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Graduate Admissions
Tests
Most graduate departments require scores on at least one academic
admissions test, either a general aptitude test such as the
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test or a demonstration
of proficiency in your field (GRE Subject Test), or sometimes
both. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required
almost without exception for applicants to business schools.
The Miller Analogy Tests (MAT) may also be required in fields
like education and psychology. These tests are in addition
to an English language proficiency examination. They are sometimes
referred to as standardized tests because all applicants are
required to take the same tests (including U.S. applicants),
allowing admissions officers to compare candidates by test
score. See a listing of general academic
tests that may be required for admission. Professional
schools such as schools of law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary
medicine have special examinations; see "Specialized
Professional Study," for further information.
Usually, the faculty of each department within a university
determines the requirements for various admissions tests,
as well as the weight given to the results. Consequently,
there is no general rule to follow with respect to test requirements.
To find out if you need to take one or more of these tests,
consult university catalogs and Web sites or look in university
reference books that are available at U.S. educational information
and advising centers. The reference books may also give the
test score ranges of successfulapplicants to the various programs.
There are no passingor failing scores on these examinations,
but your score will have an effect on the overall competitiveness
of your application.
Admissions tests are multiple-choice tests that require a
high degree of English proficiency. Some also require mathematical
skills or in-depth knowledge of content related to the field
of study. It is important to note, however, that test scores
are only one of the factors used in evaluating an international
student's application. Admissions officers are aware that
you may be taking the examinations in a language other than
your native tongue, and they will take this into account.
In most parts of the world today, the GRE and GMAT are computer-adaptive
tests. As with the TOEFL, this means that not all students
will answer exactly the same questions on the test. Depending
on how the student performs on each question, the computer
will determine whether the student should be asked a harder
or an easier question next. Test takers can view scores instantly
when they finish the exam (with the exception of essay questions),
and score reports are forwarded to university recipients within
two to three weeks after the student has completed the test.
In general, only very basic keyboard skills are required;
however, tests including essay components require stronger
typing skills. On the actual test day, time is allowed at
the beginning for a brief tutorial on how to use a computer
mouse in answering the questions.
You should plan to take the appropriate examinations one
year prior to when you hope to start your graduate program.
Contact your nearest information or advising center for registration
and test preparation materials, and to obtain information
about these examinations. Also visit the Educational Testing
Service Web site at http://www.ets.org
or contact the testing organization directly for further information.
Remember that at busy times of the year you may not be able
to take the test immediately; therefore, register well in
advance. In particular, since the GRE subject tests are offered
only two or three times each year, you must register to take
the tests up to eight weeks in advance. Test scores can take
several weeks to be mailed out, and it is essential that they
reach universities before the application deadline date.
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