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GRE Bites

English, Education, 1 season, 71 episodes, 6 hours, 3 minutes
About
GRE Bites offers listeners a weekly, relevant, bite-sized episode on GRE prep and grad school admissions. It’s co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE, the world’s only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. The mission of the podcast is to help listeners ace the GRE and get into the graduate program of their choice.
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Exciting news from Stellar! (get ready for the new GRE)

Today's episode is a brief announcement in which I share some exciting news: Stellar is now fully updated for the new, shorter version of the GRE! Not only has the manual and mock exams received an overhaul, but several new features have been added to the product to help students achieve their target scores even faster than before. Get started for free today, and see for yourself! Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
11/22/20232 minutes, 32 seconds
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Episode 70: How to solve a text completion question (a real-time demonstration)

In today's episode, Orion solves a single-blank text completion question in real-time using strategies from the Stellar system. With sufficient practice, students should be able to solve vocab-based questions like this in less than a minute -- though active use of the relevant techniques may be necessary to achieve this outcome. Efficient solution of vocab-based questions is essential to bank enough time to sufficiently read the texts associated with the reading comprehension questions. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
11/8/20238 minutes, 10 seconds
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Episode 69: Japan’s method of reducing error (the point-and-call system)

The railroad system in Japan is one of the most efficient and complex in the world. It's also one of the safest, and major accidents -- let alone delays -- are almost non-existent. In today's episode, Orion shares one of Japan Railway's secrets for ensuring close attention to detail under demanding time tables: the point-and-call system. The rest of the episode is devoted to discussing the implications of this system for reducing carelessness on the GRE. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
11/1/20239 minutes, 1 second
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Episode 68: What are the GRE subject tests? (and why to take them)

Since the GRE general test is the most commonly required standardized test for a graduate school application, many people aren't even aware that the GRE subject tests exist. In today's episode, we discuss what these tests are, how they differ from the GRE general test, and why anyone in their right mind might sit for them -- especially if they are not a required component of a grad school application. Listen to learn more. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
10/25/20237 minutes, 21 seconds
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Episode 67: Can artists do math? (lack of knowledge can be an asset)

Davis and Orion respond to another question from a listener in today's episode of GRE Bites. The request is from a student with an arts background who is concerned about his ability to score highly on the quantitative section of the test. Apparently, math has never come easy for him, and he is worried that this time around won't be any different. Is it possible for folks who even struggle with the fundamentals of math to score highly on the GRE? Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
10/18/20238 minutes, 53 seconds
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Episode 66: Is there hope for low-scorers? (getting a 320 if you’re not a high-performer)

In today's episode, Orion and Davis respond to an email from a listener who is concerned as to whether her GRE goals are attainable, despite not being a "high-performer." While some folks tend to have an easier time of things than others, Orion reassures her that achieving a 160 on each section of the test is within the capabilities of the vast majority of students. In fact, awareness of one's own relative deficits can be an asset, as it's not possible to pour into a full cup. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
10/11/20238 minutes, 50 seconds
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Episode 65: Eliminating transfer errors (practical steps to reduce carelessness)

Transfer errors are the second-most common type of careless error on the GRE. Like all forms of carelessness, these errors can be enormously frustrating, as they prevent students from receiving points they otherwise deserve. In this episode, Orion shares several actionable strategies for reducing transfer errors that require absolutely no training. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
10/4/20238 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 64: Getting an excellent letter of recommendation (the sure-fire approach)

Letters of recommendation are essential components of any grad school application. We all know they're supposed to be glowing endorsements of your ability. But isn't that true of everyone else's? So how can you get your letters to stand out from the rest? In this episode, Orion shares his counterintuitive approach to securing outstanding letters of recommendation. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
9/27/20238 minutes, 38 seconds
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Episode 63: Overcoming a low grade point average (what does and doesn’t work)

For various reasons, many students' undergraduate GPAs might be lower than they would like. Sometimes, these students approach their GRE prep from the perspective that a high score on the test will help to compensate for the "sins of their academic past." In this episode, Davis and Orion will discuss whether this is actually true, and what can practically be done. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
9/20/20239 minutes, 44 seconds
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Episode 62: How to solve a plug-in problem (a real-time demonstration)

