GRE & TOEFL

GRE

Parts of the test:

1. Analytical Writing: Argumentative essay and Issue-based essay (30 minutes each)

2. Verbal Reasoning: 2 sections, 20 questions and 30 minutes per section

3. Quantitative Reasoning: 2 sections, 20 questions and 35 minutes per section

Sequencing sections:

Analytical writing would always be the first section and the research section, if it appears in the test, will always be the last section. The other sections can appear in any order.

Timing of test:

Around 3 hours and 45 minutes. After the third section, there is a 10-minutes break.

Adaptive sections:

New GRE is "section-level adaptive". That means the computer will dynamically decide the next section based on the performance in the previous section. All the questions within a section carry equal weight.

Verbal section:

Types of questions:

1. Sentence equivalence - Fill the blank in a sentence with more than one possible word from the options

2. Text completion - Fill the blank in a sentence with only one possible word from the options

3. Reading comprehension passages - Answer the questions based on a passage

Quantitative Section:

Problem-solving, numerical entries and quantitative comparisons. It tests concepts from basic arithmetic, statistics and graphs. There is an on-screen calculator provided for the quantitative section.

Features of the new GRE:

1. Score range 130-170 for verbal and quantitative, 1 point increment

2. Section level adaptive

3. Possible to skip questions and read the next questions within a section

A guide on old score range and equivalent score in the new range - http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_guide.pdf

How to prepare for GRE general test?

Read through the following links to get an idea about the preparation:

1. https://www.quora.com/How-should-I-plan-my-preparation-for- the-GRE

2. https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-prepare-for-GRE-2017

3. https://www.kaptest.com/study/gre/how-to-study-for-the-gre-in-two-months/

What is the Subject GRE?

The GRE subject test measures your knowledge in the discipline you want to take up at grad school. Schools consider them highly because it gives them a gauge to measure applicants coming from varying educational and cultural background. Doing well in these tests certainly helps your admission chances.

Subject GRE is offered in these 7 disciplines. Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. These are NOT offered for engineering disciplines. Since last year, the computer science subject GRE was discontinued.

Should I take the subject GRE?

The test is of absolute importance if you are changing the field of study in graduate school and it does add a lot of value to your application if you did well in it. A good example would be a candidate who wants to narrow his/her focus from Computer Science to Graph Theory. If he/she applies to Mathematics department for the same, taking a subject test in Mathematics would certainly help. If you have a significant weakness in your resumes like a discrepancy between your CDC's GPA and cumulative GPA, doing well in these tests could, positively, reinforce your application.

Subject GREs are paper-based tests, conducted on specific dates of the year only. These are NOT conducted online. This year they happen on 28th September and 19th October. (http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_pbt_center_lists.pdf contains the list of paper-based test centres. Pilani is one of them).

The test consists of multiple-choice questions. On the tests, a negative marking assessment is used. Each multiple-choice question earns 1 point for the correct answer or loses 1/4 point if answered incorrectly. Unanswered questions are not scored. The final score is converted in the range of 200-990. A score of 700 or above is considered good by most schools. The number of questions in the test varies from one discipline to another. Please look at the ETS subject page for specific information (http://www.ets.org/gre/institutions/about/subject/).

Your test scores are valid for 5 years. Sending the test scores to universities is similar to general GRE tests (http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/scores/send/). As in general GRE, here too, while taking the test, you get an option of selecting 4 universities where your scores would be sent.

The GRE subject test is not required for a majority of programs. Make sure you check with the department you're applying to as to whether it's required. It is best to confirm with the program you're applying to what is their requirement for the Subject GRE.

How do I prepare for it?

Be sure to go through the ETS page for subject GRE's test content and structure (http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content). This describes the topics that would be covered in the tests. When you register for the test, you would also receive a practice test. You can download an additional practice booklet from http://www.ets.org/gre/ subject/prepare/ too. It is not very easy to get old years' subject GRE papers, but these sample papers would help in understanding what to expect in the test. Another repository of questions worth looking at would be GATE examinations papers.

What does not required but strongly recommended mean?

