Part I: How different is the new GRE?

Ok, so in the new GRE, Verbal Ability has become Verbal Reasoning. But what's the difference?

The format change is sufficiently puzzling for all of you who are planning to take the Graduate Record Examination for studies abroad. 

According to TCY trainers Atul Prashar and Aman Bansal, "In the new 'Verbal reasoning' section, the focus has shifted from vocabulary to reasoning."

In a chat with Get Ahead readers on March 20, they answered queries about the new GRE.

• New GRE Verbal Reasoning: Change is for the better

For those of you who missed the chat, here's the transcript.

eknathbose asked, Hello, Atul, Just a few queries........what is the exact new syllabus now?? What are the additions to the old one, or is it a completely different one??

Atul Prashar answers, Syllabus is the same. Only two things have changed -- one, the way you will attempt it; and two, the number of reasoning inputs has increased.

jain_iitd asked, Hi Sir, am a student of IIT Delhi in the Civil Engineering discipline. I am going to join a management consulting firm this year. Suppose I want to come back after 2 years in Civil engg, can I give GRE then?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes you can take GRE then.

abc asked, How do we know which institution prefer 4yrs n which 3yrs of undergraduation? i also read in newspaper sometimes back they r now accepting 3yrs of undergraduation.

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, this news has been flashing for long, but no changes in acceptance has been seen so far.

er asked, Thank you atul, So LBS/Cambridge/Oxford/LSE are not as good as US universities

Atul Prashar answers, This universities are world renowned. US is preferred more because of more options available there.

guddu asked, what percent is there change in quant section

Aman Bansal answers, Skills required are still the same. However, calculation will be easier (calculator allowed) Multiple choices can be correct.

amol asked,  hello sir, i working as S/W Dev and i want to do PG/Ph.D. in S/w engg/desingning, so is necessary to give GRE even to do Ph.D. in particular subjetc

Aman Bansal answers, Yes you will be required to take GRE in most of the cases.

shail sehdev asked, what is the difference between verbal ability and verbal reasoning

Aman Bansal answers, Focus shifted from vocab to reasoning.

E Kishore asked, are the new pattern books released in market?

Atul Prashar answers, No, not yet. Will be there in April end.

Aditys asked, Will the average scores drop ?

Aman Bansal answers, The score scale has changed. And comparison table will be available after the first three test administrations.

GREGRE asked, What is RA and TA?

Atul Prashar answers, Research Assistanceship and Teaching Assistantship

dinesh asked, how much is the exam fee for new pattern of GRE exam?

Aman Bansal answers, Will be clear in July. So far there is no information available.

Ameet asked, How difficult the quant section be as compared to quant in CAT.

Atul Prashar answers, Will still be easier as compared to Indian CAT.

Basavdatta asked, Hi...I have a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering (70%). I have almost 3 years of work-ex in software. However, I want to do an MS and then maybe a PhD in Mechanical Engg. now. Will it be possible?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, it is possible, but your Statement of Purpose should be strong enough to support the reason.

nalin23 asked, I read somewhere some of your students made it to Harvard. how difficult is that

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, every year our students make it to top insitutes. It is not difficult but you need good scores and sound documentation for the same.

E Kishore asked, wat is the correct time to take GRE if i want to apply for june 08?

Aman Bansal answers, You should take your GRE in September '07.

Sonia asked, is there any requirement of appearing in TOEFL Exam for doing PhD from a good university abroad??

Atul Prashar answers, TOEFL is mandatory for US, Canada and some UK universities.

tejaswi asked, From when does the old Gre pattern end ??

Aman Bansal answers, September 2007 new GRE begins. Registration for old GRE closed in India.

madhu asked, do u think the new gre pattern requires professional coaching course to be taken??

Atul Prashar answers, It has rather become more skill-building and preparation oriented. Mugging up will not help. For CR (Critical Reasoning), DI (Data Interpretation) and AW (Analytical Writing), you must consult some expert.

Amit Chivate asked, I have got 680 in quant and 320 in verbal. My verbal is not as good as my quant. I wish to do PhD in US in pharmacy. Will the new GRE be helpful or should I try for the old pattern itself

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, you can fare better if your reasoning skills are strong. Registrations for old GRE are closed in India.

askbalancer asked, Shd i apply for Ra or Ta, for MS in Cs. I have 1530 score. Thanks

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, you must try.

atul prashar asked, sir iam presently doin 3rd year com science engg.what is the criteria for scholarships?