In today's episode, Orion demonstrates how to solve the most common question type on the quantitative section of the GRE: a plug-in problem. He walks through the second-by-second workflow for answering these types of problems in less than a minute, using simple arithmetic. He and Davis then troubleshoot common issues with the technique. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
9/13/20238 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 61: Do you need to answer every question? (hit your target score strategically)

When they begin their prep, many students struggle to answer every question within the time limit. They rush to do so, which typically increases their careless error rate on problems they "should" have gotten right. In today's episode, Orion and Davis discuss whether it's actually necessary to attempt every question on the GRE. The answer might surprise you. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
9/6/20238 minutes, 56 seconds
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Episode 60: How to solve a sentence equivalence problem (a real-time demonstration)

In this episode, Orion does a real-time demonstration of how to solve a sentence equivalence problem on the GRE. He walks through the second-by-second workflow associated with solving these verbal question types quickly and accurately: from scanning the answer choices to forming synonym pairs to performing the word search technique to matching against the forced choice. If he can do it, so can you. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
8/30/20239 minutes, 5 seconds
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Episode 59: Should you get a study buddy? (the pros and cons of social studying)

Getting a study buddy to prepare for the GRE can be an excellent idea for a variety of reasons. For example, working in conjunction with a friend can improve compliance and provide accountability. It also creates teachable opportunities, if the two of you possess complementary strengths. Orion discusses methods of structuring social study time to minimize distraction and prevent idle socializing. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
8/23/20238 minutes, 12 seconds
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Episode 58: The secret to good essay writing (understanding DRI writing)

This technique is as useful on the GRE writing section as it is in grad school, itself. The secret to good academic writing is to utilize the DRI rubric. This stands for: describe, report, interpret. In this way, students can write well-structured and coherent body paragraphs in a fraction of the time by leaning on a flexible and consistent structure. Orion demonstrates what this might look like on the GRE by riffing a hypothetical example in real time. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
8/16/20239 minutes, 13 seconds
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Episode 57: Should you take the full ride or pay out of pocket? (how to pay for grad school)

Many PhD programs offer their successful applicants a full scholarship and a living stipend in addition to their admissions. What's not to like? The reality of the situation, however, is that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Doctoral candidates who accept these offers can expect to work for the university full-time and with poor boundaries. And that full-time labor would likely be more lucratively sold on the open market. Orion discusses some of the counterintuitive advantages to paying out of pocket. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
8/9/202310 minutes, 5 seconds
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Episode 56: New GRE test updates (responding to what we now know)

In today's episode, Davis and Orion react to the FAQ recently released by ETS concerning the upcoming revisions to the GRE general test. Among other things, we confirm the time durations of each section of the test, as well as the question splits between the sections. Orion goes on to consider how these changes will impact the balance between accuracy and efficiency, and whether it may be a better idea to sit for the longer version of the test. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
8/2/20239 minutes, 50 seconds
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Episode 55: How much prep is too much prep (solving thousands of problems may not be helping)

Different test prep companies have different approaches to preparing for the GRE. However, one thing that more competitors seem to have in common is a reliance on oversaturation as a didactic principle. Whether it's asking students to read a 10-volume manual or solve an endless number of practice problems, most prep companies overshoot the mark. On the other hand, Stellar takes a more tactical approach to prep, dramatically reducing overall study time. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
7/26/202310 minutes, 10 seconds
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Episode 54: Why is the GRE changing? (the influence of the marketplace on education)

As we recently reported, the GRE will be changing significantly starting in September 2023. Why is this happening? Orion and Davis discuss the official line from ETS, the developers of the GRE, and conjecture as to some other potential motivating factors. As was the case when the GRE transformed into its current version some 15 years ago, there are likely economic forces in play behind the scenes that help to explain the decision to change the test. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
7/19/20239 minutes, 13 seconds
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Episode 53: What to do if you have too much time on the GRE (how to pace yourself properly)

