Spring Break
More programs accepting GRE
DREW WHEATLEY
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News
Sometimes one degree just isn't enough.
The Education Testing Services, a non-profit organization that develops and administers several standardized tests, says the number of students taking the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, has increased over the last year.
The GRE is required for admission into many graduate school programs.
"We think there are a couple of elements that are coming together, one being the economy," said Mark McNutt, media relations representative for ETS.
Robyn Abree, a senior from Roswell, took the GRE last Thursday. She said the lack of jobs in her field of study contributed to her decision to take the test.
"The job market for journalists right now is nonexistent, so the economy played a part," Abree said.
The GRE, which is taken on a computer, measures a student's skills in mathematics, vocabulary and analytical writing.
McNutt said he was aware the GRE did not take into account all the factors which determine whether a prospective student will have success in graduate school.
"One of things that ETS did this summer as a way to address that issue is to create something called a Personal Potential Index," McNutt said.
The Personal Potential Index is an evaluation tool measuring six personal attributes, including communication skills, teamwork and resilience.
"For students who for whatever reason don't do well on standardized tests, this is something that will help level the playing field," McNutt said.
Abree said she thinks it is unfair that standardized tests play such a large role in the graduate school admissions process.
"I think they're extremely limited. You're in this isolated room. If you're not good at timed tests, that little time indicator counting down the seconds puts a lot of pressure on you," Abree said.
McNutt said many elite graduate business school programs have started accepting GRE scores in addition to the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test.
"When these top-tier business programs are now accepting the GRE, it says a lot," McNutt said. "It says that the schools are much more open to recruiting different types of students."
The Education Testing Services, a non-profit organization that develops and administers several standardized tests, says the number of students taking the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, has increased over the last year.
The GRE is required for admission into many graduate school programs.
"We think there are a couple of elements that are coming together, one being the economy," said Mark McNutt, media relations representative for ETS.
Robyn Abree, a senior from Roswell, took the GRE last Thursday. She said the lack of jobs in her field of study contributed to her decision to take the test.
"The job market for journalists right now is nonexistent, so the economy played a part," Abree said.
The GRE, which is taken on a computer, measures a student's skills in mathematics, vocabulary and analytical writing.
McNutt said he was aware the GRE did not take into account all the factors which determine whether a prospective student will have success in graduate school.
"One of things that ETS did this summer as a way to address that issue is to create something called a Personal Potential Index," McNutt said.
The Personal Potential Index is an evaluation tool measuring six personal attributes, including communication skills, teamwork and resilience.
"For students who for whatever reason don't do well on standardized tests, this is something that will help level the playing field," McNutt said.
Abree said she thinks it is unfair that standardized tests play such a large role in the graduate school admissions process.
"I think they're extremely limited. You're in this isolated room. If you're not good at timed tests, that little time indicator counting down the seconds puts a lot of pressure on you," Abree said.
McNutt said many elite graduate business school programs have started accepting GRE scores in addition to the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test.
"When these top-tier business programs are now accepting the GRE, it says a lot," McNutt said. "It says that the schools are much more open to recruiting different types of students."
