Doing Your Best on the New GRE Presented

Doing Your Best on the New GRE Presented by EKU Career Services Copyright © 2006 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE, ETS, the ETS logos, GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS, GRE and POWERPREP are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service. Listening. Learning. Leading.

Which Tests Should Students Plan to Take? Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational

New GRE Test - August 1, 2011 • http: //www. ets. org/s/gre/flash/advising/GRE_Advising. Students _Video. html • More user friendly • More closely aligned with the skills needed to succeed in graduate school • Computer-based - available throughout the year Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

New GRE: Test-taker Friendly • Mark & Review - tag questions to skip and return later within a timed section • Can change/edit answers within a section • Can navigate within a timed section • On-screen calculator in quantitative section Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The GRE Testing Program I. The General Test Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing II. Subject Tests • Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science • • Listening. Learning. Leading. Literature in English Mathematics Physics Psychology Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

How to Prepare for a Subject Test • Review the Subject Test practice book for the test, which includes – Content specifications for the test, including the weight assigned to each topic – Practice test • The practice book will be mailed to you when you register for the Subject Test or you can download it from the Web site at anytime free-of-charge. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Preparing for the GRE General Test Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing

Structure of the General Test Section Analytical Writing (two tasks) Verbal Reasoning (two sections) Quantitative Reasoning (two sections) Non-scored Sections (Used for GRE Research) Number of Questions Time Analyze an Issue 30 min. Analyze an Argument 30 min. 20 questions per section 30 min. per section 20 Questions per section 35 min. per section 2 Sections Number varies Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Diagnosing Skill Areas in Which You Should Practice • Identify weak areas that may need intensive review. Potential areas include: – arithmetic, algebra, geometry, elementary probability theory, basic statistics, reading charts and graphs – vocabulary, reading for meaning – analyzing arguments – organizing short essays Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Verbal Reasoning Measure – Two 30 -minute sections • 20 Questions in each section – Contains three question types: • Text Completion • Sentence Equivalence • Reading Comprehensive Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Verbal Reasoning Measure • New Test Question Types – – Text Completion • 1 – 5 sentences with blanks • 1 – 3 blanks with answer choices • Given word options – must get all 3 correct to get credit – Sentence Equivalence (synonyms) • 6 choices • select 2 that give sentence same meaning – Reading comprehension • Passage with 6 choices Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Verbal Reasoning Measure • Sample questions • http: //www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/ab out/content/verbal_reasoning Listening.

Quantitative Reasoning Measure • Two 35 -minute sections – 20 questions in each section • More real-life scenarios • Covers basic concepts of – Arithmetic – Algebra – Geometry – Data analysis Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Quantitative Reasoning Measure – Numeric Entry Questions • Enter a numerical answer in an answer box or boxes instead of multiple choice – Multiple choice – select one • Five answer choices – choose the correct one – Multiple choice - select one or more • Select one or more choices from a list – Quantitative Comparison Questions • Calculator provided – Adaptive section by section Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Quantitative Reasoning Measure – Quantitative Comparison • Compare two quantities – Data Interpretation Sets – Calculator provided – Adaptive section by section Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Quantitative Reasoning Measure • Sample Questions • http: //www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/ab out/content/quantitative_reasoning Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Analytical Writing Measure • The Analytical Writing Measure continues to assess critical thinking and analytical writing skills. • The new GRE requires more focused responses to questions, reducing the possibility of reliance on memorized materials Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Analytical Writing Measure • Assesses ability to: – articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively – examine claims and accompanying evidence – support positions on issues with relevant reasons and examples – sustain a well-focused coherent discussion – control the elements of standard written English Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Analytical Writing Measure (continued) • “Present your Perspective on an Issue” – You will be able to choose 1 of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from the pool of topics. – You will have 30 minutes to write your essay response. • “Analyze an Argument” – The computer will present you with a single topic selected from the topic pool. – You will have 30 minutes to write your essay response. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

The Analytical Writing Measure Sample Issues http: //www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/about/c ontent/analytical_writing Scoring Guide http: //www. ets. org/gre/revised_general/prepare /analytical_writing/score_level_descriptions/ Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Preparing for the Analytical Writing Measure • Sample essay tasks are published on the GRE Web site at www. ets. org/gre • You can practice typing an essay response under timed conditions using GRE POWERPREP software • Scoreit. Now! Online Writing Practice is a GRE service that will machine score your practice essay responses Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

New GRE General Test. Computer-Adaptive section by section Listening. Learning. Leading.

