Graduate Record Exam Frequently Asked Questions

Like it or not, if youre applying to grad school the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is on your to-do list. What is the GRE? The GRE is a standardized exam that permits admissions committees to compare applicants on the same scale. The GRE measures a variety of skills that are thought to predict success in graduate school across a wide variety of disciplines. Actually, there are several GRE tests. Most often when an applicant, professor, or admissions director mentions the GRE, he or she is referring to the GRE General Test, which is thought to measure general aptitude. The GRE Subject Test, on the other hand, examines applicants knowledge of a specific field, such as Psychology or Biology. You will most definitely be required to take the GRE General Test; however, not all graduate programs require you to take the corresponding GRE Subject Test. What Does the GRE Measure? The GRE General Test measures the skills that youve acquired over the high school and college years. It is an aptitude test because it is meant to measure your potential to succeed in graduate school. While the GRE is only one of several criteria that graduate schools use to evaluate your application, it is one of the most important. This is particularly true if your college GPA is not as high as youd like. Exceptional GRE scores can open up new opportunities for grad school. The GRE General Test contains sections that measure verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills. The Verbal section tests your ability to understand and analyze written material through the use of sentence completion and reading comprehension questions.The Quantitative section tests basic math skills and emphasizes data interpretation as well as your ability to understand and apply quantitative skills to solve problems. Types of questions include quantitative comparisons, problem-solving, and data interpretation.The Analytical Writing section tests your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, examine claims and accompanying evidence, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, and control the elements of standard written English. It consists of two written essays: Analyze an Issue Task and Analyze an Argument Task. GRE Scoring How is the GRE scored? The verbal and quantitative subtests yield scores ranging from 130-170, in 1 point increments. Most graduate schools consider the verbal and quantitative sections to be particularly important in making decisions about applicants. The analytical writing section yields a score ranging from 0-6, in half-point increments. How Long Does the GRE Take? The GRE General Test will take 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, plus time for breaks and reading instructions. There are six sections to the GRE One Analytical Writing section with two 30 minute tasks. This section is always the first a test-taker receivesTwo Verbal Reasoning sections (30 minutes each)Two Quantitative Reasoning sections (35 minutes each)One unscored section, typically a Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning section, that may appear at any point in the computer-based GRE revised General TestAn identified research section that is not scored may also be included in the computer-based GRE revised General Test Basic GRE Facts The GRE General is administered by computer year-round.Register to take the GRE at a test center near you.The fee for the GRE is $160 in the US and US Territories, $90 in all other locations.On Test Day arrive 30 minutes early to complete any paperwork. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted and will not be refunded.Bring identification to the test center. Unofficial scores appear on the computer screen following your test. Official scores are mailed to you and the institutions you choose 10 days to two weeks afterward. Plan to take the GRE well in advance of application due dates. Try to take it the spring or summer before you apply to grad school. You can always retake the GRE, but remember that youre allowed to take it only once per calendar month. Prepare well ahead. Consider a GRE prep class.

Persuasive Powers of the Reknown Gandhi and Daldier

Every successful movement through speeches has always conveyed a more in depth message of the writer’s true purpose. There are many ways in which a writer uses rhetorical devices such as diction, style of word arrangement, purpose, and tone in order to achieve his effects upon his audience. Although there are different uses of rhetorical devices in speeches, Mahatma Gandhi’s, â€Å"The Quit India,† and Edouard Daladier’s January 29, 1940 address, â€Å"The Nazi’s Aim is Slavery,† to the people of France, were excellent examples of how an author uses ethos, logos pathos, context and tone. Mahatma Gandhi and Edouard Daladier’s achievement of their intended effects can be clearly seen through their use of these rhetorical devices. Mahatma Gandhi’s†¦show more content†¦Gandhi’s vision for the future of his country’s people and their government is one that uplifts his audience because he envisions a land with freedom for all its inhabitants no matter what their race, social, or religious background. Gandhi states in this quote: I believe that in history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours†¦ But it is my conviction that inasmuch as these struggles were fought with the weapon of violence they failed to realize the democratic ideal. In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master. It is to join struggle for such democracy that I invite you today. Once you realize this you will forget the differences between the Hindus and Muslims, and think of yourselves as Indians only, engaged in the common struggle for independence. The Nazi regime was one of the worst genocide episodes in the history of the world; over six million people were brutally murdered for a cause proposed by a narrow minded power monger who sought to take over the world and impose the existence of a â€Å"pure race,† not only on Europe, but also the whole world. Daladier knew what Adolf Hitler’s grand scheme was and he was going to let it be known to his country and to all those who opposed the Nazi Germany institution. In Daladier’s

