The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the major "objective" test used by the selection committees to make decisions concerning applicants. It was developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the same company that developed the SAT. At this time, the GRE consists of four basic sections: 1) Verbal; 2) Quantitative; 3) Analytical; 4) Advanced Areas, such as Psychology. The Verbal section consists of Reasoning by Analogy, Antonyms, Sentence Completion and Reading Comprehension. The Quantitative section consists of Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Data Interpretation. The Analytical section is composed of Logic Problems. The Psychology Advanced test consists of general knowledge about Psychology. The GRE guidebooks explain these sections in great detail. You can purchase them using the links on the margins of this web page.

Some programs require all four sections, most require the Verbal, Quantitative and Psychology sections. The test sections required by each program are stated in the application materials sent to you by the programs. It is also included in the guides, Graduate Study in Psychology and Insiders Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical & Counseling Psychology.

You should have a score of at least 550 in each area to be a contender for graduate school admission. If your scores are at least 600 in each area then you will have made the cutoff scores for virtually every program in the country. The students actually chosen by the programs may have GRE scores higher than these. However, scores of at least 550 in each area will place you in contention. Your application will not be automatically rejected because the scores are too low.

The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is also used by a few programs. Often the programs who use the MAT will substitute this test for the GRE. It consists of 100 analogies, such as Water is to Ice as Carbon Dioxide is to <Blank>. The answer is selected from multiple choices, such as 1) Steam, 2) Dry Ice, 3) Carbon Monoxide, 4) Air. Try this one: Dad is to Kayak as Pop is to <Blank>. Here are the choices: 1) Airplane; 2) Car; 3) Pip; 4) Play. You should have a score of at least 60 to be a contender in programs you use this test.

The Use of the GRE scores in selection decisions

The GRE has its greatest influence in the early phase of selection. It is used to screen the applicant pool. It is common for programs to select out the applicants who score less than 1200 on the combined Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE. If you do not have a score at this level or higher, you will not be considered further in the application process.

After this point, the GRE has a more limited role in the selection process. Since everyone has performed well among the remaining applicants, the score cannot be used to make further discriminations. From this point until the final selection, the criteria focus on other parts of the application. In particular, the fit between your interests and those of the program become the major discriminating variables.

Improving your GRE scores

You will improve your score if you study for the GRE. In the early days, the Educational Testing Service minimized the effects of study on the test. After a number of studies were conducted, it is now clear that hard, conscientious study will produce significant score changes. If you have not yet taken the GRE, or your score was less then 600 for each section, then get at least two study guides and go through them thoroughly. The two guides that I have reviewed and recommend are Barons GRE In order for the study to make a difference, you must study very hard. Your scores will not improve if you simply read through the guides and take a few practice tests.

You can also take preparation classes. I recommend these simply for their motivational aspects. If you are attending a workshop that you paid a lot of money for, then you will more likely study conscientiously, for longer hours. These GRE preparation workshops are provided by commercial companies and by the Career Development Offices of individual Colleges and Universities. Check the Career Development Office of your College for GRE preparation workshops. Here is a link to the Kaplan GRE Prep course, one of the best of the commercial services:

If you have not taken the GRE, check the ETS GRE site for a description of the tests, test dates and fees.