Do I Need to Take the GRE?
Justin Grimes, PhD
Speaker, Facilitator, & Consultant, & Speaker on Graduate Education or DEI | Author "20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School"
Before I answer the question, let me explain the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE does not predict graduate or doctoral completion rates but tests for graduate school readiness. The exam now takes 1 hour and 58 minutes, down from the previous 3 hours and 45 minutes. It assesses your verbal and quantitative reasoning skills, critical thinking, and analytical writing. The Quantitative and Verbal sections are scored on a scale of 130-170 each and combined to give you a total GRE Score ranging from 260-340.
A student recently asked me if I wanted to take the GRE.
Yet, I did reluctantly while working full time. I'll never forget driving through snow flurries to a testing location near Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to take a lengthy exam and get a score of 297. I felt excitement and disappointment because I wanted to score 300.
What Else You Need to Know About the GRE
Now that you have this information and access to get questions answered about the exam, you can make an informed decision about what you need to know before you apply to a graduate program that requires the GRE.?
Why does the GRE matter in admissions?
The GRE is a pivotal factor in graduate admissions. Educational Testing Services (ETS) has clarified that the exam is not designed to exclude individuals from graduate admissions. Many graduate programs utilize the exam to gauge readiness. However, in practice, it also functions as a tool to filter out applicants who do not meet the minimum score requirements for admission.
I am eager to find data that explains the significant difference in readiness between 297 (my last GRE score) and 310. Tooting my own horn, I have surpassed some people I know with 310 or higher scores as an international speaker, author, dissertation of the year recipient, first in the family to get a doctorate, author of five publications in my field, father, husband, and researcher. YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR SCORE.
We aren't here to relish in my accomplishments. I understand that various factors, such as mentorship, coaching, resources, resilience, and support structures, greatly impact a stustustudent'sccess graduate programs and degree completion. However, if 50% of doctoral students don't complete their degree, I’m asking faculty to question their overreliance on this exam to measure readiness.
Graduate programs likely don't have a solid answer to questions like, "Why do we rely on the GRE?" or" Why did we choose this specific score?" Just remember that the GRE is just a tool, and not all tools work to solve all problems. Some tools end up creating more problems than they were intended to solve.
Some programs, particularly those in the top 5, may require the GRE. I recommend looking into test-optional programs if the GRE is a significant concern.
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What Do You Mean By Test Optional Programs
Test-optional means that the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or any other exam is not mandatory for admission to graduate school. Opting for a test-optional program does not imply that the program is less rigorous than a test-required program. The prevalence of test-optional programs increased during the pandemic due to the lack of alternatives. Test-optional is more equitable because some individuals may need more resources to pay for the exam, access to exam locations, adequate preparation time, or confidence in taking the test. Moreover, removing the requirement compels programs to be more deliberate with their processes, especially when this exam is more detrimental to racially minoritized populations and students with disabilities.
Should I Take The GRE?
At A2GS, our mission is to make graduate education more equitable and accessible for all individuals. My goal for you is to make the best professional, academic, and economic decisions for your goals when choosing a GRE path, whether required or optional.
Your decision depends on your unique requirements and goals. Here are three questions to consider.
Justin would apply to test-optional in 2024 while it's still available. I suspect that with the test-optional ACT slowly being taken away from prestigious institutions, you will see the same happen for the GRE.
Let me say it clearly to silence that fear and voice telling you that now is not the right time to take the GRE or apply to graduate school.
What Can I Do To Be Successful On The GRE?
Remember the following tips for exam preparation:
Apply to Graduate School has partnered with Achievable to offer a testing preparation course for $199, which is more affordable than other programs. Achievable offers personalized test prep courses for the GRE, guiding learners through a personalized study experience and ensuring they are fully prepared for the exam.
?I have personally tested Achievable's course and found it beneficial. You can click here to sign up for Achievable.
Whenever I talk about graduate school, I tell people
YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR GPA AND TEST SCORE.
Professor Emeritus at Tulane University
3 个月Great advice, Justin! Thanks for the detailed and thoughtful post. Here's another perspective on taking the GRE. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/dcl0p9FRsLb