GRE VERBAL SECTION REVIEW



Academic Resources Center, Saint Joseph College, CT

December 1999

GRE VERBAL SECTION REVIEW

General tips:

• PRACTICE! The more familiar you are with the test and the words on it, the higher your score will be.

• Memorize all instructions, so you waste minimal time reading them in the actual test (though be sure at least to establish which section you are in).

• ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS—there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so guessing randomly is better than leaving an answer blank

• Answer what you know first—you will do these more quickly and will score higher if you get through all you know before you being working on slower, more difficult questions

• Verbal—do reading comprehension last. These are the most time-consuming questions; do sentence completion, analogies, and antonyms first, but BE VERY CAREFUL to check that you are doing the right number question. Do this in practice sessions so you are used to the order.

STUDYING

Set up a study schedule. If you have several weeks, begin by doing a few untimed sections per session. Correct these and go over the mistakes you made. Add any unfamiliar words to a study list. When you have completed two entire tests in this manner, begin doing timed sections, a few at a time. Your last two tests should be taken in their entirety (all 6 sections, timed, in one sitting) to prepare you for the real test day. Do these two tests on separate days. Always correct when you finish a test and study what you missed.

Begin your vocabulary list by writing down the words you missed on the test and looking them up. Scan the handouts from the ARC for additional words you need to learn.

The only way you will learn new GRE words is by studying. Either make flashcards or a list WITHOUT DEFINITIONS to TEST YOURSELF. You should go in knowing most if not all of the words you missed on the test.

Next to your definitions, if there’s a way you might remember the word, make a note of it. For example, you might know that someone who can write with both hands is ambidextrous; this can help you to remember that ambi means both, which will in turn help you to remember that ambivalent is feeling two ways about something and ambiguous is something that can have two meanings.

AGENDA

I. Go over strategies.

II. Do sample questions together.

III. Complete section; go over answers/ questions.

For next week:

Do as many sections as you have time for, circling problem questions, and adding missed words to your study list.

Come prepared to go over missed questions together and share problem words.

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