How to Score High on the GRE Psychology Exam
The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) psychology subject test is a standardized test that is taken by individuals wishing to attend graduate school in psychology. Many graduate schools require the GRE general test to be taken, and the psychology subject test is encouraged if you have a weak GPA or application; some competitive graduate programs require the psychology test for all applicants. To score high on the GRE psychology exam you'll need to create a specific study plan.
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Instructions
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Download the official GRE psychology test practice booklet; this booklet contains questions in the same categories and are similar to the ones that will appear on the actual test. The psychology test booklet can be downloaded in PDF format from the Educational Testing Service's GRE subject test site. This practice book is also sent to individuals who register to take the GRE psychology test.
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Gather psychology course notes from undergraduate classes you may have taken to obtain your bachelor's degree. Some of the core areas that you will be tested in, according to the official GRE website, include the history of psychology, abnormal psychology, life span development, as well as behavioral neuroscience and learning behaviors.
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Purchase study materials for the GRE psychology subject test. There are many third-party study books and test preparation materials, such as flash cards, that cover important topic areas in psychology. Examples of psychology test guides and tools include those published by Kaplan and The Princeton Review.
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Use all of your study materials (i.e., study guide books, practice test, course notes) in the three to four weeks leading up to the GRE psychology test date. Create flash cards from your course notes, use the official GRE psychology test booklet at least two to three times, and test yourself with preparation aides from third-party study materials. Alternate your preparation materials each day that you study.
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Be familiar with the scoring process for the GRE psychology test. When scoring the psychology subject test, the questions you do not answer are not counted in scoring; also, as a correction for guessing, one-fourth of the questions you mark incorrectly are subtracted from the total number of questions you answer correctly. Scoring rules and procedures are laid out on the GRE website.
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Develop a test-taking strategy that you can use for the GRE psychology subject test. For example, skip over the most difficult questions and answer them last since an incorrect response will only lower your score. For difficult questions, try to narrow your choices to two answers and then select the one that seems the most correct. Don't guess on the hardest questions--simply leave them blank; these questions won't be included in the scoring process, but don't overuse this strategy.
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Tips & Warnings
Get plenty of sleep the night before your test as you'll need to be prepared for 3.5 hours of test taking.
Eat a hearty, healthy breakfast the morning of your test; eat a light snack before your test so that you won't be hungry.
