Hi Joanna:

Did some thinking about what I'd do differently if I had to take the test over, and besides SETTING A DIFFERENT ALARM CLOCK, here's what I came up with:

1) I would do exactly what I did as far as preparing with the Kaplan GRE book: memorize all concepts, how different theories are applied in treatment, etc; address everything on outline provided through GRE with the sort of basic knowledge provided in the Kaplan book (I think bain4weeks recommends using Princeton book...can't remember) but I would go ahead and get both...I'd learn this "background" info cold because you have to have it in order to be able to apply it in the nefarious scenarios you will encounter.

2) Then what I'd do is get my hands on a number of CURRENT textbooks actually being used in mid to upper-level college psych courses that correspond to the material listed by GRE and the Kaplan book outline. I'd pay particular attention to the most current people, theories and treatment applications and research designs and the quizzes or study Qs on this stuff that discussed or provided examples of, application. Key words "current" and "application".

3) I'd absolutely spend a good deal of time on the experimental area: research design, hypotheses, graphs, set ups etc.

I was really disappointed because it was applied knowledge that was being tested (and understandably so) -- but you know I really would have preferred simple regurgitation of facts...especially with only two hours to complete a three hour test.

On the lighter side -- because there was so much material to memorize and such a short time to do it -- and since I've been out of school for 30 years and was totally unfamiliar with material; I took to using mneumonic devices to remember stuff for this test -- they really were pretty crazy, but the truth is, the crazier they are, the easier they are to remember and the better they STAY remembered.

For ex: to remember that P. Flourens was the guy associated with extirpation and ablation; that he removed parts of pigeon brains and then observed the consequences: I briefly rehearsed scenario in my mind where in a big square in Florence, Italy, flocks of pigeons are flying around and I see a man chasing them with a scalpel. "Come here, you pigeon-brains!" I hear him yell. A couple rehearsals like this and you NEVER forget that IMPORTANT fact!!! (even when you really try....)

Well, this is the sort of thing that either works for you or it doesn't, but if it does; it can help a whole lot...

Hope some of this is helpful and the very best of luck to you;