Most schools mention subject GRE as 'not required but strongly recommended'. If you have a stellar profile, you can afford not to care so much about taking the test. If not, you are at a disadvantage, if you do not take the test. The graduate committee certainly takes the score into consideration, if provided. If your CGPA is low, you should take the GRE as a strict requirement. A good GRE score would help your application. Also, very competitive programs (PhD in the top 5 schools for instance) will indirectly require GRE scores. If all students applying have subject GRE scores and you don't then it will work against you.

Concluding remarks

If you are aiming at a discipline for which subject tests are offered, you should take up the test. If your CGPA is low, take the test. The scores are NOT sent in the GRE scorecard unless you choose to. So if you didn't fare well, your application is not affected. But if you did well, it would greatly improve your chances of getting an admit.

Most PhD admits would require you to take the test. But do take the test even if you are applying for an MS. While the graduate school admission website might not mention it as a strict requirement for you, a good Subject GRE score would give improve the graduate admission committee's confidence in you.

Lastly, even if you failed to get a good score in the Subject GRE, you would have revised the breadth of your coursework before you start your graduate studies.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

TOEFL is the exam required for testing the candidate's English proficiency. The scores are also used to determine if the candidate is fit to receive Assistantships (especially TA). The exam has 4 components, namely reading, listening, speaking and writing. Each section is scored for 30 points taking the score to a total of 120.

Section 1: Reading

Here, similar to GRE, passages are given followed by questions. The candidate needs to answer the questions using the information given in the Passage. The questions are rather straightforward, and your ongoing GRE prep will only make your life easier.

Section 2: Listening

In the listening section, you will be narrated a lecture or a conversation (e.g., between a student and an advisor, between classmates, etc.). The recording will be played only once and you are allowed to take notes. Based on what you have heard, you need to answer the questions.

Section 3: Speaking

Here you are given a passage to read and/or a recording to listen to (such as a passage on pollution followed by a recording of students discussing their views). After that, you are asked a question and given 45 seconds to speak out.

• Don’t get distracted by the other test takers who will also be speaking out at about the same time.

• Make sure you test your microphone before you begin since there has been a history of unexpected technical glitches that crop up.

Section 4: Writing

This section is similar to the AWA section in GRE, only easier.

How to prepare for TOEFL?

Acing the TOEFL is not so much about your English skills as much as it is about being familiar with the test pattern, which is rather fixed. It is strongly recommended that you take the official TOEFL sample test provided on their website. If you’re not satisfied with this one sample test try to get your hands on the Barron’s TOEFL iBT CD that has 7 sample tests. An ideal TOEFL study schedule could include beginning 1 week before your test date and doing one TIMED sample online test a day. It is important that you do a timed test because the trickiest part of TOEFL is not its difficulty level but its time limit for each question type. We would also suggest that you try to schedule TOEFL before GRE so that you gain some comfort with online tests before you go write your GRE (Yes, we’re all BITSians and BITSAT has trained us well, but still!).

If you need regular practice and aim to get a 110+, BestMyTest's 1-month package should be good enough.

What’s a good score?

Some schools state their TOEFL requirement clearly, which is usually set at a minimum of 90-100/120 with maybe a minimum score per section. But a safe score would be anything above 110/120.

How to save money?

Your test fee includes four free score reports. Any additional report will cost you 18$ per institution. So try to save up to $72 for TOEFL scores and $100 for GRE scores by being prepared with a list of at least four schools you’re sure to apply to.

TIPS:

1. Practice carefully for the AWA section in the GRE. Most students give this section the least attention but it is an extremely important criterion, especially for PhD programs. Make sure you get someone who has previously given the GRE to read and evaluate your essays.

2. Remember that for TOEFL you need to fill in the 4 universities to send scores to, BEFORE the online exam. The universities to send GRE scores to are filled immediately after the online test. Remember you will have to search for the universities by code/ their state so it helps to remember this information.

3. We suggest you start studying for the GRE at least 1.5-2 months in advance so you can spread out the effort, instead of cramming information in the last week leading up to the test.

4. If you’re considering giving the subject GRE, ensure that it does not eat into the time allocated for your SoP/ university selection etc.

5. Lastly, remember to book your GRE and TOEFL dates well in advance. Summers are a busy time and slots get booked quickly.