Many students find the time limit to be the most difficult part of the GRE. However, there are some hotshots out there who can complete problem sets with a great deal of time to spare. This episode is for those individuals. If students are completing sets with several minutes left on the clock, and if these students are not yet achieving perfect scores, they are likely missing points from careless responding as a consequence of their solution rate. Orion shares strategies for addressing this issue. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
7/12/20239 minutes, 19 seconds
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Episode 52: How to prep using full-length tests (getting ready for the GRE)

Sitting for full-length practice tests is an indispensable part of preparing for the GRE. Nothing else gives students a taste of the sustained concentration necessary to succeed on the exam, and the opportunity to practice systemic approaches to the test is invaluable. In this episode, Orion and Davis discuss how best to integrate these mock tests into your prep, including: when to do so, how to do so, and what materials are best to use. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Become a Stellar affiliate and earn a 10% commission for every membership purchased by a new student you conduct into the program: https://stellargre.tapfiliate.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
7/5/20238 minutes, 45 seconds
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Episode 51

6/28/202310 minutes, 35 seconds
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Episode 50: Can you cram for the GRE?

Can you cram for the GRE? This is an easy question to answer: no, you can't. However, it isn't actually immediately apparent why you can't cram for the test. After all, you can potentially memorize all of the quantitative material needed to ace that section in a day, and you can read the entire Stellar strategy manual required for a perfect score on the test in a week. So what's the hold up? The mystery is resolved once we consider that success on the GRE is more about "how" than "what". It is a procedure that must be embodied in the student with sufficient training and repetition. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
6/21/20239 minutes, 6 seconds
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Episode 49: Understanding the point structure of the GRE

The way in which students accrue points on the GRE is not intuitive. In today's episode, Orion lays bare the abstruse point structure of the test, and how these points are converted into raw scores, scaled scores, and percentiles. Awareness of this information undergirds a good deal of the strategy in the Stellar system, which capitalizes of the fact that no one question is worth more points than another. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
6/14/202310 minutes, 55 seconds
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Episode 48: Taking the GRE when you’ve been out of school for a while

Life is not a straight line. It often happens that people decide to make a career change after several years in the workforce, and that this change requires they sit for the GRE before launching into a new field of study. These folks are often anxious about approaching testing after so many years; however, as Orion explains, such students are often at an advantage over those who take the test immediately out of undergrad. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
6/7/20239 minutes, 39 seconds
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Episode 47: Should I get private tutoring?

There are many different test prep resources available to students, who often wonder whether they should engage a private tutor to prepare for the GRE. Like any other option, there are pros and cons associated with this approach. In general, Orion recommends that students attempt to take themselves as far as possible on their own before engaging the services of an expert, as this will reduce overall costs and increase tutoring effectiveness. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
5/31/202310 minutes, 25 seconds
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Episode 46: How to get testing accommodations on the GRE

For better or worse, the process of securing testing accommodations on the GRE can be protracted and expensive. Students cannot schedule a testing session with accommodations until their petition has been approved by ETS's team of psychologists, which can take several months. In this episode, Orion walks through best practices with respect to applying and securing accommodations on the test. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
5/24/20238 minutes, 44 seconds
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Episode 45: How to stay cool in high-pressure situations

In today's episode, Davis and Orion respond to another listener question. This one is all about staying cool in high-pressure situations where the stakes are high. Drawing on research in performance psychology, Orion discusses the importance of focusing on the process, and practicing indifference with respect to the outcome. Davis speaks on some of his own experiences as a competitive athlete. All is generalizable to the GRE and high-stakes testing. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
5/17/202310 minutes, 25 seconds
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Episode 44: What is your park screen ritual?

Davis and Orion respond to another listener question in today's episode. The two have previously discussed the importance of the park screen ("How to get a real break on the GRE") for top-percentile performance. Utilizing this opportunity correctly can mean the difference between a good score and a truly great score. To this end, Orion shares his own park screen ritual to facilitate recuperation and promote mindfulness. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
5/10/20239 minutes, 18 seconds
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Episode 43: What is a cheat sheet?

