The GRE (General Test) is one criterion in the admissions process for graduate study. It includes three sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing. If you are a student pursuing a post-graduate degree (ex: M.A., Ph.D.) and want to achieve a high score on the GRE, this is the course for you.  Through direct instruction, strategy discussion, and timed practices, you will gain the skills and confidence to perform well on this exam.

Instructional Objectives/Learning Outcomes

The purpose of this course is to familiarize participants with all of the question types appearing on the Graduate Record Exam General Test (GRE) as well as with general strategies and techniques for succeeding on the exam. Participants will have ample opportunity in class to drill individual question types and to practice timed tests. Specifically, participants will ...

• learn how to increase their vocabulary and answer antonym, analogy, and sentence completion questions using such aids as foreign language association and roots and prefixes
• learn various techniques for improving their ability to read quickly and completely
• become familiar with the reading comprehension question types that appear on the test and practice techniques for answering them
• learn about the analytical writing section and practice writing both the issue and argument essays
• review general arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems and data interpretation rules, formulas and procedures needed to answer GRE math questions
• learn how to solve the quantitative comparisons questions efficiently
• take timed tests to practice general test-taking strategies and techniques such as process of elimination and "guesstimation."

Course Prerequisites

This class assumes that the student possesses a solid knowledge of high school arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems or has taken the "Math Review for Standardized Tests" course.

Course Methodologies

Students' Expected Commitment

1. Follow homework guidelines: (Two-three hours of practice per week per each hour in class)
2. Identify own strengths and weaknesses
3. Identify strategies best for self
4. Determine individual guessing ability
5. Practice working around weaknesses to maximize score
6. Use text as a resource

Course Materials

1. GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test 10th Edition, ETS 2002 (available in the Graduate School bookstore)
2. D.E.R. GRE Study Guide (available in the Graduate School bookstore)

Testimonials

To read about how our students feel about this class, check out the Testimonials page.