Have you ever seen this formula? What about this one? These are combinatorial formulas, used to solve counting problems. If you’ve been preparing for the GRE, you might be familiar with them as the formulas for permutations and combinations, two of the most misunderstood and fun concepts tested in the Quantitative Reasoning section. Is There […]
…But What Score Do I Need?
Why is it So Hard to Get a Straight Answer? When you begin to prepare for the GRE, you’re probably asking yourself. What score do I need? The answer you are likely to encounter is: “it depends,” “call the school,” “there is not required score”. These do very letter so assuage doubts or help you […]
The Essential Steps of Standardized Test Preparation
In the Beginning Was Stanford-Binet Why do some people seem to excel at all manners of standardized tests while others don’t? Is success on standardized tests the result of innate ability? Or it it achieved through practice and preparation? Are there common skills or strategies that can prepare you for different standardized tests? These questions […]
Power Studying with GRE Instructor Katie Aiken: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect I don’t remember the first time I heard the saying “practice makes perfect.” However, I do remember my fourth-grade choir teacher. She had a habit of abruptly stopping us young songsters mid-verse and saying, “practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.” Halted mid-Michigan while singing the names of the fifty […]
The Hardest and Most Tested Math Topics on the GRE
The GRE Quantitative section tests four areas of pre-college math: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis. Not all four are tested equally. Some of these concepts come up more often, and some tend to be more difficult. The frequency and difficulty of the “Big Four” on the GRE is probably similar to what’s seen in […]
The Foundations for Success on the GRE
When a builder wishes to construct a skyscraper, would they “wing it”? Not a chance! Likewise, when you’re preparing for the GRE, you should take a well-rounded, balanced approach. So, what are the foundations for success? We’ve put together 7 core components for mastering the GRE: Practice Tests Vocabulary Memorization and Use Math Fundamentals Test-Taking […]
When Should I Skip a Question on the GRE?
Taking the GRE is no small feat and it’s easy to get caught up in a difficult question when you’re taking the GRE. ETS, maker of the GRE, knows this! They don’t present questions in order of difficulty, but rather intersperse them throughout the test. Even if test makers did want to put questions in […]
What do I Need for My Grad School Application?
Almost all grad school applications will ask for the same things, year after year. But what are they? We’ve made a one-stop reference guide for you to use while putting your applications together. Here’s a breakdown of what your application might need. The Application Form (mostly biographical information) An Application Essay (aka the “Statement of […]
When Should I Take the GRE?
Trying to figure out the best way to time and tackle the GRE? We’ve got some advice for you from our Grad School Admissions team. Before we get started, this post makes the assumption you are taking the computer-delivered test because it is the most frequently administered version. The paper test is only available up […]
When to Read the Question Stem in GRE Short Passages
When approaching short Reading Comprehension passages on the GRE, you may ask yourself a very common question. “Should I read the question stem before reading the passage itself?” The answer is an emphatic, “no.” Let’s take a moment to explain the reasoning behind this recommendation. Wasting Time on Passages Understanding the passage is the key […]