Julst finished GRE V160 Q155 AW 5.5

[bluecrumbs13]

Hi just wanted to write about my impression of the test.
I studied for approximately 1.5 months. Intensely for 6+ hours a day for the last month. I used Manhattan prep, Princeton Review, Kaplan. I did pretty much all of the available online tests from all of these providers. Most helpful or I should say the most challenging was Manhattan Prep. I would strongly encourage future test takers to take as many practice exams as possible in test like conditions because while my scores on sample test exams were very high, much higher than actual scores I did pause many of the exams and looked up words so in other words I cheated myself giving myself the wrong impression of how well prepared I actually was.
I felt the exam was not that difficult especially the math section and I thought in general the questions asked were much easier than the ones in sample Manhattan tests. However as you can tell my score reflects otherwise.
Also I noticed a marked difference in the difficulty of the sections. The second section in both the verbal and the math sections was significatly easier than the first in my case. A clear indication that I was not doing as well as I had hoped.
For the most part I would have to reluctantly agree with most users that the ETS sample tests will probably provide the most accurate prediction of how you will perform on the actual exam. However that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take advantage of other available material out there to prepare yourself. In my case I clearly should have focused more on the math section. I had two combination permutation problems so be prepared for those. I know I got both wrong because I am really bad at those problems and couldn't figure out how to approach them.
In terms of analytical writing I practiced by writing about 3 essays each for the argument and the issue topics and also just tried to read certain online publications. My advice as in many other prep books would be to write as much as possible in the alloted time without paying too much attention to gramatical punctuation and spelling. As long as the reader can understand the point you are trying to make, you are fine. Also refer to sources, in my case I just memorized several studies and sources and referred to those. The readers want to see that you can espouse your thoughts in a clear manner and provide evidence to the points you are making. Stay away from radical viewpoints or conclusions. Try to stay positive in your wording.

[nruthya.rajagopal]

hi,
Congraz on your score !! all the best.As you have metioned in the post that you memorised studies for writing an essay.Can you share me the material you referred or the link to website.I am finding issue essays really tough.
Please reply asap.

Thanks
Nruthya

[tommywallach]

Hey Blue,

Thanks so much for posting your impressions of the test, as well as how the material relates. Sorry that your score wasn't exactly where you wanted, but you should feel good about it overall.

One thing I wanted to add, be careful of pre-structured approaches to essays. If you know how to write correct English grammar and spelling, you shouldn't struggle too much with the essays. Focus more on that than memorizing structures (other than the obvious basics: 5 paragraphs, intro, 3 body paragraphs with one point each, conclusion).

Thanks!

-t