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Actual test much harder than test prep?
[#permalink]
04 Jan 2016, 14:42
04 Jan 2016, 14:42
Hi all,
I just took the GRE last week, and was surprised that the Quantitative section seemed much harder than the many practice tests I had taken.
I prepared for about 4 months through a combination of Kaplan books and course, Magoosh practice problems, and did about 4-5 practice tests (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, and ETS).
I had been told that usually the Kaplan practice tests are a bit harder, but I found my score to be a LOT lower on the ETS ones, including the one on test day. My Verbal score was a little higher.
I also found that there were a lot of problems based on concepts that were not emphasized in the test prep books, videos, and practice sets.
Did anyone have a similar experience? I am considering re-taking the test but am wondering which test prep materials to focus on, since I'm very disappointing in their ability to prepare me for this exam.
-Jenine
I just took the GRE last week, and was surprised that the Quantitative section seemed much harder than the many practice tests I had taken.
I prepared for about 4 months through a combination of Kaplan books and course, Magoosh practice problems, and did about 4-5 practice tests (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Manhattan Prep, and ETS).
I had been told that usually the Kaplan practice tests are a bit harder, but I found my score to be a LOT lower on the ETS ones, including the one on test day. My Verbal score was a little higher.
I also found that there were a lot of problems based on concepts that were not emphasized in the test prep books, videos, and practice sets.
Did anyone have a similar experience? I am considering re-taking the test but am wondering which test prep materials to focus on, since I'm very disappointing in their ability to prepare me for this exam.
-Jenine
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Joined: 16 May 2014
Posts: 592
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GRE 1: Q165 V161
Re: Actual test much harder than test prep?
[#permalink]
04 Jan 2016, 23:33
04 Jan 2016, 23:33
1
Expert Reply
Hi jjd,
Can you also inform us about the difference of the marks obtained in the different tests of Kaplan , ETS etc and the score you got in actual GRE. I would like to know your new strategy for retaking the test.
Soumya
Can you also inform us about the difference of the marks obtained in the different tests of Kaplan , ETS etc and the score you got in actual GRE. I would like to know your new strategy for retaking the test.
Soumya
Re: Actual test much harder than test prep?
[#permalink]
05 Jan 2016, 05:37
05 Jan 2016, 05:37
Soumya--
I actually scored higher on Verbal than I had anticipated from the practice tests. The quantitative section appeared much harder, with problems that the Test Prep books only briefly touched on. I scored about 6-8 points higher on every Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, Princeton Review test I took. Also, I dedicated very little time to studying for verbal. I will try the ETS prep book and do practice quant problems for about a month and then attempt to take it again. I will let you know how it goes!
I actually scored higher on Verbal than I had anticipated from the practice tests. The quantitative section appeared much harder, with problems that the Test Prep books only briefly touched on. I scored about 6-8 points higher on every Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, Princeton Review test I took. Also, I dedicated very little time to studying for verbal. I will try the ETS prep book and do practice quant problems for about a month and then attempt to take it again. I will let you know how it goes!
