GRE General Test (GRE Test Preparation) - Softcover

CHAPTER 1
SCORING HIGH ON THE GRE CBT
ABOUT THIS BOOK 
This book produced expressly for readers without access to computers provides you with a paper-based representation of the GRE General Computer-Based Test, or CBT. REA’s printed tests also afford you excellent preparation if you’re planning to take the paper-based GRE General Test.
Unlike its former incarnation as a fully computer-adaptive test, or CAT, the GRE General CBT contains a non-adaptive essay component, which graduate schools had been championing for years. 
Inside this book you’ll find topical reviews and six full-length true-to-format practice exams that will equip you with the information and strategies you’ll need to master the GRE General CBT. Our practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the actual exam. Following each REA model test, we provide an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you confidently grasp the test material and benchmark exactly what constitutes top-scoring performance.   
ABOUT THE TEST 
The GRE General CBT is required by graduate and professional schools, as it is considered a crucial component for admission to a graduate program. Applicants for graduate school submit GRE CBT test results together with other undergraduate records as part of the admission process. The test examines your verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing abilities. These are skills that have been found to contribute to successful achievement in a graduate program. The exam does not test prior knowledge of data or facts specific to any field of study.  
The computer-based GRE contains three distinct sections with various types of questions:
 Analytical Writing Ability: One 45-minute Present Your Perspective”  task, and one 30-minute Analyze an Argument” assignment. 
 Quantitative Ability: One 28-question section containing arith-metic, algebra, geometry, quantitative comparison, and data interpretation questions.  
 Verbal Ability: One 30-question section containing analogies, antonyms, sentence completions, and reading comprehension questions.  
Following this introduction are extensive reviews with test strategies, numerous examples, and suggested studying techniques for attacking all three sections of the test. 
The Quantitative and Verbal sections of the GRE General CBT consist primarily of multiple-choice questions contained in timed sections. The test administrators have recently announced the incremental introduction of new question types into the exam. Be sure to visit  www.rea.com/gre for examples of the latest new question types.  The Present Your Perspective” task of the Analytical Writing section gives you a choice of two essay questions, whereas the Analyze an Argument” assignment consists of only one essay you have to evaluate. The test contains a trial section, which is neither identified nor counted toward your score, so don’t let it concern you. The purpose of the trial section is to test new questions for future exams. For practical purposes, our test-preparation book has omitted the trial section and presents only the counted and scored sample sections for each practice exam.   
CAT vs. CBT: What’s the difference? 
While you can take all three sections of the GRE General Test on the computer, that is not to say that the entire test is adaptive; clearly, it contains a non-adaptive essay component. CBT” simply means that you will take the test on a computer. Then again, portions of two parts of the GRE General­ the Quantitative and Verbal sections are adaptive. This means that the software picks which questions to pose next based on your performance on the earlier items. Thus, the test customizes itself to your level of ability. A correct response is followed by a more difficult question, and an incorrect response is followed by an easier question. Difficult questions increase your score in greater increments than moderate or easier questions. For the Analytical Writing section, the computer presents you with essay questions without considering your performance on other sections of the test. All essay tasks have the same level of difficulty. 
On a traditional paper-based test* every examinee sees questions in a fixed sequence. Because of the adaptive nature of two parts of the GRE General and the large pool of  available questions, different test-takers are asked different questions. The test items have been designed to meet content and difficulty specifications that allow for an equitable comparison of scores.  
Pros and Cons of Computer-Based Testing 
There are several advantages to computer-based testing. First, you will receive your unofficial scores for the Quantitative and Verbal sections on the day you take your test, rather than several weeks later. Second, the CBT is offered much more frequently than its paper-and-pencil predecessor, and you can register closer to the administration date. Third, you may choose to take the test in the morning or afternoon. In addition, the testing venue is quieter and more orderly than traditional testing locations. Finally, there are fewer questions on the GRE CBT than on traditional ­paper-and-pencil tests. 
Unfortunately, there are also some important disadvantages to the CBT. People who are unfamiliar with computers may find the testing environment intimidating. While no computer skills are required, an unusual environment may have a psychological impact on your preparedness. In addition, you must answer the questions in the order in which they are presented. You cannot skip a question and return to it later or return to an earlier question to change your answer, as you could on a paper-and-pencil test. This is significant because it eliminates the important test-taking strategy of answering the easier questions first and returning to the more difficult questions if you have time. Finally, in the computer-adaptive sections, the majority of the questions you encounter will be challenging to you. 
Taking the CBT 
 The CBT testing environment is based on a point-and-click interface. You will be presented with a question, and you will use a mouse to choose your answer. Once you have chosen your answer, you will click on the on-screen Next” button, and then the Answer Confirm” button to verify your choice. When you have confirmed your answer, the computer will select the next question. In the computer-adaptive sections, the first question asked in each multiple-choice section will be of medium difficulty. Subsequent questions will be more or less difficult depending on your answer to the preceding question. The adaptive software will adjust throughout the test until it matches your ability level.  
 The computer will also give you your essay questions. You’ll then word-process your answer*. The computer software used for the essay sections is specially designed in order to ensure fairness for all examinees. It contains the following functions: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, scroll, and undoing the previous action. There won’t be a spell- or grammar-checking feature.  
At any time during the test, you may choose to quit an individual section, or cancel your score for the entire test. You may wish to exercise this option if you feel that you are ill-prepared for the exam. However, you must not take this decision lightly. There is a fee to reinstate your score, and you must request reinstatement within 60 days. Note that you may only take the GRE CBT once per calendar month and no more than five times within a 12-month period, even if you do not complete the exam. 
 When you complete the exam, the computer will instantaneously give you unofficial scores for the Quantitative and Verbal sections. Your official score report, which includes the score for the Analytical Writing section, will be mailed to you within 10 to 15 days of the test date.     
Should I take paper-and-pencil practice exams?  
The practice exams in this book will provide you with the best possible printed version of the type of test you will be facing. Our model tests have been calibrated to provide a score that is comparable to what you would achieve on a CBT. Consequently, the printed tests necessarily contain extra questions, and the testing time is 15 minutes longer than the CBT.   
Who administers the test? 
The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service under the direction of the Graduate Record Examinations Board, which, though independent, is affiliated with the Association of Graduate Schools and the Council of Graduate Schools.  
Is there a registration fee? 
Yes, there is a registration fee. All costs are listed in the information bulletin. There is a basic registration charge, and special services sometimes require extra fees. The fees for the GRE can be waived or reduced if you meet the criteria for financial assistance. Consult the ETS bulletin for further information on all fees and options for financial assistance. 
When and where is the test given? 
Test locations and dates are listed in the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin, which is provided upon request by ETS. For more information, or to get an information bulletin, see your college advisor, or contact ETS: 
Graduate Record Examinations
Educational Testing Service
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