Transcript Developing the Skills to Do Your Best on Standardized Exams Gayle R.

Developing the Skills to Do Your Best
on Standardized Exams
Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Sr. Associate Dean of Graduate Education & Diversity
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Director SMART (college) , SMART PREP (post-bac),
Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (Ph.D. students).
REACH IRACDA (post-docs)
Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX
GRE versus MCAT
Very different tests
General GRE tests general reading, vocabulary,
quantitative, writing and reasoning skills
MCAT - science specific content, reading (heavy
component) and writing
GRE versus MCAT
Reading, writing and logic skills
Important skills for career success
Both assess strategy and characteristics
Ability to assess status and face reality
Ability to develop, revise a plan to improve skills
Discipline to enact the plan
MCAT Facts
MCAT is developed & administered by AAMC
Association of American Medical Colleges
www.aamc.org
click on MCAT
Fee assistance (decrease cost from $225 to $85)
need approval before register
Review of the MCAT
MCAT is being reviewed for changes
Make it more relevant to knowledge needed for med school
Changes expected in 2015
Admission and MCAT Scores
70,000 US students take MCAT each year
More than 43,000 applied to med school in 2010
130 US schools take 18,000 students/year
Chances of getting in are approximately 1 in 3
MCAT scores are a major determinate of admission
Not everyone will get their choice of school
MCAT Score Relevance
+ correlation between MCAT scores and performance in classes
Will take MANY standardized tests as a med student & physician
Are people who graduate from med schools that don’t emphasize
MCAT scores, who fail licensing test
Average MCAT for all US schools in 2008 was 28
Top schools want MCATs in the 30s; some mid 30s
MSTP MD/Ph.D. student average in mid 30s
Hard to get in anywhere with MCAT in the low 20s
MCAT Facts
Computerized test 5hrs, 20 minutes with breaks
Questions on details of basic, not advanced knowledge
Physical sciences (chemistry, physics)
Biological sciences (biology and organic chemistry)
52 questions in 70 minutes (includes 7 reading passages)
Can figure out some questions from passages
Need outside knowledge to answer 13 others; organic chem
MCAT Verbal Reasoning Test
A lot of medical school involves learning by reading
Important score for many schools
Tests comprehension and speed
Tests evaluation, application, incorporation of new material
7 reading passages ~600 words/passage
Can see the passage and the questions ahead of time
40 questions in 60 minutes
MCAT Writing Test
Writing sample
2 questions
60 minutes
Develop an idea, bring together your ideas, present them
logically, write clearly
Advice on preparing for writing essays
Take courses where your writing will be critiqued
Use sample prompts on AAMC site to practice writing
Practice discussing essay topics with friends
MCAT Advice
Take a review course
Almost every student I know who made a good MCAT score…
has taken a review course
Start months in advance
Take one less course than normal when study for MCAT
Use the summer before you take the test to start preparing
If you need major MCAT prep, don’t do a challenging
research program at the same time
MCAT Review Courses
Why take a review course?
People study the MCAT; develop material to help you do your best
Your college courses many not have emphasized what MCAT tests
You need an organized plan of study
You need to review effectively
You need to do some study with others; help you see things differently
Alternate MCAT Prep
MCAT Exam Krackers
$110 from Amazon.com
Review materials (less fear based than Kaplan or Princeton)
www.mcat-bookstore.com
10 real 5 hour MCAT tests
$35/test- get answers
Take a practice test Saturday; review answers on Sunday
MCAT Diagnostic Tests
Why take practice/diagonostic tests? (Use old tests; AAMC practice test)
Need a realistic appraisal of your status
Carefully review test results
Need to practice the skills and check on mastery of knowledge
May need to change your review plan based on 2nd or 3rd diagnostic
Need to practice taking the test
Manipulations, dealing with stress, building muscles
Developing Skills to Do Your Best
on the Graduate Record Exam
Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D.
Sr. Associate Dean of Graduate Education & Diversity
Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
Director SMART (college) , SMART PREP (post-bac),
Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (Ph.D. students).
REACH IRACDA (post-docs)
Laurie Connor, PhD.
Instructional Manager for Grad School Diversity Programs
Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX
Graduate Record Exam
This PowerPoint will be posted on
http://www.bcm.edu/smart
next week, Nov 15
Graduate Record Exam
GRE is developed and administered by ETS
(Educational Testing Service)
www.gre.org
Check frequently for updates on changes
Select General GRE details; News; Revised test
Graduate Record Exam
Skills you develop in preparing for the GRE
can be crucial to success as a scientist
Reading skills
More sophisticated vocabulary - new vocab in field
Logical, quantitative skills
Writing skills - analyze issues and arguments
Why Do GRE Scores Matter?
Graduate school applicants’ majors, courses,
difficulty and currency of courses differ
greatly
A 3.6 GPA is not equal from all schools
GRE scores are the only data that are
consistent between schools
Why Do GRE Scores Matter?
GRE scores have limited predictive value in
identifying talented scientists, but graduate
schools and fellowship committees use GRE
scores to varying extents to make decisions
regarding selection of students. Very low GRE
scores do have predictive value in identifying
deficits in skills and knowledge.
How Much Do GRE Scores Matter?
Varies with school; ask dean at school
Only one component of your application
Research/practical experience very important
Letters of recommendation from people
familiar with intellectual ability
familiar with research potential
Strength and breath of courses
General Graduate Record Exam
Given year-round currently
Testing centers (listed on web site)
On computer, unless special circumstances
May take multiple times in a year
15 day delay in getting official verbal & quantitative
scores; unofficial scores when take test
Results on writing sent later
What is a good GRE score?
Analytical writing is scored 0-6; 6 is best
5 is a good score; solid scientific writing
5.5-6 is a great score, but 6 is not necessary
Scale for verbal and quantitative have changed
Now 130-170, so schools will use percentiles
70th percentile is strong
A few schools want 90th percentile scores
Can I Raise My GRE Scores?
Can I Raise My GRE Scores?
Many students who use the SMART GRE Prep
strategies gain points on the V,Q, writing
components by increasing test familiarity and skills
Some students gain many points on verbal score:
some only study 20 minutes/day, but study for weeks
Resources for Preparing for the GRE
ETS website:http://www.gre.org
Changes, information, sample questions, diagnostic tools
GRE PowerPrep software: free download
Take tests and get scaled and percentile scores
ETS Diagnostic service ($15): ~85 questions
No scaled score; feedback on strengths and weaknesses
ScoreItNow! ($10) Online Writing Practice for two essays
Review books: many with CDs of practice tests
ETS, Cambridge, Kaplan, Princeton, Cliff’s Notes
Prep courses: commercial or on-campus
Preparing for the GRE
Rule # 1 Understand the test; know what to expect
Check-out the GRE web site (updates on changes)
Understand the structure and rules of test
Take diagnostic test(s)
Make a personalized study plan: work on weaknesses
Build your skills and knowledge
Take practice tests - some on a computer
Effective Use of Scratch Paper
You cannot take calculators into the test
You cannot take paper into the test
Testing center will provide 6 p scratch paper
You may write anything you can remember on
the “scratch” paper, even before the test
starts (math formulas)
You must turn in your “scratch” paper
Effective Use of Scratch Paper
Need to prevent confusion about your decisions
Make a “grid” before the test starts
Mark out each answer that can’t be right
a
b
c
d
e
X
X
?
X
? Choose
If answer is obvious, don’t need to review all choices
a
b
c
d
e
X
yes
Rules for Answering Questions
Answer the questions in any order
Confirm each answer
Can skip a question and come back to it, but
need to keep straight what you skipped; list
Can change answers anytime
Best Strategy
Answer the easiest ? first, then harder
General Strategies for
Improving GRE Scores
You can improve your GRE scores with study
Skills you develop preparing for the GRE will
benefit you
Use results of diagnostic exams to focus study -analyze your test results
Create a personal study plan
Some individual study, some group study
General Strategies for
Preparing for the GRE
Use multiple review books, CDs: share
Take as many practice tests as feasible
Learn the directions
Learn how to recognize answers you can
eliminate (Power Of Elimination)
Train physically as well as mentally
Strengthen back, neck muscles and stamina
Diagnostic Testing for the GRE
Take a diagnostic test; study your responses
Do not freak out and give up if your
first scores are disappointing
Need more than just a score, need to know
what areas to strengthen; analyze what you
missed - geometry?, author’s perspective?
