"I went in as a poor lost soul with absolutely no idea what I was trying to do. Not only did I not know what exactly it was I was trying to do, but also I had no idea how to figure it out. Now, at the end of the semester, I can happily say I have things figured out, well, for the most part."
Read APA Ch 4
The GRE is an exam that is required by many (though not all) psychology graduate programs (MA and PhD). This test does not test your knowledge of psychology. It tests your basic knowledge and skills in verbal, quantitative (math), and writing. It is similar to the ACT or SAT. It covers math (geometry, algebra), language arts (vocabulary, reading comprehension), and a writing sample. This test is used by psychology departments to determine in part admission to their programs. However, the GRE is also used for graduate programs in many, many other disciplines besides psychology.
Some graduate programs require specialized exams (medical school: MCAT; business school: GMAT; law school: LSAT) instead of the GRE. Some programs require the GRE, and a GRE subject test (psychology, history, etc). This is a separate test from the regular GRE and in psychology at least, not very many programs require it.
Why don't psychology graduate programs care so much about your base knowledge in psychology? Because graduate school is about intense critical thinking. The subject matter, honestly, is secondary. The graduate program you attend will teach you all they want you to know in terms of content. What they can't do is teach you how to think. Get a good thinker, and you can teach them anything.
If you know you want to go to business school, law school, medical school, whatever, do this assignment for THAT test, not the GRE.
Obviously, given the cost and stress of the GRE, you shouldn't take it if you don't need to! And like I mentioned above, many programs don't require it (MSW-masters of social work; many PsyD, many MA in psychology programs, and some PhD).
However, taking a practice GRE test can do a lot to help you determine which types and which specific programs you should apply to because a major consideration for acceptance is your score on the GRE, so knowing your score (or having a baseline prior to studying for the real one) is very helpful for planning purposes.
So, take a practice GRE (or appropriate entrance exam for the area you are going into).
Here is some information about the test.
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare
here is a link to a study prep guide, and one practice test (paper form), including how to score it when you are done:
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/practice_book_GRE_pb_revised_general_test.pdf
here is a link to study prep and a practice test, computer form
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/powerprep2
If you want a score, make sure to take the computer, TIMED version of the test. Make sure to simulate real test taking circumstances (the instructions give you info on how long to give yourself, etc).
ALL of your professors took the GRE. All of them took the old GRE (it changed about three years ago). This changed the scoring system too. So most of us are best at advising based on the old scoring system. You may want to know what your score is in the old system in case someone asks (like an advisor, and some grad programs still list their cutoffs in the old scoring system). So when you get your score, go here to convert it to the old version: GRE score conversion (new to old) -
Write up a reflection of your experience, include your score, and email it to me with "GRE" as the subject heading. Don't forget to ask a question.
Explore!
Ways to study vocabulary:
Graduate Exam Prep Sites
ETS (the publisher of most graduate entrance exams)
MCAT (for medical school)
LSAT (for law school)
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