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https://preview.redd.it/y7d1tqwjfdr31.jpg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e38b30cd0612b0ac0fb19dd3d8c4ce8a3196458

Preparation: I started to study for the GRE exam starting in mid-August after realizing that I had no many options left about my future. I'm a international student currently studying in the US, so after two weeks of studying, classes started. I am in my senior year so on top of the GRE I had research, papers, and work to balance.

I started using the official GRE material from the very beginning. It took me a week to finish it and I started doing Kaplan, but quickly realized it didn't help much. At first, I could barely do any Verbal question right. So I started to do vocabulary lists like Magoosh, PowerScore, and for strategy I followed u/gregmat's videos (huge shoutout btw). It seems that improvements were made. I didn't look much into Quant since I could get all the questions right on the GRE prep without trying, after all I am studying engineering and I can solve differential equations blindfolded (not trying to brag). AWA is were I completely skipped. On the day before of the exam, I watch some of the AWA videos so I could understand what format to write to. I took the PowerPrep1 on the same day and got 156V/164Q

Test Day: The format was VQVQV. The test was alright, I only got stuck on Verbal sections, and coming up with AWA arguments were a little bit difficult, after all I had little practice. The only complains are the test environment. The keyboard is not only load, but also uncomfortable to use (I'm used to mechanical keyboard). The mouse was not better, but it only served one function so it is a pass. What I actually struggled on the exam was to manage time. I haven't practice enough to do questions efficiently. I can do any problem if given more time, so I will need to work on that.

Post-test: The GRE gave me an unofficial 156V/162Q. They added an extra 1 point to the official result. I was hoping for a better Quant score, but I guess under pressure I don't perform as well. Today I got my AWA score and wasn't impressed or surprised. I am trying to aim for at least a 4.0.

The next GRE test that fits my schedule is by the end of November, which I don't know if there is any room left for graduate school applications, on top of my current duties and also the FE exam. I'm pretty much cornered, so I'm open to suggestions on what to do or how to improve.

Good luck to the fellow GRE test-takers.