Reading Comprehension questions test your ability to understand the content and the logical structure of a written passage. The GRE verbal section may contain 2 to 4 reading passages of various lengths, ranging from 200 to 600 words; you should expect a comprehension question around question 11.

The passages can be scientific or humanities.

The Reading comprehension passages can do the following:

1. Argue a certain position

2. Discussing a specific subject

3. Explain new findings or research for example stem cell research.

Even though the reading passages on the GRE may be taken from disciplines unfamiliar to your field of study, there is no need to panic.

If you need to succeed in reading comprehension then you need the following:

1.       Extreme concentration.

2.       Be patient

3.       Read comprehension passages during you practice sessions and avoid torturing yourself on the test day.

What to do

1.       Read the question first,

2.       Read the whole passage paying close attention to structure of the passage, tone of the author,

3.       For the main idea of the passage read the first and the last sentences of a paragraph( it is also strongly encouraged for you to read the first sentence of every paragraph)

4.       The tone of the author will never be sarcastic, degrading or something that is harsh on the author because these are passages taken from scholarly articles.

Note: I will talk more about the reading passage tomorrow. Remember ‘Trust yourself you know

My GRE score is low, will I get admitted at any university? That is a question I got from another reader today. That is a rather ambiguous question right? But do not worry because everyone of us asks that question. Lets say you want to apply to a university that requires 1200 as the minimum score then a score of 800 is far too low. Answer: Check the minimum GRE requirement at a particular university.

2. If you are planning on studying engineering then you are supposed to have a strong quantitative score and it is my suggestion that you get a score around 1200,

3. The GRE score is not the only determinant for one to get admission into universities. A variety of factors are considered for example strong recommendation letters, grades in your first degree, TOEFL (if you are an international student) and many more.

4. It is very important to read the deadlines for your applications from the university’s website and MAKE SURE you submit your application on time.

5. Its also important to read more about the university you willing to attend because when you go for your F-1 VISA they will ask you questions like, ‘Why did you choose that particular university’.

6. You should be well aware of what you want to study and know your long term career goals, the last thing you need is going for an F-1 VISA and look like a fool.

7. Your statement of purpose(SOP) should be concise and lucid.

First you will need to find what Universities use TOEFL scores and from there decide which 4 Universities you would like to choose from, for you to study.
After that you would like to work hard and prepare for the test.
The ETS site provides a wide variety of preparatory tests, aids both free and paid ones that you can avail of and start studying.

Today, I would like to focus on few little tips that are helpful across the board when you give a TOEFL test.

1. Make sure you are registered for the test
2. Find the location of the center for the test at least one day before the test
3. Manage your time wisely so you can be there at least 30 minutes before the test starts
4. Do bring along your identity proof and the registration code
5. In case of emergency you can reschedule the test, up to 3 days before test (so if the test is on Saturday that means that the latest you can reschedule your test is Tuesday). You will be charged a fee of US $ 60 or equivalent in the local currency
6. If you fail the test it’s only the end of your registration fee, nothing else is lost, so you can retake the test as many times you need and can afford.
7. You are not allowed inside the test room with any personal electronic devices, this includes your personal mobile.
8. Remember that the test is 4hours and a half and this is the time limit. You will have a small break of 10 minutes midway.

9. You can register for the test 3 months prior the date of the test, and the sooner you do the more chance you have for a sit.
10. Try to take it easy the day before the test and have a good night rest

TOEFL test scores is used in 7500 Universities and Colleges in about 165 countries so you are able to choose from 7500 opportunities.

Introduced Monday by John Kerry, Democratic chairman, and Richard Lugar, top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill adds provisions to last year’s draft Startup Visa Act to allow foreign students in US universities and workers on H-1B visas to start companies in the US.

The StartUp Visa Act of 2011 will allow an immigrant entrepreneur to receive a two year visa if he or she can show that a qualified US investor is willing to invest in the immigrant’s startup venture.

Under the updated version, the pool of eligible immigrants would now also include holders of H-1B visas and entrepreneurs living outside the US with a market presence in the country.

