September 2024 Subject Test Feelings

[NewAcct]

How has everyone felt about this months subject test so far? I took mine this week and feel not great. It was significantly harder than every practice test besides the newest one imo.

Remember no sharing any specific information about the test only vibes/feelings.

[juicetrainwreck]

Im taking mine in about one hour

[AbelianCat]

Mine was yesterday, and I was not a fan. I think the test has moved away from being a bunch of cheap tricks and long computations to requiring you to actually understand a lot of mathematics (which is better imo but it’s pretty hard). I did most of Stewart and Schaums Linear but idk if that really helped since most questions seemed to draw on multiple areas of math and not just be rote computations. I could have also just been unlucky and gotten topics I was less comfortable with. If you need 50/66 to get an 800 still, then I definitely fell short since I fully guessed on at least 10 and know I missed 2.

[AbelianCat]

Also, there were some very non standard topics that never appeared on any practice test released (or any by Rambo/MathSub) that I was woefully unprepared for. Advice for October test people: start studying now and leave no stone unturned. MathSubs list of topics that could reasonably appear is pretty accurate from my experience (multiple stretch topics appeared). Ignore all the practice tests before the 05 one. Do the REA tests to get used to doing very difficult questions. Practice harder geometry questions. Practice difficult integrals more. Focus less on linear algebra.

[juicetrainwreck]

Definitely be familiar with gaussian integrals of all kinds.

[NewAcct]

Yea more advanced topics seem to be a lot more common. I got an algebraic topology question on mine (pretty easy one) but still was a shock to see it.

[juicetrainwreck]

I had a high school geometry problem and I think I missed it lol. I'm a math teacher too haha

[jj2949]

Yea more advanced topics seem to be a lot more common. I got an algebraic topology question on mine (pretty easy one) but still was a shock to see it.

Which practice test are you guys talking about, not just the public one available on GRE's site (or other old/sample tests that you find on the usual sites)? Do you get one when you register? I haven't been able to register yet as I'm waiting to get a voucher, hope I'm not missing something...

[NewAcct]

Yea more advanced topics seem to be a lot more common. I got an algebraic topology question on mine (pretty easy one) but still was a shock to see it.

Which practice test are you guys talking about, not just the public one available on GRE's site (or other old/sample tests that you find on the usual sites)? Do you get one when you register? I haven't been able to register yet as I'm waiting to get a voucher, hope I'm not missing something...

Basically any test before the newest one released. It should be available on the ETS website. You can find older ones on https://www.mathsub.com/ but they’re not the most representative imo anymore.

[jj2949]

Yea more advanced topics seem to be a lot more common. I got an algebraic topology question on mine (pretty easy one) but still was a shock to see it.

Which practice test are you guys talking about, not just the public one available on GRE's site (or other old/sample tests that you find on the usual sites)? Do you get one when you register? I haven't been able to register yet as I'm waiting to get a voucher, hope I'm not missing something...

Basically any test before the newest one released. It should be available on the ETS website. You can find older ones on https://www.mathsub.com/ but they’re not the most representative imo anymore.

Oh ok, thanks, was just wondering as I had at least skimmed through most of them to look at what sort of topics to expect, but don't remember seeing any algebraic topology.

[juicetrainwreck]

I wouldn't completely disregard the old exams tbh. You should be able to solve those types of problems. But after taking the exam (and failing hahaha) on Saturday I can confirm it is rather difficult.

[wihjenfc]

Not fun. There are quite a few questions that I don't know how to do (even after taking many advanced math classes). I don't understand why certain schools require GREs. They can in no way measure one's potential as a math researcher.

Anyway, I took the test on Sep 17th. Does anyone know how long it would take to get back the score?

[juicetrainwreck]

It takes two weeks.

[juicetrainwreck]

Not fun. There are quite a few questions that I don't know how to do (even after taking many advanced math classes). I don't understand why certain schools require GREs. They can in no way measure one's potential as a math researcher.

Anyway, I took the test on Sep 17th. Does anyone know how long it would take to get back the score?

While I agree that it doesn't measure ability to research and I hate pay to play type stuff. I kinda do like this.

I don't think it's a bad idea to expect people to know some mathematics.

Not suggesting that I did well, im positive I failed lol but that doesn't mean I think it's dumb

In fact by studying for it I reviewed all of my undergrad math and then some. Plus calculus!! I haven't looked at Calc in over 10 years. It was a great refresher to do some gnarly integrals.

[wihjenfc]

Not fun. There are quite a few questions that I don't know how to do (even after taking many advanced math classes). I don't understand why certain schools require GREs. They can in no way measure one's potential as a math researcher.

Anyway, I took the test on Sep 17th. Does anyone know how long it would take to get back the score?

