The test changes August 1, 2011. The emphasis on certain areas has changed. There is a greater focus on vocabulary as it is used, rather than rote memorization. Reviewing the areas of knowledge required for the exam provides an expedient and familiar foundation that you can refer to more easily. Performance is increased when skills are honed.
Time management is essential to scoring high on the GRE. On the paper-based version of the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the exam, the number of questions you answer is incorporated into the calculation of the scores, so it is important to answer all of them. The new computer-based GRE test allows students to survey the entire section. Learning how to examine, mark, review and tag questions enables you to create a sequence of questions to optimize your score, because on this exam your score reflects the number of questions you answer correctly, as well as the difficulty level of each section. Familiarity with these strategies helps you manage the test successfully. Prep courses address these issues and many other tactics.
Familiarity with the GRE breeds confidence, which acts as a defense against the intensity of taking the test and provides a higher level of competitiveness and competence. The Harvard Graduate School of Education found "those with strong scores are best positioned to succeed in graduate study at HGSE."
Top schools receive applications from more qualified applicants than there are spaces in the class. Harvard's 2012 MBA program has 9,524 applicants and an enrollment of 903. That means that only 11 percent are admitted. For the class of 2011, Stanford received 236 applications and accepted 40. Northwestern Graduate School had 125 applications for the fall of 2010 and accepted six. A good GRE score can make an impression, and an impressive score on the GRE can help make the case that you are capable of higher academic performance than your grades illustrate. Many graduate programs base financial aid packages, including fellowships and teaching assistantships, on GRE scores. Some schools will waive application fees for students with high GRE scores.
A prep course can provide the edge you need to achieve a high score on the GRE. This will assist you in enrolling in the school and program that you desire. It makes sense to take advantage of opportunities that are offered to improve your score. Many colleges and universities offer GRE preparation classes. There are also many online classes, such as Kaplan, MLIC, Peterson's and ETS, to name a few. Some are free and some charge a fee. There is a preparation class to suit your needs. Taking a class will make a difference in your score.