SAT & GRE 500 Core Words

Core Words #2

By: Deaver Brown

Narrated by: Deaver Brown

This is the second in this series of Core Words. After learning the first 100, this audiobook has the core 500 words used in the SATs and GREs over the last 50 years. This audiobook is best used after the Core 100 words are mastered so as not to intimidate the student.

The first audiobook is quick and brief, just focusing on the core knowledge needed for doing well in this area of the test as well as becoming a better reader and writer. Choate learned that the first step in learning a subject should be an easy accessible one. Most Test Prep books strut across the stage with length and depth that is intimidating to anyone from a Ph.D. on down. Imagine the negative impact on a high school student? Less is more in the early steps of learning. Later the students can expand their knowledge if not crushed in the first contact with it.

If this simple approach was good enough to help Choate students get into Harvard, it should be good for the rest of us! Enjoy. It's fun to test oneself on these words, no matter your purpose for doing so. This is a perfect listen on the way to school, work, or the test itself!

©2010 Simply Magazine, Inc. (P)2010 Christina Brown

Used it for the GRE. Surprisingly effective.

If you could sum up SAT & GRE 500 Core Words in three words, what would they be?

When I first listened to the the Core Words, I was skeptical. Deaver's voice is not pleasant to listen to, and he doesn't enunciate well. However, there aren't a lot of GRE audio lists available, and for the price I figured it was worth the risk. So I listened to the list over and over for a week and a half while at work and while driving.I was asked by one grad school to which I applied to retake the test. I only had a week and a half to study. I focused on the math section, as that is my area of weakness. The only thing I did for the verbal section was listen to SAT & GRE 500 Core Words: Core Words. When the test day came, I was so nervous. What if Deaver Brown was full of it? Right away I got my confidence back. I many of the works and their definitions. I was actually able to breath and relax. Comparing the scores from a previous GRE exam I took a couple years ago, I had increased my verbal score by 30%.Unbelievable. So, give it ago. As Deaver says "Listen to the works and let the definitions wash over you."

What was one of the most memorable moments of SAT & GRE 500 Core Words?

As grating at Deaver's voice is, it actually sticks with you, and the definitions too.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

You might want to know if I got into grad school. I did. I got a paid research assistant-ship. It's my very own dream-come-true.

Well

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I do not recommend this for the GRE.. For the SAT it migth be helpful...
I wouldnt suggest this to anyone... The recording is too fast and coloquial..

Would you listen to another book narrated by Deaver Brown?

Yes

Could you see SAT & GRE 500 Core Words being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

No

Excellent Selection of Words

If you're preparing for a standardized test or just want to improve your vocabulary, this is a great purchase for the price. The narrator's voice isn't my favorite, but the wealth of information is worth it.

A fine set of words but the voice scratchy

The set of words is pretty good and you will learn a lot from it. However, (a) the definitions are sometimes rather cryptic; (b) I have no idea who chose this exact guy to read it but it was a bad choice; (c) the pacing is too quick when you want to repeat words. Pausing does not help as he makes no gaps between the word and its definition; (d) the audiobook does not come with a list of words; (e) no examples of usage are given, only definitions. Since it's cheap though, on balance it was a good purchase.

Drooling in 2 minutes...

This is cheap and it is what is described.. That said, the narrator just listed off the words. If you're having troubles sleeping, buy this book, you'll be sleeping like a baby in no time.

Better if it goes with a pdf

So..
In general it deserves the price
But i have to say, Deaver's voice is not a comfortable one to listen to, and also, he got some lazy sounds, which makes it kinda hard to identify some certain words. would be nice if it actually goes with a pdf script to make cross match.