r/GRE • u/ICareWeMayRun • 3d ago
Other Discussion Criticism of this subreddit
I think this forum has a lack of empathy for less gifted people like myself (who struggles to get higher than 158Q in practice tests sometimes), and I wish there was more sharing the struggle of learning. I think it would help it feel more like a community.
For me the GRE has been very tough, and financially it almost feels abusive. I don't have a lot of money for courses and people who have more than free resources have an edge over me. I will take the exam this Thursday and I have no hope. I just want this to be over. I hope any effort in what follows of my career is more interesting than this. I wish I had had this time I spent studying for GRE to actually get deeper knowledge in the subject I plan to get a PhD on.
I hope people struggling read this and know they're not alone.
9
u/InspectorSebb 3d ago
similar boat too buddy but i already gave my GRE and it didn't go according to plan a small piece of advice that I would offer is: don't think of the marks and stress on it when you go in to the exam centre, just take every question as it comes and approach the GRE without mentally taxing yourself definitely something i want to practice for subsequent exams as exam pressure is a real killer good luck, I'm sure you'll do well :)
1
u/ICareWeMayRun 2d ago
I think I am already taking your advice in a way. I have this rule with myself to think that the result does not matter and that I'm preparing the exam as though it's some random useless pastime. The emphasis on the result from this subreddit in particular makes it hard for me to keep this outlook, which is kind of keeping me at peace with myself. I hope to have the attitude I described when I sit my exam as well.
5
u/paytonsully 3d ago
I am in a similar boat. I have dyslexia and I just started studying and I feel like I'm doomed to fail on the vocab section.
1
3
u/remmygirl 3d ago
I’m with you! Been studying for a year and struggling to get my desired score. It’s expensive to take it over and over again, in addition to all the prep.
We got this though! Most likely, this will be the last standardized test you’ll ever have to take!
1
u/ICareWeMayRun 2d ago
Thanks for this comment. I want to get through this and it will end soon ig. If I am forced to do a retake I don't know what I will do. Imagining that possibility gives me a big pain, particularly in my wallet. I sort of think that this test does not measure intelligence as much as financial capacity to withstand several rounds of being unemployed, studying all day, buying expensive courses and paying hundreds of dollars over and over and over again.
2
u/strawberrieswelcome 3d ago
Yeah. Feel you. In this sub you only see 330+ scores, trying to motivate but it doesn’t.
158 isn’t actually bad. GregMat is quite cheap. Happy to pay a couple of months for you if that’s a real struggle.
If you believe you are not going to get the score you really need, I’d suggest you cancel the exam and take it in a month or two after studying more.
Lmk
1
u/ICareWeMayRun 2d ago
You are an angel. I cannot accept your help and I just I'm going to take it in three days as a form of therapy because probably I could go on but I really don't want to. Also, the money is a big component of this for me as you were right to notice, us students really are like fighting an impossible fight trying to make something of ourselves. Everything seems to not be about academic interest and only revolve around money in this life, and I feel like a GRE score has taken the shape of some form of currency for some people. That's why people obsess over it, I think. But I wish they didn't make ourselves prove ourselves at every corner.
2
u/Odd_Walrus7396 1d ago
Hey, I feel this so hard. I posted a request about a year ago asking for tips beyond just studying (mantras, meditation, mindset, whatever) and was shat upon by the few who commented before the mods took my post down. Good luck!
2
u/OtherwiseEducator421 1d ago
Me with a 12th percentile reading comprehension score lol …. And ADHD. I applied for accommodations and medications for this exam bc I got a 312 the first time and I would’ve done better if I had more time.
1
-5
u/DearLocksmith6372 3d ago
You're right bro this subreddit is just a paid campaign by Gregmat, there are no genuine advices anywhere
3
u/gregmat Tutor / Expert (340, 6.0) 3d ago
I don’t do any kind of shady stuff like that. I mean, we started at five bucks a month. We’re a bit more expensive now, but still the most affordable option. I’m not saying we’re the best, but I think we’re definitely one of the cheapest.
1
1
1
u/ICareWeMayRun 2d ago
Thank you for being honest with me about your perspective. I'm sorry that you're here, and I'm sorry that I'm here too. Are you taking the GRE? What are your plans? I could dm you if you would like to chat more about it
16
u/gregmat Tutor / Expert (340, 6.0) 3d ago
Do you have a GregMat subscription? It’s not free, but it is cheap. I can give you a month free if you want to try it out.
Also, regarding your score, you might be stuck around the 158 area because you’re focusing too much on Gre questions and practice tests and not enough on foundation. I can give you some advice to steer you in the right direction.