In today's episode, Davis and Orion respond to another listener question. In previous talks, Orion has mentioned the importance of creating a "cheat sheet" over the course of one's prep. So what exactly in this cheat sheet? In short, a cheat sheet is a single-page document that contains all the math knowledge required to ace the quantitative section of the GRE. Orion discusses why this is important for students to create for themselves. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
5/3/20238 minutes, 47 seconds
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Episode 42: How to approach GRE problems

The vast majority of students approach GRE problems completely backwards: they spend a lot of time getting into a problem (in the sense of re-reading the problem and thinking through the solution), and not a lot of time getting out of the problem (in the sense of rushing through the actual execution of the solution). At Stellar, we explicitly train students in the opposite approach, namely: getting into problems fast (though diagnosis and continuous solving), and getting out of problems slow (through steady execution and sustained mindfulness). We discuss more in this episode. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards. Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
4/26/20239 minutes, 48 seconds
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Episode 41: Grad school admissions and goodness of fit

As stated previously, no one gets into grad school because of their GRE scores (though many people are kept out of grad school for the same). In today's episode, Davis and Orion discuss what actually moves the needle with respect to grad school admissions: goodness of fit. Basically, the more an applicant looks like someone who has already passed through the program, the more likely he or she will be extended an invitation. This might not be "fair," but it's the way it is. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Download our free vocab app: StellarGRE Vocab Flashcards! Use semantic clusters to learn more words faster, and consolidate your knowledge with infinite quizzes. App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stellargre-vocab-flashcards/id1668110596 Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.systemplus.stellargre We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
4/19/202310 minutes, 30 seconds
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Episode 40: You will never feel ready

This can be somewhat of a bitter pill to swallow: you will never feel ready to take the GRE. And that's okay. You're going to do it anyway. Just like courage isn't the absence of fear, but the decision to act in the presence of fear, our approach to the test must be dictated by something other than our emotional response, which isn't always the most accurate or reliable barometer. Orion and Davis discuss alternative methods of evaluating your preparedness in today's episode. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
4/12/20230
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Episode 39: How to stay focused during reading comprehension passages

Let's face it: the reading comprehension passages on the GRE can be decontextualized, tedious, and boring. This is a dangerous combination, as it can significantly increase the likelihood that students zone out when they should be paying attention. In today's episode, Davis and Orion discuss two psych hacks that allow students to improve their focus on this half of the verbal section. Neither is a silver bullet, but both might move the needle in a meaningful way. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
4/5/20230
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Episode 38: The GRE is a game of seconds

Just like baseball is a game of inches, the GRE is a game of seconds. What does this mean? It means that the difference between the merely good and the truly great often comes down to a differential application of time, on the magnitude of seconds. This is why, in the Stellar system, students are instructed in a second-by-second approach to problem solving, designed to maximize their efficiency. Orion and Davis discuss further in this episode. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
3/29/202310 minutes, 25 seconds
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Episode 37: Which vocab app is the best?

There's no way around it. If you want to score higher on the verbal section of the GRE, you have to increase your vocabulary. And there are a lot of low-to-no cost options available to students to improve this skill set. Which one is the best? Introducing StellarGRE Vocabulary Flashcards! The only vocab app that utilizes semantic clusters to accelerate vocabulary acquisition. Download it for free on the Play and App stores. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
3/22/202310 minutes, 35 seconds
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Episode 36: What makes for a top scorer?

In today's episode, Davis and Orion respond to another listener question on what makes for a top scorer. It turns out that there are two personality characteristics that are reliably associated with students who score in the highest echelons of the GRE: conscientiousness and humility. Orion explains further, using examples from his teaching experience. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
3/15/202312 minutes, 56 seconds
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Episode 35: What to do the day before the test

The big day is almost here! How should students spend their final hours before sitting for the GRE? In today's episode, Davis and Orion discuss general strategy with respect to this frequently asked question. The good news is -- if you prepared correctly -- there isn't anything left to do! Resist the anxiety-induced urge to cram definitions and grind practice problems. You already know what you're going to know tomorrow. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
3/8/20230
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Episode 34: How to improve accuracy

In a previous episode, Orion discussed the tradeoff between accuracy and efficiency: the faster you go, the less accurate you become. The key is to strike the appropriate, personalized balance. In today's episode, Orion and Davis discuss strategies for improving accuracy. In the vast majority of cases, students make errors when they are time travelling. The two describe this phenomenon and offer several remedies for it. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
3/1/202312 minutes, 29 seconds
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Episode 33: Defensive vs. offensive skipping

