Books for Prep | |
 - It got the job doneBought this study guide and passed my exam with 97%... since I was a vet major so all my coursework and knowledge is concentrated in life sciences and not English, I would have to say that it works! Rating:  - What a waste of time/money!The standardized test prep version of a placebo. Only gave it one star because zero isn't an option. The two positive reviews are hilarious propaganda. Nobody could rate this book so highly... no one preparing for the GRE Literature in English subject test, at least. Basically, the prep materials at the beginning are ok, but they aren't so great that you need to buy this in addition to the Princeton Review book... the latter will be just fine. The practice tests are worse than nothing, for this simple reason: they do not accurately simulate the types and depth of questions that will be on the actual test, so they provide test-taking practice that is ill-focused. Honestly, this test is enough of a handful... who needs to make things more complicated? While it is true that there is very little out there to replace the REA book (in the sense that it promises 3 practice tests), I must say that I regret having purchased it and prefer to move forward with my own skills and knowledge, coupled with what is out there in the way of actual prep materials. Rating:  - there's gotta be something better out therei have Kaplan and REA study guides to prep for the gre, and i have to say i am not in love with this guide. in terms of reading lists this is really thorough, but those are available onlone for free. so save the money, buy another version and good luck Rating:  - Very comprehensive!This is a great book! The review is substantial and there are 3 practice tests. While I understand that many previous reviewers are not happy with REA removing 3 practice tests from the first edition (which had a total of 6), they also replaced them with review chapters. The first edition was only a book of practice tests. I have sat for the actual test once already and I think the questions are exactly the types that are asked. The review chapters won't be enough to review, but no one book ever will be. You will have to pull out all of your Norton Anthologies and read for months. And I seriously recommend a course in literary theory to anyone who is still enrolled in school. There's no way around it. This test is getting harder. Just try one practice test before reviewing all that much and you will see what I'm talking about. Rating: - Illogical Questions and an Inaccurate RepresentationThe review material and explanations were scarce and hardly helpful. The test questions ignored many aspects of the test (including grammar questions and general theory questions) while stressing elements that are not tested on the real ETS version of the test. In fact many of the questions I found many of the test questions to be illogical compared to the real test (In a few cases more than one answer could have been arguably the correct answer). Another aspect of this book that I found annoying was the layout; many of the questions and/or passages were cut off and continued on the next page. This is extremely annoying and distracting while your taking the "practice" tests. The only redeeming quality of this book is that it will give a literary workout of sorts--even if its not giving you questions that might be found on the real GRE Lit test. I suggest going for the Princeton Review book following their advice and taking their test as a diagnostic. Also, take the test that the ETS sends to get an accurate picture of what the test will be like. In association with Amazon.com | |