GRE

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Frequently Asked Questions for the GRE

 

Our GRE courses

 

Sample GRE Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions for the GRE

How and why did the GRE General Test change?

What skills are measured in the GRE?

What is the analytical writing section like?

How does the analytical writing section differ from the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE)?

How are the sections of the GRE General Test scored?

What scores are reported?

How long will it take to get my scores?

 

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How and why did the GRE General Test change? 

Since October 1, 2002, the GRE General Test has been composed of verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections. The verbal and quantitative sections have not changed. However, the analytical section is no longer a part of the GRE test.

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What skills are measured in the GRE? 

Analytical Writing:
- Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
– Examine claims and accompanying evidence
– Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
– Sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
– Control the elements of standard written English
Verbal:
- Analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it
– Analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
– Recognize relationships between words and concept
Quantitative:
- Understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
– Reason quantitatively
– Solve problems in a quantitative setting

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What is the analytical writing section like? 

The analytical writing section consists of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute "Present Your Perspective on an Issue" task and a 30-minute "Analyze an Argument" task. The "Issue" task states an opinion on an issue of general interest and asks you to address the issue from any perspective(s) you wish, as long as you provide relevant reasons and examples to explain and support your views. The "Argument" task presents a different challenge - it requires you to critique an argument by discussing how well reasoned you find it. You are asked to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than to agree or disagree with the position it presents. These two tasks are complementary in that the first requires you to construct a personal argument about an issue, and the second requires you to critique someone else's argument by assessing its claims.

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How does the analytical writing section differ from the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE)? 

The TOEFL and GRE writing sections are very different. The TWE is not designed to assess higher levels of thinking and analytical writing, but centers instead on command of English vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and syntax. Therefore, scores on the two tests are not at all comparable. Because the TOEFL test emphasizes fundamental writing skills, the TOEFL score can supplement an analytical writing score by helping faculty determine whether a low score on the GRE analytical writing section is due to lack of familiarity with English or to lack of ability to produce and analyze logical arguments.

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How are the sections of the GRE General Test scored

Your scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the computer-based General Test depend on your performance on the questions given and on the number of questions answered in the time allotted. Because both of these sections are computer adaptive, the questions presented are selected to reflect your performance on preceding questions and the requirements of the test design. Test design factors that influence which questions are presented to you include (1) the statistical characteristics (including difficulty level) of the questions already answered, (2) the required variety of question types, and (3) the appropriate coverage of content.
For the verbal and quantitative sections of the paper-based General Test' a raw score is computed. The raw score is the number of questions for which the best answer choice was given. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score through a process known as equating. The equating process accounts for differences in difficulty among the different test editions; thus, a given scaled score reflects approximately the same level of ability regardless of the edition of the test that was taken.

The scoring of the analytical writing section is the same whether the test is taken on computer or paper. Each essay receives a score from two trained readers, using a 6-point holistic scale. In holistic scoring, readers are trained to assign scores on the basis of the overall quality of an essay in response to the assigned task. If the two assigned scores differ by more than one point on the scale, the discrepancy is adjudicated by a third GRE reader. Otherwise, the scores from the two readings of an essay are averaged. The final scores on the two essays are then averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval. A single score is reported for the analytical writing section.

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What scores are reported? 

Three scores are reported:
1) A verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments.
2) A quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments
3) An analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.

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How long will it take to get my scores?

If you take the computer-based General Test, you can view your unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not be able to view your analytical writing scores at that time. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the computer-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 10 to 15 days of your test administration.

If you take the paper-based General Test, you will not view any scores at the test center. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores on the paper-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 6 weeks of your test administration.

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Source: Graduate Record Examinations

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GRE Courses

How can the Princeton Review's GRE Course help you?

The Princeton Review-Turkey's goal is to help you successfully attack the GRE. From helping you register for the exam to teaching you how to tackle the Reading Comprehension, Sentence Completions, and Analogy sections, our knowledge and experience will help you make the most of your test. 

