GRE Verbal

Detailed discussion and help on the verbal section:

Basically its used to measure your ability to reason. (So its not a language test and no its not okay -- a low verbal score cannot be replaced by a high TOEFL or IELTS score).

This is the most trickiest part of the whole of GRE. If it sounds like Greek and Latin to you don't worry you are not alone. ETS intends to scare everyone with that section. Besides scoring a full on verbal section is only luck and does not prove much so grad school don't ask for ridiculously high scores on verbal just upto a 500(well thats a decent score) or so (400+ might suffice some univs). But if you think you can score more then by all means go ahead.

Okay the first thing you'll need to know about GRE VERBAL IS ITS A COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TEST(CAT). Which means it adapts to your level of expertise in the subject and scores you based on that.

How GRE CAT works?

When you start you are given a mid-level(on a scale of 800 its 400) question. If you get that right you move to a higher-level question. If you get that wrong you move to a lower level question.

How do you use GRE CAT to your advantage?

So its better to get the first few questions right always. you might have heard this a number of times but must have not known what it meant then. Here I'll show you.


Excuse me for the blue progress line I guess it does not fall so much but you get the point don't you? If not leave a comment I'll help. And also the start point is 400 not 500 sorry.

And its always easy in the beginning. So slow down on the first 10-15 questions and work carefully. Remember the last 5 questions or so don't effect your score much but do answer all the questions. Leaving them unanswered will cause a drastic downfall of your score YES! So keep an eye on the time too!


The second thing you need to know is Verbal is all about vocab so find as many ways as you can to improve your vocab. And also its not easy to do so in a week so give urself a few months of prepn yes few months! What works for some might not for others so device ur own methods to learn vocab. Mnemonics work well for plenty of people... Works for me.... Then there are word-webs ( http://www.visualthesaurus.com (u donot need to buy u can make ur own)). Picture dictionary ( there a few picture dict blogs on the net plz search). Then the flash cards technique (plz make ur own that way you learn more)
After you've done all this go back to GRE blogs on the net which put in vocabulary asked in the recent GRE tests ( Might help to some extent but don't entirely rely only on these recent words)

Moving onto what you'll find in the verbal section:

You find four types of questions:
1) Analogies: Are questions like

BIRD:NEST as

a)Tiger:Zoo
b)Lion:Den(answer)
c)Fish:Water
d)Fish:Aquarium
e)Parrot:Cage

That was a simple one but the ones on real GRE are not so easy.
Look for a noun in the answer if question is a noun and adj in the answer if question is adj and so on....

2) Antonyms

opposite of craven

a)Pusillanimous
b)brassy(answer)
c)Timorous
d)Cantankerous
e)Aversion

Compare the answer choices with the question choose one that is directly opposite.
If you can't eliminate as many answer choices and guess from the rest.

3) Sentence completion:
Scientific inventions in the past were ___ not only coz they were inchoate but also coz they were what everyone else thought ____

a)Balderdash:extrinsic
b)redoubtable:implausible(answer)
c)uncanny:marvelous
d)astonishing:acquiescing
e)inimical: haphazard

Each of these choices might seem right or one word might seem a perfect fit while the other blank doesn't make sense

So here's what you do.... Read the sentence with no choices don't move to the choices yet. You might come up with your own words to complete the sentence. Use these words to pick out the choice that most agrees with ur words.

If you still cannot... Just remember ETS sorta never gives a sentence that sounds negative... So however stupid ur answer might seem go with the positive sounding answer.

The last reading comprehension... As the name suggests you answer as u understand the passage. So ETS makes it as not comprehensible as possible. So what YOU need to do is break it down into simpler meanings and choose the answers accordingly.



Edit:

Be sure to read the comments on this post too...
And plz post your doubts too... We're here to help you learn.

GRE, TOEFL -- Preparation suggestions

Alright I have not posted in a while. I was a tad busy with work.

So in this post I'll be talking about the standardized tests that are needed to apply to grad school.

