GRE Tips

Everything you need to know about preparing for the GRE!

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5 Top Tips for Getting into Grad School

You are nearing the completion of your undergraduate degree and you start to think about life after graduation. For many, this is entering the workforce, for others this may mean furthering your education by entering a Graduate school program. Here, we look at five tips for getting into the grad school of your choice.

Take your time

Even the strongest applicants need time to research, craft personal statements, request and attain recommendations, and take necessary admission tests. Experts recommend getting started at least six months to a year before the application deadlines of the programs you’re interested in.

Make sure you’re in the right field

In a U.S. News & World Report article on how to think about graduate school, writers Jeremy S. Hyman and Lynn F. Jacobs recommend getting as much experience in your field and/or program as possible. This can be done through undergraduate professional-level and graduate courses (and skipping the easier “throw-away” classes).

“You'll get a taste of graduate school or graduate-level projects—all the while building up those relationships that are going to net you those stellar letters of recommendation,” Hyman and Jacobs’ article reads.

Use interactive tools for a great GRE score

A solid GRE score can be important to your application, especially if you think you might be on the fence as far as admissions decisions. Fortunately, there are numerous inexpensive and helpful options to help you boost your GRE score. A GRE prep class online, for example, can provide a personalized score-building plan that doesn’t even require that you leave your home (or your PJs).

Know your target numbers

Researching the programs you’re interested in as early as possible can help you to know what goals to set for yourself. If your desired program has an average GPA or GRE score for admitted students, aim to beat that goal.

Hyman and Jacobs’ article adds: “Rule of Thumb. You ought to be getting mostly A's (or at least more A's than B's) in your major area if you're seriously thinking about graduate school. At many of the better schools, only 1 in 10 applicants gets in, and it's likely that the one won't have had too many B's and C's.”

Don’t be afraid to contact faculty

As Beth Luberecki explained in The Washington Post: “It’s acceptable and in fact recommended for applicants to call program contacts and ask questions... So don’t be afraid to get your name out there; it may give you the edge over someone who didn’t.”

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How To Get Into The Grad School Of Your Choice

If you've conquered your undergraduate career and you want to expand your educational horizons, graduate school is the way to go! Getting a degree beyond your bachelors opens up the doors to more opportunity and that means you can set yourself up for a fulfilling career. If you have a few graduate programs in mind, you clearly want to get accepted into them, especially your top pick school. However, being accepted to the school of your choice can be challenging because graduate programs are extremely competitive. But, with the right tips and tricks, you can increase your odds of acceptance. Let's review some of the top things you should do to improve your chances!

1. Score High On The GRE

Majority of graduate programs will require you to submit your scores of the Graduate Record Examination, which is a standardized test that measures your verbal, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills. Since you will more than likely need to take the GRE as an application requirement, you'll want the highest score possible to really stand out because your score can heavily weigh on your acceptance decision. With that in mind, you should take the best online GRE prep course to improve your skills before taking the actual exam.

2. Get Letters Of Recommendation

Throughout your undergraduate career, you've probably fostered valuable relationships with professors and faculty members at your college and they are the perfect people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf. Some graduate applications will ask you to submit a few letters, so make sure you have a few professors lined up to write a letter on your behalf.

3. Beef Up Your Resume

Graduate schools are looking for applicants that have diverse backgrounds that could not only succeed in their undergraduate career, but also held responsibilities outside of school. This means you should overhaul your resume to highlight everything you've done outside of class. Perhaps you worked at an on-campus (or off-campus) job, held executive memberships of student body boards or you were a part of some kind of organization. It's important to display that you were more than a student and you can handle activities that are both in the classroom and out.

4. Get Feedback On Your Personal Statement

Another common requirement when filling out grad school applications is submitting a personal statement or essay and it's your chance to truly stand out. You want to capture the attention of the admission officers but how can you do that? Well, this is where you can use your networking skills and relationships you've built up during undergrad. Reach out to the professors that you were the closest to and ask them for some pointers. Majority of them will have attended grad school in the past and may be able to provide you with valuable insight.

If you want to increase the odds of gaining acceptance into the grad school of your choice, follow the above tips to strengthen your application!  

