Power Training for the Graduate Record Exams
Each year, there are hundreds of products that come onto the market that attempt to assist students in preparing for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Most of these products focus on requiring the student to memorize vocabulary lists. Research studies conducted by the Educational Testing Service have proven year after year, that while many of the leading instructional products on the market focus on vocabulary memorization, this may not be the best way to improve your vocabulary. Recent research conducted by ETS and various non-profit educational associations have attributed that if a learner reads more and the readings are more challenging, the learners skills and vocabulary will increase exponentially The problem for GRE test takers is that they have a few months, if that to begin preparing for this important exam.
Some might argue that if you only have a couple of months till you take the GRE’s memorization might be one’s only realistic option. In reality though, there are interactive products out there than build your vocabulary and help you memorize these terms too, such as Ultimate Vocabulary. Because at least two sections of the GRE, analogies and antonyms, depend largely on the test taker’s knowledge of vocabulary, reinforcement of a range of vocabulary terms is essential to a learner’s success. Many students rely on past experience as they follow words that have appeared in the GRE exams in the past. However, a student limits his or her ability to full master the potential for the test. Tools such as Ultimate Vocabulary allow for a learner to build their skills and become stronger for the analogies and antonyms section of the exam.
Universities such as Michigan State suggest that students prepare for the GRE’s following these guidelines.
- The student becomes more aware of what the most common parts of speech are and how they are used in sentences. For the purposes of the GRE, nouns, verbs, and adjectives are most useful.
- The student will learn the vocabulary by putting the words into sentences. This is the best way to become more aware of how the words are used and will help you analyze GRE Analogies questions. Application is key to success in learning vocabulary. You cannot be successful unless you know how to use the words.
Therefore, to succeed in mastering vocabulary for any form of assessment instrument such as the GRE and SAT, this methodology should be used as this strategy has proven to be a wild success. Using software tools that not only teach you the words but how to use them in context and practice is fundamental. Only Ultimate Vocabulary offers learners over 125,000 words and a variety of interactive formats to strengthen vocabulary. \
References Cited
Michigan State University (2008). GRE Vocabulary List. Retrieved on April 20, 2009, from https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/vocab/gre_vocab.htm
Sheehan, K.M, Kostin, I., & Futagi, Y (2007). Supporting efficient, evidence-centered item development for the GRE verbal measure. Research Report for the Educational Testing Service – Princeton, NJ, 7(29), 1-54.