Lets start off with GRE:

1) What is GRE?: GRE is a computer-based-exam. It consists of three sections:
> Analytical Writing Section (commonly known as AWA)
> Verbal section
> and Math section

What is AWA about?

It presents you with one essay writing task and one argument task. The most commonly asked topics are listed on the GRE website (ETS.org(ETS is the educational body that conducts these standardized tests). Its is scored separately on a scale of 6 and is not included in the 1600 of Verbal and Math.

What is verbal about?

Well in verbal you come across analogies, antonyms, sentence completion and reading comprehension.
The verbal part is generally the most tough part coz it needs you to agree with their bizzare answers that do not strike to you as the exact answers. Many ppl say its a test of vocabulary. if your vocab is superb there are good chances you'll ace this test. Verbal generally shud be practised with a help of tutor atleast from when you are in year two of your under-grad. That way you'll be ready by the time you need to give the test.

Verbal sec is outta 800

What is Math section about?

This is the easiest part of the test. It is about basic high school maths. Well that does not mean you do an extemporaneous for this section. Remember the show are u smarter than a fifth grader? Yes the logic here is you most prolly must have forgotten by now all your high school basics. So revise well for this section too.

Math is outta 800 too

An overall(verbal + Math) score of 800 is considered pass.

1000 is average cut off needed for a few lower 1st tier and upper third tier unis.

1140 is an average score of those who get into mid 1st tiers.

1200 and above is for the upper first tier.

Well GRE and TOEFL are not the only determining scores to get into an uni. Your academic scores and research exp are more impt factors in getting you thru.

GRE and TOEFL are merely used to give you an edge over others(with same appln stats on their profiles) by admission deciding bodies so higher your GRE higher your chances.

Books you need to use:
10th edition of ETS GRE publication
Princeton review material for GRE.
vocab made easy by Norman Berg.
An adult approach to vocab by Maxwell Nurnberg & Morris Rosenblumt
Barron's wordlist and their practice exam CD

Softwares/websites:
GRE Powerprep
ets.org
Pictionary by picture-dictionary.blogspot.com


Coming to TOEFL

It contains 4 sections and is internet based
>Speaking
>Writing
>listening
>Reading
Scored on a scale of 0-30 each /total score of 120... The pass score is 80.. 100 and above is considered excellent

There is no TOEFL Powerprep.
But the rest of the material is same as GRE

This is not any sort of advertisement-- Princtonreview GRE and TOEFL coaching center prepares you well!

Goodluck!

First few feelings on reaching a new place

Okay Regina this one's for you. I know I didn't come back after my first few postings. I was a bit busy.

So I'll keep this short and yet put in as much as I can.

This is what I felt

Got off the plane -->nausea (I have been flying since I was 6 from one place to another frequently for vacation trips or just to meet relatives elsewhere but my flight nausea sticks:p) --> It was freezing cold and my head was swaying. Took a take-away food parcel to eat later on from the airport itself. I spotted the university pick-up bus and headed towards it showed them my offer letter hopped in and got dropped off at the welcome desk was tired like hell so took a room and slept the whole day. I arrived a week before the welcome week so used the time to go to my course convener talked about the coursework and timetables e.t.c.

The welcome week arrived which was fun got a good idea of where to shop and made friends (that somehow is important .... Mingling helps you feel at home... You cannot totally feel at home obviously but it helps anyway not to feel lost and confused).

Somehow as soon as the welcome week got over I got homesick as hell!
Not sure if I can advice on how one can get to feel better when they are homesick(I get homesick myself a lot :p) but this might help.

• Be sure you have access to watching TV be it on a TV set or laptop and watch your old favourites.
• Participate in a sport or go out and explore the place. Can't say go out alone. I would have but a friend of mine got robbed by some racists near a supermarket when he was all by himself. Scared ever since. It makes one feel that its so much more better in India the sense of belonging lacks in the new place. But remember don't give up the sense of belonging in the new place develops over time.
  
• Try spending time with other friends as much as possible. This will make you less conscious of the fact that you are away from home.
  