Our course addresses each of the GRE topics completely: 

We simply offer the best and most complete analysis and instruction in Verbal and Analytical Writing you can find in Turkey! And learn analytical writing from a technical writing pro! 

Our Reading instruction teaches you how to get the most information from the least amount of text read. Work smarter, not harder!

Our Math instruction covers every topic on the test from beginning to end. We include both techniques designed specifically for the GRE and normal mathematics instruction. 

Hundreds of practice questions in each of these areas will re-inforce what you learn in the classroom. After hours of practice doing written and computer-based exercises, you will be prepared for any type of GRE question, math, verbal, and analytical writing.

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Sample GRE Questions

The following are samples from the Verbal and Analytical Writing portions of the GRE:

ANALOGIES

1. WINNOW : WHEAT :: 

A.) raze : building 

B.) refine : ore 

C.) arrange : flowers 

D.) bleat : sheep 

E.) plane : wood 

B


ANTONYMS


1. IMPUGN: 

A.) thwart repeatedly 

B.) display openly

C.) tolerate grudgingly

D.) divide unequally

E.) defend vigorously

E

2. PROVIDENCE: 

A.) conjecture

B.) wrath 

C.) alacrity 

D.) contenment 

E.) detailed analysis 

B

SENTENCE COMPLETIONS

There is something quite ------ about the fact that the construction of cathedrals flourished in seventeenth-century Germany, while in the rest of Europe religious fervor was ------ and, as a result, the construction of new churches was declining. 

A.) disconcerting. .interfusing 

B.) devastating. .inconsistent 

C.) malleable. .dissolving 

D.) unusual. .decreasing 

E.) monumental. .differentiating 

D

READING COMPREHENSION

1 Echolocating bats emit sounds in 
patterns characteristic of each 
species—that contain both frequency-
modulated (FM) and constant-frequency 
5 (CF) signals. The broadband FM signals 
and the narrowband CF signals travel 
out to a target, reflect from it, and return 
to the hunting bat. In this process of 
transmission and reflection, the sounds 
10 are changed, and the changes in the 
echoes enable the bat to perceive 
features of the target.
The FM signals report information 
about target characteristics that modify 
15 the timing and the fine frequency 
structure, or spectrum, of echoes—for 
example, the target’s size, shape, 
texture, surface structure, and direction 
in space. Because of their narrow 
20 bandwidth, CF signals portray only the 
target’s presence and, in the case of 
some bat species, its motion relative to 
the bat’s. Responding to changes in the 
CF echo’s frequency, bats of some 
25 species correct in flight for the direction 
and velocity of their moving prey.

1. The author presents the information concerning bat sonar in a manner that could be best described as 

A.) argumentative 

B.) commendatory 

C.) critical 

D.) disbelieving 

E.) objective 

E

ISSUE ESSAY

SAMPLE ISSUE TOPICS:

Pick one citation below and argue for or against it—you have 45 minutes to respond.

"Reform is seldom brought about by people who are concerned with their own reputation and social standing. Those who are really in earnest about reforming a government, an educational system, or any other institution must be willing to be viewed with disdain by the rest of the world." 
------------------------------ 
"Many people believe that a few individuals or small groups (family, friends, teachers, celebrities, for example) have caused them to think and behave in the way they do. Yet it is always society as a whole that defines us and our attitudes, not a few individuals." 


ARGUMENT ESSAY

Discuss how well reasoned you find the article—you have 30 minutes.
The following appeared in a memo from the new vice president of Sartorian, a company that manufactures men's clothing.
"Five years ago, at a time when we had difficulties in obtaining reliable supplies of high-quality wool fabric, we discontinued production of our deluxe alpaca overcoats. Now that we have a new fabric supplier, we should resume production. This coat should sell very well: since we have not offered an alpaca overcoat for five years and since our major competitor no longer makes an alpaca overcoat, there will be pent-up customer demand. Also, since the price of most types of clothing has risen in each of the past five years, customers should be willing to pay significantly higher prices for alpaca overcoats than they did five years ago, and our company profits will increase."

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