So I signed up for the GRE today.

[PhrostByte]

Decided to take it in June... after I'll have my grades. Adviser told me I need take both the General exam as well as the Subject exam. I'm planning on taking the General first since I'm not finished my psychology cirriculum yet. Also, there aren't any Summer dates for the Subject exam. Anyway, it feels good to take a step forward in my education, even if it's a small one. Any tips?

[ronnydobbs]

I haven't taken it, but if you test well then you should pass it no problem. If you don't test to well then get the study aid books. And good luck.

[dopa345]

As someone who has taken many standardized tests, the best tip on test day is that when in doubt, always trust your gut go with your first instinct. More often than not, that will be the right answer.

[jPoD]

As someone who has taken many standardized tests, the best tip on test day is that when in doubt, always trust your gut go with your first instinct. More often than not, that will be the right answer.

That fucked me over on both the SATs and ACTs ;)

[The Cheapest Ass Gamer]

Study your ass off for the GRE. The essay section probably doesn't matter as much as math and verbal, so take tons of practice tests and figure out which areas you need to improve on, then focus your studying on those areas.

Where do you go to school and what kind of psychology are you hoping to study? I'm a grad student in cognitive psych/cognitive neuroscience. Feel free to PM me if you want any advice in that regard.

[mykevermin]

Do the practice exams.

[JEKKI]

you're so lucky.

I've been wanting to take the GRE since July

but I just cannot afford it!!!!!!!!

[Dead of Knight]

Yes, study your ass off as mentioned, even if you're good at standardized tests. My boyfriend sucked fucking ass at the math section and it has screwed him over whenever he has applied for PhD programs even though he is a PoliSci major. So even though you're a psychology major, don't slack off on it. It does indeed matter.

[mykevermin]

Don't be dissin' the social sciences and mathematics! We go together like peas in a pod. I have the regression analyses to prove it, too. ;)

[PhrostByte]

Study your ass off for the GRE. The essay section probably doesn't matter as much as math and verbal, so take tons of practice tests and figure out which areas you need to improve on, then focus your studying on those areas.

Where do you go to school and what kind of psychology are you hoping to study? I'm a grad student in cognitive psych/cognitive neuroscience. Feel free to PM me if you want any advice in that regard.
I go to a pretty small university in Maryland called UMBC. You guys probably haven't heard of it... just shy of 10,000 undergrads. I'm not really sure what kind of psychology I should get into... I figure drug abuse would be interesting... so what would that require me to learn? Probably nueroscience and cognitive as well right?

I generally do test well.. but math has never been my thing... so far I've gotten 3 C's (I'm a junior). And 2 of them were in the only two math classes I've taken. Anyway, when my classes are over I plan to first take the practice exam once or twice, and then depending on how I do probably get a study guide.

[mtxbass1]

Study for the GRE. I got one of those Kapplan books and it helped a lot. The tests in the book will end up being much harder than the actual test itself, but this will help you in the long run. The essay section depends entirely on how well you write, and can't really be studied for. They usually give you two topics to discuss.

[jPoD]

I go to a pretty small university in Maryland called UMBC. You guys probably haven't heard of it... just shy of 10,000 undergrads. I'm not really sure what kind of psychology I should get into... I figure drug abuse would be interesting... so what would that require me to learn? Probably nueroscience and cognitive as well right?

I generally do test well.. but math has never been my thing... so far I've gotten 3 C's (I'm a junior). And 2 of them were in the only two math classes I've taken. Anyway, when my classes are over I plan to first take the practice exam once or twice, and then depending on how I do probably get a study guide.

UMBC Retrievers FTL! :P

[jerfgoke]

I agree with the other posters who have suggested studying hard for the exam. The GRE is probably more important than the ACT/SAT because full tuition scholarships are far easier to come by in graduate school (and the ranking of the program you get into matters a lot more). Do well on the GRE and schools will pay you to attend.

Also, as mykevermin said, never underestimate the importance of math for grad school. Regardless of what substantive area you want to work in, it all turns to math at the higher levels. I have yet to find a branch of "science" where this is not the case. :)

[The Crotch]

As someone who has taken many standardized tests, the best tip on test day is that when in doubt, always trust your gut go with your first instinct. More often than not, that will be the right answer.Confirmation bias. Ignore this man.

[Dr Mario Kart]

I dont know you, so I'll say this:

If you are a woman, find a test date that coincides with ovulation. All of your senses are sharper during this time, and all other things equal, it should make a fractional difference.

I imagine this information will probably be useless to you.

[PhrostByte]

UMBC Retrievers FTL! :P

Go fuck yourself! Anyway I was never a big sports fan... besides wrestling and occasionally MMA.

[PhrostByte]

I dont know you, so I'll say this:

If you are a woman, find a test date that coincides with ovulation. All of your senses are sharper during this time, and all other things equal, it should make a fractional difference.

I imagine this information will probably be useless to you.
It is... but thanks for caring... I <3 You :lol:

[jPoD]

Go fuck yourself! Anyway I was never a big sports fan... besides wrestling and occasionally MMA.

haha. It's ok bro. I'd be pissed if I was behind Hartford too :P

[munch]

Do the practice exams.

Agreed. Make sure you know what you're getting into. My advice is try to relax and don't freak out.

[PhrostByte]

haha. It's ok bro. I'd be pissed if I was behind Hartford too :P
I talked to the school president last semester. He said sports aren't a big priority for him. He's more interested in improving UMBC's credibility as a place with a solid academic foundation. It might not have the same reputation as UMD.. but it hasn't been around nearly as long (1969 I think?). However, our school is a fairly prominent research institute... and the rate of peoples going on to grad/med/law/whatever schools is pretty high. Social life here isn't exactly blooming, but hey I only have like 3 or 4 friends anyway, and I don't like drinking or parties... so whatever. I'm doing it for the lulz... I mean, the education.

[zionoverfire]

I took the GRE, the Writing and Math sections are reasonbly easy but the English section is really hard (take a look at the score distributions).

Basically read over the packet they send you, relearn how to do basic SAT level math, how to write GRE essays and then focus on the english. Even then parts of the english section are really difficult since they love using obscure words that only an english major could possibly care about.

[PhrostByte]

I took the GRE, the Writing and Math sections are reasonbly easy but the English section is really hard (take a look at the score distributions).

Basically read over the packet they send you, relearn how to do basic SAT level math, how to write GRE essays and then focus on the english. Even then parts of the english section are really difficult since they love using obscure words that only an english major could possibly care about.

hey hey zion, haven't heard from you in a bit... Anyway, I've always been a decent essay writer. Never got anything less than a 95% in my English classes.