Is Conquering the GRE the Key to Your Grad School Success?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around experiences and opinions regarding the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) as a standardized test for graduate school applications. Participants share their personal experiences with the test, their feelings about standardized testing in general, and the vocabulary learned during preparation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses relief at completing the GRE, describing it as an annoying and meaningless test.
  • Another participant shares their performance expectations, anticipating a 98-99th percentile score in verbal and math.
  • Several participants express disdain for standardized tests, comparing the GRE to the SAT and criticizing the memorization of obscure vocabulary.
  • A participant reflects on the unexpected benefits of learning new words and interesting comprehension texts during GRE preparation.
  • One participant shares their GRE scores, noting that they consider their performance decent for a non-native English speaker.
  • There is a discussion about the meanings of the word "cataract," with one participant providing definitions and examples.
  • A participant mentions a local rafting location named Cataract Canyon, linking it to the discussion about the word's secondary meaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a shared dislike for standardized tests, but there are varying opinions on the value of vocabulary learned through preparation. Performance expectations and experiences differ among participants, indicating no consensus on the GRE's significance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference personal experiences and feelings about the GRE and standardized testing without providing a comprehensive analysis of the test's impact on graduate school success.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing for the GRE, those interested in graduate school applications, and participants in discussions about standardized testing may find this thread relevant.

siddharth
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I took the General GRE test today. Whew. One step closer to grad school applications.

That's one annoying and totally meaningless standardized test out of the way. Time to celebrate!
 
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How'd it go?
 
I hate standardized test. Reminds me of the SATs, when I spent six weeks memorizing obscure words you would never use in real life from a study guide, and not one of them was on the actual test. What a waste of time.
 
How'd it go?
I did pretty decently. Should get close to 98-99th percentile in verbal and math.

Reminds me of the SATs, when I spent six weeks memorizing obscure words you would never use in real life from a study guide, and not one of them was on the actual test. What a waste of time

I can sympathize. Although, I'd never have come across lovely words like uxorious or the secondary meaning of words like cataract if not for the memorizing.
 
Last edited:
siddharth said:
I did pretty decently. Should get close to 98-99th percentile in verbal and math.
]Good job!
Although, I'd never have come across lovely words like uxorious or the secondary meaning of words like cataract if not for the memorizing.
Which one is the secondary meaning?
 
Yea, i took the General GRE on Dec 2007, and frankly the only two things i liked about preparing for it was learning new words (not widely used) and the comprehension texts which i found interesting.

I got 760 for Q, 580 for V and 4.5 for AW. I think is pretty decent for a foreigner.
 
siddharth said:
I did pretty decently. Should get close to 98-99th percentile in verbal and math.
I did about the same. It did seem a lot like the SAT.


Gokul43201 said:
Which one is the secondary meaning?
If the primary meaning is the medical term for the clouding of lens, then the secondary meaning would be a waterfall, usually one that has a churning or rushing flow, as in rapids.
 
Cataract canyon is some awesome rafting, very close to where I live.
 

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