GRE

Graduate Record Exam A standardized test that is an admissions

requirement for many graduate schools  Available at about 700 test centers in more

than 160 countries In most areas, it is a computer-based test Recently revised in 2011

◦ Enabled editing/changing of answers, skipping questions, and on-screen calculator

What is the GRE?

3 Sections:◦Verbal Reasoning◦Quantitative Reasoning◦Analytical Writing

What are you being tested in?

Assesses your ability to :◦ analyze and evaluate written material and

synthesize information you obtain from it One half requires you to read passages and

answer questions on those passages• The other half requires you to read, interpret, and

complete existing sentences, groups of sentences, or paragraphs

Section 1: Verbal Reasoning

3 types of questions:◦ Reading Comprehension

Reading a passage and answering questions about it Test contains 10 passages with 1-6 questions for each passage Answers are mostly multiple choice. Some you will choose multiple

correct answers and some you will select a sentence from the passage.

◦ Text Completion Contains passages with words or short phrases omitted (1-3

blanks) Information in the passage is used to choose the correct answer Answers are multiple choice

◦ Sentence Equivalence Questions contain single sentences with one blank You will be asked to select 2 answers that both fit into the sentence Answers are multiple choice

Section 1: Verbal Reasoning Continued…

Assesses your:◦ basic mathematical skills◦ understanding of elementary mathematical concepts◦ ability to reason quantitatively and to model and solve

problems with quantitative methods Content:

◦ Arithmetic◦ Algebra◦ Geometry◦ Data Analysis

• Content is generally no higher than a second course in algebra; it does not include trigonometry, calculus, or other higher-level mathematics.

• An on-screen calculator is provided for this section of the GRE

Section 2: Quantitative Reasoning

4 types of questions:◦ Quantitative Comparison

Compare two variables A or B Answer choices are: A is greater, B is greater,

quantities are equal, or relationship cannot be determined

◦ Multiple Choice – select one◦ Multiple Choice – select one or more◦ Numeric Entry

These questions require you to type in your answer

Section 2: Quantitative Reasoning Continued…

Assesses your ability to : ◦ articulate and support complex ideas,◦ construct and evaluate arguments◦ sustain a focused and coherent discussion

Contains two separately timed “tasks”◦ issue task ◦ argument task

Section 3: Analytical Writing

Issue task◦  Purpose is to test your critical thinking and persuasive writing◦ You will be given an issue with specific instructions◦ You will have to take a position with the issue and present an

argument (addressing what the instructions ask) for why you support that position

Argument Task◦ Purpose is to test your ability to understand, analyze and

evaluate arguments ◦ You will be given an argument and be forced to consider the

logical soundness of the argument by examining the line of reasoning and the evidence it presents

◦ There will be specific instructions to follow when writing your response

Section 3: Analytical Writing Continued…

 Overall time is about three hours and 45 minutes

There are six sections with a 10-minute break following the third section

The Analytical Writing section will always be first, while the other five sections may appear in any order.

Order of Sections & Time Allowed

Time Allowed

¹An unidentified un-scored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.²An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test.

http://www.aavmc.org/data/files/vmcas/test_chart_2012.pdf◦ For each school within the AAVMC ◦ MCAT can substitute for the GRE for some schools

Listed on this link

Deadlines

Explanation of Scores Three scores are reported for the GRE:

If no questions are answered for a specific measure (e.g., Verbal Reasoning), then you will receive a No Score (NS) for that measure.

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning◦ score reflects the number of questions answered

correctly Analytical Writing section

◦ Each essay receives a score from two trained readers

◦ If the two assigned scores differ by more than one point, a third reader decides the final score

◦ Overall score is the average of the ratings given to the two essays.

Explanation of Scores

Computer-based Test◦ Official scores are sent to you and the score

recipients you designate about 10 – 15 days after your test date.

Paper-based Test◦ Official scores are sent to you and the score

recipients you designate within six weeks after your test date.

You can also view your scores online free of charge.

How do I get my score?

How a department or admissions committee evaluates GRE scores varies:◦ use them as cutoffs to eliminate applicants◦ use them as criteria for research assistantships

and other forms of funding◦ look at to GRE scores to offset weak GPAs◦ admissions committees will overlook poor GRE

scores if applicants demonstrate significant strengths in other areas.

Department Evaluations of Scores

GRE scores are due by October 1. ◦ There is normally a 3-4 week reporting time after

taking the exam, so taking the test no later than August 15th is recommended.

Average scores of those accepted to the Class of 2015 were 460-590 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 4.5 on the Analytical Writing section.

No minimum score required.

MSU and the GRE

Practice Questions:◦ Kaplan

http://www.kaptest.com/GRE/Home/index.html Usually have workshops Publish guides for the test Courses anywhere from $500-$2200 with financial aid option

◦ ETS http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare?WT.ac=rx46 Offers a variety of free and low-cost tools from practice questions to what to

expect on test day and tips for each section◦ Barron’s

http://barronstestprep.com/gre/gre-online-practice-tests.php?gclid=CKiJx9vIiq8CFUhl7Aodmm0aCA

Publish guides for the test Limited help online for free Access to online practice tests and solutions for $69

◦ http://www.greguide.com/gre-practice-tests.html Has practice problems for the new GRE Also has practice problems for the old test if you want to compare them

Places to Practice

◦ The GRE is given year-round at computer-based test centers in most locations around the world. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-

served basis.◦ You can take the GRE (computer-based and paper-

based) only once every 60 days, and no more than five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.

◦ Cost – $160.00

Dates

◦ In Mississippi: Hattiesburg – 7574

University of Southern MississippiWalker Science Bldg. Rm 217University Testing Center

Jackson – 3600 Prometric Testing Center

Meridian - STN13965A Meridian Community College (No GRE)

Webb Hall Mississippi State – 7546

Mississippi State UniversityRice Hall

Oxford – 7753 University of Mississippi

University Avenue at Grove Loop Tupelo – 3603

Prometric Testing Center

Locations of Testing

Analytical Writing Budget your time wisely Allow a few extra moments at the end of each time to look for

obvious errors.

Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Comparison

Become familiar with the answer choices. Avoid unnecessary computations Plug in numbers.

Multiple Choice: Use the fact that the answer is there For questions that require approximations, scan the answer

choices to see how close an approximation is needed Numeric Entry:

Make sure you answer the question that is asked. Make sure you round your answer when asked to Examine your answer to see if it is reasonable with respect to the

information given.

Tips

• Verbal Reasoning: Reading comprehension:

distinguishing between minor and major points summarizing a passage drawing conclusions from the information provided analyzing a text and reaching conclusions about it Identifying strengths and weaknesses of a position

Text completion understanding the structure of a text in terms of how the parts

relate to one another identifying the author's assumptions and perspective developing and considering alternative explanations

Sentence Equivalence understanding the meaning of individual words and sentences understanding the meaning of paragraphs and larger bodies of

text developing and considering alternative explanations