Graduate Record Examination
Scores from the GRE General Test are required elements for most applications to graduate programs in the arts and sciences as well as to many scholarship and fellowship programs. The results of the GRE General Test carry great weight with Ph.D. programs because they help to evaluate one’s overall promise as a graduate student. Senior applicants should schedule the GRE during the summer before or during the fall of their senior year. Spring testing dates are most often used by seniors who plan to apply after receiving their baccalaureate degrees and who should take the test while their skills and knowledge are still “fresh”.
The General Test is composed of three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. In addition, certain graduate programs require scores from a GRE Subject Test, intended to assess an applicant’s background in topics pertinent to the prospective study area. These tests are offered in eight disciplines: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology.
The GRE General Test
Note that the General GRE test is not administered as a paper and pencil test. Until September 2007, the General Test will be a computer based, individually administered and individually scheduled examination. (Subject Tests, however, will be administered two or three times each year by paper and pencil until further notice.) The centers fill to capacity quite quickly, thus, you should register early rather than using the GRE registration deadlines as a guide if you wish to test in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Registration for the GRE is on-line for those paying the test fee by credit card and by mail for those paying the test fee by check. See the deadlines and instructions at http://www.gre.org where students may also register. Duke students may schedule their GRE General Test in Durham or another convenient site as explained on the GRE web site or in the registration materials. The local testing center is at North Carolina Central University at the following address: 1801 Fayetteville St., University Testing Center, C-304 LT Walker Complex, Durham, North Carolina 27707; (919)530-7490.
The GRE General Test is designed to measure basic skills needed for advanced study in a research oriented discipline. A full description of the content and format of these sections is beyond the scope of this handbook, but students may learn about them and the skills they assess from the GRE Web site.
The Educational Testing Service has announced fundamental changes in the GRE format, scoring and test taking environment to be implemented in October 2007. These are described in detail on the GRE website and include a return to fixed administration dates rather than individually scheduled appointments. Test takes will contiue to use a computer for testing.
Subject Tests
GRE subject tests are intended to assess an applicant’s background in topics pertinent to the prospective study area and should reflect the level of preparation of the applicant in the discipline. Performance on the subject test may be weighted less than that on the general GRE if it can be determined that any deficiencies can be addressed with course work after entering graduate school. Check carefully to determine whether the program's application requirements will be met with scores from the General Test alone or whther scores from a Subject test are needed as well. Again, these tests are offered in eight disciplines: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology.