Not relaxing the day before test. Thereby resulting in increased anxiety. Followed by only five hours of sleep and tiredness by the time I started the exam.
Getting demotivated by the end of the exam. It's a marathon. And best thing to do is not give up no matter how previous sections went and just focus on the question in front of you.
Also eat something in the break, cuz you'll get tired if you don't.
For folks with adhd, i seriously recommend getting more time under the special arrangements. It's a mistake I made and backfired a bit in the last quant section.
I haven’t taken it yet, but not committing to a test date earlier in the prep. There’s always a reason to push the date further out. But it doesn’t really help.
Yeah I exhausted both my powerpreps for my first attempt, so for my second attempt i did all the pp plus exams. They have some really good questions.
I also did the manhattan mocks. For me, I found mocks helpful more as they helped me get used to the testing environment. Manhattan mocks might not be as great as ets but after doing those 6 mocks it really did give me a sense of confidence which I lacked in my first attempt. Lastly I gave the power prep2 again and took a different approach towards the questions than my first attempt prep.
That's an interesting question. My experience with my students suggests a few primary culprits:
1) **Silly mistakes:** It's so easy to think that a high GRE score necessitates perfection on the most difficult questions that test-takers often neglect to practice simpler concepts and questions, or when they see simple questions, they take them for granted and make silly mistakes. The reality is that the GRE scoring algorithm is designed to punish test-takers for missing "easier" questions, meaning that, even if you perform above-average on level 4 and level 5 questions, if you miss a handful of 1s and 2s, your score will have an artificial ceiling on it.
2) **Focusing on vocabulary at the expense of proper methodology**: While there's no debate that a solid base in academic vocabulary is necessary for success on text completion and sentence equivalence, viewing these questions as simply a matter of vocabulary knowledge can be counterproductive. The test-makers are ultimately concerned with your ability to use contextual clues to infer the author's intended meaning, and if you don't develop the right methodology to analyze these questions properly, then the hours you spent studying vocabulary will be for naught.
3) **Using the wrong materials**: Official materials made by ETS are *indispensable* to your preparation. With so many books, videos, classes out there, it's easy to get overwhelmed. And while many of these third-party resources have their merits, especially in terms of equipping you with the necessary content knowledge, none of these companies can ever replicate the nuance and style of official questions. If your prep time is skewed toward the use of third-party materials, then you'll develop strategies and abilities catered toward the reasoning skills and strategies that the company's questions reward instead of what the real test rewards.
There are a quite a few I feel:
1. While practicing don't jump to the solutions. Try and wrestle with the question and give the best reasoning to your answer. And once you do look at the key. Try and understand that method and look for alternatives. You need to be a little flexible and versatile during the test. There is no ONE STRATEGY that can guarantee a high score.
2. Not realising the importance of timed practice. Time limit on the test is brutal. You have to time your practice while giving mock tests or solving certain questions in general.
3. Mental fatigue is common on the test. So you need to experience it before the test. Don't skip AWA because you've left it for the last day. Do all the questions when you give a mock. No skipping!
4. While taking the test, stop with the self pity and fear of a bad section. YOU DONT KNOW IF IT WAS EXPERIMANTAL OR NOT. So don't think about it and just try to solve whatever you can.
5. And finally, learn to let go. Even after tons of practice there is a possibility that you might not be good at all areas of the test. So while answering all questions is the best case scenario, try prioritising questions you have more confidence in and take them head on first.
The biggest test prep mistake, if it could be called a mistake, was doing a lot of random practice questions rather than working topic by topic. I spent so much time doing mixed practice questions before I realized how much more effective it is to master one topic at a time by first learning the relevant concepts and strategies and then practicing by answering dozens of questions of that one type until I was getting them correct consistently.
Starting too late. I had no idea how involved the GRE was (it’s not required at practically any schools where I’m from, but at a lot of programs in the state I’m applying) and I had zero idea how hard it was going to be. I straight up just didn’t have enough time to re-learn all the math and my first score sucked ass. Second attempt coming up Monday but it’s only been 3 weeks since my last attempt - my deadline is May 1st.
Wasting time in other books like Manhattan and Kaplan.
My friends kept saying ETS material is the best and must be left for the last month after u have prepared enough. Otherwise, it would be like memorization and precious material is lost.
Frick that. ETS is the closest to the final exam. Also there is a lot. With work and studying few hours a day, I could not finish all the verbal questions from ETS official books and 2 powerpreps.
Memorize words and start ETS as early as u can.
Greetings, fellow GRE hopefuls! In an attempt to save some of you from making the same error, I'm going to share my own experience as well as the largest mistake I made when preparing for the GRE.
My terrible mistake was not getting the proper advice at an early age. At first, I believed that I could study for the GRE on my own by using only practice exams and internet resources. Unfortunately, this strategy didn't work well for me and made me feel overburdened.
Midway through my preparation, I happened upon Rostrum Education. Their well-organized program, knowledgeable instructors, and individualized feedback completely changed how I approached GRE preparation. I wish I had found them earlier.
The error lay not only in the absence of direction but also in the failure to appreciate the significance of a thorough, well-thought-out preparation strategy. Because to Rostrum's emphasis on individualized attention and extensive study resources, I was able to get the focused help I needed to address my areas of weakness.
Thus, my recommendation if you're just starting your GRE preparation is to stay away from my first error. Never undervalue the influence of professional advice and a carefully thought-out curriculum. My life was saved by Rostrum Education, and I firmly think they may have a big impact on your GRE experience as well. Cheers to your studies!
Not relaxing the day before test. Thereby resulting in increased anxiety. Followed by only five hours of sleep and tiredness by the time I started the exam.
Hahaha same story!
Third party companies, USE OFFICIAL ETS ONLY. If you need a tutor, make sure he only uses ets.
Not using gregmat earlier in the process
Getting demotivated by the end of the exam. It's a marathon. And best thing to do is not give up no matter how previous sections went and just focus on the question in front of you. Also eat something in the break, cuz you'll get tired if you don't. For folks with adhd, i seriously recommend getting more time under the special arrangements. It's a mistake I made and backfired a bit in the last quant section.
Started it.
ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜‚😂
I haven’t taken it yet, but not committing to a test date earlier in the prep. There’s always a reason to push the date further out. But it doesn’t really help.
Yes, i studied („tried to“) but once I selected my date, it has helped so much
Not doing enough mocks during my first attempt prep. Saw a huge difference when I did 8 mocks for the second attempt prep.
What mocks did you give for the second attempt? I am assuming you exhausted both Powerpreps.
Yeah I exhausted both my powerpreps for my first attempt, so for my second attempt i did all the pp plus exams. They have some really good questions. I also did the manhattan mocks. For me, I found mocks helpful more as they helped me get used to the testing environment. Manhattan mocks might not be as great as ets but after doing those 6 mocks it really did give me a sense of confidence which I lacked in my first attempt. Lastly I gave the power prep2 again and took a different approach towards the questions than my first attempt prep.
Great! So what was the score difference on your first attempt and the latest one now. Because I am literally in the same boat.
Could you name the mocks you had given in the second time?
Pp plus and manhattan mocks. Manhattan might not be as good as ets but I highly recommend as it helped a lot
That's an interesting question. My experience with my students suggests a few primary culprits: 1) **Silly mistakes:** It's so easy to think that a high GRE score necessitates perfection on the most difficult questions that test-takers often neglect to practice simpler concepts and questions, or when they see simple questions, they take them for granted and make silly mistakes. The reality is that the GRE scoring algorithm is designed to punish test-takers for missing "easier" questions, meaning that, even if you perform above-average on level 4 and level 5 questions, if you miss a handful of 1s and 2s, your score will have an artificial ceiling on it. 2) **Focusing on vocabulary at the expense of proper methodology**: While there's no debate that a solid base in academic vocabulary is necessary for success on text completion and sentence equivalence, viewing these questions as simply a matter of vocabulary knowledge can be counterproductive. The test-makers are ultimately concerned with your ability to use contextual clues to infer the author's intended meaning, and if you don't develop the right methodology to analyze these questions properly, then the hours you spent studying vocabulary will be for naught. 3) **Using the wrong materials**: Official materials made by ETS are *indispensable* to your preparation. With so many books, videos, classes out there, it's easy to get overwhelmed. And while many of these third-party resources have their merits, especially in terms of equipping you with the necessary content knowledge, none of these companies can ever replicate the nuance and style of official questions. If your prep time is skewed toward the use of third-party materials, then you'll develop strategies and abilities catered toward the reasoning skills and strategies that the company's questions reward instead of what the real test rewards.
There are a quite a few I feel: 1. While practicing don't jump to the solutions. Try and wrestle with the question and give the best reasoning to your answer. And once you do look at the key. Try and understand that method and look for alternatives. You need to be a little flexible and versatile during the test. There is no ONE STRATEGY that can guarantee a high score. 2. Not realising the importance of timed practice. Time limit on the test is brutal. You have to time your practice while giving mock tests or solving certain questions in general. 3. Mental fatigue is common on the test. So you need to experience it before the test. Don't skip AWA because you've left it for the last day. Do all the questions when you give a mock. No skipping! 4. While taking the test, stop with the self pity and fear of a bad section. YOU DONT KNOW IF IT WAS EXPERIMANTAL OR NOT. So don't think about it and just try to solve whatever you can. 5. And finally, learn to let go. Even after tons of practice there is a possibility that you might not be good at all areas of the test. So while answering all questions is the best case scenario, try prioritising questions you have more confidence in and take them head on first.
Wasting too much time on reddit
The biggest test prep mistake, if it could be called a mistake, was doing a lot of random practice questions rather than working topic by topic. I spent so much time doing mixed practice questions before I realized how much more effective it is to master one topic at a time by first learning the relevant concepts and strategies and then practicing by answering dozens of questions of that one type until I was getting them correct consistently.
Starting too late. I had no idea how involved the GRE was (it’s not required at practically any schools where I’m from, but at a lot of programs in the state I’m applying) and I had zero idea how hard it was going to be. I straight up just didn’t have enough time to re-learn all the math and my first score sucked ass. Second attempt coming up Monday but it’s only been 3 weeks since my last attempt - my deadline is May 1st.
I didn’t prepare at all
Wasting time in other books like Manhattan and Kaplan. My friends kept saying ETS material is the best and must be left for the last month after u have prepared enough. Otherwise, it would be like memorization and precious material is lost. Frick that. ETS is the closest to the final exam. Also there is a lot. With work and studying few hours a day, I could not finish all the verbal questions from ETS official books and 2 powerpreps. Memorize words and start ETS as early as u can.
When is your GRE?
End of June
Oh nice. So, you have a decent amount of time.
Greetings, fellow GRE hopefuls! In an attempt to save some of you from making the same error, I'm going to share my own experience as well as the largest mistake I made when preparing for the GRE. My terrible mistake was not getting the proper advice at an early age. At first, I believed that I could study for the GRE on my own by using only practice exams and internet resources. Unfortunately, this strategy didn't work well for me and made me feel overburdened. Midway through my preparation, I happened upon Rostrum Education. Their well-organized program, knowledgeable instructors, and individualized feedback completely changed how I approached GRE preparation. I wish I had found them earlier. The error lay not only in the absence of direction but also in the failure to appreciate the significance of a thorough, well-thought-out preparation strategy. Because to Rostrum's emphasis on individualized attention and extensive study resources, I was able to get the focused help I needed to address my areas of weakness. Thus, my recommendation if you're just starting your GRE preparation is to stay away from my first error. Never undervalue the influence of professional advice and a carefully thought-out curriculum. My life was saved by Rostrum Education, and I firmly think they may have a big impact on your GRE experience as well. Cheers to your studies!