At Y.E.S. Educational Consulting, we focus on familiarity when it comes to test preparation. Our number one goal is to have students complete the GRE feeling as if they had been fully prepared for the material they just faced. We do our best to never have a student say something like “there were so many things I’d never seen before!” when they report back to us.
In order to do this, we avoid simply running students through an endless series of practice problems and tests throughout sessions. Instead, we first make sure that our students have a deep understanding of the format of the GRE, allowing them to visual and anticipate what they will face come test day. This includes understanding the computer-delivered format, knowing how many questions of each category they will receive, and being aware of the most common types of questions within each topic. Only once we have discussed format and timing do we move to content and strategy review.
When covering the GRE material for each of the three sections (Analytical Writing, Quantitative, and Verbal) with students, we discuss strategies and content simultaneously. Once we have identified gaps in understanding, we review steps for approaching problems within these areas and provide a series of drills to reinforce understanding. Most often, students require review of math and vocabulary fundamentals, especially when they have not taken a heavy course load of math or English courses in college.
All students will complete at least one full timed computer practice test when working with Y.E.S. Educational Consulting prior to testing. More often, students complete two practice tests, which are scored and by our tutors and analyzed to identify potential for improvement and realistic goal scores. We use a combination of materials from ETS (organization that administers the GRE), Manhattan Prep, and Princeton Review.