Develop a plan designed to strengthen your
weaknesses
Diagnostic Testing for the GRE
Computer tests
From GRE web site or PowerPrep, CDs
From review books (old tests OK)
Timed pencil and paper test
Untimed pencil and paper tests
Why take paper and pencil
diagnostic tests?
Types of questions are the same
Easy to check your answers
Timed pencil and paper test
follow same rules for computer test
Untimed pencil and paper tests
tests knowledge base
no “I ran out of time” excuse
Comparing Diagnostic GRE Scores
Compare computer, timed and untimed test results
If computer is lower than timed paper…
need practice on computer test taking
If untimed is much higher than timed…
need to improve test taking skills
If untimed is not higher than timed or computer…
need to focus on skills building
If scores <30% on all test forms: need skills building
CAT Verbal Test
A test of verbal reasoning skills.
This test requires knowledge of vocabulary words,
the ability to use them appropriately in context,
and knowledge of the relationship of words.
This test requires reading about topics and ideas
and answering questions about them.
Components of the
GRE Verbal Test
Sentence/text completion
Sentence equivalence
Reading comprehension
Much more focus on reading (10 passages)
Use computer to highlight some answers
No analogies or antonyms
Components of the
GRE Verbal Test
Sentence completion has been structured
to decrease guessing
Sometimes 9 choices, not 5
Reading comprehension has been
emphasized more: read a lot as a
scientist
Doing Well on the
GRE Verbal Test
Build vocabulary
Practice reading passages
Improving Verbal GRE Scores
Building Vocabulary
Learn the most commonly encountered words
Learn root words, prefixes, suffixes
Learn relationships of words
Make flash cards! It works!!
Practice your new words; speak GREse
Read at a more advanced level (dictionary in hand)
Improving Verbal GRE Scores
If you start with a low verbal score (<30%)
…read Tooth and Nail by
Charles Elster and Joseph Elliot
Mystery novel set on college campus
Written for helping students improve SAT
verbal scores (glossary in back)
Order from Amazon.com or other site
Vocabulary Building for the GRE
Learn prefixes, suffixes, root words
mis- (wrong) mistake, misplace, misappropriate,
misconstrue, miser
Create tree relationships of words - use flash cards
store
Similar relationship (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
stock reposit accumulate hoard
depository
Opposite relationships
waste consumption deplete exhaust ephemeral
Vocabulary Building for the GRE
Encourage each other to use their new words with each
other - in regular conversation or just come up and say
a sentence with a new word.
Use more sophisticated vocabulary in talking, but explain
what the word means. For example, the erudite
scholar often presented explanations that were so
obtuse that no one understood them.
Sentence/Text Completion
Goal: Find the best word or set of words that
completes a sentence based on the
context cues
Vocabulary building is still the key
Can read the sentence(s)
Look at choices given to select answer(s)
Sentence Completion
Need to focus on “signal “or “cue” words
similar: and, comparably, likewise, similarly, therefore, thus
correct choice will be like words
contrasting: although, but, despite, however, in contrast, or,
on the other hand, rather, unfortunately, unless, while, yet
correct choice will be words that differ in meaning
time frame: afterward, heretofore, previously, subsequently
versions of no: no, not, not ever, never, under no
circumstance
Sentence Completion
For two or three blank sentences you may
need to start with one answer and see if
it fits, then see if the other fits
Can eliminate some choices because first
obviously doesn’t fit
May fill in the second or third blank first
Careful, some choices make sense for one half
of the sentence, but not the other
Sentence Completion
Some questions have two or three blanks
Some questions may have a chart from which you click
on the right answers
The -----scholar presented-----that were so ------that no
one understood them.
erudite
persuasive
dispirited
rationales
explanations
information
smart
clear
obtuse
Sentence Completion
Think about “good” versus “bad” words
Even if you don’t remember the meaning of a
word exactly, you may know if the word
represents something good or bad
The tone of the sentence will give you clues as
to the right “emotion”
If you don’t know the meaning of some of the
words, eliminate any choices that you can; use
prefixes, suffixes, root words for clues
Reading Comprehension
Test appearance
The GRE reading sections will be passages of
different length; most are short
Some will be too long for all of the passage to
appear on the screen at once.
