Additional Resources for Graduate Admissions and theGREThe following lists of resources for theGRE General Test and for graduate school admission are not intended to be exhaustive. The only resources listed that Peterson’s (this book’s publisher) endorses are its own. FROM EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE (ETS) On its official GRE Web site, ETS provides a variety of GRE information, registration, and preparation materials and services, as described below. Some materials are in HTML format (standard Web pages). Publications and forms are in PDF format (Adobe’s Portable Document Format). One way to access these materials and services is by typing one of the following URLs into your Web browser’s address window: www.ets.org/gre/grereg (for GRE registration information and forms) www.ets.org/gre/stupubs (for theGRE “download library”) To browse for GRE information, link to the “Test Takers” area of the official GRE Web site (www.gre.org). Printed versions of some publications and forms are also available, as noted. Registration Information and Forms All publications and forms listed here are available in electronic form (PDFs) at the official GRE Web site. They are available to the public free of charge, with no registration required. For more discussion about using these publications and forms, see Chapter 1 of this book. GRE Information and Registration Bulletin. Includes description of the test; current-year policies and procedures for registration, testing, and score- reporting (CBT and paper-based testing); code lists for CBT and paper-based test centers; and other registration-related code lists. A new Bulletin is pub- lished each testing year (July–June). A printed version of the current Bulletin is available upon order. GRE Computer-Based Testing Program International Test Scheduling Form. Use this form to schedule an appointment by fax or mail to take the CBT outside the United States, U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada. (This form is also included in the printed GRE Bulletin.) GRE Registration Form for Paper-Based General Test and Subject Tests. Use this form to register by fax or mail for the paper-based GRE General appendixc 613 Test and/or for a GRE Subject Test. (This form is also included in the printed GRE Bulletin.) GRE Test Center and Code Lists. Lists of codes needed for GRE registration, including CBT test-center codes; paper-based test-center codes; score-recipient codes (including fellowship sponsors); CBT international regional registration center codes; department and major field codes; citizenship and country or region codes; state and territory codes. (These lists are also included in theGRE Bulletin.) Supplement to theGRE Information and Registration Bulletin. Special informa- tion about registering to take theGRE General Test in China (including Hong Kong), Korea, and Taiwan. GRE Computer-Based General Test Authorization Voucher Request Form. Submit this form if you are registering for the CBT and requesting a registration fee waiver or paying the fee by method other than credit card. (This form is also included in the printed GRE Bulletin.) Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers With Disabilities. Information about how to request non-standard testing conditions when registering for the GRE. (Also applicable to theGRE Subject Tests.) Additional Score Report Request Form. Use this form to request additional score reports. (This form is also included in the printed GRE Bulletin.) GRE Information, Preview, and Preparation The Web pages listed below are publicly available on the official GRE Web site. • Interactive General Test sample questions • Preparing for the Verbal and Quantitative Sections of theGRE General Test (sample questions with explanations) • Test-taking strategies for the General Test • The entire pool of Issue Topics and Argument Topics • Interpreting Your GRE Scores—Score interpretation information and data • Analytical Writing Score Level Descriptions • Scoring Guide for Issue Task • Scoring Guide for Argument Task The publications (PDF format) and software listed below are available to the public and free to download at the official GRE Web site (no registration required, except as noted). • GRE Practice General Test. One full-length paper-based test (including sample Analytical Writing topics); scored sample essays and commentary; basic test-taking strategies; math review. (Available for download in PDF format; a printed version is available by mail to paper-based GRE registrants only.) • Powerprep ® Software for theGRE Test. Two computer-based (CBT) tests (including sample Analytical Writing topics); scored sample essays and com- mentary; tutorial for using the CBT system; basic test-taking strategies; math APPENDIXES614 . www.petersons.com review. (Available for download; a CD-ROM version is available by mail for CBT registrants only.) PC-compatible; no Mac version. • Math Review. Concise review of the mathematical concepts subject to testing on the Quantitative Reasoning section(s) of the GRE. A printed version is included in Practicing to Take theGRE General Test (see below). • An Introduction to the Analytical Writing Section of theGRE General Test. Describes the Analytical Writing section; provides the scoring methodology and evaluation criteria; suggests strategies for both writing