The new legislation provides visas to the following groups under certain conditions:

First: Entrepreneurs living outside the US – if a US investor agrees to financially sponsor their entrepreneurial venture with a minimum investment of $100,000.

Two years later, the startup must have created five new American jobs and either have raised over $500,000 in financing or be generating more than $500,000 in yearly revenue.

Second: Workers on an H-1B visa, or graduates from US universities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science – if they have an annual income of at least $30,000 or assets of at least $60,000 and have had a US investor commit investment of at least $20,000 in their venture.

Two years later, the startup must have created three new American jobs and either have raised over $100,000 in financing or be generating more than $100,000 in yearly revenue.

Third: Foreign entrepreneurs whose business has generated at least $100,000 in sales from the US. Two years later, the startup must have created three new American jobs and either have raised over $100,000 in financing or be generating more than $100,000 in yearly revenue.

‘Every job-creating American business started as an idea in the mind of an entrepreneur. We need to keep and bring more of those ideas to our shores where they can put Americans to work,’ Kerry said.

‘Global competition for talent and investment grows more intense daily and the United States must step up or be left behind,’ he said.

‘We want to establish a way for the smartest and most entrepreneurial individuals in the world to come to the United States and create jobs. Many are already here studying at our great universities,’ said Lugar.

‘Helping them stay to invest in their ideas and create jobs benefits all Americans.’

UK

The funds must have been held in savings for at least 28 days. Only parents and legal guardians can sponsor the student.

Australia

Students must have funding for the duration of their programme to a maximum of 3 years. The exception is PhD which requires only 1 year of funding.

Funds must be 6 months old. Only parents, grandparents, siblings can sponsor. Uncles and Aunts who are permanent residents of OZ or NZ can also sponsor the student.

New Zealand

Students must have at least 1 year of funding for their programme, both fees and living expenses.

Canada

Students going to Universities must show enough funds to cover the duration of their studies.

Only parents or blood relatives can sponsor the student, preferably from India.

USA

Student has to show full funds for 1 year of education which can be a bank loan + savings.

For second year fund capability, normally only parents can sponsor.

Ideally funds should be 6 months old and sponsor should show the Income Tax Returns. Parents, do your homework

Then again, many students, and indeed parents, often say to agents, ‘do whatever it takes’. Since Australia has toughened its visa regulations, students are now bee-lining for Canada or the UK or EU or anywhere. These people set themselves up to be cheated and for failure. Of course, many have relatives or ‘friends’ in the chosen country who are ever ready, often for a price, to help them acquire fake anythings, including illegal work, fake marriages and so on. Such students and parents skate on high risk ‘thin ice’ strategies.

Say ‘No’ to fake certificates

Many visas are refused because of “fake documentation” and this can result in a ban of up to ten years to that country and often other countries will also ban entry. The High Commissions are now far more pro-active and are doing far more verifications to halt this practice. New Zealand now authorises only licensed immigration advisers to advise on migration even for students.

The goldmine is in India

Students who make full use of their international experience are the ones who end up with lucrative careers overseas or back home. Today, India is the new growth story where long-term progress is assured. Even foreigners are increasingly finding career opportunities in India these days. So do some independent research to ensure you are at the right place. Surely you would not walk into the first lawyer or an accountant’s office without checking out their credentials and reputation.

Do Verify

Your agent’s reputation and standing by talking to their referrals

How long have they been in the business

Their charges and compare these with others in the industry

Confirm and take a written document on Refund Policy

Their credentials from their website as well as the Government websites

Verify their response and outcome time frame of the application from the websites

Don’t

Get trapped into arranging fake documentation

Expect a guarantee of visa as simply no one can give this

Lay out large sums without understanding the service expectation frame.

Make the right choices and you would never regret it.

“According to the complaint, Su and Tri-Valley University have made millions of dollars in tuition fees for issuing the visa-related documents, enabling foreign nationals to obtain illegal student immigration status.”

