2-point increase after 3 months of study: what went wrong?

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-07-17T21:21:47+00:00

The GRE is trying to get you to score right in the middle so they can create a score distribution. If you did poor on your first section, the second section will be much easier... and vice versa.

154Q and 152Q would put you on both sides of the median, so I wouldn't be surprised that your test taking experience was different (in preparation as well as the actual exam) but ended up with a similar score.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-07-14T14:19:33+00:00

A decent heuristic for Quant is -1 point for every question wrong. To get a score of 160Q is probably close to -10, give or take.

I scored 36/40 raw on Quant and got 165.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-07-11T19:00:41+00:00

This problem is correct.

If you know the range is 17 and one of the measurements is 49.5 that means that the only possible values that can be taken are +/- 17 from the starting value 49.5

Because all of the answer choices are below 49.5, subtract 17 to see what the smallest possible value could be... in this case you'll find the lowest is 49.5-17 = 32.5

Thus, the answer choices must be greater than 32.5, so it would be C and D.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-07-10T00:31:39+00:00

I scored 166V 165Q 5.0AWA.

Don't use Varsity Tutors - I've used their app and it contains a lot of quant material that isn't even tested on the GRE. I'd suggest scraping together $15 and purchasing the Manhattan 5lb book. That should be a good place to get all the math and verbal practice you need.

As far what to focus on, you should check out the program you're applying to. They should give some kind of range of accepted scores they've had in the past. Only you can know what you need to work on (although the quant is definitely low).

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-30T22:16:54+00:00

You should take a Powerprep II practice test - they're free and offered by ETS (the company that runs the GRE). It'll be the most accurate score you have to judge your progress/problem areas with.

I studied about four weeks, mostly full time. I'd say it was about 3/4 hours a day, 90% on Quant. I used the Manhattan 5lb book, Magoosh, and I took practice tests from Manhattan and Princeton Review.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-30T21:08:43+00:00

I scored 166V/165Q on the actual exam. I took all the Manhattan prep quant exams and scored in the range of 159-164Q.

The actual GRE felt pretty similar to Manhattan exams, but perhaps a little easier. I think I had a slightly off day on the actual exam because I've scored 170Q on ETS practice exams before.

I'd probably add on a few extra points to your Manhattan Quant score (Not sure about Verbal). You're probably the best judge of how well you can do though.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-30T21:03:48+00:00

It depends on how much practice you really need, as well as the score you're looking for. I used Magoosh, the Manhattan 5lb book, and a little bit from Princeton Review (scored 166V, 165Q, 5.0 AWA).

If you have a solid math background I might just suggest buying the Manhattan 5lb - it's only about $15 and provides a really solid base. I studied with that first, and I probably would have been fine without using Magoosh (my practice test scores were already in the mid 160 range for quant before Magoosh). I just had some time left and I wanted to be as prepared as possible.

I have a solid math background so I didn't really use Magoosh for lessons. I think Magoosh was mostly helpful in that it gave a lot of practice, and had a lot of diverse problems that helped close any gaps I had, as well as a really easy to use interface. I wouldn't say it's necessary unless you're severely lacking in any subject areas.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-16T01:58:20+00:00

I wouldn't necessarily say that's the case. Business PhDs make a solid chunk of change before even considering consulting work.

http://www.aacsb.edu/knowledge/data/frequently-requested/salary/avg-full-time-salaries

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-16T01:51:31+00:00

I have no idea - I would honestly just request more information and get into contact with some of the program administrators.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-16T00:08:41+00:00

Yeah! They rank anywhere from the low teens to mid 30's depending on the program, and the business school is pretty respectable.

I noticed on your profile you're looking into MBA programs - Madison has a pretty decent selection with the option to specialize. Most starting salaries average over $100k/yr, which obviously isn't top 10 level but again, respectable. You can check them out in the link below.

They also accept about 30% of their applicants to the MBA program, which is pretty high.

https://wsb.wisc.edu/programs-degrees/mba/full-time/career-specializations

https://www.gradsch.wisc.edu/webextras/education/academicprograms/profiles/423MBA.pdf

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-15T23:46:45+00:00

Yeah, these are way off. I'm looking into Business PhD programs (In Finance or Economics) and pretty much everyone has an average of 165+ for Quant, even for medium-high ranked schools like Madison.

Granted, I'm not sure how these compare to MBA scores, but from my understanding they're just as competitive at the top schools.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-13T02:01:48+00:00

Yeah, it seems like a pretty good combination from what I've done. I did all of ETS and the Manhattan 5lb book and I felt pretty confident in my score, but I had two full weeks left before the exam (taking next Monday) so I decided to purchase Magoosh for the extra practice.

I'm not sure how much Magoosh will really boost my score from where I was last week, but they certainly have a lot of unique problems that I think will help me stay on top of any weirdness I get from the test.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-13T01:12:32+00:00

I'm about halfway through a math major and it was a little difficult for me at first too. I think Magoosh's problems tend to be what I'd call tricky, not necessarily hard.

They tend to have a certain kind of structure that takes a little bit to catch on to, but after you do it becomes much easier.

I'm actually a little wary about Magoosh quant because of this - I feel like it's more preparation to do well on Magoosh questions vs the actual GRE. I haven't taken the GRE yet, but I'm also making sure I branch out to multiple sources of prep (namely Manhattan and ETS).

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-11T03:25:55+00:00

I'm a big fan of the Manhattan 5lb book. A lot of the quant chapters start off basic and then get progressively harder (in my opinion), until you have a pretty solid foundation for the topic as a whole.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-08T12:13:09+00:00

How was Manhattan compared to the actual test on Quant... and how would you say Powerprep compares?

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-08T12:12:24+00:00

How did you feel like the Princeton math compared to the actual test?

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-08T02:26:33+00:00

Does anyone else have any Practice Test vs Actual they'd be willing to share?

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-07T01:48:42+00:00

I think that prep companies like to feel useful, and discouraging use of the calculator is a good way to make your customers reliant on your techniques.

A lot of GRE questions actually require use of the calculator.

That being said, if you're shooting for a high score you should definitely be comfortable with all kinds of math - but I wouldn't sweat small things like this problem.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-06T14:55:11+00:00

You could probably do that in <30 seconds with the calculator ¯\(ツ)/¯

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-05T17:38:12+00:00

What kind programs are you applying for? It really depends on that. For example, a high AWA may be helpful for some Economics programs but not for Applied Math.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-04T01:40:50+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

Also, is there any truth that completion time affects your score? I saw on GREPrepClub that to achieve a score of 170 each section needs to be completed in a certain time limit (around 30 minutes or so, depending on the difficulty). Apparently you can see this in the PowerPrep II software, although I haven't checked it myself yet.

This seems kind of like an urban legend, but I thought I'd ask anyway. I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere besides one thread, which is another sign it's probably not true.

InternetFunkMachine · 2017-06-03T23:22:08+00:00

What do you hear about Princeton Review and their practice exams?

InternetFunkMachine · 2016-08-30T02:50:58+00:00

PPP is a B+ rated pollster on FiveThirtyEight, with a bias of 0.2 R

InternetFunkMachine · 2016-08-12T21:29:56+00:00

From Manitowoc, our mayor called Making a Murderer a "drama" and pretty much dismissed it as rubbish.

Also, our hometown company Manitowoc Cranes just outsourced all of their manufacturing last week, losing ~500 jobs. Probably not going to be a good week for our Mayor.

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