Talk:Graduate Record Examinations

Re-centering of old version of GRE
Was there a recentering on the old version of the GRE like there was on the SAT? Like around the time they got rid of analytical ability section? Are quantitative and verbal scores from 2010 or so directly comparable to Q and V scores from the late 90s? Just wondering. Maybe this should be added to the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.105.87.247 (talk) 22:46, 27 March 2012 (UTC)

CEO?
I removed an untrue point about the CEO of ETS's salary--This is not at all right, see http://people.forbes.com/profile/kurt-m-landgraf/23288 for his actual compensation, also the compensation of the CEO of the company that adminsters the GRE does not belong at the very beginning of an article about the GRE. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Devlinb (talk • contribs) 12:34, 27 November 2009 (UTC)

GMAT Math More Difficult?
The article claims, "Also, higher mathematical ability is required in GMAT to get a good score." As an instructor for graduate level standardized exams, my professional instinct is that this is not true. If I am wrong, I would like to see a reference. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.249.67.14 (talk) 15:20, 29 October 2009 (UTC)

Test no longer computer-adaptive
According do ETS's website and this article (http://media.www.unews.com/media/storage/paper274/news/2006/09/25/News/Gre-Changes.Format-2307008.shtml) the test is no longer adaptive. This change occured last year so I'm removing the whole section about the test being adaptive. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.183.40.171 (talk) 14:03, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

I emailed ETS and asked them whether CAT will continue to be used for the Quantitative portions of the revised, computerized General Test. This is their reply: The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures are section-level adaptive. This means the computer selects the second section of a measure based on your performance on the first. Within each section, all questions contribute equally to the final score. For each of the two measures, a raw score is computed. The raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lizard04 (talk • contribs) 19:59, 12 April 2011 (UTC)

Alleged strengths
I'm not sure that the math section is a good predictor of performance in math, science or engineering programs. Citation is needed. 128.12.32.199 20:10, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

Verbal vs. Quantitative
Does anyone know how often students score better on the verbal than quantitative? Obviously, it's a minority of the time, but just how often? Because I did WAY BETTER on verbal. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 148.177.1.210 (talk) 19:58, 26 October 2007 (UTC) A quick spreadsheet using the percentiles given shows it to be 26.6%. As I assigned ranges with the percentiles at the bottom instead of the center, this number may be a little off, but I would say about 1 out of 4 times is a fair estimate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.10.177.234 (talk) 22:13, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

Common usage vs. acronym
Which name do you want (GRE or Graduate Record Examination)? Angela and I have differing opinoins on this. One is that we should use the abbreviated version, as that is what most people remember and call the test in common usage. The other opinion is that it acronyms should be spelled out. We'll keep it with the common usage for now, as that's how it started, but feedback's appreciated. --zandperl 04:36, 23 Oct 2003 (UTC)

I believe that the name should be the acronym, far more people are familiar with that then the spelled out name. Chocolateluvr88 00:15, 10 January 2006 (UTC)

It's actually an initialism, acronyms are pronounceable as words. So, SCUBA is an acronym while VCR is an initialism. (69.76.197.156 (talk) 18:39, 17 November 2007 (UTC))

Clarifications
The scoring rubric is now outdated, I believe, and should be updated to reflect the three components of the exam. Additionally, there should be a section for the GRE subject tests.

Actual name of the test is Graduate Record Examinations (with an "s"). How does on edit the main section name? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rosedale 085 (talk • contribs) 18:50, 29 July 2008 (UTC)

Cost
How much does it cost to take this? -- Taku 00:25, Jan 2, 2005 (UTC)
 * $115 USD, as of yesterday. (She says, having just shelled out for it.) Mindspillage (spill your mind?) 02:42, 5 Jan 2005 (UTC)
 * $160 USD.(She says, having just shelled out for it.) 1 Jul 2006 (UTC)


 * I just paid 130USD to take the test.


