Though we tailor our services to each client's unique needs, the following is a
typical GRE preparation package. It includes twenty-four hours of in-person time
(not including the Initial Meeting) and another ten hours of online/phone
support time. Longer, more detailed, or alternately focused packages
can be created as needed.
INTRODUCTION
Initial Meeting : Getting To Know You (1-2 hrs)
Review results
of diagnostic GRE student took at home. Set goals related to test taking,
admissions, and work load.
TOPIC 1: QUANTITATIVE
Lesson 1 : The Four-Step Method (2.5 hrs)
Introduction to and use of Focused Coaching's
four-step method for solving math problems.
Lesson 2 : Quantitative Comparison (2 hrs)
Which short-cuts work
in comparison questions and which do not; solving thoroughly; review Method as
applied to comparisons.
Lesson 3 : Data Interpretation (2 hrs)
"Discrete" math questions
and data interpretation questions: graphs, charts, and statistics.
TOPIC 2: VERBAL
Lesson 1 : Antonyms, Analogies, & Sentence Completion (2.5 hrs)
Vocabulary assessment and guided
expansion. Describing and applying relationships between words in analogy and sentence
completion questions. What analogous does not mean.
Lesson 2 : Reading "Between" the Lines (2.5 hrs)
Breaking down reading comprehension structurally:
learning where to look for answers in reading passages; learning to pre-answer
after locating information in the passages.
Lesson 3 : Tone (1.5 hrs)
Understanding tone in reading
comprehension and sentence completion sections.
TOPIC 3: WRITING
Lesson 1 : Structural Approach to Essay Writing (2 hrs)
Structured approach to writing. The four-part
structure of a paragraph and the three part structure of an essay. Introduction
to the “Rule of Three.” Do a detailed outline of a GRE essay
question together.
Lesson 2 : The Two Essay Types (2 hrs)
Successful approaches to
"Issue" and "Argument" GRE essay question types. Do a detailed outline of an
essay for each type.
TOPIC 4: TEST TAKING STRATEGY
Lesson 1 : Not All Questions Are Created Equal (1 hr)
Become familiar with the
software interface for computer-based GRE. Pacing and the GRE's adaptive question selection
and scoring.
Lesson 2 : Strategy and Method Review (2 hrs)
Review test taking strategy. Determine
student-specific strategy for test taking and effective guessing.
Become familiar with software for computer-based GRE.
REMAINING TIME
Final 4 hours should be used for fine-tuning during
the week immediately before the exam.
