Take fall semester off to study for PGRE?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to take a fall semester off to prepare for the Physics Graduate Record Examination (PGRE). Participants explore the implications of scheduling, study strategies, and the timing of the exam in relation to academic commitments.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests postponing their final semester to dedicate the fall to studying for the PGRE, as they will be engaged in a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) during the preceding summer.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the need to take a semester off, sharing their own experience of preparing for the PGRE while managing a normal course load.
  • A third participant advises that the original poster should invest significant time in studying for the GRE, implying that they may not be adequately prepared for graduate school yet.
  • The original poster acknowledges their current status in freshman-level physics courses and questions the viability of their proposed study plan.
  • It is noted that the PGRE is only offered in specific months, suggesting that a full fall semester may not be necessary for preparation if the exam is taken in time for graduate school applications.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of focusing on academic performance and consistent review over cramming before the exam.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and effectiveness of taking a semester off to study for the PGRE. Some advocate for maintaining a regular course load while preparing, while others support the idea of dedicating time solely to studying. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to preparation.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limited availability of the PGRE and the potential impact of academic performance on preparation strategies. There is an assumption that the original poster has several years before needing to take the exam, which influences the advice given.

jaydnul
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So the way my schedule is looking, I will be finished after a fall semester. Now I want to do an REU during that summer leading into the fall, so I won't really be studying then, which is from what I understand, when most people do their studying for the PGRE. Would it be best to postpone my final semester for the spring, and just use the full fall semester to study for the PGRE?
 
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Sounds a bit overboard to me, but what do I know. I studied for and took the Physics GRE (and the regular one too) while taking my normal course load.
 
Please don't take this the wrong way, but based on your posting history, I think that you should be planning on spending as much time as you can studying for the GRE. You've got a way to go before you're ready for grad school.
 
Well that makes sense considering I am in freshman level physics courses. Goodness...just wondered if that would be a good game plan. I never specified when it would be
 
The PGRE is only offered in September, October, and April, so you could only realistically study for half of the (fall) semester (at best) if you wanted to take it in time to start grad school the following fall.

A better strategy would be to focus on doing really well in your classes, and consistently review. That way, you won't have to go on some study binge the summer or semester before the test.
 
If you have three or four years to go (and for heaven's sake, why didn't you mention that?) Stengah is right: focus on doing really well in your classes, and consistently review.
 

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