Taking the GRE

1
Taking the GRE

• R. Eric Landrum
• Department of Psychology
• Boise State University
• Boise State Psi Chi Invited Talk
• March 30, 2005

2
Why do I have to?

• Graduate admissions committees often care about
  verbal and quantitative GRE scores because they
  are useful predictors of performance of some of
  the key tasks of graduate school, namely writing
  and statistical ability.
• Of all admissions criteria, it is the only item
  that is standardized across applicants.
• GRE scores are the single best predictors of
  graduate school success.

3
Says who?

• Nationally, 93 of doctoral departments and 81
  of masters departments require GRE general test
  scores.
• About half of doctoral-level programs and
  one-third of masters-level programs require
  applicants to submit scores from the GRE
  Psychology Test (more on this later).

4
How are the scores used?

• The vast majority of graduate programs in
  psychology will require GRE scores, and the
  minimum expected Verbal plus Quantitative score
  is 1,000 for master's departments and 1,100 for
  doctoral departments. The mean scores of incoming
  students are about 1,040 for master's-level
  students and 1,200 for doctoral students.
  Incoming doctoral students average a 3.5
  undergraduate grade point, incoming master's
  students, a 3.2 (Norcross, 1997).

5
How are the scores used?
6
Graduate Record Examination

• This information refers to the GRE General Test.
• The GRE is owned by the Educational Testing
  Service.
• For additional information, go to www.gre.org

7
GRE Sections

• The verbal section measures your ability to
  analyze and evaluate written material and
  synthesize information obtained from it, to
  analyze relationships among component parts of
  sentences, to recognize relationships between
  words and concepts, and to reason with words in
  solving problems. There is a balance of passages
  across different subject matter areas
  humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

8
GRE Sections

• The quantitative section measures your basic
  mathematical skills, your understanding of
  elementary mathematical concepts, and your
  ability to reason quantitatively and solve
  problems in a quantitative setting. There is a
  balance of questions requiring arithmetic,
  algebra, geometry, and data analysis. These are
  content areas usually studied in high school.

9
GRE Sections

• The analytical writing section tests your
  critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
  It assesses your ability to articulate and
  support complex ideas, analyze an argument, and
  sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It
  does not assess specific content knowledge.

10
Typical Computer-Based GRE General Test
Section Number of Questions Time
Analytical Writing 1 Issue task 45 min.
Analytical Writing 1 Argument task 30 min.
Verbal 30 30 min.
Quantitative 28 45 min.
Pretest Varies Varies
Research Varies Varies

• For the Issue task, two essay topics will be
  presented and you will choose one. The Argument
  task does not present a choice of topics instead
  one topic will be presented.
• An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest
  section may be included and may appear in any
  order after the analytical writing section. It is
  not counted as part of your score.
• An identified research section that is not
  scored may be included and it will always be at
  the end of the test.

11
Analytical Writing Section

• The 2 writing tasks are delivered on the
  computer, and you must word process your
  responses.
• For the Issue task, you will be able to choose 1
  of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from
  the pool of topics.
• The Argument task does not offer a choice of
  topics the computer will present you with a
  single topic selected from the topic pool.

12
Analytical Writing Section

• The testing software uses an elementary word
  processor developed by ETS so that individuals
  familiar with a specific commercial word
  processing software do not have an advantage or
  disadvantage. The software contains the following
  functionalities inserting text, deleting text,
  cut and paste, undoing the previous action, and
  scrolling. Tools such as a spelling checker and
  grammar checker are not available in the
  software, in large part to maintain fairness with
  those examinees who handwrite essays at
  paper-based administrations.

13
Issue Task

• The Issue task gives you considerable latitude in
  the way you respond to the claim made about a
  given issue. To prepare for this task, try asking
  yourself the following questions as you review
  the published list of Issue topics. Practice
  writing responses on several of the topics,
  keeping to the 45-minute limit.
• What does the statement mean? What does it imply?
  What, precisely, is the central issue?
• Do I agree with all or with any part of the
  statement? Why or why not?
• Is the statement valid only in certain
  circumstances.
• Do I need to explain how I interpret certain
  terms or concepts used in the statement?
• If I take a certain position on the issue, what
  reasons support my position?
• What examples either hypothetical or drawn from
  my readings or direct experiences could I use
  to illustrate those reasons and advance my point
  of view? Which examples are most compelling?
• What reasons might someone use to refute or
  undermine my position? How should I acknowledge
  or defend against those views?