tasks; includes sample Issue and Argument topics, along with scored essay responses (with commentary). This material is also included in Practicing to Take theGRE General Test (see below). The ETS product and services listed below are available for purchase. (Prices provided here are current as of this book’s publication date but are subject to change.) • Practicing to Take theGRE General Test, 10th Edition. Printed book. Contains the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions from seven actual paper-based GRE tests (explanations for questions from one of the seven tests are included as well); test-taking strategies; math review; list of Argument and Issue writing topics from the official pool; scoring information; scored sample Analytical Writing essays (with commentary). U.S. $21. • ScoreItNow! SM Online Writing Practice. Submit your essay responses for one Issue and one Argument topic, and immediately receive scores and diagnostic feedback generated by a computer program (no human reader is involved) that analyzes writing elements such as grammar, usage, writing mechanics, structure, and orga- nization. U.S. $13 for both essay submissions. GRE Enhanced Diagnostic Service. Submit your responses to 36 Verbal Reasoning questions and 49 Quantitative Reasoning questions, which together cover all the major skill areas tested by the GRE. Receive immediate feedback that helps you to diagnose your strengths and weaknesses and focus your GRE preparation accordingly. U.S. $15. ONLINE AT PETERSON’S (WWW.PETERSONS.COM) Peterson’s Web site provides a wealth of information and services involving all aspects of the graduate admissions process, as well as additional GRE study and practice materials. To access these resources, start at the Peterson’s home page (www. petersons.com) and then link to the site’s “Graduate Schools” area. GRE Central Click on “Prepare for Tests” from the Peterson’s “Graduate Schools” page. • Up-to-date GRE information, including recent test changes and paper-based testing dates and registration deadlines • Last-minute study tips; test-taking tips and strategies; sample test questions • One full-length online practice test (CBT format), including detailed explanations for every question (FREE; registration required) Appendix C: Additional Resources for Graduate Admissions and theGRE 615 . www.petersons.com • Three full-length online practice tests (CBT format), including detailed explana- tions for every question ($19.95 for 90-day access; registration required) Graduate Program Search Click on “Find a School” from the Peterson’s “Graduate Schools” page. • Comprehensive database of accredited U.S. graduate programs • Listings searchable by subject area, program type, degree level, and location • Listings also searchable by keyword or by program type and institution name • Essential information about every graduate program in the database • Program contact information (including direct e-mail links) for all listings • FREE (registration required) GradSchoolsWantYou! ® Service From the “Graduate Schools” page, scroll down and click on the “Graduate Schools Want You” link in the sidebar on the right. Enter information on your preferences, test scores, and extracurricular activities into the online form and let prospective graduate schools across the country find you directly (FREE; registration required). Financial Aid Information and Search From the “Graduate Schools” page, click on “Pay for School.” • Information and advice regarding federal and state aid for graduate students, including detailed information about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Information about school-based aid for graduate study (fellowships and assistant- ships) • Scholarship/grant/award search; more than 170,000 listings, searchable according to your criteria (FREE; registration required) • International scholarship/grant/award search; for students overseas who are planning to study in the United States; more than 52,000 listings, searchable according to your criteria (FREE; registration required) Peterson’s EssayEdge Go to www.essayedge.com for this Peterson’s service. • Editorial assistance with personal statements (statement of purpose), scholarship essays, and recommendation letters • Four service levels: Opinion, Premium Essay Editing, Grand, and Platinum; prices vary according to service level and time frame • Additional graduate services include Second Reading (a second edit of essays sub- mitted with an original Premium Essay Editing order), Recommendation Letter, and Scholarship Essay Editing APPENDIXES616 . www.petersons.com PETERSON’S BOOKS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL ADMISSION Peterson’s publishes an array of GRE study books in addition to this one, as well as a comprehensive series of guides to Masters and Ph.D. programs. Note that page lengths provided are subject to change as new editions are published. Writing Skills for theGRE ® /GMAT ® Intensive skill-building for the Analytical Writing sections of theGRE and GMAT; reinforcement exercises for both writing tasks; model essays for 40 of the official GRE essay topics. (Portions of the book contain GMAT-only material.) 234 pages. GRE Answers to the Real Essay Questions For theGRE Writing Assessment section; model responses to the 250 topics in the official pool; organizational templates; checklists of do’s and don’ts; strategies for composing GRE essays. 