While I agree that it doesn't measure ability to research and I hate pay to play type stuff. I kinda do like this.

I don't think it's a bad idea to expect people to know some mathematics.

Not suggesting that I did well, im positive I failed lol but that doesn't mean I think it's dumb

In fact by studying for it I reviewed all of my undergrad math and then some. Plus calculus!! I haven't looked at Calc in over 10 years. It was a great refresher to do some gnarly integrals.

Unfortunately I disagree with you. I once did know how to do those test problems because I did take the calculus sequence when I was a freshman. Now I'm a senior, and as someone who studies algebraic geometry and number theory, there is absolutely no point in forcing me to calculate those gnarly integrals to show everyone that I know calculus. Preparing for the dumb GRE test wasted a ton of my time that could have been spent on learning more advanced mathematics. No offense to what you just said, though.

[Chessplayer]

Not fun. There are quite a few questions that I don't know how to do (even after taking many advanced math classes). I don't understand why certain schools require GREs. They can in no way measure one's potential as a math researcher.

Anyway, I took the test on Sep 17th. Does anyone know how long it would take to get back the score?

While I agree that it doesn't measure ability to research and I hate pay to play type stuff. I kinda do like this.

I don't think it's a bad idea to expect people to know some mathematics.

Not suggesting that I did well, im positive I failed lol but that doesn't mean I think it's dumb

In fact by studying for it I reviewed all of my undergrad math and then some. Plus calculus!! I haven't looked at Calc in over 10 years. It was a great refresher to do some gnarly integrals.

I yet have to take my test .My review process is taking a long time..My question is how similar to the most released practice, test was the real exam ?? I will be studying the previous exams also , just to be on the safe side ... Everybody tells me that the sample test are similar to the real test only in a very broad sense of the word , is this true??

[AbelianCat]

The practice tests are similar in that they cover “similar content”. The modern test seems to cover a wider breadth of topics and ideas than before. The best strategy is to be perfect at calculus and linear algebra and hope everything else you already learned. From what I saw, a lot of the old standard tricks and problems aren’t really standard anymore. Complex analysis for example isn’t just residue theorem + Cauchy Riemann at this point.

[Chessplayer]

The practice tests are similar in that they cover “similar content”. The modern test seems to cover a wider breadth of topics and ideas than before. The best strategy is to be perfect at calculus and linear algebra and hope everything else you already learned. From what I saw, a lot of the old standard tricks and problems aren’t really standard anymore. Complex analysis for example isn’t just residue theorem + Cauchy Riemann at this point.

I believe that in fact the most recent practice test , is easier than some of the older tests , but also it is more representative of undergrad math..Some of the older practice tests were really on the edge ..I am also surprised that on the last practice test not much stress is placed on multi variable calculus , which is a very tricky topic.

[AbelianCat]

The practice tests are similar in that they cover “similar content”. The modern test seems to cover a wider breadth of topics and ideas than before. The best strategy is to be perfect at calculus and linear algebra and hope everything else you already learned. From what I saw, a lot of the old standard tricks and problems aren’t really standard anymore. Complex analysis for example isn’t just residue theorem + Cauchy Riemann at this point.

I believe that in fact the most recent practice test , is easier than some of the older tests , but also it is more representative of undergrad math..Some of the older practice tests were really on the edge ..I am also surprised that on the last practice test not much stress is placed on multi variable calculus , which is a very tricky topic.

Multivariable Calc really only shows up in 4-5 questions per exam from my experience. Diff Eq even less so. And yeah the newer test is a lot better since you don’t need to know a million tricks and it doesn’t require as many computations as before if you know what you’re doing.

[juicetrainwreck]

I think the hardest part of 3768 was there aren't solutions online so you actually had to try before giving up and looking for answers.

[MarchMan]

Does anyone know if the score might come earlier than the score reporting date of Oct 7th. I remember last year my score come out before the reporting date and about ten days after my exam

[juicetrainwreck]

It might. I doubt anybody knows tho. Unless they work for ets and are willing to leak info which I'm not opposed to

[residue_on_ur_pole]

can someone just give me some advice to get a mid score lol. my practice test scores range from like 50% to 80% so I'm freaking out. I take it oct 30th. does anyone have any recommendations for last min study materials?

[AbelianCat]

can someone just give me some advice to get a mid score lol. my practice test scores range from like 50% to 80% so I'm freaking out. I take it oct 30th. does anyone have any recommendations for last min study materials?

Honestly, there’s a pretty big luck component unless you’re a very good and very quick problem solver. Sometimes you get topics you’re not comfortable with and there’s not much you can do. I’m basically in the same spot as you and it’s pretty annoying (hovering between a 650-800 depending on the test). I’m personally focusing on linear algebra, calculus, and number theory to try to get 40 correct quickly, leaving time to hopefully figure out 10 more to get an 800+.

