Graduate Record Exam Dr. Michael Radis Howard University Presented at University of Texas at El Paso September 21, 2004
May 14, 2015
Graduate Record Exam
Dr. Michael RadisHoward UniversityPresented at University of Texas at El Paso September 21, 2004
Verbal Section---4 Types of Questions
30 Questions in 30 Minute Antonyms Find the answer that is most nearly opposite the
word in question Some questions require a fine distinction between words
BANAL Faithful Arresting Inclined Forced Elaborate CORRECT ANSWER (Elaborate)
Antonyms
Some questions may require you to find second meanings of words; Example: “depress” can mean to “press down” or
to “make sad” Predilection
Unwillingness to choose Desire to please Ambiguity Stereotype Propensity to dislike CORRECT ANSWER—Propensity to dislike
Analogies
Tests your ability to see:
A relationship in a pair of words
To understand the ideas expressed in the relationship
To recognize a similar relationship in the answer choice
Analogies Hints 1. Before you look at the answer choices,
state to yourself the precise relationship between the 2 words in the question Tree is to Forest as:
A tree is a part of a forest
You will be looking for a relationship that is a part to a whole
Analogies Hints 2. After you have noted the relationship in the
question then look at the answer choices for the same relationship:
Finger is to hand A finger is a part of a hand
Analogies
Always compare the relationship between the pairs They must always be in the same direction
The first term is to the second term (in the question) as the first term is to the second term in the answer
Pediatrics: ChildrenDermatology: SkinPathology: MedicineMeteorology: ForecastsNeurology: PsychologistsEcology: Environmentalists
Correct Answer: Dermatology: Skin
Sentence Completion
Require you to grasp the meaning of a sentence and supply the appropriate word (or words) to fill in the blanks
Read each sentence to get the overall meaning
Mentally provide your own answer Find the answer choice that is closest to your
answer
Sentence Completion
REMEMBER There is almost always a part of the sentence to
help you figure out relationships: Words like: and, moreover, also, but, although, however,
therefore
Take out the “extra words that do not contribute to the structure
After making your choice reread the sentence to make certain that it makes sense.
Sentence Completion
Heavily perfumed white flowers, such as gardenias, were favorites with collectors in the eighteenth century, when _________ was valued much more highly than today.
Heavily perfumed white white flowers, such as gardenias, such as gardenias, were favorites with collectors in the eighteenth with collectors in the eighteenth century, century, when ____ was valued much more highly much more highly than it is today.than it is today.
Scent Beauty Elegance Color Variety Correct Answer: Scent
Reading Comprehension
You will get two of these:One will be in a technical area and the
other in a social science or humanities area You are not required to have knowledge of
the subject matter—Only what is stated in the passage What does the author say about _____ What is the main point What does the passage imply What is the style or tone or attitude of the author
Reading Comprehension
Every fifth line is numbered so that you can quickly refer back if the question is about a specific line:
“According to the passage, the role of the flow restriction (lines 16 and 17) in a heat pump is to….”
Reading Comprehension
To Prepare Read Newspapers, Magazines etc. on line
Practice scrolling down to read longer articles
In the Reading PassagesContent is irrelevant
Vocabulary is important
GRE- Quantitative Test
Three types of Questions28 Questions- 45 Minutes
Regular Multiple Choice- Stand alone questions with five answer choices
Quantitative Comparisons- two quantities are compared with 4 answer choices
Data interpretation- a 5 choice question referring to a display of data; these questions appear in sets of two consecutive questions from the same data display
Mathematical Content Level
Standard High School Mathematics Not normally beyond precalculus
No trigonometry
No Calculus
No College level math
What is covered?
Arithmetic:
Elementary operations, Percent, Properties of integers Counting Methods
What is covered?
Algebra Algebraic expressions and manipulations Solving Equations and Inequalities Functions and Graphs Setting up and solving word problems with
algebra
What is covered?
Geometry Elementary geometric figures and concepts- lines,
circles, polygons, area, perimeter, volume, Pythagorean Theorem, coordinate geometry
The ability to construct geometric proofs is not required
Figures drawn on the test are not to scale
What is covered?
Data Analysis Basic descriptive statistics:
Mean
Median
Standard Deviation
Interpretation of Graphs of data
These are drawn to scale
Elementary Probability
Quantitative Comparison Questions Always have the same answer choices in the
same order Quantity in Column A is greater
Quantity in Column B is greater
Two Quantities are equal
Relationship cannot be determined from the information given
General Hints- Quantitative
Read Carefully- don’t overlook something or misread the question
The answer is always there Reread the question to make sure that you
have answered the question that was asked Remember you cannot skip a question- if you
get stuck make an educated guess so that you can go on to the next question
GRE- Writing Assignment
Two Analytical Writing Tasks
45 Minute--- “Present Your Perspective on An Issue”
30 Minute--- “ Analyze an Argument”
Topics
You will be given a choice between two “Issue” topics. Each states an opinion on an issue of broad
interest and asks you to discuss the issue from any perspectives that you wish.
As long as you provide relevant examples and reasons to explain and support your views.
Sample Issue Topic and Directions Directions:
Present your perspective on the issue below using relevant reasons and/or examples to support your views
Issue Topic “In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly
over-rated. We need more generalists—people who can provide broad perspectives.”
Topics
You will not be given a choice in the “Argument” essay.
You will be given an argument to analyze It is your task to analyze how well an argument
was thought out and well reasoned it is. You need to consider the logical soundness of the
argument rather than whether or not you agree with it.
Sample Argument Topic and Directions Directions:
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument
TopicHospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency
room after roller-skating accidents indicate the need for more protective equipment. Within this group of people, 75% of those who had accidents in streets or parking lots were not wearing any protective clothing (helmets, knee pads etc.) or any light reflecting materials (clip on lights, glow in the dark wrist pads etc.) Clearly these statistics indicate that by investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being severely injured in an accident.”
Scoring
Readers take into consideration the time constraints and consider the writing a first draft- spelling and grammar (unless extremely poor) are not given as much weight as organization and content.
Readers are all college and university faculty experienced in writing and writing intensive courses.
Each essay is judged as a whole
Scoring
6 Point Scale 6- Cogent, Well Articulated, Demonstrates a
mastery of effective writing 5- Develops a well developed analysis of the
complexities of the issues and strong control of the elements of effective writing
4- Competent analysis of the issue and adequate control of the elements of writing
3- Some competence in its analysis of the issue and control of the elements of writing but is clearly flawed
Scoring
2- Serious Weakness in analytical writing
1- Fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing skills
0- Off topic, in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, illegible, blank or nonverbal
Structure of Test
Although your will only be scored on three sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Writing You will be given 4 tests.
You may get a second one of any of these This is a section in which ETS can test out
the validity of questions: You do not know which section is the one on
which you are not scored so you must try your best on all tests
Structure of Test
At one point the computer will ask if you want a break.
If you take one be certain to return to your station on time The computer will start the next test and the
timing whether you are there or not
Structure of Test
Don’t get hung up and waste a lot of time on a question
You must answer a minimum number of questions in each section in order to receive any score Anything below the minimum number of questions
attempted (whether correct or incorrect) will result in a No Score and the section will not be counted.
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Questions from old tests Answer Explanations etc. Sample tests with scoring and timing and results
STUDY HARD ANDGOOD LUCK !