2.  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

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

4.  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

5.  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

6.  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

7.  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

8.  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

9.  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

10.  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.

11. 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.

12.  http://www.aavmc.org/data/files/vmcas/test_chart_2012. pdf 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

13. 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.

14.  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.

15.  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.

16.  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.

17.  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 15 th 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.

18.  Practice Questions: ◦ Kaplan  http://www.kaptest.com/GRE/Home/index.html 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 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 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 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

19. ◦ 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

20. ◦ In Mississippi:  Hattiesburg – 7574  University of Southern Mississippi Walker Science Bldg. Rm 217 University Testing Center  Jackson – 3600  Prometric Testing Center  Meridian - STN13965A  Meridian Community College (No GRE) Webb Hall  Mississippi State – 7546  Mississippi State University Rice Hall  Oxford – 7753  University of Mississippi University Avenue at Grove Loop  Tupelo – 3603  Prometric Testing Center

21.  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.

22. 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