), standby testing fee ($50), rescheduling fee ($50), test
center change fee ($50), extra
score reports ($27), Q and A review services for Quantitative and Verbal
sections ($50), score review for Analytical Writing ($60), score review for
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures (Paper-delivered tests
only: $50) and Score reinstatement fee ($50).
Even
the cost of the exam is not cheap, it is not also that expensive. That’s why
there are still a lot of people who want to take the exam. Here in the
Philippines, one can apply in any of the GRE locations listed below.
GRE Passing Tips
It
is not enough that you only know where to take the examination. You also need
to condition yourself in order to pass. So, preparation for GRE will never be
completed without studying. Here are few study tips on how to ace the exam.
#1. Practice – it will allow your brain to get used
to the types of questions in the examination, making you feel at ease for you
already know the material.
#2. Read the Questions Twice – Make sure that you fully understand the questions before giving
your answer.
#3. Don’t Jump to the Conclusion – some of the questions though
incorrect, may appear to be right. Read each question carefully and decide what
the most appropriate answer is.
#4. First Answer is Usually Right – it has been proven that the first
answer that pops out of your mind after reading the question carefully, is
always right.
#5. Keep Track of Your Time – it is better to have a better
control of your time during the examination to avoid time pressure.
#5. Give Value to the First Questions – since the exam is administered using
a computer, if it so happened that you answered the first question correctly,
the next questions will be harder. Regardless though, this can give you a
chance of passing the examination.
#6. Have an Excellent Guess – if you are unsure about what to
answer in the question, use the elimination process. Which among the choices is
most likely right?
#7. Be the Master of Tricks – know how to answer any type of
question. Most of the time, answers with never, greatest and must are
incorrect. Also, beware of the word “except”. It is so tricky. You better read
the choices carefully and choose which is different among them.
#8. Be Confident and Optimistic – these attitudes can make you more
relax. Also, it attracts positive vibrations and can give you more chances of
passing the examination.
You
are now fully geared with knowledge about GRE. So, it is the high time for you
to find a place where to take it and prepare for it. Bouna Fortuna!
Written by : Rea Kris Amaga
Image credit : Writemyessayonline.co