Monday, November 17, 2003
recovery
It's been a week since I took the test, and I'm still getting used to the sudden spate of free time on my hands. Man, I dedicated way too much time for studying. Now I'm thinking, what should I do tonight? I just don't know! Of course, there are many many many things I need to be doing... namely, all of the hoops I still have to jump through for grad school applications.
The other thing I've noticed... GRE WORDS EVERYWHERE. All of the vocabulary I learned seems to be popping up all around me. I encountered umbrage in Rolling Stone the other day. And apposite on a NPR story. Wow, I feel smart.
Now: APPLICATIONS.
It's been a week since I took the test, and I'm still getting used to the sudden spate of free time on my hands. Man, I dedicated way too much time for studying. Now I'm thinking, what should I do tonight? I just don't know! Of course, there are many many many things I need to be doing... namely, all of the hoops I still have to jump through for grad school applications.
The other thing I've noticed... GRE WORDS EVERYWHERE. All of the vocabulary I learned seems to be popping up all around me. I encountered umbrage in Rolling Stone the other day. And apposite on a NPR story. Wow, I feel smart.
Now: APPLICATIONS.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
i didn't spank it, but....
I walked out of the test at 11:20am, less than three hours after the ordeal began. I think I made the people in the waiting room more nervous because I exited the test looking all dishelved and spent. I started grumbling to myself the moment I left suite 280. I think I could have taken more time and done a little better, but all I wanted to do was get the heck out of that testing center (aka lockdown) as soon as possible. Here are some of my random thoughts, post-GRE:
* Verbal: THE HARDEST WORDS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. Those flash cards did me no good. Opprobrium? Yes, indeed.
* I pay $115 bucks of my hard earned cash to be forced to sit in a cubicle without water and my beloved scarf. Why am I doing this again?
* I used rappers as an example in my essay... Hee hee.
* I got two stinking verbal sections, however the second one was much easier. I'm wondering which section was graded. I think it was the first one because I didn't do so well.
Anyway, it's over. Thank God, it's over.
I walked out of the test at 11:20am, less than three hours after the ordeal began. I think I made the people in the waiting room more nervous because I exited the test looking all dishelved and spent. I started grumbling to myself the moment I left suite 280. I think I could have taken more time and done a little better, but all I wanted to do was get the heck out of that testing center (aka lockdown) as soon as possible. Here are some of my random thoughts, post-GRE:
* Verbal: THE HARDEST WORDS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED. Those flash cards did me no good. Opprobrium? Yes, indeed.
* I pay $115 bucks of my hard earned cash to be forced to sit in a cubicle without water and my beloved scarf. Why am I doing this again?
* I used rappers as an example in my essay... Hee hee.
* I got two stinking verbal sections, however the second one was much easier. I'm wondering which section was graded. I think it was the first one because I didn't do so well.
Anyway, it's over. Thank God, it's over.
Monday, November 10, 2003
done, you suckas
Yes, I have taken the test, and I am okay. All in all, I found the test somewhat challenging (I swear, they make up some of these vocabulary words), but I managed to squeeze out half a decent score.
Let me tell you, the worst part of the exam was not the test itself, but the testing conditions. Prometric Testing Center is like a freakin' lockdown. Seriously, I felt like I was a visitor in San Quentin, waiting to see an inmate. You sign in at the lobby area and have to wait with all these other anxious people until they call your name. All the while, this scrolling, narrated message is playing on a TV monitor, over and over and over again, explaining the facility's rules and regulations. I must've heard the stinkin' thing at least ten times. Before you go in to take your test, you have to place all your belongings, including your wallet, keys, phone, sharp objects and anything else, in a small storage locker. You're not allowed to wear a jacket or even a baggy sweatshirt.
You sign some documents, then they take a digitized picture of you, also known as The Worst Picture You've Ever Taken. You get two pencils and six sheets of scratch paper, they place you at your computer, and you're ready to take the test. Oh, did I mention that Big Brother is watching? Every single cubicle is monitored by a camera, keeping you in check just in case you attempt something shady. Every breath you take, every movie you make, they'll be watching you.
