The GRE Chemistry Subject Test is an important exam for students pursuing graduate-level studies in Chemistry. The test is designed to assess the student’s understanding of the fundamental concepts in Chemistry. It is usually required by many universities in the United States for admission to their Chemistry graduate programs.
This article will most definitely provide you with an overview of the GRE Chemistry Subject Test and discuss the best 13 GRE Chemistry Test Books for 2024. Additionally, we will provide tips for preparing for the exam and strategies for success.
Understanding the GRE Chemistry Subject Test
Overview of the Test
The GRE Chemistry Subject Test is a standardized test that is designed to assess a student’s knowledge of Chemistry at an undergraduate level.
The ETS administers the test, which consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. The exam is computer-based and lasts for 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Test Format and Structure
The GRE Chemistry Subject Test is divided into three sections:
I. Analytical Chemistry (15%)
II. Inorganic Chemistry (25%)
III. Organic Chemistry (30%)
IV. Physical Chemistry (30%)
Each section is further divided into sub-sections. For example, the Analytical Chemistry section consists of sub-sections such as Separations, Spectroscopy, Electrochemistry, and more.
Exam Content and Topics
The GRE Chemistry Subject Test covers a wide range of topics in Chemistry. The topics include:
I. Analytical Chemistry
a. Separations
b. Spectroscopy
c. Electrochemistry
d. Equilibrium
e. Gravimetric Analysis
II. Inorganic Chemistry
a. Atomic Structure and Properties
b. Chemical Bonding
c. Coordination Compounds
d. Main Group Elements
e. Organometallics
III. Organic Chemistry
a. Structure and Bonding
b. Stereochemistry
c. Reactions of Functional Groups
d. Reaction Mechanisms
e. Synthesis and Design
IV. Physical Chemistry
a. Quantum Chemistry
b. Thermodynamics
c. Kinetics
d. Electrochemistry
e. Statistical Mechanics
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Top 13 Best GRE Chemistry Test Books in 2024
Book 1: Cracking the GRE Chemistry Test
- Author: The Princeton Review
- Overview: This book provides a well-detailed overview of the GRE Chemistry Subject Test and includes practice questions, test-taking strategies, and detailed explanations of the exam content.
- Pros and Cons: The book is well-organized and explains the exam content clearly. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be too easy compared to the actual exam.
Book 2: GRE Chemistry Subject Test Study Guide
- Author: Test Prep Books
- Overview: This book provides a detailed overview of the exam content and includes practice questions, test-taking strategies, and a full-length practice exam.
- Pros and Cons: The book provides a comprehensive overview of the exam content and includes a full-length practice exam. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
Book 3: GRE Chemistry Subject Test Prep
- Author: Kaplan Test Prep
- Overview: This book includes a detailed review of the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also has access to an online study portal with additional practice questions and resources.
- Pros and Cons: The book provides a detailed overview of the exam content and includes access to an online study portal. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be too easy compared to the actual exam.
Book 4: GRE Chemistry Test Secrets Study Guide
- Author: Mometrix Test Preparation
- Overview: This book reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also has access to online video tutorials and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book comprehensively reviews the exam content and includes access to online video tutorials and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
Book 5: Barron’s GRE Chemistry Test
- Author: Joseph A. Mascetta
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book thoroughly reviews the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be more difficult than the main exam.
Book 6: Sterling Test Prep GRE Chemistry Practice Questions
- Author: Sterling Test Prep
- Overview: This book includes over 1,000 practice questions, detailed explanations, and test-taking strategies.
- Pros and Cons: The book includes a large number of practice questions with detailed explanations. However, some readers may find the book’s organization confusing.
Book 7: McGraw-Hill’s GRE Chemistry
- Author: Shaun Murphree
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book thoroughly reviews the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
Book 8: Kaplan GRE Subject Test: Chemistry
- Author: Kaplan Test Prep
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also has access to an online study portal with additional practice questions and resources.
- Pros and Cons: The book provides a detailed overview of the exam content and includes access to an online study portal. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be too easy compared to the actual exam.
Book 9: Nova’s GRE Prep Course: Chemistry
- Author: Jeff Kolby
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book thoroughly reviews the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
Book 10: GRE Chemistry Test Preparation: Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
- Author: Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also has access to an online study portal with additional practice questions and resources.
- Pros and Cons: The book provides a detailed overview of the exam content and includes access to an online study portal. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be too easy compared to the actual exam.
Book 11: Cracking the GRE Chemistry Test, 2nd Edition
- Author: The Princeton Review
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and additional resources.
- Pros and Cons: The book provides a detailed overview of the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and additional resources. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
Book 12: GRE Chemistry Subject Test: Prep Books and Practice Test Questions by Test Prep Books
- Author: Test Prep Books
- Overview: This book includes a comprehensive review of the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book thoroughly reviews the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions to be more difficult than the main exam.
Book 13: GRE Chemistry Subject Test (REA) – The Best Test Prep for the GRE (Test Preps)
- Author: Robert E. Moyer
- Overview: This book comprehensively reviews the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. The book also includes access to online practice tests and flashcards.
- Pros and Cons: The book thoroughly reviews the exam content and includes access to online practice tests and flashcards. However, some readers may find the practice questions’ explanations lacking in detail.
What Is The GRE Chemistry Score Percentile?
The GRE Chemistry Test is scored on a scale of 130-170, in one-point increments, with a separate score reported for the Analytical Writing section on a scale of 0-6. The percentile rank of a score represents the percentage of test-takers who scored below that particular score.
The exact GRE Chemistry score percentile can vary depending on the test administration and test-taker pool. Still, generally speaking, a score of 160 on the GRE Chemistry Test corresponds to approximately the 86th percentile, while a score of 170 corresponds to approximately the 99th percentile. Scores below 140 are generally considered low, while scores above 160 are considered high.
