Transcript Taking the GRE - Boise State Un

Taking the GRE
R. Eric Landrum
Department of Psychology
Boise State University
Boise State Psi Chi Invited Talk
March 30, 2005
Why do I have to?
• Graduate admissions committees often care
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about verbal and quantitative GRE scores
because they are useful predictors of
performance of some of the key tasks of
graduate school, namely writing and statistical
ability.
Of all admissions criteria, it is the only item that
is standardized across applicants.
GRE scores are the single best predictors of
graduate school success.
Says who?
• Nationally, 93% of doctoral departments
and 81% of master’s departments require
GRE general test scores.
• About half of doctoral-level programs and
one-third of master’s-level programs
require applicants to submit scores from
the GRE Psychology Test (more on this
later).
How are the scores used?
• “The vast majority of graduate programs in
psychology will require GRE scores, and the
minimum expected Verbal plus Quantitative
score is 1,000 for master's departments and
1,100 for doctoral departments. The mean
scores of incoming students are about 1,040 for
master's-level students and 1,200 for doctoral
students. Incoming doctoral students average a
3.5 undergraduate grade point, incoming
master's students, a 3.2 (Norcross, 1997).”
How are the scores used?
Graduate Record Examination
• This information refers to the GRE General
Test.
• The GRE is owned by the Educational
Testing Service.
• For additional information, go to
www.gre.org
GRE Sections
• The verbal section measures your ability to
analyze and evaluate written material and
synthesize information obtained from it, to
analyze relationships among component parts of
sentences, to recognize relationships between
words and concepts, and to reason with words
in solving problems. There is a balance of
passages across different subject matter areas:
humanities, social sciences, and natural
sciences.
GRE Sections
• The quantitative section measures your basic
mathematical skills, your understanding of
elementary mathematical concepts, and your
ability to reason quantitatively and solve
problems in a quantitative setting. There is a
balance of questions requiring arithmetic,
algebra, geometry, and data analysis. These are
content areas usually studied in high school.
GRE Sections
• The analytical writing section tests your
critical thinking and analytical writing
skills. It assesses your ability to articulate
and support complex ideas, analyze an
argument, and sustain a focused and
coherent discussion. It does not assess
specific content knowledge.
Typical Computer-Based GRE
General Test
Section
Number of Questions
Time
1 Issue task*
45 min.
1 Argument task*
30 min.
Verbal
30
30 min.
Quantitative
28
45 min.
Pretest**
Varies
Varies
Research***
Varies
Varies
Analytical Writing
* For the Issue task, two essay topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present
a choice of topics; instead one topic will be presented.
** An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section may be included and may appear in any order after the
analytical writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.
*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included and it will always be at the end of the test.
Analytical Writing Section
• The 2 writing tasks are delivered on the
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computer, and you must word process your
responses.
For the Issue task, you will be able to choose 1
of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from
the pool of topics.
The Argument task does not offer a choice of
topics; the computer will present you with a
single topic selected from the topic pool.
Analytical Writing Section
• The testing software uses an elementary word
processor developed by ETS so that individuals
familiar with a specific commercial word
processing software do not have an advantage
or disadvantage. The software contains the
following functionalities: inserting text, deleting
text, cut and paste, undoing the previous action,
and scrolling. Tools such as a spelling checker
and grammar checker are not available in the
software, in large part to maintain fairness with
those examinees who handwrite essays at
paper-based administrations.
Issue Task
The Issue task gives you considerable latitude in the way you respond to the
claim made about a given issue. To prepare for this task, try asking yourself
the following questions as you review the published list of Issue topics.
Practice writing responses on several of the topics, keeping to the 45minute limit.
• What does the statement mean? What does it imply? What, precisely, is the
central issue?
• Do I agree with all or with any part of the statement? Why or why not?
• Is the statement valid only in certain circumstances.
• Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the
statement?
• If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?
• What examples — either hypothetical or drawn from my readings or direct
experiences — could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my point
of view? Which examples are most compelling?
• What reasons might someone use to refute or undermine my position? How
should I acknowledge or defend against those views?
Examples of the Issue Task
• "History teaches us only one thing: knowing about the past
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cannot help people to make important decisions today."
"Competition for high grades seriously limits the quality of
learning at all levels of education."
