Fact Sheet:   The GRE (General) Test

• Measures:  knowledge that has been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study:
  • Critical thinking, analytical writing (Two essays to be written on the computer: Analysis of an Argument and Analysis of an Issue),
  • Verbal reasoning (One 30-minute, 30-question section that includes Sentence Completions, Antonyms, Analogies, and Reading Comprehension),
  • Quantitative reasoning skills (One 45-minute, 28-question section that includes Problem Solving and Quantitative Comparison)
     
• Format:  The GRE is a  CAT (computer-adaptive test), where software calculates your score based on the number of questions you answer correctly, the difficulty of the questions you answer, and the number of questions you complete. Note:  the GRE subject tests gauge undergraduate achievement in 8 specific fields of study: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; literature in English; mathematics; physics; and psychology. These tests are given in paper-and-pencil format three times per year, in November, December, and April. 
   
• Preparing:  Use Learning Express or others.  Above all PREPARE!  Note:  Learning Express provides a completely interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorial course series designed to help you succeed. You'll get immediate scoring, complete answer explanations, and an individualized analysis of your results. Your Username is the Salisbury zip code (21801) followed by the first nine digits of your phone number- no dashes, just numbers, to create a 14 digit number. Your password is one of your own choosing.
   
• Take the GRE everyday Monday-Saturday at Sylvan Learning Center. Note:  If you want to take the test on a Saturday you need to book at least 1 month in advance.  To schedule a testing date in Salisbury Contact: Sylvan Learning Center, 410-341-4100. You will need a credit card to do this over the phone.
   

• Timing:  The GRE will take 4 hours.  You can take the GRE no more than once a month yet no more that 4 times per year.  You will get your score immediately upon finishing but your graduate schools will not receive the scores for up to 14 days.  Note:  You can do a pre-test for 30 min. before you begin your test to get use to the computer.  This time will NOT be counted against you.
   
• Scoring:  Three scores are reported on the General Test: 
  • a verbal reasoning score reported on a 200-800 score scale.  The average scores are about 470 for Verbal.
  • A quantitative reasoning score reported on a 200-800 score scale.   The average scores are about 570 for Quantitative.
  • An analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale.  The desired level is 5 and above.

GRE Score Reports will contain scores earned within the past 5 years.  Repeating the test shows an average gain of 20-30 points per section.  Guidelines for scores looked for by:

• Top Schools in the Country: 700+
• Next Best Schools or Very Competitive Programs: 600+
• Average Schools or Moderately Competitive Programs: 500's.
• Lower Ranking Schools or Minimally Competitive Programs: 450-550. 
  
  This can vary a huge amount, so try to get the facts from the school you are applying to.