Way OT: GRE - How hard is it?

p@mast3rs wrote on 6/26/2005, 9:27 AM
I know this is way off topic, but I need to prepare myself in case my dreams of movie success fall through. I am contemplating taking the GRE ) Graduate Record Exam so I can get my Masters in Education.

I have no idea what to expect. Is it extremely hard? Also, is it a paper test or computer based? I have tried to do a lot of research on it but the info I am looking for has not been found yet.

Since this is mainly the only forum I frequent, I am asking here. I just want to make sure I have something to fall back on in the likelyhood I never obtain success in video/film.

Thanks and sorry for the way off topic.

Comments

busterkeaton wrote on 6/26/2005, 12:12 PM
From the GRE FAQ
How is the General Test administered?
The General Test is given year-round on the computer in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries. Paper-based General Test administrations are offered in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available.

It's hard enough that there is an entire industry based on preparing people for the test. If you have high verbal skills you should do well. A good vocabulary helps too. You have to write a couple of essays as well. The math on it is not very complex, but depending on how long ago you took algebra and geometry you may have to relearn some stuff. You definitely need to do some prep work if only just familiarize yourself with what types of questions you will be asked. The most basic prep work is to download the free tests available at www.GRE.org. You can also buy books that have actual exams that were given in the past. The next step up after that is to buy materials from a test prep company. Kaplan and Princeton Review are the two biggest for this test, but there are probably dozens of others. They make books that come with CDROMs, so you get computer training too. In addition to questions, they will have strategies for frequent questions and tips on the test itself rather than just the material. The most intensive and expensive is to take a GRE class with a live teacher or even take one-on-one tutoring. Kaplan even guarantees to raise your score if you complete their live course. There's a lot of info about the test on the website of the private test-prep companies that you should check out. For example the bit I quoted at the top says the test is on computer, but it doesn't tell you it's a Computer Adaptive Test. A CAT is a test where if you get the answers correct you get harder questions and your score goes up accordingly.
p@mast3rs wrote on 6/26/2005, 12:24 PM
Much thanks. I must have overlooked that on their site.

I guess i wil find out if I am smart or not after I take it. :)
RalphM wrote on 6/26/2005, 12:42 PM
It's been 22 years since I took the GRE, but I can tell you that the workbooks available with practice tests were well worth the investment in time. I was 19 years out of engineering school at the time, and even though my math and verbal skills were strong, I achieved a 100 point increase on the practice tests by using the workbook diligently.

rmack350 wrote on 6/26/2005, 1:28 PM
Don't know about the GRE but were were looking at going back to school for a Masters in Education. Advantages were that you could often start at a higher point in a school district's pay scale, you could work at a community college, and it was a pretty portable degree if you are thinking about changing states/districts.

The down side was that when we added up the cost vs pay increase over time, it didn't pay off. But this was for a person of 40 who was already teaching.

Here in SF, the community college idea was appealing because the pay was better than high school or even most college positions. In fact, we were finding that SFUSD was paying more for HS teachers than most of our college professor friends were getting, and SFUSD doesn't pay particularly well. (Granted, those college professors were all in red states but it was still surprising.)

It occurs to me that the sort of industrial videos we make at my work are all educational, and that our main client contact does in-house education. I wonder if your Masters will be usefull for work outside of institutions?

Rob Mack
p@mast3rs wrote on 6/26/2005, 1:39 PM
Well theres a reason I am going for my Masters. I live in Kentucky currently and to trach here, you HAVE to have a Masters degree to teach (but not for subbing). I have a position in Florida for the next school year and all you have to have there is a Bachelors. However, I am not sure if the job will pan out (backroom politics and games getting around the collective bargaining) so if for some chance I dont get it, I want to make sure I am covered not only in Florida but also in Kentucky as well.

Grad school is still even pre-mature at this point because I have to get the Grad school where I am located (Northern KY U) accepts degrees only from regionally accredited institutions whereas my Bachelors is from a Nationally accredited school. So I will have to fight with them to even recognize my degree. Then of course, Ill need to take the GRE and then find a way to finance my Masters should I gain acceptance.

p@mast3rs wrote on 6/26/2005, 10:28 PM
Picked up Kaplan's GRE 2005 today and just from the practice test, I would make it into the Grad program here at my local university. NKU's guideline for admission is to take my GPA (3.51) multiplied by 200 + GRE score and I have to score 1300. While I have a lot to brush up on, my diagonostic score has me already over 1400 and thats with me guessing at some answers. I figure if I study a little bit (I have plenty of time since I missed the deadline for this school year) I can really jack my scores up and who knows, maybe get into a better grad school somewhere down in Florida.

Now all I have to do is see if I can get some scholarships/fellowships and Ill soon be on my way.

Thanks for the Kaplan tip.