The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE is just math, mainly algebra and geometry and data analysis. Easy stuff, right? Well its not as easy as I thought it would be, since the last math class I had was statistics in my first semester of college, almost five years ago now. Yea, I remember that there IS such a thing as the quadratic formula and I remember that there IS an equation for the slope of a line, but NO, I couldn't have told you how to figure it out.
In my quest to re-learn the math I have forgotten over the years, I remembered a TED Talk I had seen on the Khan Academy. Number one, if you dont' know what TED Talks are, get on there and look around- incredibly innovative ideas on ALL kinds of topics, from clean water to education and wireless electricity to economics. Number two, if you don't know what Khan Academy is, get on there and look around!
Khan Academy is a learning site where the creator, Salman Khan, teaches through YouTube videos. For example, I needed to learn the quadratic formula. Khan academy is wonderful for learning math. In his videos, he takes you step by step through the problems. I am not sure how well this works when you are learning something for the first time, since I was relearning what I had learned in high school. However, some teachers are using sites like Khan Academy to improve classroom productivity. Students' "homework" becomes watching these videos and doing some practice problems online. When they get back to the classroom, the teacher spends their time and energy in helping the students with what would usually be their homework. Teachers basically become tutors. This saves classroom time, and frustration at home. I can't remember how many times my brother brought home homework that he didn't understand, and neither did my parents. Even for students whose teachers don't use Khan Academy, the site is free and open to all.
I'm in love with Khan Academy. If you create a login (you can connect using your Google account or Facebook account), you can earn points for every practice question you answer, and you can earn badges for getting a certain number of points, or for watching so many minutes of video. Anything you can turn in to a game or competition, I'm in. I love to earn points for learning! And I LOVE doing math. My bedroom floor was littered with scratch paper as I tore through the practice questions. The quantitative reasoning section is my favorite part of the GRE and hopefully I can get a score to prove as much.
Showing posts with label GRE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GRE. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
1400 or Bust
GRE GRE GRE GRE GRE.
My mind needs to keep on this track for the next month and two days. Thank goodness for Cassie Steele, who gave me a great tip this weekend. She suggested I try Nummber2.com. This is a free site that gives really easy and detailed explanations of the types of questions you are likely to run in to on the exam. I have already started to work on some of the math and sentence completion questions. I had no idea I was so bad at arithmetic! I only scored in the 55 percentile. The great thing is, it gives you more practice questions and it will track your improvements. I did a little better with the sentence completion (76 percentile), but I'd like to get both scores above the 85 percentile.
As far as the analytical reasoning portion of the test, I may be "up a creek without a paddle" to use a cliche that is not allowed on the exam, or "screwed" which is slang, therefore also not advisable. There are two essays: an issue analysis and an argument analysis. You have 30 minutes for each section. I can't even finish this blog post in 30 minutes, let alone write a concise, well thought out, well organized essay with evidence and support to back up my opinions. I could possibly carry out this task in say, two hours.
In undergrad, I never put myself under pressure to write a paper. I was always very good about time management because I know that I do not write well under pressure. I am usually a meticulous writer, painstakingly choosing words that accurately depict the message I'm trying to convey. I LOVE Microsoft Word. I love spell check. I love shift+F7 which allows me to browse the list of synonyms to help me vary my sentences.
I will be taking this test on the computer, which is a definite advantage. I have terrible handwriting, especially when I'm trying to write quickly. I was able to almost completely give up handwriting when I purchased a netbook that was easily transportable. My three-pound computer fit handily into my book bag and left space for my coffee cup on my desk. Even now, when I take minutes at meetings, I prefer to bring my netbook along instead of wasting trees and whatever ink is made out of.
The word processor for the GRE does have some basic essential functions such as cut/paste and undo. The problem will be, not spelling and grammar- because you are allowed some minor mistakes- but sentence variation. I tend to repeat myself. HOWEVER is my favorite word. THEREFORE, I need to use shift+F7 to learn some new transitions.
