|
Be Aware
By the time you have finished your GRE preparation, you should be aware of the
type of questions that will appear in the GRE Test. You should also be aware of
how long each section is and the time limits. This will help you pace yourself
through the test. Know the directions for each
question
Knowing the directions for the questions beforehand will save you valuable time.
But remember the directions for the questions in the GRE Test might be slightly
different from the ones in your study material. So always read the instructions
but do it quickly. Don't stick to one question for too
long
By the time you have finished your GRE preparation, you should have a good
estimate of how much time you can give to a particular question. Don't get stuck
on one particular question for too long. This might cause you to lose precious
time and miss questions you could have easily done.
Don't Rush
The GRE Test is about optimizing. Finishing the paper first is not what is
important. You should devote just the right amount of time to each question.
Maximizing your marks in a given period of time is your aim. So don't rush it as
that might cost you valuable marks. The questions at
the beginning are the most important
The questions at the beginning affect your score more than those towards the
end. Take your time with those questions. It is vital that you get those
questions right. Getting these correct will dramatically improve your score.
Selection by elimination
When you don't know the answers to some questions, try and use the method of
elimination. You may have a very good idea of which option cannot be the answer.
Eliminate such options. It narrows down your guess to just maybe two options and
sometimes down to one. Don't leave any question
The GRE Test does not penalize you for wrong answers. So never leave any
question unanswered. Be very sure of your answer
before proceeding
With the Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT) for GRE, you cannot return to a question
once you have attempted it. You cannot leave the difficult questions for later
nor can you check your answers towards the end even if you have extra time. So
pace yourself properly and be very certain of your answers.
Get adequate rest the night before
Before the test, relax. Research shows a person who is relaxed
usually does much better than a person who is tense during an exam. Get enough
sleep before the D-Day. Also if your GRE is in the morning, take a light
breakfast. A heavy one might make you drowsy. Do a
test drive exactly a week before your test
Getting to the test center on time is vital. In fact you should try and get to
the test center 15-30 minutes before time. Taking a test drive to your test
center exactly a week before might be a good idea. This will give you a rough
idea of the traffic conditions at the time and day of your GRE.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
Wear comfortable clothes to your GRE test center. It might be a good idea to
carry a sweater or a jacket, in case you start feeling cold. Also make a check
list well in advance of what all you need on the D-day and keep everything ready
the night before. One of the things you need is a chronometer. (In case you
don't know what that means, start preparing for the GRE vocabulary ;-)
Use the scratch paper the test center provides
You are not allowed to bring any sheets of paper to the GRE test center but are
provided scratch paper by the center. You should make effective use of this to
make quick notes for yourself or for solving math questions.
And lastly DON'T PANIC
No matter what happens, DON'T PANIC. Keep your cool all the time, even when you
don't know the answer. Once you panic, you might even answer the easiest
questions wrongly. If you feel yourself getting tense, take a short break, ask
for a glass of water, close your eyes, take deep breaths and calm yourself down.
|