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The Core Skills You Need In Grad School

If you have a Bachelor's degree and you are contemplating the idea of attending graduate school, that's great! Gearing up for grad school just requires a few steps like taking the GRE and submitting your scores to your school of choice. Most students will take an online GRE class to study for the test because you will want the best score possible, as it will increase your odds of being accepted into a program. However, after you get the application and exam done, it's important to realize that graduate school is much more competitive than undergrad programs and that means you have to work hard to achieve your goals. Every graduate program expects a lot from the student, which means it may be a very different experience than what you're familiar with. With that said, let's take a look at the core skills you will need to have in grad school to be a successful student.

1. Time Management Skills

Think back to one of the courses you've taken during undergrad – do you remember the professor's stance on late work? Some may remember their professors allowing some leeway if an assignment was late and turning it in past the due date may result in a reduction of graded points. However, this is incredibly rare in graduate school. Professors expect you to complete and finish work on time and by deadline. With that in mind, you need to make sure your manage your time efficiently and effectively to complete all assignments when they are due. As a general rule of thumb, finish your work before the due date because you'll be juggling numerous assignments from various classes at the same time.

2. Public Speaking Skills

During your time in graduate school, there will likely be a chance where you must present something in front of others. Whether you are going over your current research, defending your thesis or simply asked to give a presentation, it's a vital skill that you need to brush up on if it's not your forte. You will need to speak confidently and eloquently to convey all of your thoughts and points intelligently.

3. Leadership Skills

Getting into graduate school already shows that you are looking to advance into a leadership role because you are reaching towards a higher level of education to surpass some of your peers. With that in mind, take every opportunity to head projects, groups and other tasks where a leader is required.

4. Writing Skills

It should be a given that you will be writing more than you ever have before and having great writing skills will go a far way in just about any grad program. From papers to proposals to general assignments, writing will be a basic building block in just about everything.

5. Networking Skills

One of the biggest goals after graduate school is landing a great job but how can you do that if you don't network with others? During your time in graduate school, you'll meet so many different people that can benefit you after graduation, so make sure you connect with them as it is imperative for your employability.

While these skills are just the basic ones you will need to improve on while in grad school, it's important to better yourself so you can learn from your experiences and have more opportunities after graduation.

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5 Tips To Ace The GRE

Each year over 300,000 Americans take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) as it's one of the most common admission requirements for graduate programs all across the country. Unlike its college-entrance cousin, the SAT, the GRE is a computer-adaptive test, which means you don't need that No. 2 pencil or that dreaded bubble sheet. At any rate, your performance on the exam is critical, as the score will impact your acceptance into a graduate program, meaning that you need to ace the test to improve your chances of getting into the school of your choice. With that said, here are five tips that can help you master the test!

1. Go Back To High School (figuratively)

Since the GRE measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills, it is important to brush up on skills you may not have used since high school. Specifically the portion of the test (quantitative reasoning) that measures your ability to solve problems with mathematical models. With that in mind, you may need to take a GRE online test prep course to re-familiarize yourself with algebra, geometry, arithmetic and data interpretation.

2. Read The Dictionary

While the quantitative section of the GRE isn't much more advanced than the math found in the SAT, the verbal reasoning portion is where your college English courses will come into play. This section of the test will throw some curveballs your way in terms of deciphering unfamiliar words, so it's a good idea to expand your vocabulary by reading the dictionary.

3. Enroll In A Writing Course

During your GRE test prep time, try to enroll in a writing or English course because the skills you learn from those classes may help you during the analytical writing section. This portion of your exam measures your ability to:

articulate complex ideas

sustain a coherent discussion

proper use of standard written English

exam claims with accompanying evidence

If you didn't major in English or you aren't planning to write the next best-selling novel, a brush up course at your local college can do some wonders.

4. Take A Practice Test

The saying goes "practice makes perfect" and if you can take a few practice exams, you'll be on your way to a better score. Practice tests will help you become familiar with the layout of the test and can assist with your ability to manage your time since each section has a time limit.

5. Take The GRE More Than Once

If you aren't satisfied with your GRE score or it's below the average score from the school of your choice, consider taking the GRE again. The majority of graduate schools will only care about the best score you've got and if you can send them the highest one, it'll improve your chances of being accepted. Just ensure that you allow yourself plenty of time to submit the scores because you can take the exam every 21 days (up to five times in 12 months).

Are you ready to ace the exam? 

