Book recommendation to study for the Physics GRE in ~40 days

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around preparing for the Physics GRE exam, specifically for someone with a limited physics background and a short preparation time of approximately 40 days. Participants share book recommendations and strategies for effective study.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about their preparedness for the Physics GRE due to a background primarily in engineering and limited physics coursework.
  • Recommendations for study materials include "Halliday/Resnick/Walker" and "Conquering the Physics GRE" by Kahn and Anderson.
  • Another participant suggests taking practice exams to identify areas of weakness and to focus study efforts accordingly.
  • There is an emphasis on the need to start studying immediately due to the limited time available before the exam.
  • Participants mention the possibility of needing to retake the exam to achieve a desired score.
  • Links to the recommended book are provided multiple times for easy access.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of taking practice exams and using recommended study materials, but there is no consensus on a single best approach or resource for preparation.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the limited time frame for preparation and the need for a review of various physics topics, but specific strategies and study plans remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing for the Physics GRE, particularly those with a non-physics background or limited time to study.

ian_dsouza
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I recently took the decision to apply for physics grad school and registered for the GRE test coming up on Oct. 24, a couple of days ago. The thing is I feel I'm vastly under-prepared as my academic background is in engineering. I have had only a freshman course in physics. I've been recently studying lagrangian mechanics. I'm looking for a recommendation on a book to prepare for the exam. I've looked through the forum and found that many recommend Halliday/Resnick/Walker as well as Conquering the Physics GRE by Kahn and Anderson. I was wondering, given the time (~40 days) and the basic theoretical knowledge, what's the best way to prepare for this exam.

My physics background:
Classical mechanics - Vector based classical mech, Lagrangian mechanics, don't know hamiltonian
EM - little electrostatics and magnetostatics
QM - the uncertainty principle and blackbody radiation, don't know schroedinger equation and forth
Statistical mech - almost nothing except conventional thermodynamics
Optics - basic lens optics, a little bit on interference, diffraction.
Relativity - have a qualitative idea about time dilation and length contraction.

I last saw most of these topics about 8 years ago, back in undergrad. So, I'd still need a review for these.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are some websites that may help you:

http://web.mit.edu/uwip/www/advice/gre/

I suggest taking a couple of practice exams immediately and see where you're deficit and then focus what you find.

You don't have much time to prepare so you need to start now and you need to consider that you may need to take it a couple of times to get the grade you need.

Also find some GRE test tips that work and use them when you take the practice exams. You have to play to the exams weaknesses to do well.
 
Thanks jedishrfu. will take one of those practice tests right away.
 

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