Atul Prashar answers, Scholarship criteria -- GRE score, research interests, LOR (Letter of recommendation) and SOP (Statement of Purpose), academic performance, etc.

Amit Chivate asked, I have 5 publications and 14 presentations and my TOEFL score is 89/120 and GRE 1020/1600. Can I still get admissions for PhD in pharmacy in a good university in US

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, Amit, you can get admission in PhD, given your credentials. Go ahead and try.

Ameet asked, The verbal section is much easy now and we wont have to break our heads with the wordlist. Which took major preparation time, so how much time in advance should be book for the test, and what are possible good scores, since 1300/1600 was good for old pattern, what would be a good metric here.

Atul Prashar answers, The maximum GRE score is yet to be notified by ETS.

manisha asked, my fathes is a proffessor in technical institute is it going to be of any help

Aman Bansal answers, Not really. Universities will require your credentials.

vaishnavi asked, Sir is it better to take GRE first or TOEFL first?As no dates are available till july, is it advisable to write TOEFL before july? plz reply..

Aman Bansal answers, Yes, you can take TOEFL and save time. You can take GRE only in September if you have not registered so far.

Ameet asked, Are there any plans to change TOFEL format?

Atul Prashar answers, It was changed in September '06 into TOEFL iBT. No change thereafter.

manisha asked, which credentials are u talking about ???academics???

Aman Bansal answers, Academics, GRE score, research & projects, seminars & presentations, technical papers.

manisha asked, what type of ques are asked in toefl

Atul Prashar answers, TOEFL evaluates you on your language skills -- listening, reading, writing, speaking.

kalyan asked, i am taking coaching for cat and want to write gre in dec .shud i take coaching or take gre books for new pattern and prepare self.i mean is cat preparation sufficient

Aman Bansal answers, No, you will require specialised guidance for GRE, especially for CTAW, DI & CR. Though CAT preparation will be helpful.

Keats asked, What is the good score range in TOEFL IBT

Atul Prashar answers, 80+

saleem asked, Hi aman, Just a small query ...what will be univ dead lines for fall 2008.

Aman Bansal answers, The deadlines start falling in November and they go on till January, depending on the university and department.

manisha asked, does listening involve any audio/vedio ?

Aman Bansal answers, Yes it does.

somnath asked, wht is analytical writing

Atul Prashar answers, You analyse an issue and an argument in one hour and type your analyses in the space given and with in the defined word limit.

vaishnavi asked, Sir tell me do they give marks for the right answers in multiple answer type of questions in the GRE?

Aman Bansal answers, You must mark all the correct options to score 1 point.

vivekisgr8@rediffmail.com asked, sir is the new pattern goin tobe easy , if talking in terms of verbal section??? earlier the dependence on the wordlist of quite high,r there any measures taken in the new GRE format to reduce that dependence

Atul Prashar answers, No antonyms; no verbal anologies So, vocab will be in context only.

askbalancer asked, Cs is in grad school in Sciences and CE is in grad School of Engg.. Iam CSE grad. Shd I apply for CS or Ce for MS?

Aman Bansal answers, Please refer the subjects available and match it will you interest area. Most likely you will apply to CS.

arvind asked, will the old GRE scores be competative with the new score if i were to apply 4 FALL 08, when wud u suggest i start applying at the earliest?

Atul Prashar answers, September October '07

saleem asked, Thanks a lot Aman. I will complete 2.5 years experience in industry. How this will be considerd for getting in admission and financial aid.

Aman Bansal answers, Depending on the nature of work experience and the course sought, the same will be considered.

darthvader asked, With limited dates and many people, how will ETS respond to the registration issues ?

Aman Bansal answers, ETS is opening new centres to tackle the issue.

vaishnavi asked, Is TOEFL score sufficient for applying to Australia?

Atul Prashar answers, IELTS is the only required exam to be taken for Australia as yet. Though it is proposed to be introduced in July 07. Please contact the embassy around that time.

Atul Prashar says, This is all we have time for today. It was nice chatting with you.

Part I: How different is the new GRE?