Average GRE Scores

What Is a Average Graduate Record Examination Score?

The average GRE score differs for each part of the examination. According to the numbers released for the years 2004 to 2008, the GRE verbal score average is 462, while the GRE quantitative score average is 584. In the third part of the examination, the writing exam, the average score is 4.0.

What Is a GRE Score?

A GRE score is scoring on the "Graduate Record Examination", a standardized test that many U.S. graduate schools use as an admission requirement. People hoping to attend schools in other English-speaking countries also might encounter the GRE test. The level of emphasis placed on this score varies widely from one institution to the next, even inside a country.

The cost of the Graduate Examination general test is around $160 American. There are four major parts of the test, though only three count towards your final grade: the verbal section, the quantitative section, the analytical writing section (issue task, argument task), and the experimental section. The experimental section involves experiments questions the GRE organizers are considering for later tests, but these do no count towards your grade. This section is interspersed with the rest of the exam, though, so you have no way of knowing which questions count towards your grade.

GRE Examination Sections

The Verbal Section involves reading comprehension and multiple-choice sections based on analogies and completions. The Quantitative Section is also multiple-choice, and involves problem solving and comparison questions to test high-school level math skills. The analytical sections involves the writing of two different essays. The "issue task" essay is a 45-minute essay which allows you to choose between two topics, while the "argument task" essay gives the student 30 minutes to read an argument and critique the strengths and weaknesses in that argument.

Of course, if you want to get into the best graduate schools, you'll have to score better than the averages of 462, 584, and 4.0.

What You Should Do Before Taking the GRE Exam

Learning is never ending. We learn in order not to be stagnant and enrich our minds with more knowledge. When we were in college, we were able to distinguish the career that we want to pursue in the future and taking graduate studies to enhance that passion is a right way to master your craft. Millions of students all around the world dreamed of enrolling in graduate schools to take their education to the higher level and hone their love for their passion. Taking GRE test preparation seriously will help you achieve your dreams.

With so many school that you need to inquire and visit to take their entrance exam, one body is dedicated to make that job easy for students. Educational Testing Service (ETS) is a non-profit organization that invented and managed Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE is a type of examination to check the abilities of students if they are fit to enter graduate schools. This examination is standardized, meaning that the way the test is given and the manner of checking is constant to avoid discrepancies. The result of the test is honoured in some graduate schools in the United States and in some English-speaking countries.

GRE test preparation is no laughing manner. You need to pass the four categories in their general test namely; verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. These four subjects do not favour one area of study per se but they are a general evaluation of the readiness of a student for the stress and level of education in graduate school or even in business schools. However, according to the official website of Graduate Record Examination, there would be changes in the type of test and questions of the exam sometime in August 2011.

Before engaging in GRE test preparation materials, you need to register first in ETS either online or by snail mail. You can indicate your special needs, if you need one, during the examination in the application. The testing fee in United States, U.S. Territories and Puerto Rico is $160 US dollars, while the testing fee in other countries like China, Taiwan, and Korea $ 205 US dollars. For other countries not mention, other locations charge students with a testing fee of $109 US dollars. The test could be taken as a computer-based or paper-based, depending on the country where you will be taking the examination.

GRE offers review materials for the examinees for free but there are also special materials that you need to purchase from them. Allotting time for GRE test preparation is the key to pass this examination. You need to study the review materials to get you acquainted with the flow of the exam. Aside from that, you need to familiarize yourself with the strategy and helpful tips in taking the GRE computer-based or paper-based exam to give you the heads up on how the examination works.

GRE test preparation is a giant step in reaching your goal to enter in graduate school. If you plan to become a master in your field and create changes for the betterment of the world, you need to invest your time in passing GRE. Preparing for the exam is like making a key to open the door of your dreams.

I do know finding brand new replacement windows can be quite difficult however you should try and read more about GRE Prep Courses before choosing ones. Stop by this GRE Test Prep site for additional information.

College Admissions - Record Numbers of Students REJECTED, Again

Once again, many colleges - both public and private - have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of applications. Many expressed surprise at the fact due to the economy. As a result of the increases, the colleges get to say "No" to more students. Let's face it, colleges love to report "acceptance rates". Of course the flip side of that is the "rejection rate". When a school like Harvard University reports an "acceptance rate" around 5-7%, you've got to remember that means that 93-95% are REJECTED. Even many public or "state" colleges and universities are getting more difficult. University of Maryland, here where I'm based, last year had an acceptance rate around 44%. That means 56% of those who applied were REJECTED.

