Marshall Green, a senior computer information system student from Miami, is preparing for graduation and is faced with getting into graduate school. After four years of the college, he is grinding his teeth to take the Graduate Record Exam.
The GRE is an entrance test for students who want to proceed to graduate studies. “I’ve been studying for the exam for the past three months and I must make at least 1000 to get into graduate school,” Green said.
According to GRE requirements, the verbal section measures the ability to analyze, evaluate and obtain written material. The quantitative section measures the basic math skills.
The questions require arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The analytical writing section tests critical thinking and writing skills.
The test is used for students wanting to pursue graduate studies in all fields except business and law.
The entrance test is a computer-adaptive test offered five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The local testing center is located at Sylvan Learning Technology Center 1410-B1 Market Street.
The testing fee is $115 with a $40 rescheduling fee. This fee may be waived by financial aid office if eligible. Students may register in person, by phone or online at www.gre.org.
According to Darren White, a counselor at Sylvan Technology Center, a common reason for students rescheduling exams is no identification. Students must present two forms of ID on test day and they must also be on time. White expects students to arrive at last 15 minutes prior to the test.
Nashay Pendleton, president of Graduate Student Association, suggests students take advantage of the online tutorials and books at the library before taking the exam.
“It really gives students a good idea of what the test is like,” said Pendleton.
There is software available that contains testing tutorials, practice questions with explanations and an actual computer adaptive test.