The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) consists of two separate tests: the General Test and the Subject Test in psychology. The General Test is composed of three parts--verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. The verbal and the quantitative tests each yield a separate score between 200-800. Scores on the analytical writing test are reported in ½-point increments along a scale of 0 to 6. The Subject Test, required by only some programs, measures knowledge of psychological concepts that are essential to graduate study; it also yields a score of from 200-800. The book, Graduate Study in Psychology, will tell you whether schools require the GRE as well as the minimum scores they require for admission.
More than anything else, your admission to graduate school will depend on your scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE (not the Subject Test). It is essential that you do well--at least 550 on each test (600+ is even better)--to get into most doctoral programs. Master's programs are less competitive, so lower scores (450-500 on each of the tests) are less of a problem. You will probably have trouble being admitted into any program with scores less than 450 on one of the tests.
To ensure that you score as high as you can, it is essential to prepare for the GRE.
Plan to take the General Test in November. This will ensure that your scores will be available to meet any admissions deadline. Also, if you do poorly on your first try, you should have enough time to re-take the test in December to try to improve your scores. Remember, though, that you have a 50-50 chance of doing worse on the next try, and that both sets of scores will be reported to the schools to which you apply, unless you cancel your scores, an option you have after taking the computerized General Test (you must cancel without knowing your scores). You will receive your unofficial test scores on the General Test--taken on computer--as soon as you complete the test; official scores will be sent to you and to the institutions to which you will be applying within 10 to 15 days after the test. Scores for the Subject Test are usually reported about six weeks after you take the test.)
Taking the General Test (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing)
Note that the General Test now includes an analytical writing test, in which you type or write by hand your answers to two questions (one on an “issue” topic for 45 minutes and one on an “argument” topic for 30 minutes). The writing test is always taken first. (You can go GRE-Online and review examples of both types of questions.) You are permitted to re-take the General Test only 1 time per calendar month and only 5 times in a 12-month period. You will receive unofficial scores as soon as you complete the test; official scores will be sent to you and to the institutions to which you will be applying within 10 to 15 days after the test. You can register on-line (www.gre.org) or by calling the 800 number given in the Information and Registration Bulletin.
Taking the Subject Test
The Subject Test is only given in the paper-and-pencil version. If you plan to take it, you should do so in November (remember that you must register for it approximately six weeks before it is given). Taking the test in November will ensure that your scores will be available to meet any admissions deadline--it usually takes about six weeks from the time you take the test for the scores to be reported to you and to schools. Also, if you do poorly on your first try, you should have enough time to re-take the test in December to try to improve your scores. If you do poorly on either the November or December test, you can re-take it the following April—if the score-reporting dates are not past your admissions deadlines.
Finally, if you are not planning to attend graduate school immediately upon graduation, you should still take the GRE sometime during your senior year. Scores are good for five years, and you will never be as prepared for it as you are now. (It's easy to forget the details of grammar and math and for your reading speed to drop when you're not in school.)
REFERENCE: http://www.psywww.com/careers/gre.htm
LINK TO REGISTER: http://www.ets.org/gre/
Español