In a previous episode, Orion discussed the importance of defensive skipping as an efficiency strategy on the quantitative section of the GRE. This helps students guard their time more prudently by not squandering it on time-expensive questions on their first pass-through. However, students can also use skipping offensively to get ahead of the clock. Today, Orion shares this simple, game-changing tactic. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
2/22/202311 minutes, 23 seconds
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Episode 32: How to think about the GRE

Students are subject to tripping themselves up with the wrong framework when it comes to the exam. Thinking about the GRE as an intelligence test, or as an arbitrary and meaningless hurdle, will likely create unnecessary stress and resentment. The fact of the matter is that the GRE is a "how bad to you want it" test. It's very inconvenience and discomfort is designed to filter out less serious applicants -- which is ultimately good for you, the earnest and ambitious future grad student. We discuss more in this episode. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. We love hearing from you! Send your questions to [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
2/15/20230
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Episode 31: How to prevent studying burnout

In today's episode, we respond to a listener-submitted question on how to prevent studying burnout. To begin with, we stress the importance of not getting burned-out in the first place. An ounce of prevention here is definitely worth a pound of cure. And then we discuss the utility of a consistent, structured study plan -- and a definite endpoint -- in achieving this goal. Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated GRE self-study program, and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans: https://www.stellargre.com. Please send comments, questions, and suggestions for future video topics to: [email protected]. GRE Bites is a weekly podcast that delivers practical, relevant, bite-sized episodes about GRE prep and grad school admissions. It is co-hosted by Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, a licensed psychologist and founder of StellarGRE. Its mission is to help students ace the GRE and get into their graduate programs of choice. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
2/8/20230
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Episode 30: The importance of vision for top performance

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Can you actually see yourself succeeding on the GRE? If you can't yet even see yourself hitting your target score in your imagination, how can you reasonably expect to do so in reality? In today's episode, we discuss the importance of vision in top performance, utilizing research culled from sports psychology. Stellar is designed to give you everything you need to get a top-percentile score on the test. It's based on the same system Orion used to achieve his own perfect score. #gre #testpreparation #gradschool
2/1/20230
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Episode 29: What is a good GRE score?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. In today's episode, we turn our attention to that age-old question: "what is a good GRE score?" Though it may sound evasive, this can actually be a difficult question to answer. The most satisfactory response might be that it depends on your competition. And this is why it is important to research your target score before preparing for the exam. The adaptive, mock tests in Stellar are designed to give you the most accurate insight into your current level of performance so that you can track your progress appropriately. #gre #testpreparation #gradschool
1/25/20230
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Episode 28: How to approach retaking the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. In today's episode, we respond to a question from one of our listeners. Apparently, he didn't quite hit the score he was hoping for on his first attempt, and is now considering the possibility of re-taking the exam. My hope for all students is that they are "one and done" with the test. However, if you decide to sit for the GRE again, it's not the end of the world. Davis and I discuss some things to keep in mind should you choose to go down this road. #gre #testpreparation #gradschool
1/18/20230
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Episode 27: How to generalize your skills to new problems on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. In today's episode, we respond to a question from one of our listeners. Apparently, he's able to understand the explanation to any particular question, but is having difficulty generalizing this understanding to variants of the question. This is actually a very common issue with students. Orion discusses how to overcome this difficulty, emphasizing how unique features in his self-study program address this very problem. #gre #testpreparation #gradschool
1/11/202313 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 26: What is the best GRE study program?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. There are a lot of GRE self-study programs out there. Which one is the best? In today's episode, we discuss Orion's top-rated course, and why it just might be the best GRE prep product on market. Based on the see-do-teach model used to train medical doctors, Stellar helps students maximize their gains as quickly as possible. Think of it as Executive Test Prep. After all, we know that you have better things to do with your time. #gre #testprep #gradschool
1/4/20230
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Episode 25: Getting ahead of the clock on the GRE quant section

