Gre Powerprep Software: Test Preparation for the Gre General Test, Version 2.0 CD-ROM – CD-ROM, November 1, 1999

For anyone that is going to register the test, dont buy this software 'cause ETS will give you one for free when you register the test. Only buy this software when you plan to take the test half or one year later.

Is this only with me? I plugged the power-prep CD in Windows-2000 and what was waiting for me when I opened the setup.exe was unbelivable! The System font became so big and ugly, it even changed my desktop view! I wonder if the actual GRE Environment is similar to this and ETS wants us to practice it with real screens ! It is so horrible to work with. Does anyone know of a solution?Definetly u shouldn't but it anywhere when u can download free of cost from ETS web site.-Sushma

The program is good for preparing you for the actual test. Same type of format and good ways to prepare for the GRE.

This will provide you with an extremely accurate picture of how you will do on test day. More importantly, practicing with a test identical to the type you will actually encounter can give you an extra edge on speed, which is a key consideration. I recommend taking the practice pre-test questions and BOTH practice CATs provided with the software at least twice each (I found the questions did change) and reviewing your mistakes until you understand where you went wrong. I also recommend supplementing this with the printed text put out by ETS, the ARCO 30 days to the GRE (for its easy, concise "mapping" strategy for the Analytical section; its Verbal and Quant. sections are kind of lame.) and at least two other general prep books. (Kaplan, Barron's, and The GRE For Dummies were all pretty useful--especially for the Quant. Memorize all those special right triangles! And be sure you know how to manipulate exponents. ETS had the best verbal practice passages. Most of the books had pretty good long lists of obscure words to memorize.)When I took the GRE, I scored 800 on the Verbal, 780 on the Quantitative, and 700 on the Analytical--and yes, I am indecently pleased about it. This is also an increment of proof that determinedly studying/practicing for the GRE can significantly raise your scores.

I have a masters degree in EE and applying for Ph.d. The real exam is quite close to the software samples. My scores on the samples were very close to the ones on the actual test. However, this software is primarily helpful in assesing one's ability rather than preparing the student. If you wish to know how you would score on the "real thing" then it is a must buy!

Ask yourself this one question. Who is most likely to prepare a practice test most similar to the real test? I don't think anyone knows the GRE any better than the makers of the test itself - ETS. The Powerprep software isn't instrumental in teaching you the skills you need for the exam, but it is priceless in giving you the opportunity to see how you'll do on the real test. It is exactly like the real exam and indeed should be - it's a former test! In any event, if for no other reason than to give you confidence about the types of questions you'll actually see and the format in which you'll actually see them, you should purchase this software. It's an exact replica of the real thing. Kaplan and others do a respectable job of simulating questions and attempting to calculate the computer adaptive scores, but in the end, no one tops ETS itself. I recommend taking one of the two CATs on the CD-ROM at the beginning of your preparation and the other at the end, just prior to taking the real exam. Even if your practice CAT scores are not as high as you'd like, at least you'll have a realistic (and accurate) expectation going into the test center on exam day. Good luck.

This software was very helpful in that it was on the computer and not a printed text. The practice questions on this software helped to identify my weaknesses and the explanations for the correct answers were also convenient. I do recommend, however, that you supplement this software with a printed text such as the Princeton Review or Kaplan's GRE prep. The text's give you more questions to practice with and you know the old saying "Practice makes perfect." If you buy this software you will be ahead of anyone who doesn't because you will actually get a glimpse of what the real thing is like.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:I am a professional instructor of GRE, GMAT, etc., and I have to say that ETS got it right this time! If only they would release more software like this, we would all be much happier.The biggest problem with most of the other products out there is that they invariably have mistakes, have questions unlike those you will see on the real test, or give you a score that has nothing to do with the score you'll get on the real test. Furthermore, in every other book or software program now published, the math will be easy if you are scoring in the 90%ile and above. This product has NONE of these problems--you will get hard problems if you are good in math; and, since this product is "fresh," it contains material similar to that currently on the tests. Some of the older materials are outdated and contain questions of a type no longer tested on the GRE.So, and I almost hate to say it, this software is PERFECT! Well, almost perfect--the only real drawbacks are that you CANNOT review your answers after the test and there are no explanations. However, this program contains two full, actual tests--the score you get on this will be your real score. Even after you take the two tests, you could actually take them a few more times--the program actually contains something like a thousand questions and each time you take the test, you get a different variety of questions, depending on your level/performance.In a word, this is a GREAT product. I wish there were more like it!Good luck on your test!