14
Examples of the Issue Task

• "History teaches us only one thing knowing about
  the past cannot help people to make important
  decisions today."
• "Competition for high grades seriously limits the
  quality of learning at all levels of education."
• "Governments should focus more on solving the
  immediate problems of today rather than trying to
  solve the anticipated problems of the future."
• "The depth of knowledge to be gained from books
  is much richer and broader than what can be
  learned from direct experience."
• "The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes
  more problems than it solves."
• "Too much emphasis is placed on role models.
  Instead of copying others, people should learn to
  think and act independently and thus make the
  choices that are best for them."

15
Argument Task

• Because the Argument task is constrained by the
  line of reasoning in the argument presented to
  you, be sure to read and analyze the argument
  carefully. Try asking yourself the following
  questions as you review the list of published
  Argument topics, and practice writing responses
  to several of the topics within the 30-minute
  time limit.
• What claims, conclusions, and underlying
  assumptions does the argument make?
• What alternative explanations and counterexamples
  can I think of?
• What additional evidence might weaken or
  strengthen the claims?
• What changes in the argument would make the
  reasoning more sound?

16
Examples of the Argument Task

• Until recently, people in Hiparia did most of
  their shopping by driving to shopping malls. They
  are beginning, however, to do more of their
  shopping by ordering merchandise from mail-order
  catalogs and the Internet. These purchases are
  delivered to them by mail or by a delivery
  service. For many purchases, Hiparians no longer
  need to drive to and from shopping malls there
  will therefore be a resulting reduction in the
  consumption of vehicle fuel in Hiparia.

17
Examples of the Argument Task

• The following appeared in a memorandum from the
  president of Humana College.
• "Last year the number of students who enrolled in
  long-distance degree programs at Omni University
  increased by 50. During the same year, Omni
  showed a significant decrease from prior years in
  expenditures for dormitory and classroom space,
  most likely because instruction in the
  long-distance programs takes place via
  interactive video computer connections. In
  contrast, over the past three years, enrollment
  at Humana College has diminished and costs of
  maintaining buildings have risen. Thus, to
  increase enrollment and solve the problem of
  budget deficits at Humana College, we should
  initiate and actively promote long-distance
  degree programs like those at Omni."

18
Examples of the Argument Task

• The following appeared in a letter to the editor
  of a newsletter on health issues.
• "For the past decade, most health experts have
  advised teenagers to avoid eating greasy foods in
  order to prevent acne and related skin
  conditions, but the number of teenagers who
  sought medical help for these skin problems has
  actually risen over the same period. In a recent
  study, teenagers who avoided greasy foods for a
  month reported approximately as many outbreaks of
  acne and related skin conditions as did those who
  ate an average of two servings of greasy food per
  day. Such data indicate that eating greasy foods
  is unlikely to be a cause of acne and related
  skin conditions. Therefore, health experts should
  no longer recommend that people avoid such foods."

19
Verbal and Quantitative Sections

• The verbal and quantitative sections of the
  General Test are adaptive tests that is, they
  are tailored to your performance level and
  provide precise information about your abilities
  using fewer test questions than traditional
  paper-based tests. At the start of each section,
  you are presented with test questions of middle
  difficulty. As you answer each question, the
  computer scores that question and uses that
  information, as well as your responses to any
  preceding questions and information about the
  test design, to determine which question is
  presented next.

20
Verbal and Quantitative Sections

• As long as you respond correctly to each
  question, questions of increased difficulty
  typically will be presented. When you respond
  incorrectly, the computer typically will present
  you with questions of lesser difficulty. Your
  next question will be the one that best reflects
  both your previous performance and the
  requirements of the test design. This means that
  different test takers will be given different
  questions.

21
Verbal and Quantitative Sections

• Because the computer scores each question before
  selecting the next one, you must answer each
  question when it is presented. For this reason,
  once you answer a question and move on to
  another, you cannot go back and change your
  answer. The computer has already incorporated
  both your answer and requirements of the test
  design into its selection of the next question
  for you.

22
Tips for V Q

• Try to practice test questions under timed
  conditions so that you get used to the pace of
  the test. For example, if there are 30 questions
  in a section and you have a total of 30 minutes
  to complete the section, give yourself an average
  of 1 minute to complete each question. When you
  are practicing, keep your time in mind and
  remember that if you spend too much time on one
  question, you will have less time to spend on
  others.

23
Tips for V Q

• Use the computer tutorial to your advantage. The
  tutorial is included in the GRE POWERPREP
  software that will be sent to you when you
  register. The tutorial will let you try out the
  functions of the computer (e.g., the mouse, the
  scroll bar) that you will need to use during the
  test.

