Grad School Entrance Exams & Tests
Tips
- Schedule to take the exam one year prior to your intended start date.
- Study: Most tests offer online practice tests.
- Schools will set a recommended score needed for admission. Allow yourself enough time to re-take the exam if necessary.
GRE (Graduate School Examination)
- Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
- Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
- Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.
- Cost: $175 (effective July 1, 2012)
MAT (Miller Analogies Test)
- 60-minute computer-based test
- Accepted by more than 2300 graduate school programs
- Reflects analytical and critical thinking abilities
- Cost: Determined by individual Computer Testing Center
GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
- Assesses higher-order reasoning skills: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing, and Integrated Reasoning
- Cost: $250
LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)
Only given a couple times each year, it includes five 35-minute sections, all multiple choice in addition to a 30-minute writing component. Only 4 of 5 sections contribute to the score.
- Reading comprehension - measure the ability to read, with understanding and insight, examples of lengthy and complex materials similar to those commonly encountered in law school
- Analytical reasoning - measure the ability to understand a structure of relationships and to draw logical conclusions about that structure
- Logical reasoning - assess the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments as they occur in ordinary language
- Writing sample - send to each school (not scored)
- Cost: $160; Credential Assembly Service (CAS) = $155
MCAT (for Medical Professions)
- A standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee's problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
- Scores are reported in Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences.