1. What It Means for Graduate School Applicants
The New GRE:
What It Means for Graduate School Applicants 1

2. The Most Sweeping Changes in the GRE’s History
The New GRE

3. Why is the GRE changing?
The official word:
“Starting August 1, 2011, the GRE® revised General Test will replace the current GRE General Test, giving you the advantage of a better test experience — and new types of questions that help show your readiness for graduate-level work.”
- ETS (the GRE Testmaker)

4. Reading between the lines (the unofficial word)
Why is the GRE changing?
Reading between the lines (the unofficial word)
Question types?
Business school?
Scoring scale?
Lee – Give the background on the GMAT/b-school angle and source our b-school admissions officer report (that way you help show why/how we know this).

5. Big Change #1: Test Type
CURRENT GRE
The GRE is currently a computer adaptive test—a “CAT”
Adapts question by question
Each time you answer a question correctly, you’re given a harder question. Each time you answer a question incorrectly, you’ve given an easier question
NEW GRE
The Revised GRE will be a Multi-Stage Test—an “MST”
Test does not adapt within a section, but rather, performance in the first section determines level of difficulty you’ll see in the next section

6. Big Change #2: Test Interface & Functionality
Unlike the current test, users will be able to move freely within a section
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

7. Big Change #2: Test Interface & Functionality
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

8. Big Change #2: Test Interface & Functionality
Four-function calculator with memory, square root and “Transfer Display” options. Calculates up to hundred millions
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

9. Big Change #3: Length of the Test
Current GRE
Section
Number of Questions
Allotted Time
Analytical Writing (One section, Two timed tasks)
One Issue Task, One Argument Task
Issue-45 Minutes, Argument 30 Minutes
Verbal Reasoning (One section)
30 questions
30 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning (One section)
28 questions
45 minutes
Unscored
Varies
Research
Total Testing Time: About 3 Hours
Revised GRE
Section
Number of Questions
Allotted Time
Analytical Writing (One section, Two timed tasks)
One Analyze an Issue task and One Analyze an Argument task
30 minutes per task
Verbal Reasoning (Two sections)
Approximately 20 questions per section
30 minutes per section
Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections)
35 minutes per section
Unscored
Varies
Research
Total Testing Time: About 4 hours 9

10. Big Change #4: Scoring Scale
CURRENT GRE
Scoring for Verbal and Quantitative Sections: in ten point increments
Verbal and Quant Scores Available immediately after test
Official scores available 2-3 weeks from test date
NEW GRE
Scoring for Verbal and Quantitative Sections: in one point increments
From August 1, 2011 through the fall: test takers will not receive official scores until late November 2011

11. Big Change #5 Rules Around Re-Taking the GRE
CURRENT GRE
You can test every 30 days—once per calendar month, up to six times per year
NEW GRE
You can test every 60 days—up to five times per year

12. Big Change #6: Question Types
NEW GRE
Analytical Writing
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning

13. Majority of passages are one paragraph in length
Reading Comp
About half of the Verbal Reasoning questions on the GRE will be based on passages
Majority of passages are one paragraph in length
One to six questions per passage

14. Reading Comp: Single Selection
On single answer multiple choice there are five choices
From GRE PowerPrep II,

15. Reading Comp: Multiple Selection
On multiple answer multiple choice there are three choices: one, two or all three of which may be correct.
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

16. Cousin of old Sentence Completion questions
Text Completion
Cousin of old Sentence Completion questions
Composed of one to five sentences
Can have one, two or three blanks
Each blank functions independently
No credit for partially correct answers

17. Text Completion Example – Single Blank
From GRE PowerPrep II,

18. Text Completion Example – Multiple Blanks
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

19. Sentence Equivalence
A cousin of the Sentence Completion question type that also tests your knowledge of synonyms
Big difference: six choices; exactly two mean nearly the same thing and lead to a complete coherent sentence

20. Sentence Equivalence Example
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

21. Quantitative Reasoning
Four Question Types
Quantitative Comparison (same as current GRE)
Multiple Choice-Select One Answer (same as current GRE)
Multiple Choice-Select One or More Answers
Numeric Entry

22. QC Example
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

23. MC Select One Answer Example
Questions have ovals when a single choice is necessary to solve
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

24. MC Select One or More Example
Questions have boxes when one or more correct choices are possible
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

25. Numeric Entry Example
From GRE PowerPrep II, from

26. The Six Big Changes Test type Test interface & functionality
Length of test
Scoring scale
Rules around re-taking the GRE
Question types 26

27. Some specifics New GRE test launched August 1, 2011
Registration was discounted 50% for August and September dates only
For test takers from August through October/ November 2011, scores will not be available until late-November 2011
By early December, current reporting practices will resume (ie: unofficial Q and V scores day of test, full report ~two weeks later)

28. Keeping In Touch With Us…
Follow us:
Twitter: KaplanGREPrep
Facebook: Kaplan Prep For Grad School
Our Blog: kaplanGRE.com/blog
Our GRE website: kaplanGRE.com
Follow the test maker: www/ets.org/gre

29. Questions and Answers about the New GRE
Q & A