332 pages. GRE/GMAT Math Review Complete GRE math preparation; skill-building exercises for every question type; lesson materials for every Quantitative area covered on the GRE. (Portions of the book contain GMAT-only material.) 450 pages. Words for Smart Test Takers Test-worthy vocabulary words for GRE Analogies, Antonyms, and Sentence Comple- tions; scores of word games and matching-style quizzes; test-worthy words from all academic fields; word roots and prefixes; hit list of need-to-know words for theGRE and other standardized entrance exams. 272 pages. Graduate Schools in the U.S. 2010 Abbreviated overviews of nearly 1,000 schools covering the entire spectrum of aca- demic disciplines; school listings by state or field of study; information on enrollment, expenses, faculty, and more; tips on finding the right program for you. 672 pages. Graduate & Professional Programs Guides Six volumes (listed below and available separately or in a set); each volume provides wide-ranging information on graduate and professional programs offered by accredited colleges and universities in the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada, as well as those in Mexico, Europe, and Africa that are accredited by U.S. accrediting bodies. Books 2 through 6 are divided into sections containing one or more directories devoted to individual programs in a particular field. Graduate & Professional Programs: An Overview Graduate Programs in the Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences Graduate Programs in the Biological Sciences Graduate Programs in the Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences the Environment & Natural Resources Appendix C: Additional Resources for Graduate Admissions and theGRE 617 . www.petersons.com Graduate Programs in Engineering & Applied Sciences Graduate Programs in Business, Education, Health, Information Studies, Law & Social Work ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES The Web is teeming with admissions information and advice for aspiring Masters and Ph.D. students. Not surprisingly, the great majority of this information is redundant. To cut through the glut, try to limit your use of online resources to a select few. Start with ETS and Peterson’s (see above), along with the Web sites of the specific graduate programs that interest you. If you want to explore the Web further for admissions and financial aid information, here’s a small sampling of credible resources to get you started. (Government, edu- cation, the nonprofit sector, and private enterprise are all represented here.) educationusa.state.gov The Web site of Education USA is managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. International students will find information here about studying in the United States. Go to the site’s “Graduate Study” area. studentaid.ed.gov A Web site of the U.S. Department of Education contains comprehensive information about federal financial aid for college and graduate students. students.gov The result of a cooperative effort among federal agencies, students, and other members of the education community, this Web site includes financial aid overviews and information on graduate scholarships, grants, and fellowships. career.berkeley.edu/grad/GradResources.stm The Web site of the University of California–Berkeley Career Center includes lists of graduate/professional degree programs and links to other useful graduate admissions Web sites. uwgb.edu/Careers/GraduateSchool.htm On the Web site of the University of Wisconsin, find links to useful sites for graduate program searches, test preparation, the application process, financial aid, and more. sru.edu/pages/14270.asp Slippery Rock University’s Web site presents a detailed timeline for graduate school preparation. APPENDIXES618 . www.petersons.com apa.org/ed/getin.html The Web site of the American Psychological Association provides advice for gaining admission to programs in psychology and a suggested reading list. faseb.org/asbmb/epd/gradstudent.html The Web site of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology posts useful information for students seeking admission to programs in biochemistry and molecular biology. fairtest.org Go to the “Grad School” area of the National Center for Fair and Open Testing (“FairTest”) Web site for research-supported critiques of standardized testing (including the GRE) in terms of racial, class, gender, and cultural fairness. gradschool.about.com About.com’s Graduate School site provides information and advice on graduate admis- sions (timeline, essays and interviews, letters of recommendation, theGRE General Test) and grad-school survival. grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools site lists rankings by broad discipline and sub-discipline and features articles, videos, and blogs covering all aspects of graduate admissions. education.yahoo.com Yahoo Education posts a graduate school search tool, GRE test-prep information, admissions tips, and graduate program rankings. gradschoolforum.com On vBulletin’s Graduate School Forum, read and post messages about graduate admissions and graduate student life (registration required). GRE VOCABULARY RESOURCES A good place to start reviewing test-worthy GRE words is with the vocabulary list in Appendix B of this book. If you have