What does it take to get to the next level?
If you are a student nearing graduation and looking to continue your education, you will need the laser focus and steadfast perseverance that you’ve built up to conquer the required admissions test. An exciting set of professional opportunities and new challenges awaits you!
Tip Sheet for the Grad School Admissions Tests
There is no standard professional/graduate school test. What test you take depends on the graduate degree you are pursuing. Below is a list of tests and the type of schools/programs to which they are most applicable. Click on the name of the test to visit the test website and get ready to embark on your next great adventure!
All dental schools require students to take this exam.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test):
Many business and management schools require this exam for prospective students.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination):
Prospective students interested in pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree will take this exam. This is the most common graduate admissions exam. Some programs do not require the test or view it as optional, but this is not common.
LSAT (Law School Admission Test):
The LSAT is an integral part of the law school admissions process in the United States.
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test):
The MCAT is designed for students interested in the study of medicine. Almost all United States medical schools require this exam. Starting this year, the MCAT has been changed in some significant ways:
• The natural sciences section of the MCAT now contains concepts in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics that medical school faculty rate as most important to entering students’ success
• A social and behavioral sciences section has been added. The section will test important introductory psychology and sociology concepts, as well as introductory biology concepts that relate to mental processes and behavior.
• A Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills section has been added for students to analyze, evaluate, and apply information provided by passages from a wide range of social sciences and humanities disciplines.
Students planning to take the MCAT should review the guide on MCAT’s website: What’s on the MCAT2015 Exam?
PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test):
The PCAT helps pharmacy schools identify qualified applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay to take one of these tests?
Yes, in most cases there is a fee.
How much time should I spend preparing?
You should definitely prepare for the tests. How much time you spend studying depends on your comfort level with the material on the test. Most people spend on average 2-4 months preparing for a graduate school admissions test. Also, you should take the time to review important features of the test and ask questions, such as: will the test be multiple choice, is there a writing portion, what is being covered, how much time will I have, is this a paper test or computerized?
INSIDER TIP: It is not a good idea to take the test without any preparation “just to see how you do.”
Are the tests only offered once a semester or a few times a year?
It depends. Some tests are offered several times throughout the year and others are offered less frequently. Timing is extremely important because you want to make sure you are allowing enough time to have the results sent to institutions to meet their deadlines.
Will I be able to take the test more than once?
Yes (in most cases). If you want to improve your score, in most cases you can take the test again. However, some tests will restrict the amount of time in between test taking. For example, you can only take the GRE once every 21 days and up to five times during a 12-month period.
HELPFUL TIPS FROM THREE UMBC ALUMNI
“Take some time to know your enemy. Half the battle with standardized exams is knowing how the questions are asked. Make sure to be familiar with the style of exam and questions to eliminate surprises."
– Thomas Elliott, Class of 2013
“Millions of students before you have done well enough to attend medical school and you will do it, too. Figure out whether you want to self-study or take a prep course 6-8 months before test day, and take enough practice exams to be comfortable with the process. You got this."
– Sono Kahn, Class of 2014
“Try out different study spots and times to see what works best for you. Just because all of campus heads to the library… doesn't mean it's the best place. It helps to start studying for the GRE early before the semester gets crazy.”
– Katie Evans, Class of 2014
Prep Tools
UMBC offers high quality, affordable training for the GRE and LSAT examinations. View the schedule and register at testprep.umbc.edu
Preparation books can be found in any bookstore or online. Kaplan Test Prep and The Princeton Review are both popular options for many graduate admissions tests.
BONUS EVENT
Attend the related upcoming program series: Grad School 101 Conference on October 21, 2015 and October 28, 2015 in the Skylight Room in the Commons, 6:00 – 8:00pm.
EXTRA CREDIT DISCUSSION QUESTION
Have you taken a graduate school admissions exam? If so, what tips can you offer to students preparing to take the test? If you haven’t taken the test, what questions do you have for those who have taken it?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
EXTRA CREDIT POLL
Which one of the graduate school tests do you expect to be taking (or have you taken)?