I am a bit curious to see what kind of score I'm able to earn. Issue analysis is pretty much a hobby of mine, only I do this through conversation rather than by writing. I LEARN by talking. I am generally an audio learner, but this also applies to hearing my own thoughts. I find it difficult to remember my own thoughts when I'm simply thinking them. This is usually very annoying for everyone around me during test taking. I mutter the questions out loud to myself and work out problems under my breath. I always wished there were more oral exams in college. Life is more of an oral exam.
For a bit of practice, I may start writing my 30 minute essays here and having my friends critique them. Especially Pat. Pat would not feel bad about ripping apart my silly 30 minutes essays.
My mind needs to keep on this track for the next month and two days. Thank goodness for Cassie Steele, who gave me a great tip this weekend. She suggested I try Nummber2.com. This is a free site that gives really easy and detailed explanations of the types of questions you are likely to run in to on the exam. I have already started to work on some of the math and sentence completion questions. I had no idea I was so bad at arithmetic! I only scored in the 55 percentile. The great thing is, it gives you more practice questions and it will track your improvements. I did a little better with the sentence completion (76 percentile), but I'd like to get both scores above the 85 percentile.
As far as the analytical reasoning portion of the test, I may be "up a creek without a paddle" to use a cliche that is not allowed on the exam, or "screwed" which is slang, therefore also not advisable. There are two essays: an issue analysis and an argument analysis. You have 30 minutes for each section. I can't even finish this blog post in 30 minutes, let alone write a concise, well thought out, well organized essay with evidence and support to back up my opinions. I could possibly carry out this task in say, two hours.
In undergrad, I never put myself under pressure to write a paper. I was always very good about time management because I know that I do not write well under pressure. I am usually a meticulous writer, painstakingly choosing words that accurately depict the message I'm trying to convey. I LOVE Microsoft Word. I love spell check. I love shift+F7 which allows me to browse the list of synonyms to help me vary my sentences.
I will be taking this test on the computer, which is a definite advantage. I have terrible handwriting, especially when I'm trying to write quickly. I was able to almost completely give up handwriting when I purchased a netbook that was easily transportable. My three-pound computer fit handily into my book bag and left space for my coffee cup on my desk. Even now, when I take minutes at meetings, I prefer to bring my netbook along instead of wasting trees and whatever ink is made out of.
The word processor for the GRE does have some basic essential functions such as cut/paste and undo. The problem will be, not spelling and grammar- because you are allowed some minor mistakes- but sentence variation. I tend to repeat myself. HOWEVER is my favorite word. THEREFORE, I need to use shift+F7 to learn some new transitions.
I am a bit curious to see what kind of score I'm able to earn. Issue analysis is pretty much a hobby of mine, only I do this through conversation rather than by writing. I LEARN by talking. I am generally an audio learner, but this also applies to hearing my own thoughts. I find it difficult to remember my own thoughts when I'm simply thinking them. This is usually very annoying for everyone around me during test taking. I mutter the questions out loud to myself and work out problems under my breath. I always wished there were more oral exams in college. Life is more of an oral exam.
For a bit of practice, I may start writing my 30 minute essays here and having my friends critique them. Especially Pat. Pat would not feel bad about ripping apart my silly 30 minutes essays.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Budgets and Scorecards
#1 I am taking the GRE (new revised test) on August 20. The studying will commence right after this post. I would like a decent score to prove to myself that I am an intelligent, worthwhile person.
Today, Doris was studying for the LSAT and unknowingly distracted me from the real studying I should have done (reading comprehension) by introducing me to logic games. I LEARNED that I LOVE LOGIC GAMES. I WANNA DO LOGIC GAMES ALL DAY EVERY DAY. However, I'm not taking the LSAT and August 20 is quickly approaching.
It is my goal to study a little bit every day and at least a few hours on the weekends. I'm going to be honest with myself, though -- YEA RIGHT! I'll probably study a few times a week and for an hour on Sundays. I've never been good at studying. Most college studying consisted of re-reading some of my notes the night before the exam and then going for ice cream instead.
#2 I'm broke. Since making new friends, getting back in touch with old friends and keeping in touch with as many college friends as possible, I've spent a TON of money in the past 2 months. AND I've spent quite a bit on my car and gas to go see everyone I know and love. When I first arrived in beautiful Decatur, I put myself on a strict budget and managed to save $100 at the end of each month. Since May, when I stopped using my fancy excel spreadsheet, saving my receipts and clipping coupons, I've managed to deplete my savings by $600. I have an equal amount waiting for me, but in order to avoid dipping in to that stash any further, I can only spend $130 between this moment and August 5.