When Is The 2023 GRE Chemistry Test Date?
The GRE Subject Tests will be conducted globally on the following dates in the 2023-24 testing year:
September 25, 2023, to October 8, 2023, and October 24, 2023, to November 6, 2023. You can take a GRE Subject Test once every 14 days.
For 365 days, you can register for the computer test or online GRE. The dates for the paper-based test have been set. Register for the GRE exam 60 days before your selected university’s application deadline to allow yourself enough time. The 60-day gap is also beneficial if you must retake the GRE.
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How To Study For GRE Chemistry Test
A. Study schedule and planning
- Start early: The GRE Chemistry Subject Test covers a lot of material, and it is important to start preparing yourself well in advance of the exam date.
- Create a study schedule: Develop a schedule that allows you to cover all the exam content and practice questions while also balancing other responsibilities such as work or school.
- Set realistic goals: Break down your study schedule into manageable chunks and set achievable goals for each study session.
- Stay consistent: Always stick to your study schedule and review the material to ensure you retain the information.
B. Practice tests and mock exams
- Take practice tests: Practice tests are excellent ways to gauge your knowledge of the exam content and identify areas where you should improve.
- Use mock exams: Mock exams simulate the exam day experience, and they can help you prepare yourself for the timing and format of the test.
- Analyze your results: After taking practice tests and mock exams, review your answers and identify areas where you need to focus your studying.
C. Understanding the exam content and format
- Review the exam content: Thoroughly review the content, including the topics covered and the required level of detail.
- Understand the format: Familiarize yourself with the format of the exam, which includes the number of questions, timing, and types of questions.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses: In accordance with your practice test and mock exam results, identify your strengths and weaknesses in the exam content and adjust your studying accordingly.
D. Exam day tips and strategies
- Get a good night’s sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep the night before the exam day to be certain that you are well-rested and focused.
- Arrive early: Arrive at the testing center early to allow time for check-in and also to get settled before the exam.
- Read instructions carefully: Take time to read the instructions for each section of the exam carefully to ensure that you possess a good understanding of what is expected of you.
- Pace yourself: Manage your time carefully and pace yourself throughout the exam to ensure that you have enough time to answer every question.
- Answer every question: There is no penalty or fee for guessing on the GRE Chemistry Subject Test, so ensure to answer every question in the exam even if you are unsure of the answer.
Preparing for the GRE Chemistry Subject Test requires careful planning and consistent studying. By diligently following these tips and strategies, you can surely increase your chances of success on the exam and take the next big step in your academic or professional journey.
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How To Use Practice Tests To Prepare For GRE Chemistry Subject Test
Here are some tips for using practice tests to prepare for the GRE Chemistry Subject Test:
1. Take practice tests early:
Give yourself enough time to take multiple practice tests before the actual GRE Chemistry Subject Test.
This will give you a good idea of what to expect on test day and help you identify areas where you need to improve.
2. Simulate test day conditions:
When you take practice tests, try to simulate the test day conditions as closely as possible. This means taking the test in a quiet place, without distractions, and without any breaks or interruptions.
3. Analyze your results:
After taking a practice test, take the time to analyze your results. Look at the questions you got wrong and figure out why you got them wrong.
Were you unsure of the content? Did you misread the question? Did you make a silly mistake?
4. Review content:
Once you’ve analyzed your results, spend time reviewing the content you struggled with. This could be reviewing concepts or going over practice problems.
Make sure you understand why you got the question wrong and how to approach similar questions in the future.
5. Retake practice tests:
After reviewing the content, retake practice tests to see if you’ve improved. This will help you gauge your progress and identify areas where you still need to improve.
6. Mix-up practice tests:
Don’t just rely on one practice test. Mix up practice tests from different sources to get a wider range of questions and expose yourself to different types of questions.
7. Time yourself:
Make sure to time yourself when taking practice tests to get a feel for how long it takes to complete each section. This will help you manage your time on test day and avoid running out of time.
9. Stay positive:
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t do as well as you hoped on a practice test. Use it as a learning opportunity and focus on improving your weaknesses. Remember, the more you practice, the better you’ll get!
Read this article to find out what you can bring to the GRE test- What to Bring to the GRE Test Day? How to Prepare for the GRE.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preparing for the GRE Chemistry Subject Test requires a comprehensive review of the exam content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies.
Each of the books listed above provides a different approach to preparing for the exam, and it is important to choose the book that best suits your needs.
It is also important to supplement your studying with additional resources, such as online practice tests and flashcards. With dedication and hard work, you can succeed on the GRE Chemistry Subject Test and take the next step in your academic or professional journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GRE Chemistry Subject Test is typically taken by students who are applying to graduate programs in chemistry or related fields. Some schools may require the test as part of their admission requirements.
The GRE Chemistry Subject Test is scored on a scale of 200 to 990 in 10-point increments. Scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly, and are not penalized for incorrect answers.
There are many resources available to help you prepare for the GRE Chemistry Subject Test, including study guides, online resources, and prep courses. It is important to give yourself enough time to prepare and to practice with multiple practice tests.
You can take the GRE Chemistry Subject Test as many times as you want, but you must wait at least 21 days between each test administration. However, it is important to note that some schools may only consider your highest score, while others may consider all scores.
It is recommended to take the GRE Chemistry Subject Test at least 6-8 months before your graduate school application deadline. This will give you enough time to prepare, retake the test if necessary, and have your scores sent to schools in time for their application deadlines.
References
- Ets.org– GRE Chemistry Test Content and Structure.
- Greprepclub.com– Best GRE Chemistry Prep Books
- Brightlinkprep.com– 10 Best GRE Chemistry Subject Test
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