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Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:06 am
by lime
This FAQ includes frequently asked questions appearing on the http://www.MathematicsGRE.com forum according to the GRE Subject Test in Mathematics.

Q: What are preparation books for Math subject test?
A: "Cracking the GRE Math Test" by Steven Leduc (Princeton Preview) - this is "must have" book covering the theory as well as including practice questions and one subject test for self-check. Both 2nd and 3rd editions work fine. 3rd edition is actually almost the same as 2nd.
"GRE Mathematics (REA)" (REA) - this book has awful theory but also 6 tests. Despite tests provided by the book are slightly different from the real one, it can be good material to refresh memory in wide range of fields.
"GRE Practicing to take the Mathematics Test" (ETS) - this book is out of print, but also very helpful since contains some practice questions and one official test.
"Advanced test in Mathematics" by Morris Bramson - this book contains 5 old non-rescaled tests.

Q: What about 4th edition of "Cracking the GRE Math Test"?
A: This book with the girl on cover has been announced on February 23, 2010. Unfortunately, we don't know yet, whether it will have something new. If you know something, any information is very appreciated.

Q: Is there different official preparation booklets?
A: Before August, 2008 ETS had blue color booklet which included GR9768 self-practice test (see next question). Ever since it is publishing new yellow cover booklet, which includes GR0568 test. Nevertheless, both of them are still available on the net.

Q: What official tests are available for practice?
A: So far ETS published four tests:
GR0568 - Test included in the second official ETS booklet;
GR9768 - Test included in the first official ETS booklet;
GR8767 - Test available in the book "GRE Practicing to take Mathematics test (1st Edition)";
GR9367 - Test available in the book "GRE Practicing to take Mathematics test (2nd Edition)".
GR9767 - This test is the same as GR9768 but contains non-rescaled score table.

Q: What are possible typos in "Cracking the ..."-book?
A: It depends on the edition and the year of edition. Possible typos are listed below (thanks to heybob):
Page 21 - Opposite angle identity should be cos(-x) = cos(x)
Page 21 - Add/sub formulas should be cos(a+b) = cos(a)cos(b) - sin(a)sin(b)
Page 23 - #3: No solutions are correct, so see the answer in the back for the "real" problem"; #4: Should say "...expresses f(n+2)..."; answer (D) and (E) are the same.
Page 28 - #16: Should be "x^3 - 3x^2 + 6x - 4 = 0 ";
Page 93 - #17: Should be f'(1) = -1;
Page 114 - Example 3.5. The equation in the problem formulation should be "x^2 + x^2/9 = 1"; (thanks to stefan_s)
Page 117 - Spherical Coordinates paragraph. Fourth line from the bottom. Should be "phi", not "theta". (thanks to stefan_s)
Page 125 - In the picture with arrows there shouldn't be arrows "u->v" and "v->y". (thanks to zombie)
Page 342 - #38: Should be "if n = 1" (not n = -1).
If you find any new typos, please share them with other members in forum.

Q: What is the minimum score I need to be able to get into my grad program?
A: No one can answer this question. You can read what universities write about their admitted students (thanks to ana3a) e.g.
http://www.math.upenn.edu/grad/graddata.html
But again, there is no such score that will guarantee you the admission or, on the contrary, will cut you off the list. There are many other factors, like your personality, LOR, CV, which might be much more important for the program you're applying for!

Q: I have the application deadline in the beginning of December, but scheduled my subject test for November. Isn't that late? What if the score will not be available by my application deadline?
A: Don't worry. Programs are well aware of the subject test score release dates and usually agree on receiving your subject scores by the beginning of January (when the scores will surely be available). Don't miss your application deadline though!

Q: Does Augustin Cauchy really have resemblance with Vladimir Putin?
A: Compare and decide it for yourself (thanks to zombie):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauchy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putin

Re: Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:08 am
by lime
If you have any comments/additions/remarks, please do not hesitate and let us know. Thank you for contribution!

Re: Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:09 pm
by diogenes
Thanks for putting this FAQ together.
Your Cauchy Putin mapping question, is an important one. :lol:

Re: Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:23 am
by Nameless
lime wrote:
Q: Does Augustin Cauchy really have resemblance with Vladimir Putin?
A: Compare and decide it for yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cauchy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Putin
Great :mrgreen:

Re: Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:31 am
by Legendre
lime wrote: Q: What are possible typos in "Cracking the ..."-book?
A: It depends on the edition and the year of edition. Possible typos are below (thanks to heybob):
Page 21- Opposite angle identity should be cos(-x) = cos(x)
Page 21- Add/sub formulas should be cos(a+b) = cos(a)cos(b) - sin(a)sin(b)
Page 23- #3: No solutions are correct, so see the answer in the back for the "real" problem"; #4: Should say "...expresses f(n+2)..."; answer (D) and (E) are the same.
Page 28- #16: Should be "x^3 - 3x^2 + 6x - 4 = 0 "
Page 93- #17: Should be f'(1) = -1
Page 342- #38: Should be "if n = 1" (not n = -1)
In the 3rd Edition of the book, these errors appear to have been corrected.

Re: Subject Test in Mathematics - FAQ

Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 3:29 pm
by brain
Legendre wrote:
lime wrote: Q: What are possible typos in "Cracking the ..."-book?
A: It depends on the edition and the year of edition. Possible typos are below (thanks to heybob):
Page 21- Opposite angle identity should be cos(-x) = cos(x)
Page 21- Add/sub formulas should be cos(a+b) = cos(a)cos(b) - sin(a)sin(b)
Page 23- #3: No solutions are correct, so see the answer in the back for the "real" problem"; #4: Should say "...expresses f(n+2)..."; answer (D) and (E) are the same.
Page 28- #16: Should be "x^3 - 3x^2 + 6x - 4 = 0 "
Page 93- #17: Should be f'(1) = -1
Page 342- #38: Should be "if n = 1" (not n = -1)
In the 3rd Edition of the book, these errors appear to have been corrected.
I've got the 3rd edition and the errors still persist.