OK, I have been a naughty monkey, and not posted anything about my GREs last week.
After I posted and left for the exam, the boy gave me a ride down to the testing site, which was just outside of Penn Station. Traffic sucked and my tummy wasn't happy, which reflected how seriously nervous I was. I spent the car ride working on Quantitative Math problems, hoping some last minute preparation would make a difference.
I arrived and started the check in process. My exam was slotted for 3:30, and it was a 4 hour slot. The check in process was hysterical, which frustrated and relaxed me at the same time -- I was to copy "NOT PRINT" an entire paragraph stating that I understand the GRE policies, and will adhere to them or else I could forfeit my scores, yadda yadda...
My cursive looks like it was written by an epileptic in mid fit with their off hand.
After the cursive debacle, I got the key to my locker where I was to put my bag, soda, etc. I tied my sweater around my waist, which had my tissues, lotion, and chapstick zipped in the pocket because it was recommended that I bring layers in case the lab was cold. The woman behind the desk told me that I could not have it around my waist -- no loose fitting clothes -- and that I would have to wear it or put it away.
Reluctantly I put it on, worrying that I would be too hot, but I'd rather be too hot than too cold -- and sans my comfort kleenex.
It was 3:10. I was instructed to sit in chairs and wait to be called, and that I had to put my GRE study guide away. Baffled and naively, I asked "But... but... my slot is 3:30. I have 20 minutes..." The woman shook her head and said that I would get called sooner, I can't sit in the waiting room to read my guide while I wait. No more last minute studying for me... so I just sat and twiddled my thumbs with watery anxious eyes.
Now I was sworn not to repeat any questions I was asked... but I was already thrown off because I was under the impression that my analytical writing portion would be at the end... but no - it was at the beginning. I hate it when things get rescheduled suddenly...
The first essay was to give my impression/opinion on a certain topic, and the second essay was to analyze an argument for its validity. I won't get my scores back for a little bit, but I think my content on both were good, but perhaps too short considering the time I was given.
Then came the quantitative and verbal portions... The quantitative was down to the wire, I had 1 question left with 40secs to go... luckily I had clicked on an answer before the timer ran out and the computer asked me if I wanted that one recorded as clicked... I hope it was right :-P After the verbal portion I did an experimental verbal section -- which was odd because everything I read said that test takers would be unaware of which of the 3 sections would be experimental, but here I was being told that what I was about to do was only being used for research.
I got my scores on the math and verbal immediately, 610 verbal 670 math -- which surprised me... considering that when I took the math portion on cdrom I barely could finish all the questions, and barely broke 400. So, a 1280 combined... I wasn't sure how that really rates -- but according to my googling and confirmed [hypothetical] googling by the very sweet
loch_nessie 1280 is really not too shabby. More to the point - it's right on par with what the grad school I am applying to is looking for.
So... in another window, right now, I am working on my personal statement, and will be sending that in shortly... well... not really that shortly... I need my smart peeps to give it the once over and make sure there is enough grad-school-ego-stroking without sounding too sycophantic.
And there you have it.