Ultimate GRE Prep?

Question

I'm planning on taking the math [GRE Subject Exam](https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/mathematics) in April (~11 months from today). I want to start preparing now in the hopes of scoring in the 95+ percentile. I have already taken a number of graduate courses and really need to refresh on some of the lower level stuff so here's my plan: May 14 - Stein & Shakarchi, Complex Analysis [for REU] Jun 14 - Need to read through papers for REU. I'll probably read another complex analysis text. Jul 14 - Axler, Linear Algebra Done Right (Ch 1-5) Aug 14 - Axler, Linear Algebra Done Right (Ch 6-10); Lang, Calculus of Several Variables Sep 14 - Spivak, Calculus (Ch 9-15) Oct 14 - Spivak, Calculus (Ch 17-23) Nov 14 - Munkres, Analysis on Manifolds (Ch 1-3) Dec 14 - Munkres, Analysis on Manifolds (Ch 4-7); Apostol, Mathematical Analysis; Insel, Linear Algebra Jan 15 - Stewart, Calculus; UCLA Bootcamp Feb 15 - Artin, Algebra; Stewart, Calculus [agian] Mar 15 - Saracino, Algebra; Schaums: Calculus, ODEs, Lin Alg, Complex, Discrete, Prob & Stats Apl 15 - Princeton Review, Cracking the GRE; Practice Exams; Stewart, Calculus [for the third time]; Fritz, Calculus and Advanced Calculus Demystified. --- I have never taken a course in multivariable calculus or multivariable analysis (but I have picked some up in complex analysis and measure theory courses). As I have heard it is very important for the exam, I've put a good bit of emphasis on it. I have a particularly strong background in number theory and combinatorics. Also, during the semester of the exam, I will be taking a course in Algebra using Lang's Algebra and an intro topology course using Munkres along side an algebraic topology course using Massey's Algebraic Topology. As such, I probably don't need to study as hard for these subjects. During my preparation, I hope to do every problem in each book with only few exceptions. By the end of this preparation, I hope to know all the topics on the exam like the back of my hand. - **Does this seem reasonable?** - **What modifications would you make?** - **Am I focusing my time on the appropriate subjects?*

Answer 1

The Educational Testing Service is the author of the GRE Math Subject Test. Take a look at their web page for the GRE Math Subject Test at https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/mathematics. It says that 50% of the test's content is related to calculus. The fact that you have never taken a course in multivariable calculus is your biggest issue in doing well on this test. At the bottom of web page above is a link to this document: https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/practice_book_math.pdf. Download it, and take the enclosed test under realistic testing conditions.

So you need to cover the material of typical courses in multivariable calculus, ASAP. If you're still taking college classes as an undergraduate, sign up for the courses in multivariable calculus that you missed.

In graduate school, your income will probably come from your salary as a Teaching Assistant for various classes, including calculus classes, and if you cannot be a T.A. for multivariable calculus, that makes it more likely you will sometimes have to be a T.A. for remedial math classes, which you may not want to do.

Good luck!