 * I just paid $140 --Xtreambar 05:35, 13 November 2007 (UTC)
 * me as well (plus 30 dollars to have score reports sent out, plus 6 dollars for the privilege of making that payment through automated telephone hell... as well as 70 dollars in the past for canceling a scheduled test. Can you tell I am feeling somewhat irate by this?) Novium 17:30, 15 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I paid 170 to take it on June 16, 2009. But that was in Bangkok, I dont know if the international location affects the price.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 125.26.250.117 (talk) 16:06, 22 June 2009 (UTC)


 * I paid 160 on 1/25/10 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.10.177.234 (talk) 22:04, 25 January 2010 (UTC)

$175 USD in USA September 2012 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.216.131.2 (talk) 03:31, 27 September 2012 (UTC)


 * I paid 185 USD on 11 Aug 2013 --Atoll4142 (talk) 21:33, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * This is all very interesting, but probably we should use the company's official information rather than a collection of anecdotes. 75.36.159.124 (talk) 23:25, 27 August 2013 (UTC)

External Links ... ads?
The link really seems to be just an ad and doesn't actually persent any resources at all. Perhaps it should be removed?


 * The link "GRE Practice tests and Prep material" also links to a website that provides incorrect answers and impossible questions.Axolotlsure (talk) 20:01, 30 January 2008 (UTC)
 * It's a spam link, one that's been added enough times to warrant inclusion in the blacklist. OhNo itsJamie Talk 20:05, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

History of the GRE
There should probably be something about how the test was before it became a computer-based test. There should also be something about how the analytic section changed from logic problems to a writing section (less than two years ago). After all, this is supposed to be an encyclopedia. KSchutte 13:53, 5 November 2005 (UTC)

There's also a need for more info on the CBT era of Verbal / Math / Analytical (circa 2000).

68.40.43.141 16:53, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

Can you work out math problems with pen and paper if you are taking the test on computer?

Information on Standardization
I'm curious if anyone knows of any source of information that could be referenced to talk about how the GRE is standardized. I've been trying to find official information from ETS concerning the size of the normalization sample, any information about psychometric properties (reliability and validity in particular), or really anything relating to how the test is standardized. Apparently ETS does not make this information public. They have a lot of internal research that shows the tests are valid and reliable in given contexts but they don't speak at all about how the test was (and is) developed. I think this would be useful information for anyone that wants to decide about the value of the tests. Any thoughts? -- Bdean42 00:15, 11 December 2006 (UTC)


 * That's a trade secret. Capitalism for the win! 99.231.241.146 (talk) 08:32, 28 October 2010 (UTC)

Interpreting Scores
Would it be OK to add what the scores mean (i.e., converting scores to percentiles), or does that go against wikipedia's policies? I found data on the quantitative and verbal sections on the following websites: http://www.west.net/~stewart/gre/score_q.htm http://www.west.net/~stewart/gre/score_v.htm 210.150.165.67 03:14, 19 December 2006 (UTC)Curtis


 * It should be noted that the percentiles listed change. I got my scores for a May 1 administration of the test (computer-based, if that means anything), and my percentile rankings were higher than those listed on the chart in the article.  The differences were small (the greatest being by two percentile points), but they were there.

Actually for percentiles, take a look at http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/994994.pdf; these list the percentiles of June 1 2003 - June 30, 2006, which are much more recent than those listed in the article (pulled from PowerPrep, but are from 1999 - 2002). shawnlauzon Shawnlauzon 01:38, 18 October 2007 (UTC)


 * I just updated the percentiles table from that document. The old data was out of date and reference wasn't even an official site. Rayno 05:37, 26 October 2007 (UTC)

The article's previous score percentile chart was misleading for the Analytic Writing (AW) section. It listed percentiles, but did not clarify that the numbers indicated those scoring below. I corrected it by inserting the word "below" in the percentile heading. The AW section of the GRE deviates from the other sections in that the score increments are fewer, and a single score applies to much greater percentage of test takers. Thus, it is important that the ETS-provided percentile is understood as the lowest edge of the particular score range. Someone scoring 4.0 on the AW section would be surpassed by only the top third of test takers. That information conveys something very different than merely listing the percentile as "45%" for that score.

