The GRE doesn’t have to be a daunting hurdle for graduate school hopefuls. After four years (or more!) of exams and papers, the last thing on your to-do list might be taking another test. You may even be deciding if an advanced degree is the right path for you.
Whether you’re set on graduate school or not, the GRE is a great option because it opens up the possibility of graduate school – even if you’re still ironing out the details on your future. So, keep these three things in mind before you start your GRE test prep strategy.
1. The test is designed to evaluate your general knowledge and reasoning skills. That’s why the GRE is separated into three broad sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
Verbal Reasoning will focus on words and on your ability to reason through written passages. You’ll need to demonstrate an understanding of texts and the meaning of words, sentences, and passages as well as the relationship among words and ideas.
Quantitative Reasoning is the math section of the test. You’ll have the chance to show that you can solve problems using mathematical models. You’ll need to brush up on your arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills to analyze and solve problems. You’ll have a calculator provided to you on-screen, or the test center will give you a calculator to use if you take the paper test.
Analytical Writing will measure how well you convey your thoughts and ideas in writing. You’ll need to support your claims with applicable reasons and write clearly and concisely with a good command of the English language.
2. The GRE is scored differently than other standardized tests you’ve taken. Here’s the range of scores you can get for each section:
Verbal Reasoning: 130 – 170, scored in 1 point increments
Quantitative Reasoning: 130 – 170, scored in 1 point increments
Analytical Writing: 0-6, scored in half point increments
If you don’t answer any questions in a section (i.e. Verbal Reasoning), you will receive “NS” or “No Score” for that section.
For those taking the GRE on the computer, the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on a section-level adaptive model. Depending on how well you do on the first section determines what the questions will be on the second section of the test. All questions answered have equal weight for the final score. The computer takes a raw score from each of the two sections and converts it to a scaled score. This is called equating.
For those taking the GRE on paper, there is no level adaptation. So, your raw score is derived from the number of questions you answered correctly. After that, your raw score is scaled based on the difficulty of the different test editions, which is the same process of equating that I mentioned above.
For the Analytical Writing section on the computer test, your writing samples are read by one human reader and e-rater, a computer program designed to look for writing-related proficiency. If both agree on a similar score, your final score is the average of their two scores on a 0-6 scale. If they disagree, another human reader will grade at your writing sample. Your final score will come from the average of the two human readers.
If you decide to take the paper test, your Analytical Writing sample will be read by two human readers, and your final score derives from the average of their two scores and rounded to the nearest half point interval.
So, after reading all of this, you’re probably asking yourself: What’s a good GRE score then? Here’s a quick look for each section:
Great: 161 - 170
Good: 151 - 160
Not-so-good: 131 - 150
Generally, you should aim to be in the 65th percentile or greater to be a competitive applicant, which means a score of at least 155.
You should try for at least a 4 on the Analytical Writing Section.
3. The GRE gives you options and flexibility that other tests do not.
The GRE is the only graduate school test that allows you to answer the questions in each section when you want, giving you the chance to return to questions you skipped over. And when your score is tallied, the GRE provides you with the ScoreSelect option, which means you can take multiple tests and only select the best scores to the send to your schools of choice. So you may have bombed that first test you took, but don’t let that discourage you. You can take the GRE again, and your dream school won’t even know about your less-than-ideal score.
Your GRE scores are also good for 5 years after your test date, so graduate school may not be an option for you now. But if you have the time to study and prepare for the GRE, why not take the test and use the scores for applications in the future? It’ll give you more time to look at graduate schools and discover the field that’s right for you without having to worry about a standardized test.
The GRE is also accepted nationwide and around the world. You can use your scores to apply to both graduate schools and business schools, making it one of the most versatile tests for graduate school applicants.
Remember, before you take the GRE, it’s best to take the time to study and prepare. You can find a variety of study guides online and at your local bookstore. Free or inexpensive prep tools and sample questions are also available on the GRE site.
Good luck, and feel free to comment below with any GRE test tips or questions you may have!
Are you overwhelmed at the thought of studying for the GRE? We invite you to download our free eBook: The GRE Cheat Sheet — A Guide to Acing the GRE.
