Graduate school GRE's Or MAT?

[JMLBrats]

Okay, who's had to take either of these tests & how bad was it?? I just found out that I need to take one of these (I can decide which) to get officially accepted into the Graduate Program that I want. Yuck!!! I hate standardized testing!!!!
Which one is easier for the type of person who generally does very poorly on standardized tests?
Any tips, suggestions, anything!!!
Freaking out about it a little....I do have a few months to get it done though.

 

[pr surfer]

I took the GRE and spent about 3 months studying for it and taking practice tests.

 

[JMLBrats]

I took the GRE and spent about 3 months studying for it and taking practice tests.

And, how did you do? How bad was it after all the studying you did?

 

[wall*e2008]

I took both and did not study for either. I got into every graduate program (some wanted the GMAT and others the GRE) that I applied to.

I would recommend studying if you have problem with a practice test or need a very high score to get into the program you want to.

 

[Goofyluver]

I took the GRE. They have some great study manuals for BOTH that help in the process of brushing up on all of those skills that ya' haven't used in a long time.

There are also online study programs, where you can take practice tests. I found those to be really helpful.

Don't stress. And good luck!

 

[JMLBrats]

I took the GRE. They have some great study manuals for BOTH that help in the process of brushing up on all of those skills that ya' haven't used in a long time.

There are also online study programs, where you can take practice tests. I found those to be really helpful.

Don't stress. And good luck!

Thank you. Can you be more specific about which manuals you found useful/which online study sites?

 

[pr surfer]

And, how did you do? How bad was it after all the studying you did?

I don't remember my score off the top of my head, and I don't put it in my resume... but I got into both an MFA and MBA program.

I'm sure I could've done better, but I did well enough

 

[Goofyluver]

Thank you. Can you be more specific about which manuals you found useful/which online study sites?

I have no idea. It's been a few year, darlin'.

But, I did a quick search and found this...

http://www.greguide.com/

Has practice tests and recommendations for study manuals.

I DO remember that I had a choice to take it either computer-based or written. Different test sites offer different options. So, when ya' sign up, make sure ya' take the test in the manner in which you're most comfortable.

 

[JMLBrats]

I don't remember my score off the top of my head, and I don't put it in my resume... but I got into both an MFA and MBA program.

I'm sure I could've done better, but I did well enough

Cool. I'd be satisfied with that. I don't care what my score is, as long as the program finds it acceptable.

 

[JMLBrats]

I have no idea. It's been a few year, darlin'.

But, I did a quick search and found this...

http://www.greguide.com/

Has practice tests and recommendations for study manuals.

I DO remember that I had a choice to take it either computer-based or written. Different test sites offer different options. So, when ya' sign up, make sure ya' take the test in the manner in which you're most comfortable.

Thanks again! It's been a while since I was in school at all too-I'm one of those "older" people going back to school so I'm kind of scared.....

 

[Goofyluver]

Thanks again! It's been a while since I was in school at all too-I'm one of those "older" people going back to school so I'm kind scared.....

Good luck on your journey, honey.

You'll do just fine.

 

[JMLBrats]

Good luck on your journey, honey.

You'll do just fine.

thanks, I needed that!

I will definetly be doing the paper exam. Can't deal with that much reading on the computer.

 

[JMLBrats]

Anyone have experience with the Miller Analogies? Someone suggested to me that it might be easier for someone like me who is more of a liberals arts-not very brainy type of person.

 

[Cindy F]

Thanks again! It's been a while since I was in school at all too-I'm one of those "older" people going back to school so I'm kind of scared.....

Take a deep breath and relax, you'll do fine! My program required the GRE so that's the one I took. I don't remember it being "hard" just tedious, lots of critical thinking type stuff. I will say this, out of the 7 national standardized tests I had to take for my career, the GRE was the easiest!

You can do it!

 

[smartestnumber5]

thanks, I needed that!

I will definetly be doing the paper exam. Can't deal with that much reading on the computer.

Actually I think they may have moved to only computer based tests now for the GRE (at least in the U.S.). I took mine in 2003 and I don't recall getting any choice.

