GRE

Today I took the plunge and did (hopefully) my last standardized test. I knew I hated them when I applied to college, and the graduate school one is just as bad. Luckily, it was the GRE, which from what former roommates have told me is the least damaging of the big four (GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT). Still, I probably should have prepped a little more than I did.

My rigorous preparation schedule started in Italy. Isn’t Italy the place where everyone is supposed to start thinking about standardized tests? What better inculturation method is there than to think of standardized things in one of the least standardized countries in Western Europe?!? I’m only half joking; the writings I did for my website in Italy were some of THE BEST preparation I could have done for the Writing Analysis section of the test. Two essays in 45 and 30 minutes respectively? Not a problem! I did a five paragraph analysis of a dinner in under 10 minutes when I was over there!

The Writing Analysis section had to have been my best; I’m calling that one right now. The GRE is in a format one would think I would enjoy. It’s administered on computers; it’s incredibly close to the SAT (my favorite test for the college app. process); it’s adaptive so that the questions get progressively harder or easier or back again depending on how you do. I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more (well, besides the Writing section) had I done this version four years ago.

Not taking a math class at TCU probably wasn’t the best way to study for the Quantitative section. Sure, bringing math credits into college is great for letting one concentrate on courses they want to take; it’s not great, however, for keeping up with the skills. Oh well, I think I did well enough to get in.

Of the four schools I’m applying to, only one requires the GRE for the Master of Divinity degree. I have all of my campus visits scheduled:
Brite Divinity School – Ft. Worth, TX – February 9-10
Lexington Theological Seminary – Lexington, KY – February 13-14
Vanderbilt University – Nashville, TN – February 15-16
University of Chicago – Chicago, IL – February 20-21

Maybe the only thing that topped the ambiguous feeling I had after the exam was my laughing on the car ride home on how I prepared for it. I spent 45 minutes reading the suggested advice and then spent the rest of the time watching a hopeful combination in someone at the school I go to = “Beauty and the Geek 2: Casting Call.” That show may become a new favorite. I caught the marathon of season 1 last year, but there’s something to be said for having a regular, habitual thing to do. That’s probably not the best way to keep myself grounded, but at least it’s funny!