Standardized Tests

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Miller Analogies Test

Other tests which may be relevant to your career goals

Preparing for Standardized Tests

Retaking standardized tests


Success at the graduate level is determined by much more than just how well you score on standardized tests, however, many graduate programs will use this numerical information to see how you compare to other students on a national scale (versus your GPA which demonstrates how you compare to your classmates). Due to the sheer number of applications received, some larger graduate programs use standardized test scores as cut-off points for both acceptance and scholarship consideration. It is important to keep this in mind when choosing graduate programs. You want to be sure that the score you receive on a certain standardized test is comparable to the scores which the program indicates is necessary for acceptance.


The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The most likely standardized test to be required by a graduate program is the Graduate Record Exam, (GRE) General Test. The GRE General Test is very similar in format to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which you took in high school, except that in addition to the verbal and quantitative sections, there is also an analytical section. Just like the SAT, each section can vary from 200 (the lowest possible score) to 800 (the highest possible score). Therefore, the overall score on the GRE General Test (which has three sections) can range from 600-2400. NOTE: Not all graduate programs consider your score on the analytic portion of the GRE General Test and will state desired scores between 400-1600.

In addition to the GRE General Test, some programs also require that you submit a score on the GRE Subject Test. Obviously if you are applying to programs in psychology, you will be taking the GRE Subject Test in Psychology. If you intend to apply to programs outside of psychology, realize that there are 15 other subjects tests for various types of graduate programs. If you have heard that there is a new computerized version of the GRE, you are right. Currently, Educational Testing Services, (ETS) offers the GRE General Test in paper and pencil format as well as computerized format. (Selected computerized Subject Tests are on their way.) The major advantage of the computerized version is timing. You can schedule to take the computerized version and have it sent to a graduate program within a couple of weeks. The pencil and paper version, on the other hand, only occurs on certain test dates throughout the year and it takes longer to have your scores sent out. The major disadvantage of the computer version is that it costs almost twice as much.

As of 1994-95, the pencil and paper version of the GRE will be administered in October, December, April and June. For each of these dates, you can take both the GRE General and Subject Tests, except for the June date (only the General Test is administered in June.) You can also take the General Test and the Subject Test separately on two different dates.

Whatever you do, don't wait until the last minute to get more information about the test. Contact the address below a couple of months before you intend to take the test and ask for more information on the different formats, the registration deadlines and the test dates. The brochures and booklets they send you are free and very informative. You do not have to register to receive the information.

You can also reach ETS through the Internet at their two test-prep centers discussed later in this section. They both have a substantial amount of information about the GRE Test and the test date schedules.

The Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

Although waning in popularity, the MAT is still required by some graduate programs. According to the brochure published by The Psychological Corporation, the MAT is:

"...a high-level mental ability test requiring the solution of problems stated as analogies. It consists of 100 partial analogies that are to be completed in 50 minutes. Fluency in the English language, a broad knowledge of literature, philosophy, history, science, mathematics and fine arts, and the ability to reason out relationships may contribute to performance on the MAT."

If the graduate programs in which you are interested require the MAT, and you have already taken the GRE, be sure to contact the program and ask if you can send your GRE scores instead. Sometimes, the more widely used GRE score is an acceptable substitute. You certainly don't want to spend the extra time and money taking the MAT if it is not necessary. For more information about test sites and dates, contact the following address.

Other tests which may be relevant to your career goals:

Preparing for Standardized Tests

Some people believe that preparing for standardized tests is a waste of time. Others feel that preparation is the key to scoring well. The fact is that even if you are unable to increase your I.Q. anytime in the near future, preparing to take standardized tests is very helpful. At the very least, you will gain valuable test-taking time by familiarizing yourself with the test format and the types of questions you will be asked. Here are some suggestions on how to prepare for specific standardized tests.

For the GRE General Test, the first place you should turn is the testing center itself, ETS. Contact the address above or call their publication phone number 1-800-537-3160 and order their booklet of past GRE General Tests (cost $15.00, 1994. You can also use the one sample test included in their registration package free of charge). Only ETS can give you actual tests used in the past. If you are interested in predicting how you will score on the GRE General Test, it is advisable to use one of these previous tests rather than register and take the current GRE as a "trial run." First of all, this method of testing yourself is less expensive. Secondly, once you take the GRE, your score is kept on file for five years and if you request that your results be sent to a graduate program, all scores from the past five years will be sent. (You can ask that only a GRE General Test Score be sent without a GRE Subject Tests score.) You don't want a poor score on your record if it can be avoided. If you are interested in published guides, there are many available in local book stores. One of the most popular is How to Prepare for the Graduate Record Exam, published by Baron's Educational Series, Inc. If you are considering a prep-course, contact both of the programs below and ask them to send you more information about what they can do for you. Ask where the nearest training location is to you. Read their brochures carefully and then decide if they offer a significant advantage over your own personal preparation strategy. Sometimes the programs offer a free orientation session to show you exactly what they do. Ask about such sessions and attend them for both courses if possible. Prep courses are generally expensive (approx. $800, 1994) but if you feel that they can help you to increase your score, they might be worth the money. (There are other prep courses. The two listed below are two of the more frequently taken courses.)