Almost one whole month on $130 (groceries excluded as I have other sources for that budget). This $130 includes one month of gas, one month of parking and laundry quarters, one month of NOT eating out, one months of NO bar tabs, one month of thrifting (heaven knows I can't stay away) and one month of general living which could possibly include medicines, car repairs and other accidentals.
Can I do it? Again, I'm going to be honest -- I don't believe so. I was raised as a good American cog in the economic system. I'm a natural born consumer. I spent $35 on clothes this weekend alone (granted they were all thrift or clearance). I bought six puzzles and another book. I already own more puzzles than I have time to do and more books than I can read in five years' time. I haven't learned anything on this home front today. I wish I could say that I've found the secret to living a simple life, free from the concerns of consumerism and want. It still makes me happy to buy coffees and ice cream and shoes and books and craft supplies and make-up and purses and ugly decorations and coffee cups and other assorted items that fit on this never ending list.
The only thing I can say in my favor is that I am a master thrifter and extreme bargain hunter. I hate paying full price for something. My Grandpa James (mama's papa) used to always make us guess how LITTLE he spent on his shoes. I am always so proud to tell people "I paid a dollar for this" or "I bought this on sale for 75% off and it perfectly matches these shoes I bought for $4!" This extreme bargain hunting often leads to stock piling, or what others may call "hoarding." Thank goodness I have a huge attic!!!
Today, Doris was studying for the LSAT and unknowingly distracted me from the real studying I should have done (reading comprehension) by introducing me to logic games. I LEARNED that I LOVE LOGIC GAMES. I WANNA DO LOGIC GAMES ALL DAY EVERY DAY. However, I'm not taking the LSAT and August 20 is quickly approaching.
It is my goal to study a little bit every day and at least a few hours on the weekends. I'm going to be honest with myself, though -- YEA RIGHT! I'll probably study a few times a week and for an hour on Sundays. I've never been good at studying. Most college studying consisted of re-reading some of my notes the night before the exam and then going for ice cream instead.
#2 I'm broke. Since making new friends, getting back in touch with old friends and keeping in touch with as many college friends as possible, I've spent a TON of money in the past 2 months. AND I've spent quite a bit on my car and gas to go see everyone I know and love. When I first arrived in beautiful Decatur, I put myself on a strict budget and managed to save $100 at the end of each month. Since May, when I stopped using my fancy excel spreadsheet, saving my receipts and clipping coupons, I've managed to deplete my savings by $600. I have an equal amount waiting for me, but in order to avoid dipping in to that stash any further, I can only spend $130 between this moment and August 5.
Almost one whole month on $130 (groceries excluded as I have other sources for that budget). This $130 includes one month of gas, one month of parking and laundry quarters, one month of NOT eating out, one months of NO bar tabs, one month of thrifting (heaven knows I can't stay away) and one month of general living which could possibly include medicines, car repairs and other accidentals.
Can I do it? Again, I'm going to be honest -- I don't believe so. I was raised as a good American cog in the economic system. I'm a natural born consumer. I spent $35 on clothes this weekend alone (granted they were all thrift or clearance). I bought six puzzles and another book. I already own more puzzles than I have time to do and more books than I can read in five years' time. I haven't learned anything on this home front today. I wish I could say that I've found the secret to living a simple life, free from the concerns of consumerism and want. It still makes me happy to buy coffees and ice cream and shoes and books and craft supplies and make-up and purses and ugly decorations and coffee cups and other assorted items that fit on this never ending list.
The only thing I can say in my favor is that I am a master thrifter and extreme bargain hunter. I hate paying full price for something. My Grandpa James (mama's papa) used to always make us guess how LITTLE he spent on his shoes. I am always so proud to tell people "I paid a dollar for this" or "I bought this on sale for 75% off and it perfectly matches these shoes I bought for $4!" This extreme bargain hunting often leads to stock piling, or what others may call "hoarding." Thank goodness I have a huge attic!!!
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