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3 Things To Remember About The GRE

If you are gearing up to take your education to the next level with a Master's or Doctorate's degree, than you probably must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to fulfill some of the requirements of your programs' application. With that in mind, the GRE is a standardized test that is often an admissions requirement for the majority of graduate schools and it measures your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking skills. While the exam is not based on any specific field of study, it is a tool that can help with the admissions' decision process when it comes to accepting applicants into certain graduate programs.

As you prepare for the exam, it is recommended to find the best GRE prep courses so you can have a better chance of attaining a high score because it will increase your odds of being accepted into a graduate program. But, it should be noted that taking the test is a process within itself because some prospective students are unaware that the GRE has some registration guidelines they'll need to follow. With that said, continue reading to learn about three things you need to remember when registering for the GRE.

1. Registration Fees

First and foremost, it is important to understand that there are registration fees associated with taking the GRE. As of January 4, 2016, the GRE revised general test costs $205 and keep in mind that some students typically take the exam two or more times, so if you plan on taking it more than once, remember that you will need to pay that amount each time. Additionally, there are some other costs but they may only pertain to you if you register late, reschedule the test, decide to change the testing center location or choose standby testing.

2. Scheduling The Exam

It's very important that you take the GRE well before your admissions application is due because some GRE testing centers have a limited number of seats available and they tend to fill up extremely fast. Also, keep in mind that you can take the computer-delivered exam one time every 21 days, up to five times with a 12-month period. That means if you are planning to take the exam at least twice, you need ample time between your actual test date and the due date of your application.

3. Reviewing Scores

While most of us would assume we would have instant access to our GRE scores immediately, that is not the case! Even though some test takers will have a computer-delivered exam, it can take multiple weeks for your official scores to be available. According to the GRE website, it can take up to four weeks to see your scores online and up to six weeks for your test scores to be mailed out to your prospective school. In order to meet and satisfy your graduate school application requirements and deadlines, be sure to remember this time window and plan well in advanced.

As you prepare to take the GRE, be sure you study, stay organized and are aware of important dates so you can have enough time to submit your full application before it's due!

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Three Beginner Tips for Taking the GRE

Maybe you just graduated and got your bachelor’s, and know that you’re ready to take the next step in your education.  Or maybe you’ve been in the work force for years and now you’re in a place where you feel ready to pursue higher education.  You’re ready to go into grad school, but you aren’t too sure if you’re ready to take the GRE.  Some people have test anxiety and were never good at test taking.  Others have been out of the academic world for years, and don’t know how they’ll handle studying for such a big test.  You don’t have to fear the GRE, preparing for it can be easy as long as you take the right steps. If you want to get great scores and pass the GRE the first time around, make sure you follow these tips when you study.

Brush up on English

Are you going to grad school to study medicine or engineering?  This may be surprising, but you’ll still be tested on your composition and English skills on the GRE.  In fact, two essays in the test’s analytical section take up about one-third of the time test takers are given.  Those essays will heavily influence your overall score, so you may want to consider getting a little extra study help if writing isn’t your strong suit.  Consider looking for an English tutor, or an essay writing class.

Take practice tests

Did you know that it’s possible to take a practice GRE?  If you’re nervous about taking the test, or want to get a feel of how the test will be laid out, a practice GRE is essential.  Take at least 2 so you can get a feel for the areas you’re weakest in, and adjust your study plan accordingly.  

Forget about “cramming”

Were you the kind of student that would only study for tests the night before?  Are you used to staying up until the early morning hours cramming information before a test?  Do you try to avoid last minute studying, but still spend hours at a time endlessly studying the same subject?  That strategy may have worked in high school and even in undergrad, but it won’t do much for the GRE.  The GREs aren’t your normal test, and cramming info won’t help you pass.  Instead of cramming, consider taking the best online GRE prep course you can find to help you prepare for the test.  They’ll go over information at a healthy pace, and can help get you in the right mindset.

When are you planning to take the GRE? With enough preparation, you’ll be sure to ace it!

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Three Essential Tips for Grad School Prep

Is there anything more exciting than making the decision to pursue post graduate studies?  Whether you’re fresh out of undergrad or going back to school after spending years in the work force, you’re due for a big lifestyle adjustment. It seems like there are tons of resources available for people that are entering undergrad, but scant info available for people that are going into grad school. If you just made the decision to go back to school, you may not even know where you have to start.  Don’t spend time worrying about applications; there are some things you have to do before you even start to apply.