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. For the vast majority of students, the time limit is the most challenging aspect of the GRE. And nowhere is this pressure felt more keenly than on the quantitative section of the test. However, there are several strategies can students can use to bank some time and get ahead of the clock on the quant section. This will allow students to attempt more questions, and should reduce the subjective sense of urgency that is the primary driver of carelessness. Davis and I talk shop on these topics. #gre #testpreparation #time
12/28/20220
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Episode 24: Progress requires extraordinary effort on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. The second law of thermodynamics states that entropy tends to increase in a closed system. This means that, if you do nothing, things fall apart. You have to do something just to maintain the status quo. And this means that doing something is not enough to move the needle. In order to make progress, extraordinary effort is necessary. In this episode, Davis and I will discuss how this principle applies to GRE prep. #gre #testpreparation #progress
12/21/20220
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Episode 23: What is the best way to learn GRE vocab words?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Vocabulary acquisition is -- by far -- the most tedious and time-consuming aspect of GRE prep. However, it's absolutely essential to raising the ceiling on your verbal score. Unfortunately, most students go about this process completely wrong. And why is this? By memorizing the dictionary definitions of hundreds (or thousands) of words, students are preparing themselves for a task that they actually will not be tested on (i.e., recalling definitions). A must more efficient (and effective) approach is to group words into similar meanings, which is the basis of the "Semantic Cluster" methodology utilized by Stellar. #gre #testpreparation #vocabulary
12/14/20220
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Episode 22: How long should you spend preparing for the GRE?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. This is the million-dollar question. Unfortunately, it's difficult to answer categorically, as there are a lot of individual differences between students. That said, there are ways that students can answer that question for themselves with greater specificity. The key is to get greater clarity into one's baseline performance and one's target scores. In this episode, we'll discuss how to do just that. Oh, and most people spend between two and three months preparing for the test. #gre #testpreparation #gradschool
12/7/202210 minutes, 43 seconds
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Episode 21: How to quickly eliminate vocab-based answer choices on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Half of any verbal section on the GRE will be comprised of vocab-based questions. However, it will be necessary to move through these problems in less than half the time in order to bank time for the reading comprehension questions. Therefore, it is essential to develop techniques to move through vocab-based questions as quickly as possible. In this episode, Davis and I discuss one of the easiest ways to do this: implementing problem-specific elimination strategies. #gre #gradschool #testpreparation
11/30/20220
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Episode 20: How to prepare for the GRE writing section

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. As mentioned in a previous episode, your essays on the writing section of the GRE are graded by a computer algorithm, called the e-rater. This is important to appreciate, because an algorithm can only operate according to its programming. So understanding just what that programming is will help students respond more effectively to the task of this section. In this episode, Orion discusses the importance of total word count, and suggests the use of a "five-minute free-write" to increase the fluency of written production. #gre #testprep #writing
11/23/20220
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Episode 19: How to get a real break during the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Sitting for the GRE is like sprinting a marathon. The test is nearly four-and-a-half hours long, and students are only given one ten-minute break (and a smattering of one-minute breaks) across the administration. However, by taking advantage of a flaw in the test construction, Orion has discovered a way for students to artificially extend their breaks between sections of the exam. It's called the "park screen," and its effective use can make or break a top-percentile performance. In this episode, Davis and Orion discuss what the park screen is and how to use it to your advantage on test day. #gre #testprep #performance
11/16/20220
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Episode 18: Don’t clip coupons on the quantitative section of the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. One of the most common sources of carelessness on the GRE is clipping coupons. This is when students attempt to save a few seconds on their time-to-solution by cutting corners or dispensing with fail-safes. Not a good idea. Cutting corners on the GRE makes about as much sense as clipping coupons in real life: yes, it might save you some money, but probably not enough to justify the time spent doing so. Orion discusses more in this episode. #gre #testprep #efficiency
11/9/20220
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Episode 17: Best numbers to plug in on the GRE quantitative section

