The computer-based test is kind of mixed bag. On the one hand, they've designed it extremely shittily so it's not a particularly good measure of your skills in the matter. I mean, it's OK, but the weighting is a bit off, because the first couple questions are the most important. Remember to take a little extra time with the first three or four, because they'll score more. You also can't go back to a question you've already done, so take the time you need. Again, particularly on the first few. It's an adaptive test, so the first few questions sort you into a ball park figure, and as the questions go they try to make finer and finer determinations. At least, that's how it was working when I took it. I doubt they've changed it (ETS stands for "how far can we shove our collective heads up our collective asses?". See? They can't even spell.), but you might want to check just in case.
On the other hand, the computer tests have a huge upside to them: you get your results back immediately. That's very nice. No worrying that someone's going to misplace your test, or read your address wrong, or anything like that. I mean, ETS is still going to screw you over (that's what they do), but at least you've got that one in the bag. Plus, you have the information immediately should you think about retaking the test.
The math test, as I recall, is mostly algebra with a bit of geometry thrown in. I don't remember any precalculus or calculus on it, or even any trig. On the other hand, I tend to block out all trig experiences as a matter of course. It's been awhile, though, so I might be misremembering things or they may have changed it. But I don't remember them being anything where plugging the potential answers back in and testing them out wouldn't have worked.
If you like logic puzzles (and I do), the analytical section is fun. Scratch paper and strange diagrams vaguely resembling blueprints to satanic rituals are your friend.
The one thing you should note, so you're prepared for it mentally, is that they give you the three tests plus an additional test they're experimenting with. Occasionally it'll be obvious which is the experimental test (a friend of mine got an additional writing test, which isn't part of the GREs, so she knew exactly which it was), but sometimes you don't. The guy I went up to take the GREs with got two quantitative tests and I got two analytical tests. So don't be shocked silly if you get a second verbal test or something.
no subject
On the other hand, the computer tests have a huge upside to them: you get your results back immediately. That's very nice. No worrying that someone's going to misplace your test, or read your address wrong, or anything like that. I mean, ETS is still going to screw you over (that's what they do), but at least you've got that one in the bag. Plus, you have the information immediately should you think about retaking the test.
The math test, as I recall, is mostly algebra with a bit of geometry thrown in. I don't remember any precalculus or calculus on it, or even any trig. On the other hand, I tend to block out all trig experiences as a matter of course. It's been awhile, though, so I might be misremembering things or they may have changed it. But I don't remember them being anything where plugging the potential answers back in and testing them out wouldn't have worked.
If you like logic puzzles (and I do), the analytical section is fun. Scratch paper and strange diagrams vaguely resembling blueprints to satanic rituals are your friend.
The one thing you should note, so you're prepared for it mentally, is that they give you the three tests plus an additional test they're experimenting with. Occasionally it'll be obvious which is the experimental test (a friend of mine got an additional writing test, which isn't part of the GREs, so she knew exactly which it was), but sometimes you don't. The guy I went up to take the GREs with got two quantitative tests and I got two analytical tests. So don't be shocked silly if you get a second verbal test or something.