How Were Markets and Fairs an Important Part of Medieval Life Free Essays

Lesly Kurian 8 June 2007 â€Å"First of all, there are the hucksters who sell food to the public, the beer sellers, the publicans, and then the weavers. Not far off are the drapers, and then the parchment sellers’ pitch. Then the open space where they sell uncured skins and wool†¦Here comes the people leading the animals- cows, oxen, ewes and pigs, and men selling horses, the best you can buy, mares, foals, and palfreys, suitable for counts and kings. We will write a custom essay sample on How Were Markets and Fairs an Important Part of Medieval Life or any similar topic only for you Order Now † Many people came to buy items from markets and fairs, including the 13th century poet who described a typical market (Pierre and Sabbagh 54). Markets were important to daily life because most of the items people bought there, they couldn’t grow or make themselves. People also made a living by selling goods there. Going to markets also gave people a chance to see goods produced in other towns (MacDonald 8). Markets were held once a week and usually lasted for a day or two (9). Since many towns were built near rivers, merchants could easily come to them and set up stalls and tents (Grant). In the center of town, there was a large space for stalls to be set up. In wealthy towns, markets were held in grand halls or covered by a canvas roof from the weather. In the market, officials checked and measured items and identified fake money (Mac Donald 9). Merchants sold an incredible variety of items for daily life; food, utensils, tools, clothing, art, and combs (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†, MacDonald 8). Rich merchants set up stalls to sell these items. However, peasants who came to sell their goods couldn’t afford stalls, so they were forced to display on the ground. Even worse, they had to pay a tax if they displayed on the ground (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†)! Superstitions were strong in markets too! In a typical market, a cross or holy statue was placed in the center to protect customers from any danger (MacDonald 9)! Eventually, merchants started visiting and trading in other areas. By the 12th century, many became traders and used ships on trade routes (Langley 46). Most traders used ships because they could carry large loads over a long distance versus carts on roads (Grant, MacDonald 11). Items usually transported on ships were wool, metals, timber, oil, wine, and salt (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†). As trade increased, major castles and cities became wealthy. New towns were created during the High Middle Ages because of this immense wealth. Some even became independent of a lord or king’s rule by paying him a tax (Langley 48). As new towns were created, the population grew and some towns grew into major cities, like Paris, Venice, London, and Florence. The increase of trade also provided jobs for many and helped spread ideas around the world. Cities often became contacts and allies because of this (MacDonald 10). One group of contacts was called the Hanseatic League. It linked over 100 towns with each other. This group dominated Northern European trade from the 13th to the 15th centuries (Pierre and Sabbagh 54, Grant). Trading among towns led way to fairs. Fairs were very special occasions because people got to look at and buy foreign and expensive items not sold at markets (MacDonald 9). They gave people a chance to take a break from daily life and enjoy themselves. They were held once a year on a saint’s feast day (Langley 54). Fairs were usually located on the outskirts of town because there was enough grassland for traders to set up their tents and graze their animals (MacDonald 9). Traders from many different lands sold specialty items at fairs. Valuable furs, such as lynx and leopard, were popular. People also took interest in special foods like pig meat and onions. Tools and weapons were also available (Pierre and Sabbagh 54). Entertainment and refreshments was also a large part of fairs. Jugglers, stunts men, acrobats and musicians performed there. Gambling was also part of fairs. Men bet on who would win a fight; wrestlers and dogs against bears and cockfights were popular (â€Å"Markets and Fairs†). Refreshments, especially during hot weather, were enjoyable. Bakers and brewers served pies, or chewets, and beer (Langley 54). There was special fair called the Fairs of Champagne, in France. It went on throughout the whole year without stop. Merchants, traders, and customers alike all flocked there to sell and buy goods. Unfortunately, it ended during war in the 15th century (Pierre and Sabbagh 54). As anyone can see, markets and fairs during Medieval Times were an important part of daily life. They provided needed items for life and occasional luxuries, too. However, not everyone appreciated markets and fairs. Preachers often complained that fairs were held on holy days so people would shop instead of pray! They also believed that markets and fairs were places that people sinned the most; cursing, boasting, lying and arguing all happened there (MacDonald 9). Imagine that! Bibliography Grant, Neil. Everyday Life in Medieval Europe. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media, 2001. Langley, Andrew. Medieval Life. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996. MacDonald, Fiona. Town Life. North Mankato, MN: Smart Apple Media: 2005. Pierre, Michel and Morgan-Antoine Sabbagh. Europe in the Middle Ages. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, 1998. N/A. â€Å"Markets and Fairs† N/A. Online. http://www. xtec. es/crle/02/middle_ages/alumne/index. htm. 20 May 2007. How to cite How Were Markets and Fairs an Important Part of Medieval Life, Papers