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Plugging-in -- the strategy by which we replace abstract algebra with concrete arithmetic on standardized tests -- is one of the most useful techniques on the GRE quant section. It can be used whenever there are variables in the answer choices of a question. In this episode, Orion discusses the very best numbers to select in conjunction with the plug-in technique, and some of the important considerations that accompany their use. #gre #testprep #math
11/2/20220
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Episode 16: Is it a good time to go to graduate school?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. In this episode, Davis and Orion discuss whether it is currently a good time to go to graduate school. The consensus is that it is an excellent time to consider a post-graduate degree, due to certain macroeconomic factors. In a recession and stagnating economy, it can be a good move to "kick the employment can" down the road, and count on better job prospects in a year or two. And with inflation outstripping grad school loan interest rates, tuition -- while still quite high -- is being offered at a relative discount. #gre #gradschool #economics
10/26/20220
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Episode 15: You can only get better, or: why rehearsal matters on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. It's impossible to do something over and over again, and get worse at it. The amazing thing about repetition is that it only works one way. However, this is a double-edged sword. While this principle functionally relieves us of some measure of anxiety about whether we will improve, it also suggests that we can inadvertently get better at the wrong thing. In this episode, Orion discusses the importance of developing the "right" practice through conscious rehearsal. #gre #testprep #improve
10/19/20220
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Episode 14: Mindfulness and top performance on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. More than anything else, the GRE is a test of sustained mindfulness. The only way to achieve a top-percentile score is to completely eliminate carelessness, which demands that a student consciously attend to every step of every problem over nearly four-and-a-half hours. This is not easy to do. In this episode, Orion will discuss the relationship between mindfulness and top performance on the GRE, including the results of his own doctoral dissertation study which examined the effect of a brief mindfulness task on reading comprehension. #mindfulness #gre #testprep
10/12/20220
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Episode 13: Scheduling your GRE test

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. There are many considerations that influence the decision of when exactly to sit for the GRE exam. In this episode, Orion discusses several of these considerations, including: the difference between "cool" and "strict" schools with respect to their application deadlines, the minimum buffer between test and re-test scheduling, the connection between time-of-day and peak mental functioning, and at-home administration variables. #gre #testpreparation #testprep
10/5/20220
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Episode 12: The worst question to ask yourself on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. If you're preparing for the GRE, it's quite likely that you've had the experience of feeling stuck on a certain problem. You don't know how to proceed and may feel the panic starting to set in. In an attempt to wrench yourself loose, you ask yourself: "what should I do?" We've all been there. Unfortunately, this question is the worst possible question you can ask yourself on the GRE, for the obvious reason that, if you could answer it, you wouldn't be asking it. In this episode, Orion offers a better alternative that will actually help to get things moving again in the event of a standstill. #gre #testpreparation #testprep
9/28/20220
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Episode 11: The two types of grad school

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. In this episode, Orion discusses his conceptualization of the two types of graduate schools: those that award degrees that are legally required for certain professions, and everything else. This categorization holds important ramifications for aspiring applicants, who must leverage their limited time and money to their greatest advantage. Grad school is ultimately a means to an end. So be sure to choose the right tool for the job. #gre #gradschool #career
9/21/20220
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Episode 10: Breaking the GRE writing section

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. The writing section is the least-discussed of the GRE's three sections, but -- fortunately -- is also happens to be the easiest to master. To do this, students simply need to understand more intimately the rubric by which their essays will be graded. If they can tailor their responses in such a way as to prioritize components worth more points -- over and above those worth less -- they will have an easy go of it. The trick is to realize that they're not really dealing with an essay-writing test at all. Orion breaks it down in this episode. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #writing
9/14/20220
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Episode 9: Master GRE test anxiety with a mental trick