• Ofcourse one would be preoccupied with coursework so not much time would be left except maybe a weekend by chance.

I am sorry for not proof-reading this post before posting it but it should give you a fair idea on how it'd be in the new place.

Brief up

• Temperature changes of the new place need to be studied and one should pack clothing accordingly.
• Take all the required documents with you like admission letters and other documents that you can ask the university about by email.
  
• Be free and mingle with everyone possible! Don't be shy no time to shy away ...your course would be over by the time you get over you being shy lol.
• Work hard to meet the deadlines post grad work is tedious everywhere specially in the UK coz the course lasts only a year its like life's been suddenly put on a fast forward! ^-^
• Make sure you get along with your professors, course guides/project guides, personal tutors and roommates etc etc.

I'll end it here post queries I'll answer any doubts left ^-^.

On getting an admit

Once admitted, one has to agree that one wants to take a place in the university and than wait for the visa letter/i20.
Some universities will not contact you may be upto two months after application. If you are not contacted even after two months it could mean your application was unsuccessful. Ouch! unsuccessful applications hurt but do not stress too much on that just choose from the rest of your admits.

Choosing your university:

• Are you really interested in the course?
• Have you contacted the course administrator/convener?
• Do you have confidence you can complete the course with in the given time?
  
• Which university is offering you a scholarship? Which universities' fee and cost of living in that area is the least?
• Safety of the area?
• How far is some one you can go visit during holidays from this university(not necessarily important but if you feel lonely you will have some one to go to! during the weekends)

Attending a visa interview:

Some countries ask you to attend an interview others do not.

While in an interview do not get nervous and answer properly( show them you are genuinely interested in your subject and speak clearly)
Do not even try things like "I am going because I have money"
The visa interviewer has nothing against you! So reason properly!
http://i2ofever.com

usnews.com

Applying to Grad School

Documents required to make an application

• Statement of purpose(SOP): Explain on one side of a A4 size sheet, why one needs to attend that particular grad-school. The best way to go about writing your SOP is to genuinely work on it well in advance before you even start applying. Check the universities mission statement and accordingly see if the university and the program are right for you.
• Three or more references: The number of references will be available on the university website. Take references from one referee who has taught and knows you well from your under-grad school and one from somebody who knows you and has guided on a project. People with work experience can take one from their work place. Higher the referee position the better. Sometimesyou might be asked to write your own reference by your referee in which circumstances you should be careful and do not over do it. The references should be stamped signed by the referee in sealed envelopes and can either be sent along with the rest of the application packet or directly from referee to the grad school.
• Transcripts: Semester wise transcripts sealed and signed by the University/ Institution registrar.
• GRE, TOEFL, IELTS and other accepted test score sheets
  
• University application form can be printed or sent online
• Passport first page photocopy
• proof of financial support ( bank statement, scholarships obtained, supporters income statement)
• liquid assets, fixed assets, property owned etc( for visa processing)
• Sometimes Universities might want to interview you.

This is what basically most of the universities abroad need!
Good luck with your applications!

USEFUL LINKS
http://www.intstudy.com/india/index.htm
http://i20fever.com/
www.statementofpurpose.com

Graduate School -- Dos and donts of applying

This is from a view of an Indian student.

Most students after graduating want to make the most of the opportunities available to them and so they opt to study abroad.
Some benefits/reasons of wanting to study abroad are:

• More Universities as well as wider range of subjects and degrees to choose from.
• Get to learn in some of the worlds best universities and so meet some very distinguished faculty.
  
• Not as competitive as the top universities in India, not that hard to get into provided one has a first class on all the exams from school to under grad.
  
• They are taught based on how one chooses the course work to be and can also be employed by the same university on the teaching or research side if interested(since it is a good university one gets into, the research quality is generally top rated and more advanced than most universities in India.
• And for whatever other personal reasons.
  