You may have to scroll up and down on the
screen the see parts of the passage.
The questions will appear one at a time.
Reading Comprehension
1. Be an active reader
Most of the time people read passively, that is they
don’t pay enough attention to grasp what they are
reading. You must comprehend – not learn - what you
are reading. You must be a very active reader.
Think about what you are reading. Paraphrase
confusing or complicated parts. Ask yourself questions
as you are reading. When you do these things, you
don’t just absorb the passage, you attack it. Jot down
what seem to be important points – often names - with
a line number.
Reading Comprehension
Making notes - no you can’t write on the
computer screen - use scratch paper
You need just enough of a reminder to find
something in a long paragraph.
Working out a system of abbreviations and
numbering ahead of time as you review
material and take practice tests will be very
valuable.
Reading Comprehension
2. Identify the main idea of the passage
Almost every passage has a main idea. Keep
the main idea of the passage in mind while
reading or answering questions. Wrong answers
will often be inconsistent with the “big picture.”
Reading Comprehension
3. Recognize the sense of each paragraph
Long passages are organized in paragraphs. Jot down
phrases and a main idea for each paragraph on your
scratch paper with a nearby line number denoted, for
example, “25 faunal migration” for information that starts
on line 27 about faunal (animal) migration. If you need to
refer back to the passage for details to answer a
question, you will know how to find the information
without rereading the entire passage.
Reading Comprehension
4. Don’t try to “learn”/remember the passage
On standardized tests you only need to retain
information long enough to answer the
questions. Many of the details in the passage
are completely unnecessary for answering the
questions. It is ineffective to read the passage
for detail. You can, and should, go back to find
the detailed information that is needed to
answer a specific question.
Reading Comprehension
5. GRE tends to avoid overly emotional
language and absolute statements
Eliminate answers based on words like never, always
Eliminate phrases that are derogatory to groups of people
unless the passage contains statements like…
“according to the author…”
“it is generally believed…”
“at that time some people thought…”
Reading Comprehension
7. Use the passage to select your answers
Everything that you need to answer the questions is
provided by the passage. Be cautious in using
outside knowledge. The author of the passage
may have a very different perspective from
views with which you are familiar. Remember
some questions ask, “According to the author…”
Reading Comprehension
Make outlines of the points in practice passages
Encourage friends to create study groups and
discuss passages with each other
Encourage friends to play “games” in which they
pretend to have different viewpoints
Get a list of books that educated people should read
Quantitative Test
Test of quantitative reasoning skills
Key knowledge areas include basic concepts, procedures
and reasoning related to:
arithmetic, algebra, geometry (less), probability, statistics
General exam does not include problems that include
trigonometry or calculus
Exam includes interpretation of graphs and reading problems
GRE Quantitative Test
Most important score for science programs
To do your best on the quantitative test
Use math reviews; ETS, Kaplan, Princeton
Take practice tests
Limit calculations, use logic when
appropriate, scratch paper
GRE Quantitative Test
Four choice quantitative comparisons
Choose relationship of choice A to B
Possible answers
<, >, =, cannot be determined
Five choice problem solving, some reading problems
Interpreting different types of graphs and charts
Some exact calculations; calculator on computer
Decreases guessing
GRE Quantitative Test
Most of math is a review for science majors
Math reviews are very helpful
Practice problems - word problems
Geometry emphasizes logical thinking
Need to review formulas for area and
circumference, sides of triangles, etc.
Graphs and charts - review types, practice
GRE Quantitative Test
Geometry emphasizes logical thinking
Weird figures are composites of circles, triangles;
break them into forms for which you can
calculate sides, etc
All of the data you need is really there
May need to calculate shaded when all data is for
unshaded area
GRE Quantitative Test
Review math symbols: =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥, ∑
Review formulas: a2 + b2 = c2
y = mx + b
Math: square roots, exponents, decimals,
fractions, factoring, consecutive integers,
positive X negative, primes, ect.
Memorize common values: π, square roots,
common triangle sides (3,4,5)
GRE Quantitative Test
Don’t be panicked by variables, even strange ones
Some questions require you to input answers;
calculator on computer
For many questions you approximate; give choices
Learn to approximate without lengthy calculations
You can eliminate many answers quickly
Use common sense; check the units
Most common errors involve decimal points
GRE Quantitative Test
Always simplify; this is sometimes all that is
needed to determine the correct answer.
