GRE Modules

MODULE 1 (3.5 Hours)

Orientation to/Overview of GRE; Review of Diagnostic Test; Individual Goal-Setting.  Course syllabus; instructor and student expectations.  Review of GRE Enhanced Diagnostic Service (practice test taken on-line by student before first class meeting and scored by ETS/GRE; $15.00).  Setting individual student performance objectives, based on performance in Diagnostic Service.  Use of optional Word Smart, 4^th Edition vocabulary text ($13.95, Princeton Review).

MODULE 2 (3 Hours)

Reading Comprehension.  Overview of reading passages and six question types.  Understanding explicit statements, recognizing assumptions and acting upon their implications, evaluating relationships among elements of the passage, identifying the tone/the author's attitude toward the subject of the passage.  Valid/invalid inferences. Effective techniques for identifying "credited" answers from factual, structural, and contextual clues and for avoiding commonly-employed types of "answer traps."  Brief quiz; interpretation of results/implications for future preparation of GRE reading material.

Module 3 (3 Hours)

Problem-Solving: Discrete Quantitative Questions 1.  Overview of discrete question types and ETS explanations of solutions.  Properties of integers;  arithmetic, number concepts/operations, real numbers and the number line; operations with signed integers, fractions and decimals; multiples, factors and remainders; prime numbers; place value; ratio and proportion; direct and inverse variation.

Module 4 (3 Hours)

Problem-Solving: Discrete Quantitative Questions 2.  Percentages; reciprocals; absolute value; (arithmetic) mean, median, mode and range; frequency distribution; sets; permutations and combinations; probability; powers and roots; scientific notation.  Brief quiz; interpretation of results/implications for future preparation of GRE arithmetic, number concepts/operations discrete quantitative material.

Module 5 (3 Hours)

Problem-Solving: Discrete Quantitative Questions 3.  Algebraic expressions; solving linear equations in one and two variables; inequalities; data interpretation; Algebraic solutions to word problems;  linear and quadratic functions; series and sequences; factoring and solving quadratic equations.

Module 6 (3 Hours)

Problem-Solving: Discrete Quantitative Questions 4.  Angles; parallel and intersecting lines and segments; triangles and other convex polygons; circles; composite figures in two-dimensions; rectangular solids and cylinders; coordinate Geometry; symmetry. Brief quiz; interpretation of results/implications for future preparation of GRE Algebra/ Geometry discrete quantitative material.

Module 7 (3 Hours)

Sentence Completion.  Structural analysis of sentences, with emphasis on tone, style, and treatment; recognizing/applying contextual "triggers" supporting "credited" answers.  Applying differential/process-of-elimination techniques to one-blank/two-blank questions. Applying vocabulary mastered during study outside class of Word Smart text. "Work-around" techniques compensating for weaknesses in vocabulary; effective/strategic guessing.

Module 8 (1.5 Hours)

Problem-Solving: Data Interpretation Questions.  Overview of data interpretation question types and ETS explanations of solutions. Algebraic expressions; linear equations in one and two variables; inequalities; data interpretation; Algebraic solutions to word problems;  linear and quadratic functions; series and sequences; factoring and solving quadratic equations; 

Module 9 (2.5 Hours)

Quantitative Comparison Questions.  Overview of quantitative comparison question types and ETS explanations of solutions.  Application of arithmetic, number concepts/ operations, Algebra, Geometry, data interpretation and word problem principles, concepts and techniques to this mathematics question type.  Brief quiz; interpretation of results/implications for future preparation of GRE data interpretation and quantitative comparison material.

Module 10 (2 Hours)

Analogies.  Recognizing/characterizing relationships in word pairs; types of relationships tested in the GRE.  Efficient evaluation of answer choices, applying process-of-elimination techniques.  Applying vocabulary mastered during study outside class of Word Smart text.  "Work-around" techniques compensating for weaknesses in vocabulary; effective/ strategic guessing.

Module 11 (2 Hours)

Antonyms.  Techniques for reasoning from definitions of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs to precise opposites.  Differentiating among/evaluating the fine shades of meaning represented in the range of answer choices; identifying the "credited" answer through a process-of-elimination technique.  Applying vocabulary mastered during study outside class of Word Smart text.  "Work-around" techniques compensating for weaknesses in vocabulary; effective/ strategic guessing.

Module 12 (1.5 Hours: lunchtimes)

Review of/Comments on Feedback from ETS on Essays Submitted/Scored On-line.  Students will discuss with the instructor 1:1 the results of their Issue and Argument essays, written on-line outside of class at the ETS/GRE "ScoreItNow!" site ($13.00 fee, payable to ETS/GRE on-line).  Discussions will be scheduled for lunchtimes on the last three days of class.  The instructor will interpret ETS/GRE evaluations and make recommendations for improving the strategy, organization and content of scored essays presented by students.

Module 13 (4 Hours)

Post-Class Practice Test.   Administration of full-length, paper GRE (no essays).  Brief individual analyses of exam results and recommendations for final GRE preparation