BUILDING AN ADAPTIVE TEST DESIGN Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

New GRE • • • Credited for correct answers Not penalized for wrong answers Adaptive section by section Analytical Writing section first Others delivered randomly Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

POWERPREP II FREE at www. ets. org/gre • Practice taking the test – one complete practice test provided • Understand what's being tested • Get familiar with the test design and various question types • Review scored Analytical Writing responses and reader commentary • Review test-taking strategies Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Other Free Resources • GRE Web site – provides access to all GRE test preparation materials and services. – Math Review • Skills, concepts definitions • Examples and exercises – Math Conventions • Mathematical assumptions • Guidelines for interpreting info given in test questions Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Useful Resources • The Official Guide to the GRE General Test ($35) – Two practice tests, sample questions, strategies, samples essays • Score. It. Now! Online Writing Practice ($13) – Receive e-rater scores on two essays and diagnostic feedback on your responses. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Don’t Take the Actual GRE Tests for Practice • All scores earned in official GRE test administrations become part of your official record for 5 years. • It is more economical to use GRE practice materials to take earlier editions of actual GRE tests under timed conditions. Both paper and computer editions of GRE General Tests are available on the GRE website at www. ets. org/gre. Practice Subject Tests can also be downloaded from the site. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

GRE Registration • Computer-based (year-round) • Web – www. ets. org/gre – Recommend online scheduling – sets up personal account • Phone – 1 -800 -GRE-CALL • Can take test once every 60 days, 5 times a year • Lexington Testing Center open until 9: 30 and on Sundays • Cost - $160 Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Computer-based Test Centers • Kentucky • Lexington - 1104 Prometric Testing Center 2573 Richmond Road Suite 260 Lexington, Kentucky 40509 United States Of America (859)268 -3338 • • Louisville - 1101 Prometric Testing Center 7400 La. Grange Road Suite 103 Louisville, Kentucky 40222 United States Of America (502)423 -0478 Murray - 7731 Murray State University Counseling & Testing Center 100 Ordway Hall Murray, Kentucky 42071 United States Of America (270)762 -6851 • Cincinnati - 0007 Prometric Testing Center 11353 Reed Hartman Hwy Suite LL 50 Cincinnati, Ohio 45241 United States Of America (513)671 -7030 • • Cincinnati - 7702 University of Cincinnati Psychological Service Center 316 Dyer Hall (M. L. 0034) Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 United States Of America (513)556 -7173 • • Cincinnati - 0018 Prometric Testing Center 11353 Reed Hartman Hwy Suite LL 50 Cincinnati, Ohio 45241 United States Of America (513)671 -7030 Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Day of the Test • • Dress comfortably Visitors not permitted Take valid picture ID No cell phones, smartphones, PDAs etc. allowed – will be turned off • Lockers available • Computers have count-down clocks • Is taking 4 - 4 ½ hours Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Scratch Paper • Test takers will receive a supply of numbered scratch paper before they begin their test. • Pencils are supplied • Test takers will be able to replenish their supply of scratch paper, as necessary, throughout the entire test administration. • Scratch paper may not be taken from the test center Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Breaks • There is a 10 -minute break following the third section, and a 60 second pause after each section. • Test takers might want to replenish your supply of scratch paper during each scheduled break. • Section timing will not stop if the test taker takes an unscheduled break, so they should proceed with their test without interruption once it begins. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Scores Scales Three scores are reported on the General Test: • a Verbal Reasoning score reported on a 130 - 170, in 1 -point increments • a Quantitative Reasoning score reported on a 130 170, in 1 -point increments • an Analytical Writing score reported on a 0– 6 score scale, in half-point increments. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Scores • Results to 4 schools – at time of test • Additional schools - $23 • All GRE scores received in past 5 years are reported to each institution • Best to take only once Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Scores • Report will include: – intended Graduate Major – test dates – Scores and percentile ranks • If took old GRE – old scores will also be reported on new scale • Testing in November – scores reported in December • Testing in December and beyond – scores reported 10 – 15 days after test. Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service

Preparation • GRE web site • EKU Libraries Learning Express – Practice Exams • Understand all instructions ahead of time • ETS expects students to be well practiced • Kaplan offering free practice tests Listening. Learning. Leading. Copyright © 2006 Educational Testing Service