I don't think I have the appropriate stamina to take standardized tests. But I managed to get through it... I wish I had gotten more sleep the night before. Anyway, about four hours later I'm leaving the test center, tired and hungry but satisfied with my score. I'd say the results were surprising, considering the disgust I felt while actually taking the test. But mainly I was just relieved that the friggin' test was over. OVER.
I want to start a bonfire with my study materials, but I guess I'll just save them for posterity. Now, what do I do with my free time? Oh yeah, apply to grad school.
Good luck on the test, Jo.
Yes, I have taken the test, and I am okay. All in all, I found the test somewhat challenging (I swear, they make up some of these vocabulary words), but I managed to squeeze out half a decent score.
Let me tell you, the worst part of the exam was not the test itself, but the testing conditions. Prometric Testing Center is like a freakin' lockdown. Seriously, I felt like I was a visitor in San Quentin, waiting to see an inmate. You sign in at the lobby area and have to wait with all these other anxious people until they call your name. All the while, this scrolling, narrated message is playing on a TV monitor, over and over and over again, explaining the facility's rules and regulations. I must've heard the stinkin' thing at least ten times. Before you go in to take your test, you have to place all your belongings, including your wallet, keys, phone, sharp objects and anything else, in a small storage locker. You're not allowed to wear a jacket or even a baggy sweatshirt.
You sign some documents, then they take a digitized picture of you, also known as The Worst Picture You've Ever Taken. You get two pencils and six sheets of scratch paper, they place you at your computer, and you're ready to take the test. Oh, did I mention that Big Brother is watching? Every single cubicle is monitored by a camera, keeping you in check just in case you attempt something shady. Every breath you take, every movie you make, they'll be watching you.
I don't think I have the appropriate stamina to take standardized tests. But I managed to get through it... I wish I had gotten more sleep the night before. Anyway, about four hours later I'm leaving the test center, tired and hungry but satisfied with my score. I'd say the results were surprising, considering the disgust I felt while actually taking the test. But mainly I was just relieved that the friggin' test was over. OVER.
I want to start a bonfire with my study materials, but I guess I'll just save them for posterity. Now, what do I do with my free time? Oh yeah, apply to grad school.
Good luck on the test, Jo.
in less than 24 hours
Minsoo took the test today. I'm taking it tomorrow. I've heard that it's like going to visit someone in prison; you're not even allowed to bring in a jacket. I am going to wear layers so that I'm not cold when I SPANK THE TEST. No, I'm just kidding, I won't spank it. I just want to do well. I just want to do well.
Minsoo took the test today. I'm taking it tomorrow. I've heard that it's like going to visit someone in prison; you're not even allowed to bring in a jacket. I am going to wear layers so that I'm not cold when I SPANK THE TEST. No, I'm just kidding, I won't spank it. I just want to do well. I just want to do well.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
bring it
The test is tomorrow. At this point, I can't really acquire any more new math knowledge or learn any more vocabulary words. I just have to take the test, and take it as best as I can, with the faculties God blessed me with.
Bring it on, so I can spank it.
The test is tomorrow. At this point, I can't really acquire any more new math knowledge or learn any more vocabulary words. I just have to take the test, and take it as best as I can, with the faculties God blessed me with.
Bring it on, so I can spank it.
Saturday, November 08, 2003
a little bit stressed
I had a minor meltdown on Friday. I had to work all day and I was so exhausted from studying, thinking about studying and worrying about the test that I spent the entire day with the largest headache I've had since I was applying for undergrad. The rest of the night I spent watching Bridget Jones' Diary (as an attempt to be good to myself because it's one of my favorite movies) and napping on the couch. I went to sleep at 9:30pm, but that was only after falling asleep through 75% of BJD (I wanted to hit the sack at 7pm). I slept for 11.5 hours and returned to the evil world of studying for useless tests.
Yes, I'm being a little bit dramatic (although the events depicted are real), but the test is Tuesday, so I'm allowed to be a little bit stressed. Tonight I'm going to a concert and I'll be bringing my flash cards to review before the show starts. I know, so nerdy.
A little story about GRE camraderie: I spent Thursday afternoon at Starbucks and as I was packing up, someone at another table asked if he could grab my table. As he started complimenting me on my laptop, I noticed that he was setting down GRE books. I told him I was studying for the GRE too and he said he was taking it Friday. We wished each other good luck. I'm glad I was able to pass down my starbucks table to a fellow GRE sufferer.