Forget about undergrad

Did you major in art history when you were in undergrad?  Do you want to go into the business world, but are worried that you don’t have the background?  There’s a secret about undergrad that a lot of prospective graduate students don’t know about: your bachelor’s doesn’t have to affect what you study for your graduate degree.  View your bachelor’s degree as a ticket that gets you on the grad school train.  You can pretty much study anything you want in your grad program, so don’t worry about not having the right background to study something.

Research your ideal career

Thinking about careers when you’re trying to apply to grad school may seem pointless, but thinking about where you want to end up will help you find a grad program that suits your needs.  Do some research on the field you want to go in to.  Do experts recommend that you spend some time working in the field before you get your graduate degree?  Do others recommend that you only go into a graduate program if you studied something related to it during your bachelor’s years?  Learn from people that are already experts in your field about what you need to do in higher education.  Their input can help make things easier for you, and could even save you from making career killing mistakes.

Get ready for the GREs

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning on studying medicine, social work, or computer science.  If you’re planning on going to grad school, you need to get ready to take the GREs.  If you haven’t had to take a test for a while, taking the GREs can seem a bit daunting. Don’t worry; with the right preparations you can take any test.  Look for an online GRE class you can take in your spare time to prepare for the test.  Also see if there are any GRE study groups in your area, sometimes studying in a group can be helpful.  

Which grad schools are you planning to apply to? With these tips you’ll be prepared for whichever graduate level program you enroll in!

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4 Things You DON’T Have to Do to Pass the GRE

Are you struggling with whether to enroll in a GRE prep course, settle for the score you got last time, or even give up on the GRE altogether? You aren’t alone. Many students hit a wall when they attempt the GRE, and many try some pretty crazy things to get past it. Here are four things you don’t have to do to pass the GRE:

1. Accept a low score. Many students are shocked by the difficulty of the GRE. While any standardized test can be difficult, the GRE is designed to trip you up—and you have only limited time to finish. When faced with the difficulty of the test, many students make a tragic decision: they settle. Instead of coming back for a second round and trying to get a truly respectable score, they take whatever they can get. This is a mistake, as it shuts the doors to the best universities, and can radically alter your career path.

2. Take it over and over. Of course, the opposite solution is to keep taking the test with stubborn determination. This is a good spirit, but it won’t make any difference if you just keep falling apart on the same types of questions. Some students find themselves taking the test five or six times and not substantially improving their scores. This can start to feel like banging your head against a wall, and it isn’t necessary—it just means you need to change your approach.

3. Lose sleep. Other students will essentially use all their free time to “cram,” staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning trying to memorize as much information as possible. This is also a self-defeating solution. For one thing, memorization becomes harder when you’re sleep deprived. For another, the GRE doesn’t reward memorizing facts or answers. It wants to find out how well you comprehend and analyze the concepts before you. Many students spend months of sleepless nights “studying” only to get a lower score the second time around.

4. Cheat. It’s fair to say that this is an idea that crosses every student’s mind at some point while studying for the GRE. Most students, of course, are smart enough not to go down this road—but if they did, they’d find out it doesn’t work. The organization that runs the GRE made sure of this following a spat of cheating scandals in 2010. At the time, students would memorize questions from the test and then share them online afterward. This tactic no longer works—questions are harder to memorize, and aimed at rewarding comprehension, not just “knowing an answer.”

So what is the solution for beating the GRE? It’s getting a good GRE prep course. The best prep courses help you understand the reasoning behind the GRE and hone your ability to play by its rules, without a lot of sleepless nights. They’re not about studying harder. They’re about studying better.

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Things You Didn't Know About Grad School

Now that you're undergrad college career is over, or close to being complete, there probably are a few things you wish you knew beforehand that may have helped you throughout the years. Perhaps you wished you knew a thing or two about effectively scheduling classes or how to better manage your time in and out of the classroom. At any rate, you've triumphed through the hiccups and got your degree! And it's not odd to think about advancing your education further by attending grad school but this is where the game changes because it's a different experience.

Increased Competition

You may have thought it was a little tough getting into your school of choice as an undergrad but things can be a little tougher when it comes to graduate school. Grad school is notoriously more challenging to get in because they don't let student skate by with cruise control on. This is where the work gets serious and many programs require extensive research, hours upon hours of hands on work and challenging course material. This is why it's extremely important to score high on the GRE as it is used as a major determining factor during the admissions process. Many prospective grad students will enroll in online GRE prep to get an edge over other students by studying what's on the test and taking practice exams. Not only can it help them familiarize with the exam but it can help them get the score they need to get into the school they want.