"Governments should focus more on solving the immediate
problems of today rather than trying to solve the anticipated
problems of the future."
"The depth of knowledge to be gained from books is much
richer and broader than what can be learned from direct
experience."
"The increasingly rapid pace of life today causes more
problems than it solves."
"Too much emphasis is placed on role models. Instead of
copying others, people should learn to think and act
independently and thus make the choices that are best for
them."
Argument Task
Because the Argument task is constrained by the line of
reasoning in the argument presented to you, be sure to read
and analyze the argument carefully. Try asking yourself the
following questions as you review the list of published
Argument topics, and practice writing responses to several of
the topics within the 30-minute time limit.
• What claims, conclusions, and underlying assumptions does
the argument make?
• What alternative explanations and counterexamples can I
think of?
• What additional evidence might weaken or strengthen the
claims?
• What changes in the argument would make the reasoning
more sound?
Examples of the Argument Task
• Until recently, people in Hiparia did most of their
shopping by driving to shopping malls. They are
beginning, however, to do more of their
shopping by ordering merchandise from mailorder catalogs and the Internet. These
purchases are delivered to them by mail or by a
delivery service. For many purchases, Hiparians
no longer need to drive to and from shopping
malls; there will therefore be a resulting
reduction in the consumption of vehicle fuel in
Hiparia.
Examples of the Argument Task
• The following appeared in a memorandum from the
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president of Humana College.
"Last year the number of students who enrolled in longdistance degree programs at Omni University increased
by 50%. During the same year, Omni showed a
significant decrease from prior years in expenditures for
dormitory and classroom space, most likely because
instruction in the long-distance programs takes place via
interactive video computer connections. In contrast, over
the past three years, enrollment at Humana College has
diminished and costs of maintaining buildings have risen.
Thus, to increase enrollment and solve the problem of
budget deficits at Humana College, we should initiate
and actively promote long-distance degree programs like
those at Omni."
Examples of the Argument Task
• The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a
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newsletter on health issues.
"For the past decade, most health experts have advised
teenagers to avoid eating greasy foods in order to
prevent acne and related skin conditions, but the
number of teenagers who sought medical help for these
skin problems has actually risen over the same period. In
a recent study, teenagers who avoided greasy foods for
a month reported approximately as many outbreaks of
acne and related skin conditions as did those who ate an
average of two servings of greasy food per day. Such
data indicate that eating greasy foods is unlikely to be a
cause of acne and related skin conditions. Therefore,
health experts should no longer recommend that people
avoid such foods."
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
• The verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test
are adaptive tests; that is, they are tailored to your
performance level and provide precise information about
your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional
paper-based tests. At the start of each section, you are
presented with test questions of middle difficulty. As you
answer each question, the computer scores that
question and uses that information, as well as your
responses to any preceding questions and information
about the test design, to determine which question is
presented next.
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
• As long as you respond correctly to each
question, questions of increased difficulty
typically will be presented. When you respond
incorrectly, the computer typically will present
you with questions of lesser difficulty. Your next
question will be the one that best reflects both
your previous performance and the
requirements of the test design. This means that
different test takers will be given different
questions.
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
• Because the computer scores each question
before selecting the next one, you must answer
each question when it is presented. For this
reason, once you answer a question and move
on to another, you cannot go back and change
your answer. The computer has already
incorporated both your answer and requirements
of the test design into its selection of the next
question for you.
Tips for V + Q
• Try to practice test questions under timed
conditions so that you get used to the pace
of the test. For example, if there are 30
questions in a section and you have a total of 30
minutes to complete the section, give yourself
an average of 1 minute to complete each
question. When you are practicing, keep your
time in mind and remember that if you spend
too much time on one question, you will
have less time to spend on others.
Tips for V + Q
• Use the computer tutorial to your
advantage. The tutorial is included in the
GRE POWERPREP software that will be
sent to you when you register. The tutorial
will let you try out the functions of the
computer (e.g., the mouse, the scroll bar)
that you will need to use during the test.
On the Test Day
• Report to the test center at least 30 minutes
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before your scheduled appointment for check-in
procedures. If you arrive late, you may not be
admitted and your test fee will be forfeited. Plan
to be at the test center up to 4 hours.
What to take to the test center:
– your authorization voucher if you registered by mail.
– valid, acceptable photo identification
On the Test Day
• Pace yourself throughout the test — You want to finish!
