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GRE Tips on the Test Day
Make Sure That You Bring Two Forms of ID:
Go to the GRE Registration Bulletin for the most updated information
about the ID that you need to bring to the test.
Eat Something Before Going in to Take the Test - OK MOM!!!!:
Chances are you will be taking the test over several hours. The last
thing you need is your stomach howling at you while you are trying to
remember a formula.
I know that when I'm hungry I can even forget my own name :-).
Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Get to the Test - OK MOM!!!!:
You must show up by your scheduled time or you forfeit that time.
I would try to get there early so you aren't rushed. If you are running
late, this can cause stress that you do not need when taking this test.
Go to the Restroom Before the Test - OK MOM!!!!
As funny as this sounds, you are only allowed one ten minute break after
the writing section. So if nature calls any other time during the test,
you may take a break, BUT it will take away from your test taking time
:-(.
You Will Need to Show Your ID:
As mentioned above, you need to have ID to be able to take your test.
Go to the GRE Registration Bulletin for the most updated information
about the ID that you need to bring to the test.
If you do not have the proper ID, you will not be allowed to take the
test.
Some, if not all, Testing Centers Will Give You Scratch Paper:
I can not guarantee that your testing center will provide scratch paper,
but some do. You may want to check with the testing center you are
signed up to take the test with to verify this.
If your testing center does give you scratch paper, make sure that you
take full advantage of it. Try to do as little in your head as possible.
This may help to avoid errors.
Some, if not all, Testing Centers Will Give You Ear Plugs When You Go
in to Take the Test:
I can not guarantee that your testing center will provide ear plugs, but
some do. You may want to check with the testing center you are signed up
to take the test with to verify this.
If your testing center does give you ear plugs, you may want to consider
using them. It can help cut down on the noise from the other students
taking the test.
Chances are They Will Set You at a Computer to Take Your Test:
Most of you will be taking a computer based test.
If you are already signed up for the test, then you should know if you
are taking a computer-based or paper-based test.
If you haven't signed up already, check with the testing center that you
will be taking the GRE at.
When the Test Starts REMEMBER TO BREATHE!!!!!:
I know that some of you are scared to death at the thought of having to
take a math test of any kind. For you guys, try to relax and don't
forget to breathe.
(Even if you aren't scared to take a math test, it is probably a good
idea to remember to breathe. I wouldn't want you to pass out during the
test)
Keep an Eye on the Amount of Time That You Have Left:
If you are taking the test on the computer, there will be a timer on
your screen that will count down the time you have left on each part of
the test.
There are 28 questions on the quantitative part and you have 45 minutes
to take that section of the test. So let's do the math. That averages to
about 1 minute and 36 seconds per question. Some questions are going to
go quicker than others. Just balance it out as you go.
Keep an Eye on How Many Questions That You Have Left:
If you are taking the test on the computer, it will tell you what
question you are on.
For example, if it says 21 of 28, this means you are on question 21 of
the 28 questions for that section.
Pace Yourself:
This can be tricky.
You do not want to rush through the test. Rushing can lead to careless
mistakes.
On the other hand, you don't want to spend a long time on one problem.
If you find yourself spending a long time on a question, take an
educated guess and move on. There are too many problems on the test to
get bogged down on one or two questions.
This is why you need to look at practice tests, so you are familiar with
how things are worded, so you won't have to spend a lot of time trying
to figure out what they are asking.
Remember that if you are taking the test on the computer, the screen
will show you what problem you are on and how much time you have left.
Use Your Breaks Wisely:
If you are taking the test on the computer, you will have a 10 minute
break after the analytical writing section. If you need to go to the
bathroom and it is not an emergency or distracting to you, wait to do it
during this time. If you do it any other time it will take away from
your test time.
If you are taking the test on the computer, you will have a 1 minute
break between test sections. Even if you haven't used all of your
scratch paper, use this time to get new scratch paper. If you run out of
scratch paper in the middle of a section, you may get scratch paper, but
the clock will keep ticking away on your test.
Think Through Each Problem:
Some of the problems will be a combination of several ideas in one
problem. Think through what the problem is asking for, then put it all
together.
You Must Answer Each Question to Move Ahead:
If you are taking the test on the computer, you must answer the question
on your screen before you can move on to the next question.
Try your best to answer each question. Again, if you notice that time is
getting away from you, and you still cannot get an answer, take an
educated guess and go on.
If You Do Not Come Up With a Solution That They Have Listed, Work the
Problem Again:
If you haven't already spent a lot of time on a problem and your answer
doesn't match any of the choices that you have, turn your scratch paper
over and rework the problem again.
Chances are you will not make the same arithmetic mistakes twice in a
row.
Again, if you notice that time is getting away from you, and you still
cannot get an answer, take an educated guess and go on.
Bottom Line:
Think. Take your time, but be quick about it.
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