Eye-Opener: Memo

My GRE experience

The big day has arrived, instead of going Christmas shopping, I've been occupied with final preparations for the GRE, which reached its culmination today!

Overall, it wasn't that bad. What helped me a lot was confidence in myself. I kept repeating to myself that I've done all the things I could have possibly done given the circumstances of preparing during one of the most insane semesters ever and time restrictions.

Prior to finally taking the "real" GRE test, I've taken 2.5 practice tests. On the first run, I was both on the 50% mark (on the verbal I got 15/30 and on the math 14/28). On the second test, I've tremendously improved on the verbal, I got 25/30. However, in the math section, I got worse. I received a 10 out of 28. On the last test, I decided to focus on the math (so I skipped the verbal). I didn't really improved, I got 9 out of 28.

So going in to take the test, I had an idea of my chances. If I were constant, I'd get almost higher than 75% in the verbal, and at least 50% on the math. I kept repeating to myself that maybe I'd be lucky, and I'd get similar questions I practiced on. It also helped knowing that a wrong answer doesn't take away from the correct answer and that some questions have a higher point than others (if I were lucky, I'd answer the difficult question more and get a higher grade). And of course, the book I read stressed eliminating as much wrong answers to increase my chances of getting a right answer and also to make educated guesses. I kept all of these in mind.

The night before I read one last time some basic formulas for areas of shapes etc. and I got a full 8 hours of sleep (very well rested), and the next day (today) I woke up before my alarm clock.

I arrived in the city at 10:45 a.m. I had brunch in starbucks (just a little treat). I ate a chicken sandwich, and I drank a tall white chocolate mocha (perfectly made with the right amount of syrup [not too sweet or bland] and the right hotness). I took my time and ate at least for an hour, and around noon I walked towards the Curtis Center at 7th and Walnut.

The test was in the first floor in a gray windowless office. I signed a confidentiality form, and I had to put all my stuff even my digital watch in a locker. The only thing I took with me to my "area" was myself, my id and ticket. They gave me scratch paper and pencils. In the end, I had to give back my scrap paper. Their procedure was tighter than airport security. Before entering to the testing room, they took a picture of me (which looked like stipling/dotted rendition of me). The session was videorecorded. They asked if I had any questions. I asked about the 10 minute break for a confirmation and before starting I went to the bathroom.

I messed up the beginning. I confused the background info with universities who'd receive the score. Instead of putting SHU, I put one of the universities I planned on applying.

I don't know if order of the section was randomly selected or not. I thought that the test began with the verbal and ended with the writing. I started with the writing- I didn't know if this was a blessing or a curse. I was thrown off guard (I didn't know if the lady did this on purpose or not because before I took the test, I asked her a question about the writing section).

My question wasn't difficult; it was just a matter of articulating my perspective. I wrote about being an English major. It took me a while to get started because I wanted a 'bangin' response. This didn't happen, however I fulfilled the requirement and gave my perspective (this was better than nothing). I think my strong points were giving examples. The second writing was about evaluating an argument. I don't think I fleshed out my points enough.

The verbal and math section just came in a flash. It felt like I was dazed, but I persevered and kept repeating to myself: educated guess, educated guess...wrong answer doesn't penalize...the next question can be an easy one- more points.. I finished around 3:30 p.m. but I ended up taking a sample test for an extra 37 minute. I actually left the test center around 4:15 p.m. I went to South Street to meet my friend and to start SHOPPING.

On my way, I started worrying about my scores, which were similar to what I got in the SAT's (around the 1100s). I was close to my estimation. In the verbal I got a little higher than the 75% mark (620/800), and I got a little higher than the 50% mark on the math (470/800). To end my worries, I called the universities I was applying to: Indiana, Oregon, and Utah (thank you different time zones).

All of them said that GRE's are equally weighted with other factors such as transcript, resume, letters of recommendation, application, etc. To lessen my worries, one them said that a person who didn't meet the GRE requirement was still accepted into the program because of his/her strong transcript, letters of recommendation etc.

With my 1090, I think I met the bare minimum. For example, Indiana told me that I needed to score at least one section higher than 600 (either verbal or math), and that I needed at least 4.5 score out of 6 in my writing. For Utah, I checked the website (an hour ago) and it stated that the GRE score needed to be above the 40% mark. I don't if this is combined or not (either combined or separate, my score is above the 40% mark). For Oregon, I still have to email a professor (they're currently on holiday break). Hopefully, their gre requirement is similar to Indiana and Utah.

The test is over and tomorrow more shopping, and after Christmas, resume the application process! :)

Posted by Michael Diezmos at December 20, 2006 10:26 PM