A Short Introduction to the GRE
The GRE is a test given for admission into graduate school (similar to the way the SAT and ACT are given for admission into college). Many graduate programs require applicants to take the GRE; if you are considering graduate school, you should contact the schools to ask whether you will need to take it.
The GRE is administered by computer and will be a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). During a CAT test, the questions an examinee receives will be determined by whether the previous question was answered correctly. With each correctly answered question, the difficulty level of the questions asked will increase slightly. Likewise, for every incorrectly answered question, the difficulty of successive questions will decrease slightly. An examinee’s final score is determined by both the number of correctly answered and the difficulty level of correctly answered questions.
The Basic Format of the GRE
The current adaptive format of the GRE begins with an Analytical Writing section, which requires typed responses to two different essay prompts: the Issue Task and the Argument Task. The Issue Task will present an issue and give you 45 minutes compose an essay giving your opinion on the subject. (The Issue Task will give you a choice between two topics to write on.) The Argument Task will present a short argument and give you 30 minutes to compose an essay that assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the argument.
There is a short break after the Analytical Writing section, after which the Verbal and Quantitative sections are presented.
The Verbal Section
The Verbal section is 30 minutes long and presents 30 questions. Questions in this section fall into four categories: Antonyms, Analogies, Sentence Completion, and Reading Comprehension. Questions from the categories are not grouped together; an analogy question may be followed by an antonym question, which may be followed by another analogy question.
Antonym Questions: Antonym questions present a single word followed by 5 answer choices. Examinees must pick the answer that is the opposite of the word.
Analogy Questions: Analogy questions present a set of two words, followed by five answer choices also containing a set of two words. Examinees are required to identify an answer choice in which the set of words are related in the same way as the original set of words.
Sentence Completion Questions: Sentence Completion questions present examinees with a short sentence that is missing either one or two words. Examinees are asked to find an answer choice containing words that could best complete the sentence.
Reading Comprehension Questions: These type of questions present a reading passage followed by a set of questions (only one question will be shown at a time). Questions ask examinees to identify the author’s main point, retrieve information from the passage, and make reasonable inferences based on the passage.
The Quantitative Section
The Quantitative Section is 45 minutes long and presents 28 questions. Questions in this section fall into three categories: Problem Solving, Quantitative Comparison, and Data Interpretation. Questions from the categories are not grouped together; a problem solving question may be followed by a quantitative comparison question, which may be followed by another problem solving question.
Problem Solving Questions: These questions present a short math problem. Examinees are asked to choose the correct answer for the problem from among five choices.
Quantitative Comparison Questions: In Quantitative Comparison questions, two columns present two quantities of data. Examinees must determine whether one quantity is larger than the other, whether the two quantities are equal, or whether the relationship cannot be determined based on the information given.
Data Interpretation Questions: In Data Analysis questions, a table or graph is presented, followed by a set of questions (only one question will be shown at a time) asking the examinee to make calculations and estimations based on the information in the graph or table.
How the GRE is Scored
Currently, the Verbal and Quantitative section of the GRE are scored on a scale from 200-800 in 10 point increments. The mean Verbal score is 470 and the mean Quantitative score is 590. These scores are based on an unpublished formula that is based on the number and difficulty level of correctly answered questions. The Analytical Writing sample is scored on a scale from 0 to 6. Each of the two essays is given an independent score by two different essay readers. The scores are than averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point. (More information on the scoring process for the can be found at www.ets.org)
When to Take the GRE
You should plan to take the GRE when you have the most time to study. Examinees may only take the GRE once per calendar month, so you may wish to schedule the exam for the final week of a calendar month, knowing that if anything should go wrong you can take it again in one or two weeks.
How to Prepare for the GRE
When to Begin Preparing
Now! Don’t wait until a week before the test! To significantly improve your GRE score, you will need to build a strong vocabulary, polish your critical reading skills, and refresh and hone your math skills. The sooner you begin to prepare, the higher your scores will be.
How to Begin Preparing Immediately
Quantitative: Begin by reading the math review provided by ETS (the creators of the GRE). This review will take you through the basic math concepts needed for the GRE.
Verbal: Begin increasing your vocabulary. Many free word lists are available online. Begin learning a handful of new words every day.
Once you’ve reviewed the basic math concepts, take a practice test. You can either use the paper-based test online or the PowerPrep computer test. Either will give you a fairly accurate beginning score assessment. It is vitally important not to take a sample test that is available in a bookstore book. These tests are often not weighted properly and result in misleading scores.
Do you need to take a GRE prep course?
The best way to find out is to take a sample test to see where you are scoring. Then research the programs you are interested in to determine whether your scores are high enough for admission. If your scores are lower by 50 points or more, then taking a course is advisable.
Other things you may wish to consider when looking into a course:
- Will a higher score significantly increase your chances for admission?
Some programs, such as clinical psychology programs or veterinary school, are highly competitive. In such cases, a higher GRE score can give an applicant an edge in admissions. If you are unsure about whether a higher GRE score will matter for your program, you should call the schools you are considering and ask.
- Will a higher score increase your chances at scholarships or fellowships?
If a higher score can get you more money, then a course is a good investment.
- Will you benefit significantly from the structured setting of a course?
If you tend to complete more homework and study harder in a structured class setting, then a course is a better choice than self-study.
How to Register for the GRE
You can register for the GRE online at www.ets.org
You can also call 1-800-GRE-CALL between 8am and 8pm Eastern Standard Time
