The GRE and the TOEFL

These are the examinations that you must sit through in order to be elegible for study in the USA. We discuss them below.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Description

GRE has changed since October 2002

1. General : Almost all universities require this.It has three sections : verbal, quantitative,and analytical writing.

   The Analytical Writing section is a new section introduced in October 2002, which consists of two analytical writing tasks. Visit the GRE website for more information.

2. Advanced : Some universities require this. But, even if not required, this score puts you up on the competition ladder. The Advanced GRE (AGRE) is subject specific. For statistics one has to appear in the mathematics AGRE.

Official information about GRE's

How to prepare

• Barron's GRE guide : Use this book mainly for the grammar section of the test. The long vocabulary list is extremely helpful to famialiarize yourself with some rarely used words that are favourites of the GRE question setters. Start memorizing the list well ahead of the test.
• Old question papers : This is of course an excellent way to prepare for the test. Unfortunately the advent of the computerized tests have reduced its efficacy to some extent. Yet it is worth trying. You may download some sample questions from the GRE webpage. Another method is to xerox old question papers from the USEFI. Time yourself while you solve the papers. Do not neglect the quantitative section thinking it too easy.
• Online practice tests : At the GRE website you will get several of these. Particularly helpful for the Computer Based Tests (CBT), this will give you a primary idea of what you might expect from the tests. Another excellent website to practice vocabulary is at the Reader's Digest website.
• PowerPrep : This is almost an indispensible tool to prepare for the CBT --- the only form of GRE offered in India now. It is a software sold by the ETS. This is a licensed software. It contains practice problems with answers, general guidelines, and timed tests. However, this software by no means obviates the need for studying the vocubulary from the Barron's guide.

Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Description

1. Audio : Here you will listen to some pre-recorded English conversations and short lectures. Then, based on what you have heard, you have to answer some objective questions.
2. Grammar : This section requires you to answer objective questions (filling in blanks using given choices) that test your grammatical skills in English.
3. Comprehension : Reading a number of English passages and answering objective questions relating to them is all that you have to do here.
4. Essay : This is the only section which, even if you are giving a CBT, you can still write on paper. All you have to do is write an essay on a given topic. A long, full list of topics is available from the website. However, remember that paper written esssays will significantly delay your score report.

Official information about the TOEFL