I had a minor meltdown on Friday. I had to work all day and I was so exhausted from studying, thinking about studying and worrying about the test that I spent the entire day with the largest headache I've had since I was applying for undergrad. The rest of the night I spent watching Bridget Jones' Diary (as an attempt to be good to myself because it's one of my favorite movies) and napping on the couch. I went to sleep at 9:30pm, but that was only after falling asleep through 75% of BJD (I wanted to hit the sack at 7pm). I slept for 11.5 hours and returned to the evil world of studying for useless tests.
Yes, I'm being a little bit dramatic (although the events depicted are real), but the test is Tuesday, so I'm allowed to be a little bit stressed. Tonight I'm going to a concert and I'll be bringing my flash cards to review before the show starts. I know, so nerdy.
A little story about GRE camraderie: I spent Thursday afternoon at Starbucks and as I was packing up, someone at another table asked if he could grab my table. As he started complimenting me on my laptop, I noticed that he was setting down GRE books. I told him I was studying for the GRE too and he said he was taking it Friday. We wished each other good luck. I'm glad I was able to pass down my starbucks table to a fellow GRE sufferer.
48 hours
Test is just two days away. I'm cramming. Practice test and practice. God has blessed us with crappy weather, making me feel much better about staying indoors all day. I spent almost the whole of yesterday sitting in front of the computer taking practice tests.
What is the opposite of promulgate? It means "to publicly promote or advocate something (like a creed or a doctrine)." I say its antonym is castigate ("severe criticism or punshment") but Kaplan insists that the answer is actually suppress. DAMN LIARS.
Test is just two days away. I'm cramming. Practice test and practice. God has blessed us with crappy weather, making me feel much better about staying indoors all day. I spent almost the whole of yesterday sitting in front of the computer taking practice tests.
What is the opposite of promulgate? It means "to publicly promote or advocate something (like a creed or a doctrine)." I say its antonym is castigate ("severe criticism or punshment") but Kaplan insists that the answer is actually suppress. DAMN LIARS.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
getting there
The test is just a few days away, and it's making me crazy. Been taking practice tests and such... I think I can manage to get a good score on the verbal section. Still really worried about the math. At this point, I'll be content with a halfway average score. The essay is also a new worry... I read Jo's sample essay yesterday, which she totally rawked. Made me rethink if I was any good at this writing thing either. At this point, there is no more time for gripes. I just have to keep on truckin' and get this crap together.
It's a sad existence, staking out the "good" study table at Starbucks.
The test is just a few days away, and it's making me crazy. Been taking practice tests and such... I think I can manage to get a good score on the verbal section. Still really worried about the math. At this point, I'll be content with a halfway average score. The essay is also a new worry... I read Jo's sample essay yesterday, which she totally rawked. Made me rethink if I was any good at this writing thing either. At this point, there is no more time for gripes. I just have to keep on truckin' and get this crap together.
It's a sad existence, staking out the "good" study table at Starbucks.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
an evil side effect
Minsoo has less than a week before his test. I have a week to go. My practice test scores are leveling off at a mediocre level and I'm slowly realizing that I'm not going to rock this test like I hoped. Another depressing side-effect of this test is the fact that I now spend about 80 percent of my evenings and weekends at the evil corporate Starbucks. Those round tables, the available outlets and their chai create an ideal study environment that I've slowly become accustomed to. It's evil, I tell you. I can't wait until this test is over so I can ween myself off that addictive and socially irresponsible chai.
I can't wait for this next week to be over. STANDARDIZED TESTING WILL NOT BE THE DEATH OF ME!!!
Minsoo has less than a week before his test. I have a week to go. My practice test scores are leveling off at a mediocre level and I'm slowly realizing that I'm not going to rock this test like I hoped. Another depressing side-effect of this test is the fact that I now spend about 80 percent of my evenings and weekends at the evil corporate Starbucks. Those round tables, the available outlets and their chai create an ideal study environment that I've slowly become accustomed to. It's evil, I tell you. I can't wait until this test is over so I can ween myself off that addictive and socially irresponsible chai.
I can't wait for this next week to be over. STANDARDIZED TESTING WILL NOT BE THE DEATH OF ME!!!
