I survived the GRE

Once you have several grad schools in mind, registering for the GRE is the next step, presuming that your program requires these test scores.

Taking the GRE is the most terrifying part of applying for grad school, but following these tips can help you succeed.  

Visit the ETS website to register for the test. Keep in mind you want to give yourself enough time to prepare for the test, but you also want to leave enough time to receive your test scores before your applications are due.

In the U.S., the test costs $160. This is definitely a lot of money, but I have two tips to making the most of this money.

1.       At the end of the test, you will be prompted to select four schools that you want to send your scores to. Know which schools you are interested in ahead of time, and send them to four of these schools. Even if you are choosing between two schools, you might as well send your scores to four programs that interest you. You don’t want to pass up this free opportunity. You have to pay $23 to send your scores to a school after the test date.

2.       Prepare as much as possible for the test. To avoid having to spend another $160 to retake the test, the best thing you can do is study, complete sample problems and take several practice tests.

The Official Guide to the GRE did a great job
preparing me to take the test.

To prepare for the GRE, I purchased a book titled The Official Guide to the GRE. This book was extremely useful, especially because it is written by ETS, the creators of the GRE test. This book provides explanations to the three test sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing), offers math review, has sample problems with explanations and includes a practice test.

I definitely recommend this book for preparing for the GRE. I bought it from Barnes and Noble, and it cost $35. For those who don’t want to spend any additional money on the GRE, there are free materials that you can download from the ETS website.

On the day of the test, it is important to relax. For me, the test was more daunting than anything else. There were ridiculous rules to taking the GRE, and those scared me more than the test itself. For example, you can't bring anything into the testing room with you. If you wear a hoodie or jacket into the test, you can't remove it during the test. I even had to go through a metal detector before entering the testing room.

It is not impossible to do well on the GRE. Just remember to give yourself time to prepare, take practice tests to understand the setup of the exam, read the test-taking rules on the ETS website and send your scores to four schools you are interested in. Also, don't forget to breathe...