GRE Physics Prep Solutions and Study Tips
The GRE physics subject test is for students who plan to study physics in graduate school. The results of this test can help graduate school officials determine a student’s course of study in the area of physics. GRE prep is necessary when students want to showcase their full range of knowledge on this subject. Let’s take a look at the material on the GRE physics test and talk about how to prepare for it.
What Is On the GRE Physics Test?
The GRE physics subject test has 100 questions. Each of those questions has five answer options to choose from. Students encounter many different topics on the exam . Questions on classical mechanics make up 20 percent of the test – dynamics of systems of particles, three-dimensional particle dynamics, Newton’s laws, and kinematics are just a few of the topics that relate to classical mechanics.
Other topics on the physics test include electromagnetism, optics and wave phenomena, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, special relativity, and laboratory methods. Nine percent of the test is devoted to specialized topics such as nuclear and particle physics, condensed matter, astrophysics, and computer applications.
Math on the GRE Physics Test
As you study for the test in physics, your GRE prep should include a review of mathematical methods used in physics. Some of the questions on the test require you to know how to apply these methods. Coordinate systems, partial differential equations, boundary value problems, and multivariate calculus are a few examples of math topics that you should be familiar with for the test.
The Scoring System for the Physics Test
Before starting to follow any physics GRE study guide, you should be familiar with the scoring system for the test, as it is different from the system for the general GRE. Students can score between 200 and 990 points on the GRE physics test – the test is scored in ten-point increments. A score report displays your test score as well as your percentile ranking. Your scores are valid for five years from the date you take the test.
GRE Physics Preparation Tips
For students taking the GRE, physics preparation should begin with a practice test. The results of the practice test will give you an indication of what skills you need to work on. Plus, taking a timed practice test allows you to set a reasonable pace that allows you to finish the entire test in the allotted 170 minutes.
It’s also a good idea to review the material they learned in physics courses in undergraduate school. This includes textbooks, course notes, and assignments. As you move through a physics GRE study guide, you should remember that test questions are based on material you learned in undergraduate physics classes. Students who set aside several months for GRE physics preparation are giving themselves an advantage – they are able to study in a way that allows them to fully absorb the necessary material.
Achieving Success on the GRE Physics Test
You will gain an advantage on the GRE physics test if you tackle the easiest questions first. This helps to build your confidence as you go back to work on the more puzzling test questions. Plus, this tactic prevents you from wasting a lot of valuable time on a single challenging problem.
Eliminating answers that are obviously wrong is another simple thing students can do as they work through the test. Narrowing the number of answer choices makes the process of finding the correct option a little bit easier. Working out problems on a piece of scratch paper can also be helpful to students as they move through the physics test. Sometimes, the correct answer seems more apparent when you see all of the work in front of them.
At Varsity Tutors, we provide effective GRE tutoring services with tutors who have achieved great success on the GRE. Consequently, you can get the inside track on what you need to know about the test. We help students who are looking for physics GRE solutions! We are also experts at preparing students for the GRE via our online and in-person courses, and we teach students strategies that they can use on every test question. For students who are studying physics, GRE solutions are readily available at Varsity Tutors!
Want to jump-start your GRE preparation? Check out our variety of GRE Course and Private Tutoring options.