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Some degree of anxiety on the day of the test is probably unavoidable; however, if this anxiety is allowed to fluoresce into panic, then even the most well-prepared students will likely end up underperforming. In this episode, Orion puts on his psychologist hat to discuss the interplay between thoughts and emotions, and offers several simple and effective techniques to disrupt the cognitive chain of events that leads to panic. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. To learn more about GRE prep or grad school admissions, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #testanxiety
9/7/20220
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Episode 8: How to quickly eliminate reading comprehension answer choices on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Reading comprehension questions are some of the most difficult and time-consuming questions on the GRE. So any strategies that students can employ to eliminate bad answer choices quickly and reliably should be a welcome addition to their arsenal. In this episode, Orion will discuss three grounds for eliminating a reading comprehension answer choice, over and above its being bad, stupid, or wrong. These should help to winnow the wheat from the chaff. For more information on GRE prep and grad school admissions, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #readingcomprehension
8/31/20220
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Episode 7: How to stop the bleeding on the quantitative section of the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Students have an average of a minute and forty-five seconds to answer each question in the quantitative sections of the GRE. To state the obvious: this is not a lot of time. Notwithstanding this awareness, many students inadvertently contribute to their inefficiency in a number of predictable ways. Orion calls these predictable inefficiencies "time bleed." In this episode, he will discuss the five most common sources of time bleed and their remedies. To learn more about GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #efficiency 
8/24/20220
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Episode 6: GRE versus GMAT (which test to take)

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Now that every top-ranked MBA-program in the country accepts both scores in their application materials, all business school aspirants are forced to decide which of the two ordeals they will choose to undergo: the GMAT or the GRE. In this episode, Orion makes a convincing argument in favor of the GRE. Notwithstanding his obvious bias (he is a GRE master teacher, after all), this argument is based on the facts that the GRE is more portable, less logic-based (especially in the quantitative section), and associated with more favorable admissions rates at top-ranked business schools. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #MBA #GMAT
8/17/20220
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Episode 5: Why does the GRE exist at all?

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. It's been fairly well-established that the GRE is a test that measures itself. That is, GRE scores do not strongly correlate with grad school success or attrition. And, during the age of COVID, many universities have moved away from requiring the GRE as part of their application processes. So why does the GRE requirement continue to exist (notably for top-ranked programs)? Why does the GRE exist at all? In this episode, Orion will reveal the real function of the GRE to graduate schools, and why abolishing the requirement might create more problems than it solves. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #gradschool 
8/10/20220
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Episode 4: Best practices to improve efficiency on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. The time limit is one of the most challenging aspects of the GRE, and too many students resist appropriately incorporating it into their prep. This sets them up for failure. It's a far better idea to begin working with the time limit as early in your prep as possible. In this episode, Orion discusses several generalizable methods for broadly improving your efficiency across multiple domains of the test, including: skipping and diagnosing. Both will allow you to answer more questions within the time limit, all other things being equal. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #efficiency
8/3/20220
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Episode 3: Accuracy versus efficiency on the GRE (the eternal struggle)

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. On the GRE, both accuracy and efficiency are essential to a top-percentile score. However, too much of one always affects the other. If students move too quickly, they end up making more careless mistakes. And if they focus on perfect attention to detail, they don't answer as many questions within the time limit. Top performance on the GRE depends on finding the "sweet spot" between these top extremes: which is dynamic and individual to each student. Davis and Orion discuss more in this episode. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #efficiency
7/27/20220
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Episode 2: How to reduce carelessness on the GRE

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. The difference between the student scoring in the 80th percentile and the one scoring in the 90th isn't knowledge or even technique -- but rather the ability of the latter to systematically reduce her careless responding. Carelessness is the problem that never goes away; however, if you approach this reality strategically and conscientiously, you can mitigate its effect on your performance. This is essential and unavoidable for anyone hoping to achieve a top-percentile score on the GRE. In this episode, Orion will talk more on how to do just that. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #GRE #greprep #carelessness
7/20/20220
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Episode 1: Meet Orion, your GRE expert

Check out StellarGRE: our top-rated self-study program and the world's only empirically-validated GRE test prep system. Use the code "BITES" for 10% off all membership plans. To learn more, go to: https://www.stellargre.com. Welcome to the inaugural episode of GRE Bites! The goal of the podcast is to bring you weekly, bite-sized, relevant discussions on all things pertaining to GRE prep and grad school admissions. In this episode, we'll introduce your cohosts: Davis Evans, an educator with over a decade of experience, and Orion Taraban, licensed psychologist and found of StellarGRE, the world's only empirically-validated GRE prep system. Orion has a perfect score on the GRE and has helped thousands of students ace the exam over the past nineteen years. For more information on GRE prep and grad school consulting, go to: www.stellargre.com. #grebites #gre #greprep
7/12/20220