Most college grads have thought at one point or another about going to graduate school. While for some this is a passing thought, others seriously consider it. Still fewer actually go through the full application process. The remaining are the ones who actually attend grad school and attain an advanced degree.
One thing some fail to realize is that there are standardized tests that you must complete before even filling out an application. These tests require hours upon hours of study prep and will require significant sacrifices in time. An advanced degree can open up many opportunities for people who go through with attaining an advanced degree, but the first step is taking (and hopefully killing) a standardized test.
There are three major standardized tests that are prerequisites to grad school: GRE, LSAT, and GMAT.
The GRE
The GRE is a required standardized test for many graduate degrees, which range from chemistry to psychology. If you are going to grad school for a social science, you are going to have to take the GRE.
Below is a breakdown of the test structure:
For a number of concentrations, the GRE has subject tests. For example, there is a psychology subject test that my wife is taking next month. Unfortunately for some people, once you take the GRE you are not done testing…and therefore are not done studying. Not only is it not easy to get into a lot of phd and masters programs, but the process of actually finishing standardized tests and finalizing applications are not fun and can be incredibly time-consuming.
The LSAT
The LSAT is the standardized test for getting into Law School. The test format is five 35-minute sections. As with almost all standardized test, these are multiple choice. There is a writing section that is not scored but is sent to the schools you apply to.
According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), the administrator of the LSAT, the LSAT measures:
The LSAT is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and the analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of others.
The best book I have read on law school (yes, I considered and still sometimes consider going to law school) is How to Get Into Law School
The GMAT
Want to go farther in the business world? The GMAT is the test that all MBA candidates are measured by. Below is a graphic explaining the structure of the GMAT from MBA.com:
I have a friend who has a 1-year, 15+ prep books and prep course study schedule for the GMAT. He’s applying solely to top ten schools, so one thing he has to do to get in is ace the exam. There are other things you must do to get into a top 10 or top 15 MBA program, but that is for another post.
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Does studying hundreds of hours not phase you? Congrats! Your long road to grad school will not be stopped in its track by a lack of commitment that is required in time and effort to conquer a standardized test. In reality these standardized tests serve as a filter; grad schools want to know you are committed enough to take a standardized test and disciplined enough to study and do well on it.
If you are planning on going to grad school, best of luck studying! Be sure to buy some study materials
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Nice post. I took both the GRE & the GMAT. I will agree that both take considerable time to study for. I do not test well, so I put all the time I could into it. I am definitely glad those days are behind me now that my MBA is done.
@FrugalRules “I am definitely glad those days are behind me now that my MBA is done.” Hey now! Are you trying to make me feel bad?
@DC @ Young Adult Money
Not at all. I just HATE tests. I just never seem to test well. Glad they’re in my past. :)
I took the GMAT. I didn’t study at all (maybe for one hour) and didn’t take any courses. I did ok (just enough to get into the school that I Wanted). It was hard!
@SenseofCents Wow! Just an hour? That’s pretty incredible. My friend basically needs to ace it to get into the school he wants (and even then he may not get in) so he’s got a one-year plan including a course.
DC, how could you forget the MCAT, DAT, or OAT for the medical geeks? Standardized tests are great for people who read fast and have good memories. I didn’t study at all for my OAT and did well, but I in college then. I’d fail now without studying. My sister is not a fast reader, and studied tons for her DAT, and did OK. It is a bit unfair for those who aren’t good test takers, but a hoop you learn to jump through. So glad those days are over!
@Eyesonthedollar I knew someone would point out that I left those off! Haha sorry I thought listing the three I did was sufficient, but I should have included the MCAT!
I’ve always thought the GMAT would be fun. I don’t know why….the sections just look like stuff I’d enjoy.
@AverageJoeMoney I don’t think it would be fun, but I’d enjoy the challenge of the GMAT….for a while : )
I think that the GMAT is very important because a good score can get you into a good business program like this. I think getting a jump on the GMAT as soon as possible is something that everyone should consider
<a href=”http://gmat-scope.blogspot.com/2011/07/computer-skills-for-gmat.html”>Skills for GMAT</a>
GRE exam is a requirement for admission in such programs i.e. Masters, PhD etc. But no where in the world…, they use it to grade your PhD or your working during PhD.
<a href=”http://gre-examtips.blogspot.com/2012/10/basis-gre-subject-test.html”>GRE Subject</a>