Today I will be taking the GRE. For those of you who don’t know, it’s a standardized test, much like the ACT/SAT, that is required to get into most graduate school programs. The test is about 3 hours and 45 minutes long and it consists of math sections, verbal sections, and two essays. It is timed and it is taken on a computer at an approved testing center. If you’re interested in pursuing a graduate degree then here are a few tips for preparing for the GRE, or pretty much any standardized test.
1. Take a prep course: They are expensive and of course they can’t tell you exactly what kind of questions you will be getting, because nobody knows, but they can give you helpful tips and tricks and get you familiar with the formatting of the test. The course I took was through Princeton Review and it was painful, but extremely helpful.
2. Take practice tests: The more familiar you become with the timing and format, the more you will see your score improve! It’s also never a good idea to go in blind because you won’t know how to pace yourself or what to expect. I did flash cards too… there are A LOT of big/complicated words on the verbal section.
3. Shake off the test anxiety: Whatever helps to motivate you and get you focused, do it before the test! Play your favorite song, stretch, pray, whatever you need to do to relax.
4. Eat something healthy: It’s a longgg test! You don’t want your stomach grumbling and distracting you, so make sure that you eat something that will give you energy before the test.
Wish me luck!
xoxo, Kayla
What is it that you are taking the GRE for?
To get into grad school
I meant in terms of “what kind of graduate program you wish to go to grad school for”
Most likely a masters in journalism