computer based GRE test

[BrownTown]

So I'm looking on the ETS site and I only see dates for the paper based test, I don't see any for the computer based one it just says to call and schedual an appointment, when the heck do you have to sign up for it and when are you supposed to take it. I really don't know the first thing about the GRE, but apparently you need to take it to get into graduate school and I really don't think it can be that hard, I got a 1530 on SAT (out of 1600) and apparently the GRE is just as laughably easy so I don't really intent to study for it since I didnt study for the SAT and it worked out fine, so really the only concern is figuring out how to take it. Can anyone here help me in this regard, I'm sure at a place like this many people have taken it, so if someone could take like 5 minutes to explain when and how the test is given I'd appreciate it since the ETS site makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

 

[msparish]

You can take it almost any time. At my university, it was offered 5-6 days a week, 2 times a day, year-round.

 

[BrownTown]

OH WOW, thats really really helpfull, why the ETS site cannot just say it like that I do not understand. So all I have to do is call up the testing center (apparently Vanderbilt doesn't have one but another college in Nashville does) and set up a time to take the test after giving ETS 150$ or whatever?

 

[msparish]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
OH WOW, thats really really helpfull, why the ETS site cannot just say it like that I do not understand. So all I have to do is call up the testing center (apparently Vanderbilt doesn't have one but another college in Nashville does) and set up a time to take the test after giving ETS 150$ or whatever?

I'm sure that would work. I remember registering online through ETS's website. As for the test, if you were a physics, math, or engineering major, the math will probably be quite easy. It is basically a repeat of what was tested on the SAT. The verbal part uses some tougher words than the SAT did, so you may want to brush up on your vocabulary a bit.

 

[bonkers325]

if you are taking the electronic test, the test gets progressively harder as u get more questions right. the questions are comprised of algebra, trig, and basic statistics but will end up taking a minute or two per problem as u get to the last 10-20 questions (assuming u get everything right up to that point).

and the qualitative part is just like the SAT, except with harder words

 

[Whisper]

Like others have said, give your university's testing center to schedule a date/time for the exam. If, like you say, your school doesn't administer the GRE themselves, they'll usually be able to give you contact information on places that will. I remember trying to schedule my session a few years back, and because everything for the next month and a half had been booked, UGA provided me with numbers for private testing centers that would have openings.

As for the test itself, it's quite similar to the SAT, yes. The math portion is actually a bit easier (supposedly), but the verbal is more difficult. They've also made the writing portion mandatory as of maybe two years ago. Luckily it's computer-based, so you can type instead of having to hand-write everything.

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: WhisperLuckily it's computer-based, so you can type instead of having to hand-write everything.

This is also very good news I swear I probably lost 50 points on the SAT II writing because the graders probably couldn't read what I had written. I know after the test was over I looked at what was written and even I could barely read my shitty chicken scratch writing.

 

[The Stigenator]

JUst brush up on your GRE.. your school library will have a Barrons GRE guide or something. Brush up on the verbal. Even thoguh i did good on SAT, i am still looking throuhg the GRE book.

 

[CoachB]

1530 on the SAT and can't figure out the ETS website?!?!? Hmmmmm....

 

[neutralizer]

I found the GRE Math was ridiculously easy even if you don't have a calculator, but I had trouble with the verbal especially with antonyms. I just kept seeing ridiculous words that I've have never seen in my life.

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: CoachB
1530 on the SAT and can't figure out the ETS website?!?!? Hmmmmm....

Yeah, well that tells you about how applicable the SAT is to real life. But honestly the site is kinda confusing because it talks about the computer test and the paper test on the same page and I didn't know if the chart of test dates at the bottom applied only to the paper test or to both. On another note did someone say no calculator? Not like it really matters SAT math is like Algebra I so if you can't do it in your head you deserve to fail. As for vocabulary, thats probably gonna bone me too, there were several words on the SAT that I had never seen before in my life, but somehow I got a 780 verbal so I guess it all works out in the end.