24
On the Test Day

• Report to the test center at least 30 minutes
  before your scheduled appointment for check-in
  procedures. If you arrive late, you may not be
  admitted and your test fee will be forfeited.
  Plan to be at the test center up to 4 hours.
• What to take to the test center
• your authorization voucher if you registered by
  mail.
• valid, acceptable photo identification

25
On the Test Day

• Pace yourself throughout the test You want to
  finish!
• Use the resources available for test practicing
  (test preparation books, software) to become
  familiar with the test and test instructions
  before you get to the test center.
• Read the directions carefully before you begin.
  The directions at the beginning of each test
  section give you the total number of questions in
  that section as well as total time allotted for
  that section.
• Try to budget enough time for each question so
  that you will be able to complete the test
  without having to rush at the end of each
  section. Keep in mind the average amount of time
  you may want to spend per question.

26
On the Test Day

• Pace yourself throughout the test You want to
  finish!
• Once you start the test, an on-screen clock
  display will continuously count down the
  remaining time. You can hide this display if you
  want, but it is a good idea to check the clock
  periodically to monitor your progress. The clock
  will automatically alert you when 5 minutes
  remain in the allotted time for that section.
• Use your time wisely. Read each question
  carefully to determine exactly what is being
  asked. Eliminate the wrong answers and select the
  best choice. Don't let yourself get stuck on a
  tough question and lose time. Keep moving through
  the test and try to finish each section.

27
On the Test Day

• Know the rules.
• Computer-adaptive tests require that you answer
  every question in the order it is presented. You
  can't skip a question and go back. The computer
  selects the next question you see from a large
  pool of available questions based upon your
  previous responses.

28
On the Test Day

• Know the rules.
• Click on the appropriate answer. Answer each
  question by clicking on the oval next to your
  answer choice or by clicking on any part of the
  text of that answer choice. Complete your answer
  by clicking on "Next" and then "Answer Confirm."
  You can change your answer any time before
  confirming it by clicking on a different answer
  choice.

29
On the Test Day

• Know the rules.
• Understand the implications of exiting a section
  or quitting the test. Once you exit a section,
  you cannot return to it. Click on the "Test Quit"
  box at the bottom of your screen only if you
  decide to end your testing session. If you quit
  the test, you will not receive a score for any
  section, even for sections you have already
  completed. If you click on "Section Exit" or
  "Test Quit" by mistake, you will be given the
  opportunity to reverse or confirm your decision.

30
On the Test Day

• Know the rules.
• You may take the computer-based General Test
  once per calendar month up to 5 times in a
  12-month period. This applies even if you ended
  your testing session by clicking on "Test Quit "
  or canceled your scores after completing the
  test.

31
On the Test Day

• Don't panic if you don't know an answer.
• Don't spend too much time on any one question.
  The last thing you want to do is waste a lot of
  valuable time on any one question. If, after
  you've given it a reasonable amount of thought,
  you don't know the answer, eliminate as many
  answer choices as possible and then select and
  confirm the answer you think is best. Keep going
  and aim to complete the test.

32
On the Test Day

• Don't panic if you don't know an answer.
• If you are running out of time at the end of a
  section, make every effort to complete the test.
  Data indicate that most test takers get higher
  scores if they finish the test. In fact, based on
  analyses of test takers, a majority of test
  takers will score higher if they finish the test
  than if they do not attempt to answer all of the
  questions. There is a chance that guessing at the
  end of the test can seriously lower your score.
  The best strategy is to pace yourself so that you
  have time to consider each test question, and
  won't have to guess.

33
Scores Reported on the General Test

• Three scores are reported
• a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale,
  in 10-point increments,
• a quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score
  scale, in 10-point increments, and
• an analytical writing score reported on 0-6 score
  scale, in half-point increments.

34
How much does it cost?

• The General Test is US 115 for individuals
  testing in the United States, U.S. Territories,
  and Puerto Rico, US 175 for individuals testing
  in China, including Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan,
  and US 140 for individuals testing in all other
  locations. Individuals who would like to request
  a fee waiver, should read about the requirements
  and procedures in the Fee Waiver section.

35
GRE Psychology Test

• About half of doctoral-level programs and
  one-third of masters-level programs require
  applicants to submit scores from the GRE
  Psychology Test.

36
GRE Psychology Test

• GRE Psychology test is paper-and-pencil, multiple
  choice test with five possible answers per item.
  It includes approximately 215 items, and student
  have 2 hours 50 minutes to complete it. It is
  given three times a year at test locations.

37
GRE Psychology Test

• Based on data from the 1990s, the mean GRE
  Psychology Test score is 554 the 1st percentile
  is 340, and the 99th percentile is 770. There is
  a correction for guessing your score is based on
  the number of questions you answered correctly
  minus ¼ of the questions you answered
  incorrectly. If you can eliminate 1 or 2 of the
  distracters, then you should guess, otherwise
  leave it blank.