GRE Psychology Subject Test – Tips and Strategies
The foundation of every success is careful planning and preparation. The next step is to work hard to implement these plans and strategies. It’s the same with taking a GRE Psychology Subject test. Though all universities may not ask for your psychology subject test scores, most of the better ones will surely do. So if you wish to be enrolled in a better university, it will be ideal for you to take the psychology subject test and try to notch up a good score.
It is always good to start your preparations on a positive note and it is best if you review the past results of the psychology test. Try to look for the maximum score achieved by an applicant on the particular subject till date. This will provide you with the motivation that will go a long way during your preparation period.
The paper for the GRE subject test is designed taking into consideration the amount of knowledge on the particular subject that you would have gained over a period of time at the undergraduate level. So to do well in the subject test the best preparation would be reviewing your undergraduate courses on the particular subject thoroughly. For most of the students, this, along with frequent practice tests, is enough to do well in the test. For the practice tests, you can make use of the Subject Test Practice Booklet, which the ETS will send to you after you confirm your registration for the test. This practice test booklet will give you a fair idea of what to expect on the actual test day in terms of the questions and its settings. Practicing with these booklets will give you the feel of the actual test. While taking the practice tests, don’t just concentrate on getting the answers correct. You should pay special attention to the directions on the question paper. Getting familiar with the directions and understanding them well will save you valuable time on the D-day. The total time period for the test is 2 hrs 50 minutes. So try to complete one practice test paper within 3 hrs with minimum errors. With each practice test, try to improve on your time and cut down on the number of errors. You can also download a Psychology Test Booklet from the official ETS site for GRE subject tests.
But if you still feel that you need more material, then you can always take the help of the numerous psychology preparation materials and preparation practice papers that are available on the web.
Tips to Avoid Last-Minute Confusion on the Psychology GRE Subject Test
It is normal to work oneself into frenzy a few days before the big day. Some people become so nervous that they begin to think that they will forget everything once they lay their hands on the question paper. But this feeling quickly evaporates as you get immersed in the challenge posed by the test. The best thing to do before a GRE subject test or for that matter any other examination is to remain calm and take things normally. Relax, eat well, sleep well and keep a fixed time for revisions. Sitting for a GRE subject test is a normal thing and it will help a lot if your approach to it is normal as well.
Some Last Minute Tips:
- It is better to get your basic identification requirements like your photo ID (a valid passport of your self will serve the best) and your admission ticket ready a week or so before the test day.
- Scheduling the time slot for the subject test is possible. So schedule your test according to your comfort. But this scheduling should be done beforehand, Requests for change of schedule on the test day will not be entertained.
- Make sure that you get a good amount of sleep and rest during the whole week before the test. Getting a good night’s sleep, especially before the test day, goes a long way in bettering your performance.
- Eat healthy. This will make you think better. Working out in the mornings and taking a walk in the evening greatly helps in de-stressing and calming down the nerves.
On the Test Day:
- Before leaving the house, check if all articles that you will require at the test center, especially the identification papers and the admission ticket, are in your bag.
- Unlike the GRE test, the GRE subject test is a paper-based exam. So carry with you at least 2 to 3 sharpened HB pencils, an eraser that rubs clean and a sharpener as the personnel at the test center will not supply you with them. The use of pens or mechanical pencils is also not allowed.
- Report to the test center at least half an hour ahead of your scheduled time slot. If you are late, you will not be admitted.
- Drinking too much water before the test may lead to an uncomfortable situation that you don’t want to be in. So keep your water intake as minimum as possible.
- When you get the questions, don’t panic and try not to get nervous. This is what you have been waiting and preparing for all these months, so take a deep breath and start filling up the answers (after going through the questions).