– Use the resources available for test practicing (test preparation
books, software) to become familiar with the test and test
instructions before you get to the test center.
– Read the directions carefully before you begin. The directions
at the beginning of each test section give you the total number
of questions in that section as well as total time allotted for that
section.
– Try to budget enough time for each question so that you will be
able to complete the test without having to rush at the end of
each section. Keep in mind the average amount of time you may
want to spend per question.
On the Test Day
• Pace yourself throughout the test — You want to finish!
– Once you start the test, an on-screen clock display will
continuously count down the remaining time. You can hide this
display if you want, but it is a good idea to check the clock
periodically to monitor your progress. The clock will
automatically alert you when 5 minutes remain in the allotted
time for that section.
– Use your time wisely. Read each question carefully to
determine exactly what is being asked. Eliminate the wrong
answers and select the best choice. Don't let yourself get stuck
on a tough question and lose time. Keep moving through the
test and try to finish each section.
On the Test Day
• Know the rules.
– Computer-adaptive tests require that
you answer every question in the order
it is presented. You can't skip a question
and go back. The computer selects the next
question you see from a large pool of
available questions based upon your previous
responses.
On the Test Day
• Know the rules.
– Click on the appropriate answer. Answer
each question by clicking on the oval next to
your answer choice or by clicking on any part
of the text of that answer choice. Complete
your answer by clicking on "Next" and then
"Answer Confirm." You can change your
answer any time before confirming it by
clicking on a different answer choice.
On the Test Day
• Know the rules.
– Understand the implications of exiting a
section or quitting the test. Once you exit a
section, you cannot return to it. Click on the "Test
Quit" box at the bottom of your screen only if you
decide to end your testing session. If you quit the
test, you will not receive a score for any section, even
for sections you have already completed. If you click
on "Section Exit" or "Test Quit" by mistake, you will
be given the opportunity to reverse or confirm your
decision.
On the Test Day
• Know the rules.
You may take the computer-based General
Test once per calendar month up to 5
times in a 12-month period. This applies
even if you ended your testing session by
clicking on "Test Quit " or canceled your
scores after completing the test.
On the Test Day
• Don't panic if you don't know an answer.
– Don't spend too much time on any one
question. The last thing you want to do is waste a
lot of valuable time on any one question. If, after
you've given it a reasonable amount of thought, you
don't know the answer, eliminate as many answer
choices as possible and then select and confirm the
answer you think is best. Keep going and aim to
complete the test.
On the Test Day
• Don't panic if you don't know an answer.
– If you are running out of time at the end of a
section, make every effort to complete the test.
Data indicate that most test takers get higher scores
if they finish the test. In fact, based on analyses of
test takers, a majority of test takers will score higher
if they finish the test than if they do not attempt to
answer all of the questions. There is a chance that
guessing at the end of the test can seriously lower
your score. The best strategy is to pace yourself so
that you have time to consider each test question,
and won't have to guess.
Scores Reported on the General
Test
• Three scores are reported:
– a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score
scale, in 10-point increments,
– a quantitative score reported on a 200-800
score scale, in 10-point increments, and
– an analytical writing score reported on 0-6
score scale, in half-point increments.
How much does it cost?
• The General Test is US $115 for individuals
testing in the United States, U.S. Territories, and
Puerto Rico, US $175 for individuals testing in
China, including Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan,
and US $140 for individuals testing in all other
locations. Individuals who would like to request
a fee waiver, should read about the
requirements and procedures in the Fee Waiver
section.
GRE Psychology Test
• About half of doctoral-level programs and
one-third of master’s-level programs
require applicants to submit scores from
the GRE Psychology Test.
GRE Psychology Test
• GRE Psychology test is paper-and-pencil,
multiple choice test with five possible
answers per item. It includes
approximately 215 items, and student
have 2 hours 50 minutes to complete it.
It is given three times a year at test
locations.
GRE Psychology Test
• Based on data from the 1990s, the mean GRE
Psychology Test score is 554; the 1st percentile
is 340, and the 99th percentile is 770. There is
a correction for guessing; your score is based on
the number of questions you answered correctly
minus ¼ of the questions you answered
incorrectly. If you can eliminate 1 or 2 of the
distracters, then you should guess, otherwise
leave it blank.