During the investigation, Su is said to have signed official forms certifying attendance for students who did not actually attend the university, when infact, the F-1 visa does require physical attendance of a student. The Tri-Valley University was  authorised by the federal government to admit international students and to issue I-20s for those on student visas.

>>We encourage our readers to seek admission to the best possible universities. Through our blogs and forums we have always maintained that just going to US for the heck of it has no value and such students who wish to go to bottom ranked and unknown universities [legal or illegal] have no future, neither in US nor anywhere else in the world.

>> Hope this incident and the hoopla in the media surrounding the use of radio tagging on some students of the Tri Valley University help the prospective students understand the value of gaining a US education at a good university and by following rules.

>>Another important fact to note is that, the alleged sham university is still listed on SEVIS website as a SEVIS approved university.

>> One important point [which these students apparently did not follow] If you seek to transfer Universities, do it for good academic reasons, always transfer to a better and higher ranked University and follow all DHS rules about the transfer paperwork.

By creating, developing, organizing, and managing complex technologies and products, engineers play a crucial role in contributing to the betterment of humanity and in shaping our world. Seeking solutions to the most difficult challenges of our day in the context of physical, economic, human, political, legal, and cultural realities makes engineering a tremendously rewarding endeavor. In a world increasingly influenced by scientific and technological innovation, engineers can provide important leadership to society.

The first-year curriculum for undergraduates includes physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and the humanities, arts, and social sciences. An undergraduate student normally becomes affiliated with a particular department at the beginning of sophomore year and works closely with an advisor from that department or program. A student who would like to explore engineering as a major is encouraged to become involved with one of the engineering departments as early as freshman year. Nearly every engineering department offers exciting subjects that introduce freshmen to engineering. Freshman Advising Seminars bring students together in small groups with engineering faculty. Undergraduate Research Opportunities Projects (UROPs) are a great way to delve into cutting-edge engineering research. Extracurricular clubs offer students hands-on experiences.

Once a student chooses an undergraduate major, there are many opportunities for individual initiatives. For example, a significant number of students combine their primary undergraduate major with a second undergraduate major in another area, such as management, political science, economics, one of the sciences, or another area of engineering. Others organize their programs so they can receive undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously. A series of minor programs from across the Institute is also available.

Pioneering Programs in Engineering Education

Engineering education has been at the core of the Institute’s mission since its founding in 1861. MIT created the contemporary model of engineering education grounded in a dynamic, changing base of science. It pioneered the modern model of the research university, with externally sponsored research programs and a matrix of academic departments and research laboratories working across disciplines. MIT also created entire new fields, for example, chemical engineering, sanitary engineering, naval architecture and marine engineering, and the first course in aeronautical engineering. More recently, the School of Engineering has responded with new degree programs that have made biology a foundational science for engineering, and it has created a new, flexible degree option in which students can create or pursue concentrations in broad, interdisciplinary areas such as energy, transportation, computational engineering, or the environment.

The School has distinguished itself as a leader in engineering education, where the teaching of applied, hands-on engineering is of the utmost importance. In 1916, it created one of the first industrial internship programs, now the David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice. Over the last several decades, the School of Engineering has launched numerous pioneering programs, many with industry, such as Leaders for Global Operations, formerly Leaders for Manufacturing (1988); System Design and Management (1997); the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation and the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (both in 2001); and the Bernard M. Gordon–MIT Engineering Leadership Program (2008).

The School of Engineering is constantly innovating in engineering education, developing novel pedagogical approaches, designing new subject offerings that strengthen current programs, and creating new disciplines, fields of study, majors, and graduate programs. Today, the School offers nearly 20 exciting engineering degree programs for undergraduates. Two examples are the SB in Chemical-Biological Engineering—MIT’s first undergraduate engineering degree with modern molecular biology as its core science; and, begun in 2005-2006, the SB in Biological Engineering. A number of other new degree programs have been launched in the past decade: the SB in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, MEng in Manufacturing, SM in Computation for Design and Optimization, PhD in Computational and Systems Biology, PhD in Engineering System, and the SB in Engineering degree in either Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautics and Astronautics.

