The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Journal

02/25/2013

I wish to do my master degree in computer science; however, there is a requirement I need to fulfill first which is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This exam is a requirement for many universities.

In some universities, you don’t need to take the GRE before starting your master; however, this condition apply only if you are starting your master degree right after you graduate with your bachelor degree. The only rule in many universities is that you accomplish the GRE before you finish your masters.

In my case, I decided to get a job instead of continuing with my education. I don’t like loans or owe anything to anyone; therefore, I need to make sure I have the funds to continue my education without getting in debt.

What I found while investigating  the GRE is:

  1. The SAT and GRE are made by the same company.
  2. The GRE is not an intelligence test. It doesn’t measure your IQ.
  3. The material covered on the GRE is not necessarily relevant to your master’s degree.
  4. The GRE requires a different way of writing an essay from that which will be required in your master’s program.
  5. The GRE goes over material you learned in high school.
  6. The GRE does require you to take the test fast, VERY FAST.
  7. The hard questions in the GRE are those in which most people have troubles answering correctly.
  8. The easy questions in the GRE are those in which most people do answer correctly.
  9. The GRE can be considered a harder version of the SAT.

 

The GRE is divided in the following sections:

  • Analytical Writing sections
    • Analyze an issue
      • An opinion is presented on an issue. You must respond to that issue.
        • Take a position.
          • You may agree or disagree.
        • Provide evidence supporting your views.
    • Analyze an argument
      • You must evaluate a given argument.
        • This section do not require you to agree or disagree.
        • Asses the author claims and evaluate the evidence provided.
  • Verbal Reasoning sections
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Text Completion
    • Sentence Equivalence
  • Quantitative Reasoning
    • Quantitative Comparison questions section
    • Multiple-choice questions sections (two sections)
      • Select one answer
      • Select one or more answers
    • Numeric Entry questions

03/02/2013

For the quantitative reasoning part, the following topics must be cover:

  • Arithmetic:
    1.     Real numbers
    2.    Integers
    3.    Decimals
    4.    Fractions
    5.    Ratio
    6.    Percent
    7.    Exponents
    8.    Roots
  • Geometry
    1.    Lines
    2.    Angles
    3.    Triangles
    4.    Quadrilaterals
    5.    Polygons
    6.    Circles
    7.    3D figures
  • Algebra
    1.    Coordinate geometry
    2.    Solving
      •    Linear equations
      •    Quadratic equations
      •    Linear inequalities
    3.    Functions
    4.    Graphs of functions such as lines, V-shaped, parabolas, circles, etc.
    5.    Rules of exponents
    6.    Operations with algebraic expressions
  •  Data Analysis
    1.    Counting methods
    2.    Random variables
    3.    Probability
    4.    Probability distributions
    5.    Data interpretation using numerical and graphical methods
    6.    Distributions of data

(To be continued)

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