We’ve been breaking down the grad school application process, step by step, for the past few weeks. This week, we’ll talk about letters of recommendation: What they are, who should write them, and what they should talk about. Letters of recommendation deserve just as much attention as any other part of your application, for two […]
What is the GRE and Why is it Important to Grad Schools?
Applying to grad school can sometimes feel like a maze where documents are requested, fees are paid, tests are taken, and essays are written, all without any seeming rhyme or reason. How can you make sense of it all, and be successful in your quest for admission to a graduate program? We’re breaking it down, […]
How Do I Choose a Grad School?
Applying to grad school can sometimes feel like a maze where documents are requested, fees are paid, tests are taken, and essays are written, all without any seeming rhyme or reason. How can you make sense of it all, and be successful in your quest for admission to a graduate program? We’re breaking down this […]
Reading Comprehension Challenge: Weaken the Argument
GRE Reading Comp questions that make you think critically are rarely easy. In fact, some will be very hard. But others will be medium difficulty, like this week’s “weaken the argument” question. Reading Comprehension: Weakening Arguments Difficulty Level: 3 (Medium) Question Difficulty Very High50 High420 Medium 340 Low26080 Very Low1100 % of Test Takers Who Answered Correctly […]
Geometry Challenge: Use the Volume Formula Wisely
GRE geometry can sometimes seem like a formula fest. Formulas matter, for sure, but simply memorizing them isn’t enough. You also need to know how to use them efficiently. For practice, try this Quantitative Comparison question that requires you to apply the volume formula for a cylinder.
Arithmetic Challenge: Find the Expression that Must be Negative
GRE arithmetic questions can challenge you to think abstractly about simple concepts such as squaring or subtracting numbers. Meeting this challenge often becomes easier when you replace any variables with specific values. See for yourself with this arithmetic problem that only about half of test takers would get right.
Word Problem Challenge: Extreme Meal Pricing
GRE word problems sometimes use “real-life settings,” says ETS, to test your quantitative problem solving skills. Talk of salary ranges, fabric purchases, population densities, or similar topics will prompt you to do some algebra or other standard GRE math. Figuring out the math can be tough, given that word problems can be a bit convoluted. […]
Data Analysis Challenge: Probability at Maximum Difficulty
Data analysis problems make up about one-quarter of GRE Quant, and most of them will bemuse and beguile the majority of test takers. In The Official Guide to the GRE, Practice Test 1 includes a probability question that only 15% of examinees got right when it was on a real exam. Think you can solve […]
How to Stay Organized When Applying to Grad School
As we saw last week, there are many moving parts to keep track of when you’re applying to grad school, including… The application form Statement of purpose Letters of recommendation Résumé Transcripts Standardized test scores Additional essays and documentation When this many balls are up in the air, it becomes very easy to drop some of them […]
Start Early on Your Grad School Applications
Applying to grad school can sometimes feel like a maze where documents are requested, fees are paid, tests are taken, and essays are written, all without any seeming rhyme or reason. How can you make sense of it all, and be successful in your quest for admission to a graduate program? We’ll break it down, […]