One Week to Physics GRE 2016: Tips from past exam takers?

[NucEngMajor]

There's about one week to the Physics GRE. I've worked through all five past exams and corrected mistakes. What would those of you that scored well recommend I do in this last week or so before the exam? Should I retake the five exams timed? Work through the 500 exam questions slowly? Just review notes? I found out there is a book for the GRE: "Conquering the Physics GRE" but it's kind of last minute now. I've also found taking the day before an exam to yourself rather than cramming helps me stay refreshed for the day of the exam. Any tips would be appreciated. Good luck to all

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Start preparing the first day of your freshman year.

Your professors will assign lots of problems to help you.

They are called homework problems. Work them all.

Don't wait until the last minute. Work hard every day for four years, and you'll be ready.

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Once a student is a month or less out, more targeted preparation is required.

Recognize your weak areas and work on those, especially if your weak areas align with sub-fields that make up a significant percentage of the PGRE.

 

[Crush1986]

One thing that really irked me about the exam that I took in October was that the clock was behind us and they didn't allow even old fashion watches. They only gave a twenty-minute warning and that was all. When the exam ended I was about to pencil in two answers that I know were right, totally thought I had at least 5 minutes but it just flew by. I didn't want to turn around to check the time because they are so strict about anything I didn't want my exam taken away.

When I told one of my professors he thought I should write them a letter, I didn't really see the point though. Luckily I am fairly satisfied with my score (790).

 

[Dishsoap]

Your last week might be used to memorize equations if you haven't already done so. Proportionality constants aren't necessary, but just the scaling of things is definitely worth memorizing. It may also be good to take an exam timed, but likely one that you haven't done yet.

 

[Crush1986]

Oops I typed all that out about my experience and forgot my advice, which is, if you can't see a clock I'd complain! Or ask if maybe they could do like a 2 minute warning. If I had had that I would have gone back and bubbled in one of the questions I realized I messed up on, and I would have rushed the final question I was working on. As I had gotten the answer and was just moving to my sheet when she called time, was too scared to quickly bubble it in while she said her first 1-2 words.