But that's not the only competition…your fellow classmates will be fiercely competitive and will have the intent to be at the top of the class. Going to grad school is more than just getting a higher degree at the end of the program, it's about being passionate and driven to succeed, so you'll need to go the extra mile with everything you do to be a standout student.

Connections Matter

Sure, you've probably made a few connections in undergrad and have a few professors connected to your Linkedin profile but you really need to market yourself in grad school. Join student societies, attend guest speaker lectures and try to be a professor's colleague. Making valuable connections is extremely important in the job market after school and the more people you know on an in-depth basis gives you better prospects of getting that job you've always wanted. 

Keep Your Books

Remember when you used to sell your undergrad course books for a few bucks at the end of each semester? You don't want to do that in grad school. Keep each textbook you purchase because they will serve you as valuable resources in the future, beyond the scopes of the classroom. Grad school is where to find your niche and your specialization, which means all your coursework and all those big textbooks will help you after you get your degree. Keep them for future reference because they could assist you with research down the road!

Your First Semester May Be The Hardest

One of the last things you probably didn't know about grad school is that your first semester may be the hardest. Think of it like starting a new job – you have to get used to a new routine, familiarize yourself with new practices and so on. While you may think it's just like undergrad where you choose class and just go with the flow, the first semester in grad school is a lot different than you may expect. Be sure you maintain your confidence because everyone can be a little weary at first but things will smooth over once you stick it out.

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5 Things Your GRE Prep Course MUST Have

If you really want to score in the 99th percentile, not just any GRE prep course will do. Some courses offer relatively little while others are like a secret weapon. So how do you tell the difference? Here’s what we look for in evaluating GRE prep courses:

1. Comprehensive video lessons. Once upon a time the most you could hope for in a GRE prep course was an old-fashioned textbook style training manual. Of course, if you wanted to just crack open the textbooks you wouldn’t need a prep course in the first place. Instead, today’s best GRE courses use a more immersive style of learning—typically video. And the best courses have a hundred or more individual videos helping you understand and tackle each section of the GRE and each type of question you’ll encounter. Courses should be taught by individuals who themselves dominated the GRE and scored in the top percentile, and should be short, focused lessons that give you real insights into beating the test. 2. Thousands of practice questions. Okay, the video lessons have told you how to approach the test—now what? The right answer is to dive into practice questions and drills. And if your prep course does not deliver on this front, you’re missing out. Remember, a good course will have not hundreds but thousands of practice questions, all closely modeled on real questions from the test.  It’s really only by going through these practice questions—and yes, getting many wrong—that you will truly hone your skills and improve your score. Practice questions not only help you solidify skills and answer more questions correctly, they also train you to move more quickly through the GRE. This is a critical skill.

3. Cheat sheets. Of course, you can’t actually cheat on the GRE, but with a good cheat sheet style study guide you will go in with the knowledge you need most. Cheat sheets should include standard formulas, and rules that you will have to apply to multiple questions. Memorizing all of these can seem like a job too big to finish, but when they’re organized on simple cheat sheets they become easy to learn and familiarize yourself with. In many cases you will find yourself visualizing the cheat sheet during the test as if it was right there in front of you.

4. Error tracking. How do you know which areas of the test need the most work? That would be an error log, which should be standard in all prep courses but somehow still isn’t. Use the error log to catapult off your past failures toward even higher scores. How do you do your best studying?

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4 Reasons You Really Do Need a GRE Prep Course

The GRE is an infamous test that can make a serious difference in the trajectory of your life. Yet all too many test takers go in unprepared. Not sure if you need a GRE prep course? Here are four reasons you really do:

1. To “pass” the GRE the first time around. We’d all like to think we’re in that small group of people who seem to have no problem acing tests. But the fact is, the GRE is made specifically to weed out unprepared test-takers and demands a post-graduate level of preparation. Technically, there is no such thing as “failing” the GRE—but you can get a low score; if it’s low enough you won’t want to put it on your grad school applications. The average score is about 150 on each of the two sections of the GRE, and test takers who score in the mid 140’s or lower are going to want to take it again. This is not only stressful, it’s also expensive. You can help stay out of that trap by doing well on the test the first time around, which is exactly what a GRE prep course helps you do. 

