Tips para presentar el Graduate Records Examination, GRE

Por: Antonio Ramrez R. tonotron@gmail.com

D.C.C. C.I.C.-I.P.N, Mxico, Octubre de 2014

Introduccin. El acceso a una educacin superior

de calidad, es un tema en boga en todo el Globo, tal
como lo es el de competencia profesional. Participar
en esta globalizacin, requiere de cubrir puntuales
requisitos, uno de ellos es el examen general de
conocimientos para graduados. El famoso tes
Graduate Records Examination (GRE) se est
convirtiendo en un standard obligatorio para los
graduados de nivel licenciatura, que desean
integrarse a algn programa de posgrado de calidad
en las mejores universidades del mundo. El puntaje
obtenido en estas pruebas, es un referente primordial
para la seleccin de las nuevas generaciones de
estudiantes en muchas de estas escuelas y centros de
investigacin. Sin embargo es un tanto desconocida
la manera de aplicar a ello as como su alcance. La
intensin de esta columna es acercar en un formato
ms gil, un poco de informacin pertinente para
conocer el procedimiento y fondo de este examen.
Keywords:
knowledge.

GRE,

graduate

tests,

universal

Contexto: GRE is an acronym for Graduate Records

Examination, and it consists in a series of tests on
graduate-level knowledge. Many postgraduate
institutions require candidates to send their results in
any of the different types of this test. These exams
evaluate the knowledge in specific areas, such as a
GRE Literature test.

2. How important is it that I finish each of the

sections on the GRE?
It is critical that you finish each section. Since the
computer is programmed to finish taking its
sample of your performance on the test, it will count
unanswered questions as if they were wrong at the
beginning, in other words, where they count the
most. This is why ETS claims that the value of the
questions at the end is not less than at the beginning;
it is equal when they are unanswered. So, when you
have a couple of minutes left it is not a bad idea to
guess at the remaining questions, making sure that
you finish the section in under 75 minutes.
3. In which area of the GRE will it generally be
easier to improve my score?
Because of the nature of Math, improving the
quantitative score through systematic methods will
generally be easier for most test takers. Verbal seems
harder because test takers perceive more than one
answer choice as correct, although looking for
patterns and approaching these problems in a stepby-step fashion has been shown to produce excellent
score improvements.
4. In the quantitative section of the GRE, how many
questions are problem solving and how many are
quantitative comparisons?

FAQ's

On most tests, the mix is 60-40%, PS QC,

respectively.

1. Is it true that the early questions count more in

each section of the GRE?

5. In the quantitative section of the GRE, what is the

most important skill I must develop to be proficient?

YES, since this is a statistically sound test. The

computer is taking a sample of your performance on
the test. For any variable with a normal distribution
(GRE score) the bigger the sample, the smaller the
standard deviation, variance, and in this case
possible score range. As you answer questions, the
computer recalculates the standard deviation and
score range, thus zeroing in on your score.
However the relation is not linear, as the standard
deviation is not a linear function. In other words, the
early questions count the most and the last ones the
least, so long as you finish the test

Reading, without a doubt; the most common

careless
mistake
is
misreading
or
misunderstanding the question. On data sufficiency,
translating words into math expressions can really
make a difference. In problem solving, using the
answers to eliminate predictable or non-feasible
options can also help to make an educated guess.
6. What are the hardest quantitative questions on the
GRE?
Most test takers have difficulty with a special type
of data sufficiency problems for which the question
posed requires a yes / no answer. When this format
is combine with number properties or inequalities,

the questions become challenging. Sound strategy

and a systematic approach to these problems can
help in their effective solution.

3. Make sure you can multiply, divide, add and

subtract quickly. Avoid using a calculator as you
prepare.

7. What is the bottom line to develop a better verbal

section for the GRE?

4. Once you answer a question, forget about it.

Concentrate on the one in front of you.

Learning vocabulary is the most important thing.

Most of the question types in the verbal section are
based on knowledge of vocabulary. Many lists are
available through internet and, of course, diverse
GRE courses.

5. If the answer choices are numerical, estimate what

the answer should be in order to eliminate nonfeasible answers before guessing.

8. What do you recommend in order to be faster in

reading comprehension questions?
Never read the whole passage from top to bottom
and try not to do a summary of the passage before
beginning the questions. Attack each question and
each passage as it comes. However, do paraphrase
what you read.
9. How can approach reading passages in order to be
faster?

