Graduate Record Examination

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an exam for entrance to general graduate programs (like psychology). GRE scores will be requested for most master's and doctoral program applications in psychology. There are two types of exams. The General exam is very similar to the SAT and ACT and has quantitative, verbal, and writing components. The quantitative and verbal components are worth 800 points and the writing component is scored from 0-6 points. Some graduate programs may have minimum scores on each component or a minimum combined score for acceptance into the graduate program. It is often a good idea to take the GRE early in case students want to re-take it to improve their score before graduate school applications are due.

The other exam that may be required for graduate school applications is the Psychology Subject GRE. This exam tests students on general knowledge of the field of psychology with an emphasis on the areas of statistics and research methods, history and systems, learning, cognition, physiological psychology, perception, development, personality, and social psychology. If the graduate program requires the Subject exam, students should take as many courses as possible in these specific areas to prepare for the exam. At ISU, these courses would include: PSY 111, 138, 231, 301, 320, 331, 334, 340, 350, 360, 361, 363, 365, and 366. Students should also review an introductory psychology textbook for the Subject exam. Students can find mean GRE scores for some graduate programs listed in the APA guide Graduate Study in Psychology. This information may also be available on the Web sites for the individual graduate programs.

The Educational Testing Service administers the GRE and maintains the GRE Web site which provides more information about the exams, dates and locations where the exam can be taken (be sure to check this information well in advance), and resources for helping you study for the exam. Students can also find GRE prep books at most bookstores.

The GRE can be taken multiple times. However, it is not just the highest scores that are reported to graduate schools. Instead, all of students' scores are reported. Therefore, students should make their first attempt their best attempt. Don't take the GRE the first time hoping for the best score and then decide to study to obtain a higher score on a second test.