2. To get the best grade you’re capable of. Okay, let’s say you get an above average score on the GRE—maybe 155 and 155 for a total of 310. How good is that? It’s probably good enough to be considered, but we all know the importance of every extra point you score. Generally, scores over 165 stand out as “good” scores in the eyes of admissions officers, and 170+ on both sections are considered exceptional.  But at any score level, going up just one or two points can dramatically change what percentile group you’re in. A GRE prep course can help you snag those coveted extra points, moving you up the ladder and making you a much more desirable candidate for admission. 

3. To know what you’re up against—and how to handle it. The GRE is designed to be tricky. It’s going to challenge your test-taking strategy as much as it challenges your actual intelligence. A good prep course will help you understand the test format, the types of questions you’ll face, and the time-wasting questions that will bog you down. They help you go in prepared.

4. To build your confidence and reduce test-taking stress. We’ve all heard stories of someone freezing up or breaking down during the high stress of the GRE. Don’t let that person be you. Confidence is a must in the GRE and a prep course builds that confidence question by question.

How are you preparing for the GRE?

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GRE Test Taking Tips

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people take the Graduate Record Exam in hopes of great scores that can increase their chances of being admitted into graduate school. Being that, the GRE is one of the most widely accepted tests in almost all graduate-level programs which makes it extremely important to perform well on the exam. If you will be taking the GRE in the near future, these test taking tips may help you get the score you need to gain acceptance in the school of your choice!

Brush Up On Math

The GRE is made up of three sections in which the Quantitative section examines your ability to solve math problems you may not have seen in high school. If you haven't used algebra, geometry, arithmetic or data analysis skills lately, you will want to refresh yourself on these concepts. Even if the graduate program you are wishing to get in doesn’t have any courses relating to arithmetic, you'll still need to perform well in this section as the scores can still affect your application decision.

Expand Your Vocabulary

The verbal section of the GRE goes beyond the things you've learned in English class during high school. It takes into account more complex vocabulary you should be able to comprehend at a college level. Things like analogies, antonyms, sentence completions and reading comprehensive questions can be found in this section. It's important to read as much as possible to expand your vocabulary and taking a look at the dictionary may also help.

Practice

Every section in the GRE is timed and that can put the pressure on to beat the clock. You should take some practice exams with a timer to become familiar with the format. In each section, you may find some questions harder than others and as a time management tip, work on the easier questions first and then go back to the more difficult ones. This strategy can help you at least answer the ones you know before time runs out and it's also okay to skip a few if you become too pressed for time. However, don't become skip happy because it could hurt your score.

Online Prep

It's better to go into the test prepared than not which means you should take a GRE prep course before taking the actual exam. GRE prep courses can be completed online and will provide you with beneficial resources like study guides, practice tests and more. If you have the time, take full advantage a prep course!

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer GRE Prep

It’s summer, and that means lots of things: beaches, road trips, family vacations and sun. But if you’re planning on going to grad school, summer means something else as well—it’s time to get yourself prepped and ready to take the GRE, the most widely used standardized test in graduate school admissions. So how do you get the most out of your prep time and make sure you take home the best score possible?

Generally, scoring high on the GRE is going to mean taking an online GRE prep class. Prep classes give you more hands-on practice than just studying from a book, and the online format tends to be both most convenient, least expensive, and also most loaded with goodies and extras. However, that doesn’t mean that every online GRE prep class is going to offer the same advantages. So what should you look for?

Here are what we consider to be the signs of an outstanding GRE prep course:

Insider explanation of the test. One mistake many GRE guides make is not to take time to explain the test itself—the structure it uses, which areas are most important, and how to approach questions to identify time wasters. Your prep class should include a complete run down of the test structure and how to work it.

In depth learning materials—including complete practice tests. Generally a prep course should include not only thousands of sample questions for each topic area, but also video tutorials on how to tackle these questions and complete dummy tests you can take to see how you’ll do.

Study plans. Just great learning material isn’t enough on its own. Your prep course should offer study plans to help you keep yourself on track, as well as extras like mistake trackers.

Inspiration. We all have to get fired up somehow, and everybody will face moments during GRE prep when they just don’t feel confident. The best courses include inspirational material that will keep you pumped up and remind you that you do have what it takes to score big.

A guarantee. Have you taken the GRE before? A good prep class will guarantee you beat your last score.

With this kind of robust prep class at your disposal, you’ll find that even your weakest areas on the test become manageable and you’ll go in ready to score higher than ever before. In other words, it will translate to results. 

