Based on the latest insights from Fred’s 2023 data, it’s clear that college graduates were enjoying weekly wages a whopping 80 percent higher than their high school counterparts in 2023. This glaring wage discrepancy highlights the financial advantages of investing in higher education, turning pursuing advanced degrees into a strategic career decision.
If you’re contemplating the exciting journey into graduate school, brace yourself for what could be one of the most rewarding leaps in your professional life. Yet, amidst the potential excitement, the application process and the dilemma of choosing the proper grad school test can be a bit daunting. Fear not! This guide is here to whisk you through the intricacies of these standardized Grad School Tests, making your path to advanced education more navigable and exciting.
Getting into graduate school usually means dealing with different kinds of tests. These tests are necessary because they decide if you get into the advanced programs you want. In this section, we’ll talk about the different types of graduate school tests. We’ll break down each test, what it’s for, and what skills it checks. Whether you’re thinking about business, law, or other particular areas, knowing about these tests helps you make intelligent choices for your academic journey.
Length of Exam: Approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes
Average Cost: $205 (subject to change; check the official website for the most recent information)
Number of Sections: 3
Types of Sections:
Scoring Range:
Retake Opportunities: You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within a continuous rolling 12-month period.
For individuals contemplating graduate school, including business or law, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) aligns with the cognitive demands of these advanced academic and professional pursuits. Evaluating students in Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, the GRE emphasizes crucial skills for graduate and professional school success.
The GRE General Test is a standardized examination widely utilized for graduate school admissions. It consists of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The test evaluates candidates’ verbal and quantitative reasoning abilities, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.
The GRE General Test is crucial in assessing candidates’ preparedness for advanced academic programs in various fields.
The GRE Subject Test, focusing on Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology, gauges undergraduate achievement in specific fields of study. These tests are crucial in aiding graduate school departments to assess applicants’ readiness for advanced studies in their chosen disciplines.
Starting September 2023, the GRE Subject Tests will transition to a computer-delivered format. The Mathematics Test will have a total testing time of 2 hours and 50 minutes, while the Physics and Psychology Tests will be completed in 2 hours. Unlike the previous format, there will be no separately timed sections, streamlining the testing experience for candidates.
The GRE General Test at home provides a secure and convenient alternative for individuals who take their test in the comfort of their homes rather than at a designated test center. This option is accessible wherever the test is normally available, depending on the country of your account address.
The at-home test mirrors the experience of taking the test at a traditional test center, with the added convenience of using your personal computer in a secure location. All at-home tests are overseen by a human proctor through ProctorU®, ensuring a monitored testing environment. This testing option is available 24/7, allowing test takers to choose a time that suits their schedule, any day of the week.
Length of Exam: Approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes
Average Cost: $275
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range:
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can take the GMAT up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, but no more than eight times total.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), employed by over 2,100 institutions globally, boasts 60 years of testing expertise. Developed with input from graduate management programs, it evaluates essential skills for business and management success, including analytical writing, problem-solving, and critical reasoning.
Length of Exam: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Average Cost: $200 – $225 (varies by location)
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 120–180
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can take the LSAT up to seven times in a rolling 12-month. After that, you must wait five years to retake the test.
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is vital to law school admission, testing skills crucial for the first year. It comprises a multiple-choice section covering reading, reasoning, and logic and an LSAT Writing essay.
Accepted by all ABA-accredited law schools, the LSAT helps candidates assess their readiness for legal education, making it a recommended choice for those aiming to maximize their admission chances.
Length of Exam: Approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes (including breaks)
Average Cost: $320
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 472–528
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can take the MCAT up to three times in a single testing year, four times in two consecutive years, and seven times in a lifetime.
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), a standardized test crafted and managed by the AAMC, is a multiple-choice exam designed to evaluate problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts. These skills are essential for success in medical school.
Preparing for the MCAT requires dedication, and managing preparation alongside a busy schedule can be challenging. The AAMC offers resources and practice products to support you at every stage of your preparation journey.
Length of Exam: Approximately 3 hours (Internet-based test, iBT)
Average Cost: $180 – $300 (varies by location)
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 0–120
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can retake the TOEFL as many times as you wish, but there must be at least a 3-day gap between test attempts.
The TOEFL test assesses your capacity to develop and articulate intricate ideas in English, crucial skills for thriving in an academic university setting. Those who undergo the TOEFL test often enter campus more equipped, gaining an advantage over their counterparts.
It is the preferred choice for 9 out of 10 U.S. universities, and U.S. universities receive more TOEFL scores than all other English-language tests combined.