Also, the previous data listed were outdated. I included new information from the ETS 2010-2011 "GRE: Guide to the Use of Scores."  Oakbranch8 (talk) 06:02, 18 August 2011 (UTC)

Comparing the GRE to the SAT
Hello,

I am not sure if I would compare the GRE and SAT as is done in this article. The exams may have some general areas that are tested that are the same however, the SAT is an exam taken by high school students to get into college; the GRE is a exam taken to get into graduate school... They are not on the same par, and I dont think they should be compared as such. —The preceding --Ndstate 04:10, 8 February 2007 (UTC)
 * When I was a college freshman, some told me that I should take the GRE before I forgot too much. (I didn't.) Many students take the SAT a few years early, and some could take the GRE before college admission. The math questions aren't all that different from SAT math. But as usual, the real question is finding good WP:RSs. Gah4 (talk) 08:37, 12 January 2024 (UTC)
 * When I was a college freshman, some told me that I should take the GRE before I forgot too much. (I didn't.) Many students take the SAT a few years early, and some could take the GRE before college admission. The math questions aren't all that different from SAT math. But as usual, the real question is finding good WP:RSs. Gah4 (talk) 08:37, 12 January 2024 (UTC)

Computer Based Only?
Hello,

If I am not mistaken the GRE is also offered as a paper exam, as such the following sentence is inaccurate: "Unlike the SAT, the GRE is a computer-based test". Furthermore, the scoring chart is only accurate for the computer based exam, not the paper. --Ndstate 04:14, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

The Computer Based One Is Harder?
My cram school for GRE in Taiwan suggest us to take the paper based test in Taiwan, for with papers it is easier stay focused, and you can answer the questions based on your priority. 118.169.96.175 (talk) 02:30, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

General Test Only?
Is it necessary for a student,having done engineering in India,to appear for a subject test also along with the general test,for admission to U.S.universities?


 * I think this varies from university to university. Some recommend it, a few require it. Rayno 05:39, 26 October 2007 (UTC)


 * Subject tests are usually required only for admission to graduate programs in that subject (e.g. GRE physics subject test scores required for admission to M.S. physics programs). GRE subject tests are there only in 5 subjects: biochemistry, English literature, physics, mathematics, and psychology. There are no GRE subject tests in any engineering branch.
 * By the way, this is a Wikipedia article's talk page, and not a forum for discussion. --Sarthak Sharma (talk) 18:26, 24 February 2014 (UTC)

Importance for admissions
The page says that GREs are often deciding factors for admission to Ivy league grad programs, but everyone I've spoken to in Academia says that they are typically among the least important factors. Can someone provide a citation one way or the other? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.60.241.222 (talk) 20:35, 15 June 2008 (UTC)


 * You are right, that statement is false. I go to an Ivy league grad school, and no one here cares about the GRE at all (unless you do horribly badly) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.154.209.31 (talk) 22:44, 15 June 2008 (UTC)

Question: what about the GMAT test? People around me in México say that the most popular test for MBA admissions in US schools is the GMAT one. The GRE entry doesn't say a word about this issue. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 189.144.117.209 (talk) 21:14, 15 June 2009 (UTC)

GRE Test Modules
Under the heading "Sources", there is an item "GRE Test Modules" that points to a website in Nepal that won't load for me. Is this website legitimate and does this link belong here? Wideangle (talk) 19:12, 15 October 2008 (UTC)

I think so else it wouldn't be there 154.154.246.38 (talk) 19:12, 9 October 2021 (UTC)

GRE cram schools in Taiwan
Hello, I am from Taiwan. I would like to contribute a little general ideas about our Cram school for GRE here. Cram schooling is a big business in Taiwan, and their views on GRE are quite interesting. One of our teacher considers the Analytic a respectable opponent, another one considers that Reading Comprehension was actually made unreadable to scare away non-natives. All these are said, not written. I know these are hearsays.

I wonder if the Chinese news letters they printed counts as verifiable source or not. 118.169.96.175 (talk) 02:45, 26 July 2009 (UTC)

GRE Experimental Section
I noticed that there was a citation needed regarding the experimental section in the event that it is an analytical writing question. I don't know how one would cite this, but I just took the test yesterday, and I was surprised to find that when it came to the experimental section (which happened to be analytical writing), it actually had a page or two telling me it was the experimental section. It mentioned it was experimental, and for future test making purposes, and it also mentioned that participation in said section could earn the test taker a chance to win a small scholarship (somewhere in the realm of $200?). Anyone else notice this in the recent past? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 130.156.135.88 (talk) 17:21, 12 November 2009 (UTC)


 * I just took the blasted thing this afternoon. The experimental section (on mathematics, as it happened) was marked as such, and I did not have to complete it.  The article needs revision on this point.  209.6.90.149 (talk) 20:05, 30 October 2010 (UTC)
 * OK, page updated now. 209.6.90.149 (talk) 20:20, 30 October 2010 (UTC)

