GRE wordlist

[ebhabookworm]

Hi,

Need your help. I am doing the below for vocab.

Barron's 800 essential words
Manhattan 500 essential words
Manhattan 500 advanced words

Is that enough in terms of vocabulary? Please answer asap. Thanks in advance!

[tommywallach]

Hey Ebha,

As I've said many times in the forums, there's no "limit" on number of words to learn and know. The list from which the GRE could conceivably pull is totally unknown. So I would never tell a student "enough" or "not enough." You simply learn whatever you have the time and energy to learn. (And keep in mind, there will be a significant amount of overlap between those three collections.)

-t

[ebhabookworm]

Thank you for your response. I understand.

I would like to know one more thing. I have attempted a few manhattan prep tests and i am doing well. Should i feel confident? I do not know for sure if i should take my performance on manhattan prep tests as an indication of being ready to take the test.

Thanks much for your help.

[tommywallach]

Yep! Our tests are fairly accurate vis-a-vis performance on the real test. I'd still take one of the GRE/ETS practice tests, just to feel sure, but yeah, confidence is warranted! : )

-t

[ebhabookworm]

Thank you!

[mcgarryseanm]

Hey Ebha,

As I've said many times in the forums, there's no "limit" on number of words to learn and know. The list from which the GRE could conceivably pull is totally unknown. So I would never tell a student "enough" or "not enough." You simply learn whatever you have the time and energy to learn. (And keep in mind, there will be a significant amount of overlap between those three collections.)

-t

I agree. I'm the type that needs "closure" when it comes to studying for an exam and it bothers me to no end that I will never complete my vocabulary training. Everytime I feel as though I must be close to knowing the majority of words, I find another 50 that I am putting on flashcards. I liken it to reaching the "end" of the internet. It will never happen.

[tommywallach]

Agreed. It is mega annoying. : )

Dumb GRE.

-t

[Andrewericoleman]

Is there something after the 1000 Manhattan words?

That can be recommended? I'm not interested in learning a few words here and there by reading Ulyssis or the Economist every month.

[tommywallach]

They're are plenty of other books. Honestly, vocabulary is incredibly hard to screw up, so I imagine ANY book full of vocabulary words (For the SAT or GRE) will be useful. There are also plenty of online tools, including apps for the phone (great for the on-the-go memorization). Again, I don't need to recommend anything specific, because I'm sure ANYTHING would be useful (as long as it's being written by native English speakers).

-t