[MarchMan]

can someone just give me some advice to get a mid score lol. my practice test scores range from like 50% to 80% so I'm freaking out. I take it oct 30th. does anyone have any recommendations for last min study materials?

In terms of last-minute tips. It might help to be honest with yourself and straight up skip specific questions so you have more time to work on others. While prepping I quickly realized that I spend way too much time coding questions so I just guessed on the actual test.

[juicetrainwreck]

The number theory questions aren't too bad imo.

Know all the divisibility rules and how to calculate remainders of very very large numbers.
Like what is remainder of 4^67676 divided by 23

Know about graphs of derivatives and how to figure out things

Know the ftoc.

Know how to integrate using polar coordinates.

Know everything about eigenvalues, eigenvectors, etc

Learn as many Combinatorics problems as possible

If you don't immediately have an idea of how to solve a question, mark it and move on. Once you make it to the end, go to unanswered questions and attempt or guess. Do not submit a test with unanswered questions. If you still have time (you wont) check your work

In person I was given a shitty two sheet booklet that was pink and impossible to erase. Two shitty pencils that go dull fast, and an incompetent testing staff

[MarchMan]

That pink booklet was a good point lmao. You'll definitely need multiple scratch papers, and it might take a good three minutes for the people to notice you need more scratch paper. Try and write as small as possible on the paper, I only ended up needing two booklets.

[wihjenfc]

I think the September test results are going to be released today (Oct 7) ? Has anyone received their result yet? I haven't got mine.

[juicetrainwreck]

I haven't received mine either. I suspect they will be released at 9pm

I'm guessing I got 40th percentile lol

[AbelianCat]

Still no scores as 6:40 pm

[matthelm03]

Still no results as of 00:27 in UK time/19:37 Eastern time, luckily I can probably sleep it off

[wihjenfc]

I haven't received mine either. I suspect they will be released at 9pm

I'm guessing I got 40th percentile lol

I still don't have my scores. I need to be patient. But I'm just curious: how do you know it's going to be released at 9pm?

[juicetrainwreck]

I'm just guessing

[AbelianCat]

I was really hoping they’d be out by 9

[monoid1066]

Lol are they even going to be released today?

[juicetrainwreck]

My guess was 9pm pst

[monoid1066]

My guess was 9pm pst

Wait why 9pm? And why PST?

[wihjenfc]

My guess was 9pm pst

Wait why 9pm? And why PST?

Probably because 9pm PST is 12am EST? If they release the score after that, then they are breaking their promise of "releasing on Oct 7th" to EST people.

[juicetrainwreck]

Welp I was wrong. Nothing on the site

[monoid1066]

What's going on

[monoid1066]

There's probably no hope of getting it today, right? ETS is based in New Jersey so they'd be going off eastern time. If it were a scheduled release you would have expected it to actually happen today. I can't imagine someone manually releasing the scores at 1 in the morning.

[juicetrainwreck]

Lol my guess was off here, so probably the answers I guessed on were wrong too

[matthelm03]

Is the website down for anyone when they try to log in at the moment?

[thewitness]

Is the website down for anyone when they try to log in at the moment?

Yes it seems to be down. Gives an error saying "Sorry we were not able to process your request, please try again. If this problem persists, please contact Customer Service with the following reference number."

[matthelm03]

Is the website down for anyone when they try to log in at the moment?

Yes it seems to be down. Gives an error saying "Sorry we were not able to process your request, please try again. If this problem persists, please contact Customer Service with the following reference number."

Ok, maybe there was some technical issue as to why our scores haven't arrived yet.

[monoid1066]

October 8th, 2024, still no scores...

I wonder what the holdup could be. I mean it's multiple choice — it shouldn't take longer than 5 seconds to grade an exam. Once they have the percentile data it shouldn't take long to assign the curve either.

[matthelm03]

October 8th, 2024, still no scores...

I wonder what the holdup could be. I mean it's multiple choice — it shouldn't take longer than 5 seconds to grade an exam. Once they have the percentile data it shouldn't take long to assign the curve either.

For a test that costs $150 they sure are incompetent, the people at the test centre were useless aswell

[AbelianCat]

Scores are out. Did about exactly how I thought I would 670.

[Chessplayer]

Scores are out. Did about exactly how I thought I would 670.

Thanks for sharing your score.What percentile does this correspond to??

[AbelianCat]

[quote=AbelianCat post_id=31687 time=<a href="tel:1728406172">1728406172</a> user_id=36993]
Scores are out. Did about exactly how I thought I would 670.

Thanks for sharing your score.What percentile does this correspond to??
[/quote]

48% which is disappointing but 10 sloppy mistakes ruins your score