Customer Reviews

Cracking the GRE with DVD, 2007 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I guess this wasn't too bad, but I wish they'd focused a little more on teaching some of the math concepts instead of showing how to plug values to get the answer. Like they admit, none of the math is advanced, so just some reminding of what we learned in jr. high would seem more appropriate than the endless number plugging. The GRE writers write questions that make plugging difficult, to see if you can reason the solution through knowing a little math. The plugging takes more time and leaves more room for error, in my opinion, than just learning how to solve the problem.

I also think their sample tests were not great samples. They had typos and re-used charts between tests. They were not very good predictors of my actual result. I took the four on-line sample tests, and the two from PowerPrep and the actual GRE all in 2 days. Here are my scores:

Princeton Review sample tests:
Quant (4 tests): 670, 610, 650, 690
Verbal: 650, 750, 730, 510


PowerPrep sample tests:
Quant: 720, 700
Verbal: 640, 690

My actual scores: quant 710, verbal 640

Also, in their online sample tests, some of the wording is a bit flippant and many of the verbal questions are far too ambiguous to be representative of real GRE questions. The flippant parts are probably supposed to be light and humorous, but I found it a little offensive to have each verbal 'explanation' include the sentence "Learn your vocabulary!" It implied that anyone who had studied or had a decent vocabulary would KNOW the answer. Not very professional, in my opinion.

PowerPrep (free download from [...]) was better, in my opinion.

I used the book for about a month to prepare for the GRE's. It was my main source of information. I found the review and tips helpful, especially for the quantitative. However, the writing samples are below par. The author believes that it is not that important to score well on this section, but in my opinion if you are writing a study guide then you should assume that your customers have high standards. Otherwise, why buy a book with the goal of a crappy essay? The book also gains you access to the online practice tests which are really helpful. The math questions seem a bit on the easy side though, compared to the actual test.

I went to Kaplan live lectures and paid about $1350! It was totally waste of time and money. This book has a way of showing you the key points for the exam and their way of attacking math problems are so simple and easy to follow. I would recommmend for those who want to study for GRE.

The product consists of a text and DVD. The text is very readable, although some questions run afar from everyday practice except for mathematicians and the engineering sciences. The presentation provides sample reading comprehension and vocabulary consistent with the form and content on the GRE. The mathematics is divided by level of difficulty. i.e. easy, intermediate and difficult questions

The difficult questions are just that. i.e.

GIVEN: Given m+ n = 24 and m - n + p= 15 then 4m + 2p = what number

m+ n = 24
m- n + p = 15
__________________
2m + p= 39 therefore 4m + 2p must be 78

The section on vocabulary is helpful to identify typical
words tested. Overall, the book is excellent; however,
parts of the exam are elusive.

This is not the fault of the publisher. It is the nature of
the exam itself. If purchased, the candidate should spend some
time reviewing examination techniques, as well as algebra,
geometry and basic statistics.

i.e. mean median mode prime numbers

If you don't know how to start to GRE, this is a good book. However, you should complement this book with a tougher one in order to score closer to 800. Barron's book was my complement.

I bought this book, and got the Kaplan book from the library. I finished this whole book in about an hour. It really doesn't say much worthwhile. There are pages and pages of information that is just so basic or out there that it is a waste of time to read.

On the other hand, the Kaplan book had lots of good tips, steps to take to solve different types of problems, common questions and words, etc. It was a big help. Buy that one.

I thought this was one of the more reputable GRE books, so I started my GRE studying with this book and unfortunately spent most of my time (up to two weeks before the GRE) on it. Then I opened up my Barron's book, and said "This is SO much better than the other book!" I really regret spending so much time with the Princeton Review. Needless to say, I spent the next two weeks cramming with Barron's. End result: 1490. Get Barron's instead. I'm not sure I used any of the info I learned in Princeton's.

I honestly found this book to not be very helpful. Instead of simply reviewing math and giving a lot of practice problems, Princeton Review wants you to learn new tips and tricks to get the right answer. (Which, in my opinion, is much harder than familiarizing yourself with concepts you already know.) The verbal review is decent, but the vocabulary list is terrible; they define words you may or may not know using lengthy definitions that include other words you may or may not know, instead of using simple language. After using this book to study for several weeks, my scores on the practice tests had not improved. (It is a very good thing I had to wind up rescheduling my test to a later date due to other reasons, because this was simply not effective preparation.)

I have the Kaplan Vocabulary Book and Barron's Passkey to the GRE as well. I am also going to purchase some materials to practice with, but would not choose Princeton Review again. For some people, this book might be a good way to go, especially if your math skills are not the best. For me, however, it was not worth the money or the time spent in attempting to study from this book.

Cracking the GRE, 2007 Edition was overall a great study guide. The math tips were especially helpful. My only objection was how the edition was organized. The math section was in the middle of the verbal and writing section. I did pass the GRE test with a great score!! I would recommend purchasing it. Also purchase the EXAMBUSTERS GRE Study Cards.

This book is well organized. Anyway, I thought DVD material is practice test on it, yet there was just MOVIE chlip about GRE. Perhaps this material is waste of money, but in my case, after watching it, I was satisfied with it because I did not know all about GRE test.
In the book it tells up basic strategy. Also, I can access PrincetonReview site and practice four full length practice test! How nice it is!

I recommend this for biginner as I am.