6. If you spot a predictable easy numerical answer,

eliminate it before you guess.
7. Always work eliminating wrong answers.
8. Never pick an answer that you cannot back up
completely from the passages included.
9. Make sure you develop your vocabulary.
10. Bring up your reading skills.

Interactive Checklist

You can definitely take more time in reading

comprehension questions than you do in other type
questions, but you should remember to pick up time
in those other types and always beware of the clock
to check for timing, so you do not spend too much
time answering a question sometimes you just
have to make an educated guess. Also, remember
that GRE reading questions follow a rough
chronological order if they are specific.

1. I have reviewed number properties and

definitions.

10. Can I just skip the essays so I can concentrate in

the two sections that will render my score?

Excellent! Roughly 1/5 to 1/6 of the questions in the

quantitative section will deal with these topics.

Each institution is different as to how much weight

it gives the essays, but it is not recommended to skip
them. A copy of your GMAT essays will be sent to
each institution that receives your scores, so a bad
image could work against you. Find out whether the
institution that you are applying to is very or little
interested in your GMAT essays before you decide
to do something like that.

3. I have spent 80% of my study time going over

wrong questions to learn what NOT to do on the test
and HOW to modify my approach to questions.

Tips
1. Review all basic geometry formulas.
2. You can answer a quantitative comparison
problem when you have enough information to
determine if one is bigger. You should not waste
time figuring out exact values.

Good! Remember to read carefully and make

annotations to set up problems before working on
them.
2. I know all basic geometry formulas covering lines
and angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and
rectangular solids.

Great! Good self-feedback is just as important as

practice. You must identify problem areas and target
them as you study.
4. I have taken at least 5 diagnostic computer
adaptive simulated GREs with a consistent score.
Practice makes perfect. Make sure you take the time
between tests to go over mistakes and modify your
approach to questions.
5. I have signed up to take the test and I am familiar
with the location of the test center.
You are ready to take the test. Do not cram the night
before, relax instead; you have studied considerably.

The day of the test, take your time to get to the test
center and bring a chocolate or some sugary snack
for the break. Remain as calm as you can since
concentration plays a major role on performance.
6. I have memorized all my vocabulary lists and have
used the words in diverse contexts.
Excellent! You will find most type questions on the
verbal section a lot easier to approach. But
remember, its not all about plain vocabulary.
7. I have practiced relationships for the analogies
questions.
Good job! You will focus on finding exactly what
the question asks and this will render a better pacing
for your verbal section.
8. I have practiced enough reading comprehension
passages to be able to approach the questions
without reading the complete passage from top to
bottom.
If you have truly done so, you will most probably be
able to administer your time in a most successful
way. However, remember to keep a good attitude
and disposition towards all kinds of issues that you
encounter and decide intelligently which sentences
you will read and paraphrase.
Nota, Esta columna no es una tarea escolar ni
tampoco parte de alguna investigacin. Es solo una
manera diferente de presentar una informacin que
es posible encontrar en la fuente citada. Por lo tanto
el punto de vista y la manera de abordar la
informacin es creacin del autor, en aquella fuente.
El lector puede profundizar en el tema del GRE y
prepararse para presentarlo, apoyndose en parte, en
las dems fuentes citadas y principalmente en su
esmero, atencin y dedicacin que preste a esta
actividad.
Conclusin: Si se desea participar de una creciente
y al mismo tiempo excluyente globalizacin, por
contradictorio que esto parezca, es necesario
prepararse al mismo nivel que los pases que estn a
la vanguardia en los temas de educacin ya que son
quienes establecen los estndares de evaluacin a los
que todos habrn de sujetarse. El conjunto de test del
GRE, no debera ser un referente en cuanto a calidez,
tica, creatividad, ingenio y actitud; sin embargo es
el primer peldao en el acceso a algn programa de
posgrado de calidad internacional. Por ello es
imprescindible lograr un buen puntaje.

Referencias:
[1] Fuente del texto en ingls: http://www.conacyt.gob.
mx/posgrados/index.php/cursos-en-linea/gre
[2] http://www.graduateshotline.com/gre/test.html
[3] http://www.testprepreview.com/gre_practice.htm
[4] http://www.800score.com/gre-download4.html
[5] http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?
eid=11
[6] http://www.number2.com/exams/gre/companion/
index.cfm?s=0
[7] http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/know
[8] http://www.greguide.com/Free-Questions/GREPractice-Tests.html.