The School of Engineering also offers a range of co-curricular activities designed to enhance students’ academic and non-academic experiences at MIT. The Bernard M. Gordon–MIT Engineering Leadership Program seeks to train tomorrow’s engineering leaders through project-based learning, extensive interaction with industry leaders, hands-on product development, engineering leadership labs, and authentic leadership challenges and exercises. The Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP) is an innovative sophomore program that provides opportunities for students to learn, first-hand, about engineering practice outside the academic context through internships and intensive experiential-learning workshops that emphasize development of professional abilities and attitudes required in engineering work.

Because of its unique role in technological innovation, the School of Engineering is also the home of the Lemelson-MIT Program. Established in 1994, the program is an educational initiative whose mission is to recognize outstanding inventors as role models, encourage sustainable new solutions to real-world problems, and enable and inspire youth to pursue creative lives and careers through invention. It accomplishes this through annual awards, grants, and outreach activities, including the prestigious $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize, $100,000 Lemelson-MIT Award for Sustainability, and $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is the program’s national initiative to inspire a new generation of inventors among high school students through grants that support a noncompetitive, team-based approach to learning and problem solving.

The School of Engineering is generally ranked at the top of its fields by third-party rankings and surveys. US News and World Report has placed the School at the top of its engineering rankings every year they have run their survey; all of the School’s graduate programs rank at or near the top of their most recent rankings as well. The School’s eight academic departments and one division are home to 371 faculty members, one third of the Institute’s total faculty. Among the most distinguished in the nation, nearly one third of the School’s current and emeritus faculty and research staff have been inducted into the National Academy of Engineering.

Almost 60 percent of MIT undergraduates with declared majors and more than 45 percent of all graduate students are in the School of Engineering.

Interdepartmental Research Programs

Within the School of Engineering, a student may develop a program that satisfies his or her own intellectual and professional objectives. A student interested in an interdepartmental program should study the departmental descriptions and Part 3, Interdisciplinary Programs, for opportunities that combine disciplines from MIT’s four other schools with those of the School of Engineering.

While the School’s academic departments and divisions provide continuity and stability for the basic engineering disciplines, they increasingly share interests in the way their individual disciplines are applied. Interdepartmental centers, laboratories, and programs provide opportunities for faculty, students, and research staff to undertake collaborative research and engage in educational programs dealing with these and other interdisciplinary applications of importance to society.

Interdisciplinary centers and laboratories that reside in the School of Engineering include the following:

Center for Computational Engineering
Center for Technology, Policy, and Industrial Development
Center for Transportation and Logistics
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems
Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity
Materials Processing Center
Microsystems Technology Laboratories
Transportation@MIT

School of Engineering faculty members also participate in the activities of other research centers and laboratories that are administered outside the School of Engineering.

Credits- Web.Mit.edu

Harvard Museum of Natural History :

This is the public museum of Harvard’s three research museums..and displays over 12,000 specimens, including the reknowned collection of 3,000 ‘Glass Flowers’, flame-worked glass models of flowering…

Attraction type  Natural History Museums

Distance  1.0 miles from city center

Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard is America’s oldest institute of higher learning and one of the country’s most prestigious universities. Among the illustrious alumni are civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois, philosopher Henry David Thoreau, writer Gertrude Stein, composer Leonard Bernstein, cellist Yo Yo Ma and seven U.S. presidents.

Attraction type  Educational Sites; Historic Sites

Distance  0.7 miles from city center

The Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Art Museums, among the world’s leading art institutions, comprise three museums (Fogg, Busch-Reisinger, and Arthur M. Sackler) and four research centers. Integral to Harvard University and the wider community, the art museums and research centers serve as resources for students, scholars, and other visitors. For more than a century they have been the nation’s premier training ground for museum professionals and are renowned for their seminal role in developing the discipline of art history in this country.

Attraction type Art Museums; Museums

Distance 0.7 miles from city center

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

One of the world’s leading educational institutions, with an emphasis on math and sciences, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located on the banks of the Charles River . The M.I.T. campus includes many modern buildings designed by famous architects and is worth an explore.

