studying for the gre?

The Analytical section -- which might not matter, depending on what you're doing; a number of programs told me point blank, "We won't even look at that, don't worry" -- is like those logic problems you've probably had at some point. Bob, Ted, Carol, and Alice each have a car and a piece of fruit. The owner of the Camaro has an orange. Alice's fruit is juicier than Ted's. Bob has a Corvette. The person with the persimmon does not have a sports-car. Etc.

I think they're all done on computer now, aren't they, no paper tests? (The main test, anyway, I don't know about subject tests.)

My advice is just to pick up a study guide or two and spend a little bit of time with it for a few weeks. If you did reasonably well with the SATs, there's nothing to panic over, only some stuff to brush up on.

Find out which sections the schools you're applying to are asking for, and for that matter, which they'd be likely to care about. I applied for a film program at a school where all grad applicants had to have taken the GRE, but I doubt they'd care much about my math scores.

As for the test itself, you'll probably find this out one way or another, but it's all on computer now. This has the great benefit of being able to have your score when you walk out of the place (except for the writing section - if you need to even do that). The way it works is that it starts you out with 500 pts, and the first question is a middle-difficulty question. If you answer that correctly, you'll get points and get a question on par with your now-higher score. If you miss the first question, you'll lose points, but your next question will be easier, since it will be on par with your score.

The catch with all that is that the first five questions are weighted the most - the first is 100 pts, then they start to be worth a little less each time. Everything from #6 onwards is about 10 or so points, so missing the first few so as to get easy questions for the rest of the test is not a good idea. If you are really careful and get the first five correct, you won't need to sweat the rest too much.

The verbal is pretty much on par with the SAT, and the math definitely is - nothing harder than algebra II and geometry. Well, maybe some light trigonometry, but again, just play around with a study guide or two and you'll be fine.

I'm under the impression that all the subject tests are still done on paper.

verbal - 740
math - 640

is that any good? do schools really care about this test? (i am applying for english)

Just look at it this way: if you're applying for English, and you got a verbal score that's better than, what, 97 or 98 percent of the people that take the test, I think the schools you're applying to are going to be impressed.

And unfortunately yes, from what I've gathered schools actually do very much care about this test (although not unfortunately for you, I guess :)).

rebarbative -- prickly or dislikable
bootless -- fruitless, doomed to failure

To remind those scoring at home, I'm a lit major.

(like I am...)

(and preferably bad at the one that won't benefit you in your chosen area of study, curse me for an idiot)

It is also not good for the other people in the room when you walk out early with a big smile on your face, or when you hear others sobbing.

I am hoping to take this test. I am English and thus have no point of comparison. How much studying do I need to do? What are the best books? Do I get my results (from the computer test) straight away)? Is it multiple choice? What constitutes a "good" score? I have not studied for anything in 5 years+, should I be afraid?

All you need

Also, look into specific programs at different schools to see if it's even required. The MS I'm going for right now 'recommended' it but didn't 'require' it, and I got in without taking it at all.

She was a SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD FRESHMAN WITH OVERBEARING PARENTS

(Granted English wasn't her native tongue but you wouldn't know it unless she told you.)

When a school's website says 'GRE subject test x not required' (rather than 'GRE subject test x preferred'), is it nevertheless mildly advantageous if you take it, get a good score and submit it?

Wow studying for the GRE is fun these days, like doing a puzzle book, especially with the accompanying CD!

I spent so much to take this crummy test and I never even needed it! Felt pretty good getting the same score as my computer engineer brother, tho.

any recommendations for a good book/cd to buy for this?

anyone got a rec to study for the general?