extra time to prepare for the exam, check out the other types of vocabulary resources we recommend here as well. You may already be familiar with the various books and other products designed to improve your GRE vocabulary. But just in case you’re not up to speed, here’s the basic menu, along with some candid advice about each item. • Vocabulary books dedicated to standardized academic testing. There aren’t too many of these books available, and most of them are one-size-fits-all. They include easy as well as advanced-level words, and they’re designed not just for those taking theGRE but also for people preparing to take other standardized tests, such Appendix C: Additional Resources for Graduate Admissions and theGRE 619 . www.petersons.com as the SAT Reasoning Test and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). But you can quickly skip over the words you already know; what’s more, the various stan- dardized tests usually cover the same kinds of words. Put one of these books at the top of your GRE vocabulary prep list. • GRE vocabulary software. You’ll find only a few software products dedicated to vocabulary testing. Most comprehensive GRE software products however, include extensive vocabulary lists in an interactive format. Typically, you can choose the vocabulary level you want and click for various types of information about a word and about related words. These programs are often very engaging and very effi- cient. By all means, take advantage of this type of resource. • Vocabulary lists in comprehensive GRE books. In the typical GRE book, you’ll find something like a “hot 500” or “top 250” vocabulary list, usually including sample sentences and possibly a longer word list as well, organized alphabetically. In fact, in the back of this book you’ll find just such a list. By all means, review vocabulary lists such as ours. But if you’re very serious about GRE vocabulary, expect to make only a small dent with these lists. • Vocabulary flashcards. Flashcards are not just for grammar-school kids. With most GRE flashcard products, the back of each card contains not just a definition of the word on the front, but also useful information such as simple sentences and related words (synonyms and antonyms). Some products even include cartoon pictures (either on the back or the front) and other mnemonic devices that can help “fix” the word’s meaning in your mind. Flashcards can be fun and engaging, especially if you and a friend quiz one another. But they’re not very efficient, so they shouldn’t be at the top of your list of GRE vocabulary resources. • Word processor programs. Very few GRE test takers realize that one of the best GRE vocabulary-building tools is already on the desktop of almost every PC—the thesaurus built into Microsoft Word. Type in a good GRE word in an open document, select the word, then click on Thesaurus (from the Language tab under the Tools menu). Up pops a list of similar words, and possibly a link to a list of antonyms as well. It’s a great way to learn new words by groups. In addition to products designed for the GRE, you can find a variety of general vocabulary-building books in the reference section of any decent bookstore. One type emphasizes and is organized by word roots and prefixes. Knowing roots and prefixes is the key to making educated guesses when it comes to unfamiliar words on the test. This type of book should be high on your GRE vocabulary resources list. But bypass most other general vocabulary builders, at least for GRE prep. Here are the most common types—and why they’re not worth the bother: • Slick vocabulary books that claim to make you “smart” using vocabulary. They’re not geared for the GRE. They contain far too much fluff, not enough words, and not enough material about roots and prefixes. • Books that emphasize word derivations (where a word originated and how it evolved into its current spelling, pronunciation, and usage). Although many great books of this type are available, don’t bother with them for GRE prep. They’re inefficient for helping you learn what you need to know for the exam. APPENDIXES620 . TIP A book that presents similar words in groups is better than one that contains little more than long lists organized alphabetically. Similarly, a book containing lots of quizzes and exercises, which make learning new words fun and interesting, is better than one that lacks these features. www.petersons.com • Books dedicated to the most obscure, most interesting, most frequently misused, or oddest words. Remember, GRE test designers don’t select words based on how unusual they are. Bypass these novelty books. • Dictionaries. There’s nothing wrong with dictionaries, and you should always have a good one by your side when reviewing Antonyms, Analogies, and Sentence and Text Completions from your GRE Practice Tests. But reading the dictionary isn’t exactly an efficient way to pinpoint the kinds of words that are GRE test-worthy, is it? Appendix C: Additional Resources for Graduate Admissions and theGRE 621 . www.petersons.com . testing. There aren’t too many of these books available, and most of them are one-size-fits-all. They include easy as well as advanced-level words, and they’re. 40 of the official GRE essay topics. (Portions of the book contain GMAT-only material.) 234 pages. GRE Answers to the Real Essay Questions For the GRE Writing