I Took The Physics GRE Today
TLDRThe speaker discusses their experience taking the Physics GRE, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation. They share that the test covers a wide range of topics, including classical mechanics, quantum physics, E&M, optics, atomic physics, and more. The speaker highlights their realization that success on the GRE requires not just a deep understanding of fundamental principles, but also familiarity with the types of questions asked. They recommend the 'Conquering the Physics GRE' book for its valuable insights and practice exams. The speaker also talks about the mental stamina required for the three-hour test and the competitive mindset they encountered when seeing classmates at the exam. They share tips for effective studying and the importance of time management during the test, recounting a minor incident with the proctor over time allocation. The video concludes with the speaker's transition to preparing for their next academic challenge, the Math Methods GRE and an upcoming midterm.
Takeaways
- 📚 The speaker took a week off to prepare for the Physics GRE, emphasizing the importance of dedicated study time.
- ⏱ The Physics GRE is a 100-question multiple-choice test covering a broad range of topics, including classical mechanics, quantum physics, E&M, optics, atomic physics, and relativity.
- 📉 The speaker felt better about their performance this time compared to the last attempt, indicating the significance of adequate preparation.
- 🚫 Initially, the speaker thought understanding everything at a fundamental level was key, but later realized that knowing the types of questions is more crucial.
- 📈 The speaker suggests that knowing the types of questions within each topic is essential for quick and accurate responses during the test.
- 📚 The 'Conquering the Physics GRE' book is recommended as it outlines the types of questions asked and provides strategies for tackling them.
- 🧠 Memorizing all equations is not necessary; understanding which ones are worth memorizing is more effective.
- ⏳ The test lasts over three hours, requiring focus and strategy to maintain concentration throughout.
- 🤯 The speaker experienced a moment of panic when realizing the actual duration of the test was longer than they had practiced.
- 🤓 The presence of fellow students during the test served as an extra motivation to perform well.
- 🕒 Practicing with a timer and simulating real test conditions is beneficial for managing time effectively during the actual GRE.
- 😅 A humorous moment occurred when the speaker playfully questioned whether they had taken the wrong test at the end of the session.
Q & A
What did the speaker do during the week off before taking the physics GRE?
-The speaker dedicated the entire week to preparing for the physics GRE, doing nothing else.
Why did the speaker feel that studying for just a week before the GRE was insufficient?
-The speaker felt that the breadth of topics covered in the physics GRE, including classical mechanics, quantum physics, E&M, optics, atomic physics, and relativity, required more time to prepare adequately.
What was the speaker's strategy for the first time they took the physics GRE?
-The speaker initially believed that understanding everything at the most basic principles and being able to derive fundamental equations was the key to answering questions quickly.
How did the speaker's approach to studying for the physics GRE change from the first to the second attempt?
-The speaker realized that knowing the types of questions within each topic was more important than understanding everything at a fundamental level. They focused on recognizing question patterns and using process of elimination and test limits.
What resource did the speaker find essential for preparing for the physics GRE?
-The speaker found the 'Conquering the Physics GRE' book to be essential, as it provided insights into the types of questions asked, strategies for answering them, and practice exams with explanations.
How many questions are on the physics GRE and what is the average time per question?
-The physics GRE consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, with an average of about 100 seconds per question.
What is the duration of the physics GRE exam?
-The exam lasts a little over three hours, including the time for handing out the tests.
Why did the speaker feel a sense of competition when they saw other students from their class at the exam?
-The speaker felt a sense of competition because they assumed they were all applying to the same graduate program and wanted to perform better than their peers.
How did the speaker manage their time during the practice exams?
-The speaker used a timer on their phone to simulate real exam conditions, giving themselves 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the practice exam.
What was the issue with the proctor's announcement regarding the exam time?
-The proctor initially announced a longer time limit than the actual 2 hours and 50 minutes allocated for the exam, causing confusion and stress for the speaker.
How did the speaker feel after completing the physics GRE?
-The speaker felt relieved that the exam was over and was eager to move on to studying for their math methods GRE and midterm.
Outlines
📚 Preparing for the Physics GRE
The first paragraph discusses the speaker's experience preparing for and taking the Physics GRE. They emphasize the importance of not waiting until the last week to study and highlight that the test covers a wide range of topics, including classical mechanics, quantum physics, E&M, optics, atomic physics, and relativity. The speaker also shares their strategy for tackling the test, which involves understanding the types of questions asked within each topic and using a specific book to guide their preparation. They mention that the test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and the need to be familiar with the question types to answer them quickly. The speaker concludes by expressing their improved confidence in their performance on the test compared to their previous attempt.
🎓 The Test Experience and Future Plans
The second paragraph details the speaker's experience on the day of the Physics GRE, including the competitive mindset they encountered upon seeing classmates at the test center. The speaker also discusses the challenges of maintaining focus during the three-hour test and the importance of managing time effectively. They mention a minor issue with the proctor regarding the test time, which was resolved with the help of the test-takers. The speaker then transitions to their future plans, which involve studying for their math methods midterm and the GRE. They also encourage others who took the Physics GRE to share their experiences in the comments section.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Physics GRE
💡Study Preparation
💡Classical Mechanics
💡Quantum Mechanics
💡Electromagnetism
💡Optics
💡Atomic Physics
💡Relativity
💡Process of Elimination
💡Conquering the Physics GRE
💡Practice Exams
💡Test Anxiety
Highlights
The speaker took a week off to prepare for the physics GRE, emphasizing the importance of dedicated study time.
The speaker previously underestimated the preparation time needed for the GRE, which contributed to a less successful outcome.
The physics GRE is a comprehensive test covering a wide range of topics, including classical mechanics, quantum physics, E&M, optics, and more.
The speaker suggests that understanding topics at a fundamental level is not the most efficient way to prepare for the GRE's time constraints.
Knowing the types of questions within each topic is crucial for quick and accurate responses on the test.
The speaker recommends using previous GRE tests and a specific book, 'Conquering the Physics GRE', to understand question types and preparation strategies.
The book 'Conquering the Physics GRE' provides practice exams and detailed solutions, which were helpful for the speaker.
The test duration is over three hours, which requires focus and strategic planning regarding breaks and caffeine intake.
The speaker encountered classmates at the test center, which initially increased their competitive drive.
After the test, the speaker realized that the classmates were not direct competitors, which provided relief.
The speaker practiced with a timer, simulating real test conditions, and always finished with time to spare.
On the actual test day, there was confusion about the time allotted, which affected the speaker's pace.
The speaker advocated for regular time updates during the test to manage their pace effectively.
Despite the time management challenges, the speaker finished the test and checked their work within the given timeframe.
The speaker humorously interacted with the test proctor at the end, indicating a lighter side to the intense testing experience.
The speaker is moving on to prepare for another GRE and a midterm, demonstrating a continuous cycle of academic challenges.
The speaker encourages others who took the physics GRE to share their experiences in the comments section.
Transcripts
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