Graduate
Record Examination
The
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test is
a multiple-choice admission test for applicants to
graduate schools. The test is administered by the
Educational Testing Service (ETS), under the sponsorship
of the Graduate Record Examinations Board. The GRE
is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), and consists of
three scored sections:
What
is a GRE CAT and how does it work?
A
CAT is a computer-adaptive test, whose software calculates
your score based on the number of questions you answer
correctly, the difficulty of the questions you answer,
and the number of questions you complete. When you
take the GRE CAT, you'll begin each section with a
medium-level question and a score of 500.
If
you answer the question correctly, the computer will
raise your score and give you a harder question. If
you answer the question incorrectly, your score will
decrease and you'll be given an easier question. The
process repeats for each question in the section,
to arrive at your final score for that section.
How is the GRE scored?
Each
of the multiple-choice sections is scored on a scale
of 200 to 800. The average scores for the GRE are
about 470 for Verbal and 570 for Quantitative. The
Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of
0 to 6.
How
important are my GRE scores?
Schools
vary tremendously in the weights they place on the
different factors in the admission process, so be
sure to contact the specific schools to which you
are applying in order to determine their unique requirements.
Some programs weight GRE scores very heavily, and/or
have a minimum score for applicants, while other programs
consider GRE scores more of a formality. It is important
to note that your GRE scores are a major factor in
determining your eligibility for financial aid.
How
do I pick a GRE test date?
First
find out the application deadlines for the graduate
schools to which you are applying, then work backwards
from your earliest deadline. Build some extra time
into your planning process for unexpected delays because
you can only take the GRE once per calendar month.
Keep
in mind that it can take as long as four weeks for
your official scores to arrive at your designated
schools. The GRE is offered at testing centers almost
every day. Call your local center for details and
to book your test. While in theory you could sign
up for the GRE with only two days' notice, don't depend
upon this luxury. Call at least one month prior to
your desired test date.