Why the administration mistake occurred in China is not suitable for this article?
I've written two paragraphs about a recently occurred ETS administration mistake in China but was soon removed by ElKevbo due to "this isn't a news site or a place for you to editorialize?" Could you please tell me why this piece of information was unsuitable for this article? If you think my tone was wrong please help to refine it rather than remove it. Elliot Li (talk) 23:51, 28 October 2010 (UTC)
 * I'm simply not convinced that this particular event warrants mention in this encyclopedia article. If others disagree, I'm sure we can all agree that the event needs to be described very briefly and in a neutral tone without any editorializing.
 * It would be particularly helpful and convincing if third-party press coverage were provided to establish the notability of this incident. ElKevbo (talk) 00:24, 29 October 2010 (UTC)


 * I was inclined to agree with ElKevbo about the notability, but this appeared today, and from the description in the article, the event was fairly significant (and not the first error of this type). I'd like to see more coverage, but it may be notable as is. And I agree that the description should be short and given with a NPOV. Transmissionelement (talk) 13:08, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

2011 Revision of the GRE
I'm not sure this line about the "elimination of the CAT format" is entirely accurate. The reference provided certainly doesn't say that. According to this page, they say it will simply be a modification that allows you to skip around more freely- it's called Multi-Stage Computer Adaptive Testing. So I don't believe you can skip from the beginning to the end of an entire section, just to the end of that group of questions which were selected based on your previous answers. -Tiredmeliorist (talk) 00:45, 11 March 2011 (UTC)

Subject Tests
There is no information given about ranges/percentiles on the Subject Tests. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Drmom5 (talk • contribs) 21:44, 21 November 2013 (UTC)

Criticism (Bias)
The citation was originally indicating they were referencing the "How does the computer-based GRE revised General Test work?" from https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/faq/ within the actual text, which I changed to a standard citation. However, the section probably needs to be reworked more than just that. Parasprite (talk) 15:35, 19 February 2014 (UTC)

Here's an interesting article high on GRE criticism, maybe it can be weaved in? https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/03/the-problem-with-the-gre/471633/ Northwolf56 (talk) 16:19, 22 December 2017 (UTC)

Analytic Writing Scoring Method
Under the section in the article entitled, "Analytical writing section," the following outdated information is included: "Each essay is scored by at least two readers on a six-point holist scale. If the two scores are within one point, the average of the scores is taken. If the two scores differ by more than a point, a third reader examines the response." According to the ETS GRE site this method is used with paper-based examination only. Instead, according to ETS, what is now done the following: "For the computer-delivered test, each essay receives a score from at least one trained reader, using a six-point holistic scale. In holistic scoring, readers are trained to assign scores on the basis of the overall quality of an essay in response to the assigned task. The essay score is then reviewed by e-rater®, a computerized program developed by ETS, which is used to monitor the human reader. If the e-rater evaluation and the human score agree, the human score is used as the final score. If they disagree by a certain amount, a second human score is obtained, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.

The final scores on the two essays are then averaged and rounded to the nearest half-point interval on the 0–6 score scale. A single score is reported for the Analytical Writing measure. The primary emphasis in scoring the Analytical Writing section is on your critical thinking and analytical writing skills rather than on grammar and mechanics." (http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/faq/).

It would be useful if someone were to emend this portion of the article, to fit with current test scoring procedures. Cordially. 75.28.98.243 (talk) 21:24, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Analytic Test 2002 and Earlier
The Analytic section used to be scored 200-800 like Verbal and Quantitative. I don't see that mentioned in the article. It looks like they switched to the essay in 2003 (https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_330.asp).  &mdash;Torc.  ( Talk. ) 01:32, 10 December 2016 (UTC)

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The preparation section doesn't include non-ETS companies, are we against ads?
The preparation section doesn't include non-ETS companies, are we against ads? GREGMAT,Manhattan, etc should we list them? 68.134.243.51 (talk) 16:26, 13 August 2022 (UTC)


 * Yes, we are against ads. If there are particularly notable companies that already have articles, it may be appropriate to mention them. But this is an encyclopedia article, not a guide for test-takers. ElKevbo (talk) 19:27, 13 August 2022 (UTC)

Engineering test
There is some discussion, including it seems articles, about how discontinued subject tests. But not for the engineering test. I am trying to remember the engineering fields tested, and there are no easy to find references for it. Is it too old to include? Gah4 (talk) 08:41, 12 January 2024 (UTC)