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3 Reasons Why A Graduate Degree Pays Off

Many decades ago, a high school diploma could land someone a well-paying, solid job and only a few people continued on to college. But as time progressed and the job market evolved, people with a high school diploma could barely get a job flipping burgers at minimum wage. According to statistics from the US Department of Education, undergraduate enrollment trends rose 47% from 1970 to 1983 which shows the point in time where college degrees started to pick up steam. Since then, undergraduate enrollment has risen to tremendous levels, creating a workforce that is saturated with educated individuals, making it a highly competitive battleground when employers are looking for new hires.

With that being said, experts from US News & World Report are saying an undergraduate degree isn't enough anymore and a graduate degree can provide the assurance of a solid, well-paying job for the future. While the grad school isn't free for most, it certainly can pay off in big ways. Here are three reasons why a graduate degree is worth the effort!

1. Increased Employment Opportunities

As this could sound like bad news for those with an undergraduate degree, the fact is that many career sectors are replacing a bachelor's degree as the minimum requirement for employment and replacing it with a master's or higher! This means that a person with a master's degree will have substantially more opportunities in the job market as these employment requirements transform.

2. Financial Benefits

It goes without saying that a master's degree and even a Ph.D. will be more financially rewarding than a bachelor's. The US Census Bureau compiled data and found that a graduate degree holder will earn an average salary of $55,242 compared to a bachelor's where the average salary is $42,877. That roughly equates to a 30% difference in salary and when it's summed up over a lifetime, the monetary reward is huge.

3. Improved Credibility & Achievement

For starters, a graduate degree immediately sets precedence when on a resume and a large number of grad degree holders have gone on to accomplish great things. With the increase in education and respect, these degree holders earn recognition more often than others without.

But in order to obtain a graduate degree, one must put in the work and effort to gain acceptance into a school of their choice. This involves some serious work like GRE prep for the entrance scores, letters of recommendation and a written, personal statement that dives into the reasons why you are applying. With hard work and determination, grad school can make it on your list of achievements. 

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4 Tips To Prepare For Graduate School

Congratulations! You've decided to hit the books and further your education to attain a higher degree which is a great accomplishment to achieve. Heightening your education is one of the biggest successes you can experience in your lifetime because it displays your dedication and drive to better your career, your lifestyle and your future. But getting a graduate degree takes some serious leg work which will involve all sorts of planning to make it happen. Check out these four tips to help you get on your way to grad school!

1. Research

When you decide to further your educational goals, you must start looking at potential schools you would like to attend, whether it's the traditional route with courses on the campus or an online program that you can complete at your home. With either choice, you should compile a list of schools in which you want to apply and note their application deadlines. It's best to give yourself plenty of time to get of the application requirements in order which means the sooner you start the better.

2. Recommendation Letters

The majority of graduate schools will ask you for a various number of recommendation letters to accompany your application. You should begin hunting for suitable individuals that can write you a recommendation letter for each school because you'll want to apply to as many places as possible to increase your chances of admittance. You may come across some graduate programs that allow your recommenders to submit their letters through an online form so be sure you make them aware of this and provide them with ample time to formulate a letter. Additionally, ask them to save a copy so they can modify and update the letter to fit each school in which you are applying to.

3. Study

Think back to when you applied to school as an undergraduate - remember taking the SATs or the ACTs and using that number on your college application? Well, for graduate school, a large portion of programs require you to complete the GRE which is the Graduate Record Examination. It's a standardized test that measures verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical thinking skills. The score is used as an admissions factor and sometimes will weigh heavily on admissions acceptance. Unfortunately, you won't know how much it factors into your application decision which is why you should use the best GRE test prep online to study for the exam.

4. Schedule

Studying for the GRE is only a portion of your application prep because you must actually take the test and submit your scores before your application deadline. This is why you have to start early because the GRE has some rules about scheduling and availability. You can only take the test once every 21 days and up to five times within a rolling 12-month period. While you can take a computer-based version or the paper version, both abide by these guidelines but you have to make sure you consider some buffer time after the test. If you take the exam at a testing center that is computer-based, it'll take about 10 to 15 days for your scores to be reported and sent to your specific school. A paper-based test will be mailed out which could take a little longer. Keep all of this in mind with your application deadlines.

Start preparing now by getting letters of recommendation, studying for the GRE online and scheduling the exam.