Official GRE Super Power Pack, Second Edition

Book Preface

1 This book provides a large amount of important information about the GRE General
Test, the types of questions it includes, and the knowledge and skills that it measures.
The book will help you:
– Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types
– Learn valuable test-taking strategies for each question type
– Review the math topics you need to know for the test
– Check your progress with Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning practice questions
– Practice your test-taking skills using actual GRE tests
The following five-step program has been designed to help you make the best use of this book.

STEP 1 Learn About the GRE General Test Format
Chapter 1 of this book provides official information about the structure of the GRE
General Test. Read this chapter to learn about the different test sections, the number  of questions in each section, and the section time limits. You’ll also find valuable testtaking strategies from ETS and important information about how the test is scored.

STEP 2 Study the Different GRE Question Types Chapters 2, 3, and 5 of this book describe the types of questions you’ll encounter in  the three sections of the GRE General Test. Chapter 2 describes the Analytical Writing  section, which requires you to write essays in response to prompts that you will be  given. Chapter 3 describes the Verbal Reasoning question types. Chapter 5 describes  the Quantitative Reasoning question types. In each case, you will learn what the questions are designed to measure, and you will get tips for answering each question type.
You will also see samples of each question type, with helpful explanations.

STEP 3 Practice Answering GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Questions Chapters 4 and 6 offer sets of practice Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning  questions in the format of the GRE General Test. The question sets are arranged in order of increasing difficulty, from easy through medium to hard. Answer the questions  in each set, then read through the explanations to see which test topics you found most  challenging. Look for patterns. Did specific question formats give you trouble? When  did you need to guess at the answer? Use your results to identify your weaknesses and  to sharpen yourtest-taking skills.

STEP 4 Review GRE Math Topics Chapter 7 provides a review of math topics tested in the GRE General Test Quantitative Reasoning sections. You do not necessarily need to tackle every topic in the review  or to work through the review in the order in which it is presented. Skip around if you  like, but remember to focus on the topics that you know give you trouble. Each section  of the review ends with practice problems that you can use to see how well you have  mastered the material. If you get a problem wrong, go back into the review section and re-read the corresponding instructional text.

STEP 5 Take the Practice Tests Once you have completed your review, get ready for the real exam by taking the  authentic GRE Practice Tests in Chapters 8 and 9 of this book. When you take each  test, try to simulate actual testing conditions. If you are taking one of the tests in  Chapters 8 and 9, sit in a quiet space, time yourself, and work through as much of the  test as time allows.
Additional Practice with the POWERPREP ® Practice Tests
After you have completed the practice tests in this book, you can get even more practice with the POWERPREP® practice tests. The POWERPREP practice tests provide  a Test Preview Tool and two full-length, computer-delivered GRE practice tests that  simulate an actual GRE General Test.
Before beginning the timed practice tests, use the Test Preview Tool to familiarize yourself with each of the question types, formatted as they would be on the  actual computer-delivered test. Also use the Tool to become familiar with all of the  features of the computer-delivered GRE General Test, such as Help screens, the
Review screen, word-processing software for the Analytical Writing section, and the  on-screen calculator.
Once you have familiarized yourself with the General Test using the Test Preview  Tool, prepare by taking the first full-length, computer-delivered GRE practice test.
Each test section will be timed, and you’ll learn to pace yourself so that you can earn  your highest score in the time allowed. When you have completed the practice test,  you will receive scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures.

You will also be given access to scored sample essays with reader commentary for the
essay prompts in the practice test to help you evaluate your performance. Based on your performance on the first practice test, you may decide to review  math concepts or perform other activities designed to strengthen your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, or analytical writing skills. When you  have completed those activities, it is time to take the second timed practice test. You  can use the results to determine if you need additional practice or if you are ready to  take the actual computer delivered GRE General Test

The GRE® General Test—the most widely accepted graduate admissions test  worldwide—measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that are necessary for success in graduate and  business school.
Prospective graduate and business school applicants from all around the world  take the GRE General Test. Applicants come from varying educational and cultural  backgrounds, and the GRE General Test provides a common measure for comparing  candidates’ qualifications.
GRE scores are used by admissions committees and fellowship panels to supplement your undergraduate records, recommendation letters, and other qualifications  for graduate-level study.
The GRE General Test is available at about 1,000 test centers in more than 160  countries. In most regions of the world, the computer-delivered test is available on a  continuous basis throughout the year. In Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and  Korea, the computer-delivered test is available up to three times per month. In areas of  the world where computer-delivered testing is not available, the test is administered in  a paper-delivered format up to three times a year.
For the most up-to-date information about the GRE General Test, visit the GRE  website at www.ets.org/gre.