Scheduling and format changes slated for GRE test
Students interested in applying for graduate school may want to consider the changes being made to the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) when scheduling a date to take the exam.
The changes will apply mainly to graduate students entering during fall 2008. Graduate students entering during Spring 2007 should have taken the old test before changes were made.
“Concern about security has been expressed, and Kaplan is taking steps to fix this problem,” said Jung Lee, Kaplan representative.
Kaplan is an educational provider that deals with test preparation for students dealing with post-secondary and professional training.
Internet sites with answers to questions on the GRE were one reason a concern was brought to Kaplan’s attention.
“Students were seeming to have an unfair advantage if they take the test toward the end of the month,” said David Wittrock, dean of graduate school. “Higher scores were being received during the later portion of each month.”
GRE questions previously came from a large pool and were used depending on how the student was scoring throughout the computerized version of the test. This allowed the questions to narrow down a fitting score for each student.
“The new test will have longer time allowance and more sections in the verbal and quantitative parts,” Lee said. “The quantitative questions will be less geometry and more real life focused. There will be more critical thinking on the essay.”
Schools will be able to see the essay portion of the new test, along with the scores. In the past only scores were shared with schools.
Tests will be offered 35 times throughout the year at specific locations.
“Going back to the old system where students take the test on one day in the same room increases the fairness but decreases the accessibility of the test,” said Wittrock.
As a result of the changes made, there will be no GRE offered during August or the first half of September.
The first test dates for the new version will be offered Sept. 10, 15 and 16.
“Spots are going to fill up fast for the first few weeks the new test
is offered, and with fewer tests offered we recommend taking the test before
changes occur,” said Lee.
The GRE serves purposes other than part of applying for graduate school.
“Having a good GRE score helps with scholarships, grants and obtaining assistantships,” Lee said. “Higher GRE scores can only help you.”
Wittrock doesn’t want to see the two tests being compared.
“NDSU shouldn’t look at the two tests as one being more credible than the other,” said Wittrock. “Looking at the percentile rank with people taking the test at the same time is a better indicator for us.”
The best indicator of a student’s ability is their standardized test score combined with their GPA, said Wittrock.
“We want to look at the whole student when selecting graduates for admission,” said Wittrock. “The statement of purpose and goals largely impact admission decisions. Letters of recommendation are always helpful too.”
The new GRE test information is available online at www.Kaplan.com.
Old GRE:
Last available date on July 31, 2007
Offered 365 times a year
More test sites
Score between 200-800
Verbal test- 1 30 min. section
Quantitative- 1 45 min. section
Essay- Analytical writing focus (actual essay not shared with school)
New GRE:
First available date on September 10, 15 or 16 2007
Offered 35 times a year
Fewer test sites
Score between 130-170
Verbal test- 2 40 min. section
Quantitative- 2 40 min. section
Essay- Critical thinking focus (essay shared with school)