The GRE Test is revised every so often to reflect either technological improvements or societal changes. In the latest revision the test aims to be suited more towards the modern student, the courses they are required to take and the employment opportunities available to them as graduates from college.
Structure of the Test
The GRE is in three parts, known as Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Verbal Reasoning. This article discusses Verbal Reasoning. Look for Quantitative Reasoning help here, while advice on taking the Analytical Writing Section will be here. You will find sample questions and more information on the GRE website.
Verbal Reasoning Questions – Comprehension
In this part of the test you will be given a passage and asked to answer three types of question about that passage. Read the passage before looking at the questions. If you look at the questions you will be reading the passage to find the most suitable answer, and might miss the right answer. These comprehension tests can be misleading, which is why it is called comprehension. It’s all about understanding. Read the passage calmly, taking a deep breath and clearing your mind of other thoughts.
You will be asked to select one answer from five, then another question will require several answers to be selected and finally you will be asked to choose a section of the passage that fits a description. Always consider your options before you answer the question. Particularly in the multiple answer questions. You do need to select every correct response.
Text Completion
While essentially a fill in the blank test, this section can be daunting because of the options given. You are given a passage or sentences and offered several words or phrases that could fit and complete the sentences. There are often two blanks to find words for and they need to work together to make a whole. For example, your sentence is, ‘The _______ had been buying ready packed ______ from the market to sell in his store.’ You would not select fishmonger for the first blank and pork for the second because they would not tie together. The finished sentence has to be correct. There is no partial credit given.
Sentence Equivalence
Questions in this section are designed to test your vocabulary. You are given a sentence with one blank and asked to pick two words. Each of the words will make a correct sentence. In essence you are being asked to make two complete sentences by adding different words. Often these words will have a very similar meaning and could be used interchangeably.
Tips
Stay calm. If you don’t fully understand the question read it again and then go on to another question. You will have an opportunity to go back and do any that you have left. It is better to get as many answered correctly as you can before tackling those you find more difficult, than to answer each one to get them done, regardless of whether you are sure they are all correct.
Practice. As with all tests, the more you prepare the easier it will be and the happier you will be with the results. Look for sample questions online, ask at your library and get together with friends who are also taking the GRE.
Sally Anne Lewis - Sally has master's degrees in science and journalism, is fascinated to a degree in most things. Always something to learn.
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