姓名：李祈宏
學校科系：Tufts University, Biology & International Relations
總分：1480分
第一次模考1360分，進步120分
考試日期：2010年1月22日
美加編輯部：李同學從小在美國成長、求學，在準備研究所考試時，發現美國沒有能提供完整考試資訊和指導應考技巧的補習班，所以趁暑假回台灣求助美加，短短12週的課程讓他受益良多，不僅考出GRE1480的好分數，更將自己的英文實力打得更紮實，對日後回美國就讀研究所相當有幫助。因此，即使中文不好，他還是很想將自己的考試心得和更多考生分享，所以本篇以英文原稿公佈。希望學員也能從中吸取經驗，成功戰勝GRE考試！
Before enrolling in the Merica 12-weeks long GRE program, I had serious doubts. Attending classes that were not only mainly taught in Chinese, but also nearly exclusively focused on the verbal and AWA sections of the examination, I was afraid that my needs were not going to be met. I was born in the States and I grew up in Canada, so while Chinese may be my mother tongue – despite complete illiteracy – English is the language in which I feel most comfortable talking. Thus, I was afraid that I would not be able to understand what the teacher was teaching nor would I find the English section challenging at all. Moreover, my math skills are, to be honest, completely subpar. I distinctively remember the first math lesson at Merica, when the teacher, walking around the classroom observing everyone's answers to the math section, loudly proclaimed that despite having graduated from Tufts University with a major in Biology and International Relations, I had gotten every question wrong, utterly failing the section. Completely embarrassed, I was nervous that the few math classes that Merica offered would not be enough for me. At the time my enrollment in Merica was completely based on its long, and well-respected, history of helping Taiwanese students with American standardized tests.
Fortunately, my concerns soon dissipated as Merica proved why it continues to remain one of the best cram schools in Taiwan. But before you blow this article off as a blatant commercial, praising every aspect of the Merica GRE program, rest assured because this is not. I am simply writing out my thoughts on the various aspects that created the ideal foundations that allowed me to obtain the score I received. Thus, I am first going to talk about myself. While the teachers, the students, and the general classroom environment play paramount roles in influencing how a student performs, it is ultimately up to the student. That is, without the incessant, and often tiring, reviewing of new vocabulary words or the myriad of math concepts, for example, it would be difficult, though definitely possible, to do well on the GREs. So apart from going to class, I also reviewed by myself, whether at home or outside. I found that I learned new words fairly well on the MRT or bus rides to places using simple flash cards. I also read various novels, especially those by Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen, renowned for their literary importance and, of course, for their profound use of words that ETS loves to test. But to be completely honest, I would most likely not have worked so hard if it were not for the environment that Merica provided. I truly believe that had I taken a course with Kaplan or Princeton Review back in the States, I would have failed my GREs.
I was different from the other students and, naturally, the teachers soon picked up on that. Especially during the verbal classes, my background gave me a tremendous advantage. Not only did I initially have a larger lexicon, but I could also pronounce words better. I am fully aware that I sound completely pretentious right now, but there is definitely a point to this all. The teachers essentially expected me to know more, frequently asking me to pronounce and define words. And with this came tremendous pressure. At the time, I truly hated being called on; I didn't want to mispronounce a word or, even worse, not know the definition. I know in retrospect, such fears were completely unfounded and, simply put, ridiculous, but at the time, I was truly troubled. But these insecurities actually facilitated my learning. Feeling pressured in class, I knew I had to review my GRE words as best as I could or else face, in my mind, utter humiliation. I am going to stop talking about myself because I'm sure I've already provided immense material for people to psychoanalyze me (please don't).
My Merica teachers definitely provided the motivation for me to study well and to improve my scores. They often encouraged class participation, regardless of how well one knew one's materials. In the end, I believe that the more one becomes engaged in class, the more willing one prepares. Apart from not wanting to appear idiotic, I also felt motivated to study because I had become emotionally attached to the class. What I mean is that having already invested a certain amount of effort and energy, through class participation and the befriending of both teachers and classmates, I wanted to see myself succeed. I also did not want to let my teachers down for they too have invested time and effort on me to succeed. For me, this two-way street provides the perfect incentive to do well. Therefore, perhaps what made me value the education I received from Merica the most was the class environment; and this was something that the teachers had greatly influenced.
I have never been a good standardized test taker. I did not do very well on the SATs, and I bombed the LSATs (You guessed it, I took a LSAT prep course with Kaplan my Senior year at Tufts University in Boston). And while my GRE score isn't incredibly great – which I completely blame on the annoying guy sitting behind me and my zoning out during the reading comprehension section – I felt that Merica contributed immensely to a fairly successful score. It also helped immensely that the math teacher at Merica paired me up with a TA to give me additional math lessons. So if you're reading this, thinking of whether you should attend Merica, I can tell you that I was definitely pleasantly surprised. I was surprised at how much I learned and how much I've improved. I left having made friends and, of course, what I believe to be a fine GRE score.
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