Attraction type Educational Sites; Science Museums

Distance 0.8 miles from city center

Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

The Peabody Museum is the region’s principle world cultures museum, with vast collections from North America, ancient Mesoamerica, Africa, and Oceania. Changing exhibits explore human societies and culture from prehistory to the present. Experience the Plains Indian wars from the Lakota perspective, marvel at the spectacular wall paintings of the Maya, Moche, and American southwest, and explore the many island cultures of the Pacific.

Attraction type Museums; Specialty Museums

Distance 0.8 miles from city center

Harvard Square

Some facts about Harvard Square:  – Home to Harvard University, renowned academic institution with a massive endowment, arguably the hardest college to get into in the U.S., home to many of the most…

Attraction type  Landmarks/ Points of Interest

Distance 0.9 miles from city center

Longfellow National Historic Site

For almost half a century (1837 – 1882) this was the home of one of the world’s foremost poets, scholars and educators, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was also a favorite gathering place for historical figures such as George Wsahington, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is open for public touring Wednesday through Sunday.

Attraction type Historic Sites; Gardens

Distance 1.2 miles from city center

The Comedy Studio

Attraction type  Performances; Comedy Clubs
Distance 0.7 miles from city center

Regattabar
Attraction type Jazz Bars; Performances
Distance 0.9 miles from city center

Sanders Theatre

Attraction type Theaters
Distance  0.8 miles from city center

MIT Museum
The MIT Museum is a place that explores invention, ideas, and innovation. Home to renowned collections in science and technology, holography, architecture and design, nautical engineering and…
Attraction type  Museums; Science Museums; Art Galleries
Distance  0.5 miles from city center

Botanical Museum

Originally called the “Museum of Vegetable Products” when it was founded in 1858, today this museum focuses on the study of useful plants and economic botany.

Charles River
A nature reservation covering 950 acres along both sides of the Charles River offers bicycle and jogging paths, 12 tennis courts, six swimming pools and the popular Hatch Memorial Shell with live concerts.
Attraction type Bodies of Water; Scenic Drives
Distance 1.2 miles from city center

Credits- Trip Advisor.com

TOEFL exam evaluates the individual skill to talk, write, listen, use and understand the English language and is especially good in evaluating the students who plan to study abroad in Universities or Colleges.

Who does it help?

a.       You can enroll in Universities or Colleges from US, UK, Australia and any other English speaking countries. Approximately 7500 Universities and Colleges accept the result of the TOEFL exam.

b.      As an entry or exit from a English language University

c.       Individuals who are interested in learning English and are monitoring their progress.

d.      Individuals who are applying for visa either work visa or study visa in an English speaking country.

There are about 25 million people who have taken the test since it was first given.

Since the Verbal is more of english words some people prefer reading the wall street journal, newspapers, brochures, pamphlets etc and identify an unfamiliar word then refer to the dictionary/lexicon. Some people prefer flashcards-writing a word and then the meaning at the back. So now you understand what I was saying right yeah use something that works for you. Below is what I have compiled as helpful tips

1: use flash cards

2: read a journal be it scientific or anything, newspaper etc something that you enjoy note down unfamiliar words and look up the meaning.

3. ‘give’ the hardest words to your friends(dont worry they do not have to know) for example if you know that Stan is lazy call him indolent. The moment you see indolent you will be like Oh Stan that lazy guy!

4 English words are made of word parts, prefixes,suffixes and roots. A knowledge of these word parts and their meanings can help you determine the meanings of unfamiliar words. for example de- means down or away, so if you see the word debase, break it up to make de- and -base(see-debase lower in value and another word decadence-deterioration).

5.  Type in a word to get its various meanings for example  ‘idiot synonyms’ on Google (or go to thesaurus.com) and get all the words that refer to an idiot you will realize you will catch up easily

6.  Text books you can use: Barrons, Kaplan GRE Exam Vocabulary flash cards, Kaplan GRE Exam work book.

The idea is making the learning experience fun: Inspirational quote for today:

You learn something every day if you pay attention -  Ray LeBlond