Length of Exam: Approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes
Average Cost: $475
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 1–30 (for each of the four sections)
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can retake the DAT, but the retest policy involves waiting 90 days between test dates. After the third attempt, a 12-month waiting period is enforced.
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is a standardized assessment that evaluates aspiring dental students’ academic and perceptual abilities. Scoring well on the DAT is instrumental in demonstrating a candidate’s preparedness for the academic rigors of dental school.
Dental schools and other application components use DAT scores as a key factor in their admission decisions. A strong DAT performance enhances the likelihood of admission and reflects a candidate’s proficiency in the foundational skills required for dental education and practice success.
Length of Exam: Approximately 5 hours
Average Cost: $495
Number of Sections: 4
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 200–400 for each section, with a cumulative score range of 200–400
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can retake the OAT, but the retest policy involves waiting at least 90 days between test dates. After the fourth attempt, a waiting period of at least 12 months is enforced.
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) holds paramount significance in the admission process for aspiring optometry students. Scoring well on the OAT is instrumental in showcasing a candidate’s preparedness for the academic challenges of optometry school.
Optometry programs consider OAT scores vital in admission decisions and other application elements. A strong performance on the OAT enhances the likelihood of admission and signifies a candidate’s competence in the foundational skills necessary for success in optometric education and practice.
Length of Exam: Approximately 4 hours
Average Cost: $220 – $250
Number of Sections: 5
Types of Sections:
Score Range: 200–600 for each section, with a cumulative score range of 200–600
No. of Times You Can Retake: You can retake the PCAT, but the retest policy involves waiting at least 90 days between test dates. After the third attempt, a waiting period of at least 180 days is enforced.
The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) holds immense significance as a pivotal component in the admission process for prospective pharmacy students. A strong performance on the PCAT is crucial in demonstrating a candidate’s readiness for the academic challenges of pharmacy school.
Pharmacy programs consider PCAT scores a key determinant in admission decisions, complementing other application components. Implying on the PCAT enhances the likelihood of admission and signifies a candidate’s competence in the foundational skills necessary for success in pharmaceutical education and practice.
Choosing the proper grad school test depends on the program. Generally, the GRE is for various programs, the GMAT for business schools, the LSAT for law schools, the MCAT for medical schools, and the TOEFL for non-native English speakers. Students should confirm specific requirements with their chosen universities before taking the test.
Here’s a breakdown of the tests and their intended purposes:
Some universities, like the GRE, accept a single grad school test for various disciplines, including engineering, business, and law. However, depending on their major and language of instruction, some students may need to take multiple tests, such as GMAT and TOEFL, for non-English bachelor’s programs when applying to business schools.
The necessity of graduate school exam scores, such as GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, varies among institutions. While many graduate schools incorporate standardized test scores into their admission process, exceptions exist. The LSAT is integral for law schools, assessing skills crucial for the first year of law school.
Medical schools often require the MCAT to evaluate problem-solving and critical thinking. However, some programs prioritize factors like work experience, letters of recommendation, and GPA. In recent years, institutions have increasingly de-emphasized or waived test requirements for specific programs.
The GMAT is commonly required in business schools, and a broad range of graduate programs may mandate the GRE. However, exceptions arise as institutions adopt more flexible admissions policies, with some programs eliminating the need for standardized test scores. Therefore, many accredited business schools provide online MBA with no GMAT requirement.
Prospective students should carefully review the admission requirements of specific programs, as policies vary widely. Official program websites offer detailed information on admission criteria.
Sending your graduate test scores to graduate schools typically involves the following steps:
The steps can vary slightly depending on the test provider (e.g., ETS, GMAC, LSAC, AAMC). Always refer to the official website and guidelines of the respective test provider for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Successfully navigating graduate exams demands meticulous preparation and the application of effective strategies. These assessments often serve as gateways to advanced academic pursuits, necessitating a comprehensive approach to studying and test-taking.
A thoughtful and disciplined strategy is crucial whether you’re gearing to get a good GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, or other standardized score. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
Everyone has different learning styles, so adapt these tips to suit your preferences. Consistent and focused preparation is critical to success in graduate exams.
The key to a grad school test is recognizing which test to take and preparing early. To achieve the same, one can break the process of taking the grad test into the below components:
Adequate preparation time and understanding the specific test requirements of your chosen universities are essential steps for success in grad school admission. Here are some resources that will help one aid their graduate school test preparation
Additionally, exploring alternative programs that do not mandate the GRE or GMAT can broaden your options. Always check the accreditation status of your chosen university to ensure a credible and recognized education.