Here are some tips and dos and don ts when applying to universities abroad.
Dos
First and the foremost thing to do is to look up some websites that can give you information on what kind of degrees in one's course are offered in a particular country you want to pursue your higher studies in. For e.g. Some commonly offered masters USA pro gs. include M.S M.Engg, MBA. M.lit, M.S + PhD)and so on . Some UK pro gs. are Msc, Msc in MBA, M.tech, Mres. so on. So the best thing to do is to look through each program carefully and see how they require you to go through it, what kind of course work is required to complete it and how long each program is(This is important because if one cannot complete it with the course duration he'll have to extend the duration or sometimes quit. So better search for a course one is confident of finishing with in the course duration). Universities abroad have a ranking system that sees the number of students graduating with a good honours degree so the universities usually do not want students who cannot clear exams early to re-sit again and again. What I am trying to say is better be sure the course is in your interest and you are not doing it so you get a job with good salary(which you wont anyway without your degree).Even if it was one of your under-grad area which was not to your interest. Its better to avoid such courses because one is not ready for them, you waste your money and time.

If you are planning on shifting from your under-grad major to some other major in grad-school it should be thought about very carefully. And the department or course convener should be contacted so you are aware of the difficulty level of the new program. Remember that the courses abroad are usually much more intensive and heavier than the ones in India and you compete with people who might be from a related under-grad major and therefore you have to put in twice the hard work which will leave you with no time to do anything else. However if you are interested and want to pursue your further studies in a different field you are totally eligible to do so (eligibility should however be checked out on the university's website to be more sure).

It is always better to apply well in advance before the programs starts and also see to it that one completes ones current degree at least four months before they leave to do their masters. Applying as early as 1 year before the start of a course is the best thing to do. This means all the required documents and tests' scores should be ready by then and planned accordingly. Under-grads who are in their pre-final year of their course can also apply without their final year results but it is best to provide a course completion certificate (This is a certificate which states that you have cleared all your exams so far and most likely will complete your under grad on so and so date or month, taken from the principal of their current institution).

Benefits of applying early(considering one gets admitted early):

1. You will have enough time to research on the type of course work you will do and also have enough time to file for your visa application.
   
2. You will have time to find a comfortable and not-so-costly accommodation close to your university.
3. It allows searching for a part-time job and developing course/job related contacts before one reaches grad school.
4. Might have time to apply to some competitive based scholarships both in India and abroad as well or possibility of receiving one without applying to from your grad school is higher.

Take all the required tests and coaching early(as early as one year before you plan on applying).

Mention extra credits you have like trainings, research publications, projects on your name. These will count towards your experience.


Don ts:

1. Don't ever make the mistake of trying to morph your application transcripts or change the details if you are caught you will never be able to go to that country depending on the severity of the tampering.
2. Never make the mistake of applying to English speaking countries if you are not good with it! Never do this because there were people who were sent back to learn English before they could continue with their courses. You could take classes improve then apply or apply and take classes, either way you should have good scores on the standardized tests like GRE and TOEFL(both based on English).
   
3. Never make a hurried application in the last minute. Some grad-schools take in students every semester so wait look up the next application date and than apply there is not much time you will loose waiting for the next semester.

If one wants to approach a consultancy one should do so at one's own risk! Most consultancies just really make money out of sending you abroad so all they need is you to get you an admission. So they might make some suggestions but you need to do the picking wisely!

Don't delay because if delayed everything in the end is a mess and once you reach there you wont have much time to sort things out as you will get busy with your course. If one cant do applying and giving exams and their current course simultaneously take time off after current course and apply for the next semester intake.

Given all the above dos and don ts you will have to remember that you are paying more than the locals there for your education (nearly thrice the amount) so invest it wisely.
The first things one experiences on reaching is a culture shock which will go away in due time so don't get all nervous instead try being confident of yourself fight any negative feelings and take good care of your health!

Useful links
www.usnews.com
www.gradcafe.net/com
www.guardian.co.uk
good university guide


Rankings play little importance in the unversity selection.
The courses you seek and the reputation of the departments are more important.