New UChic Feature: Grad School Lowdown

As you prepare for graduate school applications, there are a bunch of items to place on your checklist. One of these may be preparing for the GRE General Test. What some may not know is that the GRE General Test will undergo a transformation later this year. Before you go into panic mode, here are some answers to the questions that may be running through your mind.

Who will this affect?

The GRE General Test is a requirement for many graduate programs such as those whose majors would fall into the Humanities category. If you are considering applying to a graduate program for entrance in Fall 2008, you may have to take the revised GRE.

GRE scores are viable for five years, so if you’re more comfortable with the current format, then prepare and take the test within the next few months. Also, check with the graduate program you are applying to in order to see if they expect a large range of scores from the new GRE or the current test for next year.

What exactly are the changes to the test?

Not only will the format be different but so will content and length. For instance:

• Duration – The test will go from 2.5 hours to 4 hours. There will be two quantitative and verbal reasoning sections instead of one of each.
• Verbal Reasoning – Say good-bye to analogies and antonyms and hello to more critical reading passages & sentence completion questions. Sentence questions will provide you with the opportunity to choose more than one answer that best completes a sentence or passage. Overall, there will be more focus on reasoning skills and less on vocabulary.
• Quantitative Reasoning – You will now be allowed to have a basic function calculator. For computer test-takers you will have one available online; for those of you with a penchant for pencil and paper you will be supplied with one on testing day. There will also be fewer geometry based questions.
• Analytical Writing – Both sections will be timed at 30 minutes, so there will be less time to formulate your Issue essay.
• Score – Scoring has completely changed for the verbal and quantitative sections which will range from 130-170.
• Frequency – Instead of having GRE General Tests available on a wide range of dates at various locations there will now be 35 fixed dates throughout the year.
• Format – The computer test is switching from a computer adaptive test format (CAT) to a computer based test (CBT). The CAT adapted to how well you answered questions; the CBT will allow all test takers to receive the exact same questions in the same order on the day of the test. Another plus about the new format is that test takers will be able to review, go back and change an answer. For those who were worried about being stuck on one question, this format helps to better manage one’s time during each section.

When will this change happen?

The new GRE General Test is due to commence in September. Dates are not official for the U.S. yet, but the new format may commence on September 10th, 15th, 16th or 29thst, as reported by ETS. Registration for the New GRE will begin on July 1.

The last test you’ll be able to take in the current format will be in July. Something else to keep in mind is that there will be no general test dates in August.

Where can I get help to prepare?

There are numerous sources available that can provide prospective graduate applicants’ help with the general test, many of these sites are currently planning to update their courses to reflect the new test. Feel free to visit these websites and see what resources they have to offer:

• www.ets.org – This site is the GRE hub where you can get the most up-to-date information and schedule a test date. ETS currently has a print sample copy of the new GRE available for review. They state that further preparation materials will be available this spring.
• www.princetonreview.com – The Princeton Review site also has information about the new GRE available at-a-glance that demonstrates the contrast between the current & the new test at their GRE Changes Info Center. They also have FAQs and a No Stress Guide PDF available.
• www.kaplan.com – Kaplan offers dozens of free events over the course of the year and has been actively informing participants and users of Kaplan products of the changes in store for the GRE. Check in your area for a New GRE Informational session.

Currently, there are a dozen sites that offer free help or help at low costs. ETS offers a downloadable PowerPrep program that looks identical to the computer test, and sites like www.testpreppreview.com, www.800score.com, and www.powerscore.com are good sources for practice as well.

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