Break down your computation into
workable steps.
15/45
= 5x3/15x3 = 5x3/5x3x3 = 1/3
4x2 (y4)/16x(2y2) =
GRE Quantitative Test
Always simplify; this is sometimes all that is
needed to determine the correct answer.
Break down your computation into
workable steps.
15/45
= 5x3/15x3 = 5x3/5x3x3 = 1/3
4x2 (y4)/16x(2y2) = x(y2)/4(2) = xy2/8
GRE Quantitative Test
Read the entire question carefully before
embarking on the math
Don’t assume the figures are drawn to scale unless
specifically stated. Draw! A picture is always
worth a thousand words.
You can work backwards from answer choices
if necessary. Try starting with the middle value.
Assign values to variables if time allows.
GRE Quantitative Test
Mostly pie, bar and line graphs. Practice with them.
You may not see all of the graphs needed on the screen at the
same time. May need to scroll.
Don’t assume graphs are drawn to scale.
Don’t assume graphs start at 0; are a continuous scale.
Check the units on the axis versus the info given, question
GRE Analytical Writing Assessment
The assessment consists of two analytical writing
tasks, graded 0-6 (draft, not final, writing)
Scoring guide is the same - 5 good scientific writing
“Prompts” for each task are published on the GRE
web site (www.gre.org)
“Analyze an Argument” task: 30 minute time limit
More directed response
“Analyze an Issue” task: 30 minute time limit
Changed from “Your Perspective on an Issue”
Analyze an Issue
Since August, 2011 - one issue topic
“Analyze an Issue” task
Prompts are on the GRE website
30-minute time limit
Given instructions for focus for your essay
One of 6 sets of directions
Analyze an Issue
Changed to be more specific in the type of response
Instructions on specific focus for your answer
Agree or disagree, but must address focus (3 examples)
“…consider ways in which the statement might or might not
hold true and explain how these considerations shape your
position”
“…specific circumstances in which adopting the
recommendation would or would not be advantageous and
explain how these examples shape your position”
“…in developing and supporting your position, you should
consider the possible consequences of implementing the
policy and explain how these consequences shape your
position”
Strategies for the
Issue Task
Pick a position; any position
Agree, disagree, partially agree or disagree
Showing complexities of issue is good
Must follow instructions given in directions
Clearly state your position
Make logical, well organized statements
Need multiple examples
Strategies for the
Analyze an Issue Task
Have discussions about the prompts; in class,
while you wait for class to start, over lunch or
while walking with a friend
Use Criterion (http://www.ets.org) to submit
essays that can be computer graded
($15/person, minimum 50 people)
Analyze an Argument
“Analyze an Argument” task: 30-minutes
You will NOT have a choice of “Argument” topics,
but will be given an argument to analyze.
The “Argument” task presents a different
challenge from that of the “Issue” task. It
requires you to critique a given argument by
discussing how well reasoned you find it. You
will need to consider the logical soundness of the
argument rather than to agree or disagree with
the position it presents.
Analyze an Argument
This task requires you to critique someone
else’s argument by assessing its claims and
evaluating the evidence it provides.
Argument Topics: are based on a range of
familiar subjects and situations. Argument topics
draw upon the desired critical thinking and
analytical writing abilities. No topic requires
specific content knowledge, need general
knowledge.
“Analyze an Argument” Assessment
“Analyze an Argument” task: 30 minute time limit
Read a brief passage and analyze it with specific instructions
Website lists 7 possible kinds of instructions
Review this and study the types of instructions (3 examples)
Examine stated or unstated assumptions
What questions would need to be asked to …
Provide alternative explanations
Study sample scored responses on the GRE website
Practice writing responses using the prompts on website each set instructions - get scored, if can
Psyching Up -- Pumping Up
for the GRE
Treat the GRE like you’re training for the Olympics
Assess your mental frame of mind during test taking
Learn to alter your mental attitude; experiment with
mental images; find those that work; practice
Don’t forget final preparation; week before, test day
Maintaining Motivation
Envision your dreams
life,
career,
contribution to community, world