Entrance exams for graduate school

Black Collegian, Oct 1997

One of the requirements for graduate school is passing the entrance exam. Unlike undergraduate school, where good scores on the American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) sufficed regardless of your chosen major, graduate school requires high scores on a test that concentrates on your area of study. Depending on what you want to study, you will have to take one of these tests. Your school career center will have test bulletins containing dates and testing center locations, announcements and supplemental resources for all of these examinations.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE is required by schools offering master's degrees and Ph.Ds. Paper-based testing as well as computer-based testing are available. Scores are kept on file for five years.

The GRE is divided into General and Subject tests. General GRE testing measures general skills with separate scores given for verbal, quantitative and analytical abilities. Subject Tests measure knowledge in particular fields of study - biology, chemistry, engineering, English and psychology, for example.

Some schools request both the General and Subject Area Tests. Test preparation books are available through the Graduate Record Examinations Board and the Educational Testing Service on general and subject content tests.

There are a number of GRE forums and preparatory workshops available.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

This test is for entrance into graduate schools of management. The GMAT measures general verbal, mathematical and analytical writings skills. It does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business or of other specific content areas. As with the GRE, there are numerous study guides and preparatory classes available. The Official Guide to GMAT Review offers test preparation for the GMATs. GMAT POWERPREP software is also available, and test review courses are offered. Online resources include Access MBA Explorer, providing online GMAT and MBA planning information, online GMAT registration, test preparation book and school search database.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The LSAT is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: reading and comprehension, critical thinking and reasoning skills. Sections include a reading comprehension section, one analytical reasoning section and two logical reasoning sections. Law schools use the results of the LSATs as one of several factors in assessing applicants' preparation for law school study. The Law School Data Assembly Service adminsters the test and releases the scores to schools about a month after test dates. Scores are kept on file for nine years.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

The MCAT assesses mastery of basic con cepts in biology, chemistry (general and organic) and physics, along with scientific problem solving, critical thinking and writing skills. Candidates are encouraged to take the MCAT about IS months before they plan to enter medical school. "Preparing for the MCAT" videocassettes as well as MCAT practice tests are available through the Association of American Medical Colleges.