There are some nice things about the computer based test--you can schedule taking it for any time instead of having to do it on a particular day (they way they did the SATs it was always a given Saturday every month or two at 8 am which was the only time they were offered.) I believe you also have a choice after you finish the test of deciding to cancel your scores before you leave the computer. So if you think you've somehow blown it, or got sick in the middle of the test you can essentially make it such that the scores isn't on your record at all. And best of all I think you get to see your verbal and math scores right there at the testing center--no need to wait for weeks for the report to be sent (though you do have to wait for the writing score since a computer can't score that.)

In terms of test prep I think some good stuff is available right from ETS. I don't remember what else I used to study, but I did teach a Kaplan course on the GRE once. I though the course was not worth the $ at all. But there are some interesting "tricks" about the structure of the test and test-taking itself that might be helpful. You can probably pick up one of their books for $20 or so (you can probably get an edition that is a year or two old a lot cheaper; public libraries often have the older editions too for borrowing.)

 

[JMLBrats]

Actually I think they may have moved to only computer based tests now for the GRE (at least in the U.S.). I took mine in 2003 and I don't recall getting any choice.

There are some nice things about the computer based test--you can schedule taking it for any time instead of having to do it on a particular day (they way they did the SATs it was always a given Saturday every month or two at 8 am which was the only time they were offered.) I believe you also have a choice after you finish the test of deciding to cancel your scores before you leave the computer. So if you think you've somehow blown it, or got sick in the middle of the test you can essentially make it such that the scores isn't on your record at all. And best of all I think you get to see your verbal and math scores right there at the testing center--no need to wait for weeks for the report to be sent (though you do have to wait for the writing score since a computer can't score that.)

In terms of test prep I think some good stuff is available right from ETS. I don't remember what else I used to study, but I did teach a Kaplan course on the GRE once. I though the course was not worth the $ at all. But there are some interesting "tricks" about the structure of the test and test-taking itself that might be helpful. You can probably pick up one of their books for $20 or so (you can probably get an edition that is a year or two old a lot cheaper; public libraries often have the older editions too for borrowing.)

Thanks for the tips!

 

[JMLBrats]

Take a deep breath and relax, you'll do fine! My program required the GRE so that's the one I took. I don't remember it being "hard" just tedious, lots of critical thinking type stuff. I will say this, out of the 7 national standardized tests I had to take for my career, the GRE was the easiest!

You can do it!

7 standardized tests! I don't even want to know what you were going for....Hopefully it was well worth it!
I suppose if I actually study & try to prepare for the test for the next couple of months, I might actually pass....

 

[npmommie]

I took the GRE, I don't recall how long I studied for it, prob a month or so, I used a test prep book from Barron's it came with a practice CD too. I got the book at barnes and noble.
I did it computerized, which I was fine with and used to since that is how I took my Nursing boards as well.

I don't recall my score, but I know it was very good, I was applying to competitive nursing grad programs and got accepted into both schools i applied to.

don't worry, you will be fine, it will be ok!

 

[MM27]

I took the computer based GRE before grad school. I got one of those practice books (don't remember the name because I passed it on to someone else that was going to take it) and I did really well. The only thing I didn't like about the computer based test was that once you answer a question, you can't go back. The essay part was really good on the computer though because you could cut and paste.

 

[december]

I decided last Jan to go to grad school, and signed up for the GRE-for the next week! Yep, I had about 8 days to prepare. But I'm glad I did it quickly and got it over with. I'm a math teacher, and my math score was about 200 pts higher than my Verbal. I don't remember what I made, though. I had no problem getting into grad school. I'm thinking it was in the 700s for math and 500s for verbal? I did do some of the practice activities online through the GRE site just to see what I was facing when I got there.

I don't remember a choice of a written test either. I had to drive an hour to the testing site, and it was supposed to storm that afternoon. So I know I didn't take any of the breaks offered-just took the test straight through and went home. It really wasn't that bad.

*ETA: I did have to do the essay. The college I was applying for stated that if you didn't do well enough on the essay, you had to take a writing class.