Barron’s GRE
Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf
18 min
6 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
A comprehensive guide to mastering the GRE exam, filled with proven strategies, practice questions, and detailed explanations to help you achieve your best score.
You'll learn
1. How to ace each GRE section2. Fun ways to boost your vocab3. A quick rundown of GRE topics4. Practice tests with easy-to-understand answers5. Beating the clock on test day6. Making sense of your GRE scores.Key points
01"Mastering the Verbal Reasoning Section of the GRE"
You're sitting at your desk, a steaming cup of coffee by your side, and the Barron’s GRE book open in front of you. You're about to tackle the Verbal Reasoning section, a part of the GRE that can be as intimidating as a mountain peak shrouded in fog. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through this journey, step by step, based on the key points from the book. First things first, let's understand the terrain we're about to traverse. The Verbal Reasoning section is made up of three types of questions: reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Think of these as different paths up the mountain. Each path requires a different set of skills and strategies. Reading comprehension questions are like a winding trail. They require you to understand, interpret, and analyze passages. Text completion questions, on the other hand, are like a series of stepping stones. You need to fill in the blanks in sentences or short passages, using the context to guide you. Lastly, sentence equivalence questions are like a pair of parallel ropes. You need to find two choices that both fit the sentence and give it the same meaning. Now that we know the terrain, let's talk about the gear we need - the strategies for each question type. For reading comprehension, it's all about understanding the main idea, the author's tone, and the structure of the passage. Don't get lost in the details. Instead, focus on the big picture. For text completion, your best bet is to predict the missing word or words before looking at the choices. This way, you're not swayed by the options and can stay true to the context of the sentence or passage. And for sentence equivalence, remember that the two correct choices should not only fit the sentence but also give it the same overall meaning. But knowing the strategies is not enough. Just like you wouldn't climb a mountain without first practicing with your gear, you shouldn't tackle the Verbal Reasoning section without practicing with sample questions. Let's take a few for a spin. As you work through them, apply the strategies we've discussed. This will help you get a feel for how to use them effectively. However, practice isn't just about getting the right answers. It's also about understanding why those answers are correct. This is where the real learning happens. So, after you've tried the practice questions, take the time to go through the detailed explanations of the correct answers. Pay attention to how the strategies were applied and the reasoning behind the answers. To wrap up, mastering the Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE is a journey. It involves understanding the types of questions, applying tailored strategies, practicing with sample questions, and learning from the correct answers. So, keep practicing, keep refining your strategies, and soon, you'll be standing at the peak, looking down at the path you've conquered.
02Your guide to mastering the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE can seem like a daunting challenge. It's a test of not just your math skills, but also your ability to think critically and solve problems. But fear not, with the right approach and resources, you can conquer this section and achieve a high score. Let's start with the basics: the math concepts. The GRE doesn't require you to be a math genius, but it does require a solid understanding of basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Think of these as your tools. Just like a carpenter can't build a house without a hammer and nails, you can't solve GRE problems without these basic math concepts. For instance, you might encounter a problem that asks you to calculate the average speed of a car, which requires knowledge of basic arithmetic. Or, you might need to solve for x in an algebraic equation, or calculate the area of a circle in a geometry problem. But understanding the math concepts is just the first step. The GRE is not just a test of what you know, but also how you apply what you know. This is where problem-solving strategies come in. Barron’s GRE book provides a variety of strategies, such as plugging in numbers, backsolving, and estimation. For example, if you're faced with a problem that asks you to find the value of x in a complex equation, you might use the plugging in numbers strategy. This involves substitifying a number for x and solving the equation to see if it works. If it doesn't, you try a different number until you find the one that works. Now, you might be thinking, "I understand the math concepts and the problem-solving strategies, but how do I know what to use when?" This is where practice questions come in. Barron’s GRE book provides a plethora of practice questions that mimic the actual GRE questions. These questions give you the opportunity to apply what you've learned and get a feel for the types of problems you'll encounter on the actual test. For instance, you might come across a question that requires you to calculate the probability of a certain event, which gives you the chance to apply your knowledge of data analysis. But simply doing the practice questions is not enough. You also need to understand the solutions. Barron’s GRE book provides step-by-step solutions to all the practice questions. These solutions not only show you the correct answer, but also how to arrive at that answer. They guide you through the thought process and the problem-solving strategies used to solve the problem. For example, a solution might show you how to use the backsolving strategy to solve a certain algebra problem, or how to use the concept of area to solve a geometry problem. Finally, it's important to learn from your mistakes. The solutions also highlight common mistakes that students make and how to avoid them. For instance, a common mistake might be to calculate the area of a circle using the diameter instead of the radius. The solutions will point out this mistake and remind you to always use the radius when calculating the area of a circle. In conclusion, mastering the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE is not about being a math whiz. It's about understanding the basic math concepts, learning the problem-solving strategies, practicing with real GRE-like questions, and understanding the solutions. With the right approach and resources, like Barron’s GRE book, you can conquer this section and achieve a high score. So, roll up your sleeves, dive into your preparation, and remember: you've got this!
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03"Mastering the Analytical Writing Section of the GRE"
04How to effectively approach the GRE?
05"Mastering the GRE: Practice Tests and Review Guide"
06Conclusion
About Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf
Sharon Weiner Green and Ira K. Wolf are experienced educators and authors, known for their test preparation books. Green has taught at high school and university levels, while Wolf served as a teacher and supervisor in the New York City public schools. They specialize in GRE and SAT preparation.