Getting rejected is hard on students, there's no denying it . If your student is one of those who has been rejected or knows someone who didn't get in, sometimes the rejection is due to circumstances beyond the student's control. One of the reasons some students who "should have gotten in" might not, can be something simple yet unexpected. If a college experienced a surge in applications, for example, a kid who would have been accepted last year all of the sudden this year doesn't make the grade. It happens. Again, sometimes beyond your control. And sometimes its not. If you've been rejected, and are wondering why, ask yourself, and answer honestly some of the following questions...

Were the schools on my list realistic options? Too many "reach" schools can mean more rejection. For example, if you had a CR/M SAT score of 1080 and the 50% range for the school was 1150-1320, that school was a reach. Was my application sent by the priority deadline? There is a reason they set priority deadlines and the kids that meet it are given priority consideration.

Did I communicate a clear, consistent message to help set me apart? Lack of focus in an application makes it harder for college admissions folks to say "Yes!" Was I able to articulate why and how that particular college was part of an overall plan for me? Again, that lack of focus might have had a role. Did I have a clear understanding of what goals the college has and how I, as part of the student body, could help them achieve those goals? If you had a solid understanding of the school and its future goals that might provide you with some insight as to why you didn't get in.

Your Assignment: IF you experienced rejection, don't dwell on the colleges that didn't accept you. You should self-examine to see if there were any mistakes or missteps on your part, so you can learn from them. This is important because in 4 or so years when you graduate, you're going to go through the same kind of process all over again, only it's most likely going to be companies you'll be applying to instead of colleges. Instead of pouting and fretting over the college that said no (their loss!), celebrate and focus on the colleges that did accept you -- after all, you did like them enough to apply which means you should have liked them enough to attend!

Juniors, doing some serious college planning NOW can help reduce the chances that you'll have to deal with trying to figure out why you were rejected from a particular college later. Parents, this is too important to your child's future success. You've worked too hard -- don't put things off or do nothing at all. This is a defining moment in your child's life! Hoping for the best is simply not enough.

Jeanmarie Keller, is founder of the Get NOTICE, Get IN, Get MONEY College System, the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to get into college and get money to help pay the bill with less stress...guaranteed. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD by mail and receive her weekly college success articles on getting in and getting money while dramatically increasing your child's future success, visit

Where Do Radiology School Graduates Work?

Where do radiology school graduates work? This is a good question to ask if you are thinking about going into this profession. The fact is that radiology school graduates can get jobs as radiologic technologists and technicians at a number of different medical settings, and employment for this profession is growing faster than average.

There were about 214,700 radiologic technologist jobs in 2008, 61 percent of which were in hospitals. The other jobs were in physicians' offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories and outpatient care facilities. There are even more jobs today, and the job opportunities are expected to continue growing. If you have knowledge of several diagnostic imaging procedures you will have the best chances of finding high paying work in a variety of different locations.

Radiology schools range from training programs in hospitals to traditional courses at colleges and universities. You can choose to get a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree depending on how long you want to stay in school. You will have more job opportunities and a higher rate of pay if you get a higher level of education, though, so this should definitely factor into your decision. After you finish your education, you may also need to become licensed before you can begin working in the field, depending on which state you live in.

If you choose to start a career as a radiologic technologist or technician, you will be responsible for performing diagnostic imaging exams on patients. The main difference between these two jobs is that radiologic technicians mostly use x-ray machines while radiologic technologists use many technologies such as computed magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and tomography. Both jobs will require you to work closely with doctors and follow their instructions precisely for your safety and the safety of your patients.

Your main duties as a radiologic technician will be to prepare patients and administer examinations, although you may also have job duties such as keeping records and maintaining the equipment depending on where you work. As a radiologic technologist you will be responsible for performing more complex procedures, and you will probably earn a higher salary.

Different Schools in the Seattle School District Honor Graduates

Garfield High School Honors 84 Year-Old Graduate

On Monday, June 19th, Richard Coone received an honorary diploma from Garfield High School, a Seattle High School. He walked with the Garfield High graduates at the graduating ceremonies held at Qwest Field. Mr. Coone has waited over sixty-five years to receive a diploma. In 1941, Mr. Coone was a senior at Garfield High School and was prepared to graduate with his friends but World War II got in the way. In his junior year, Mr. Coone had joined the National Guard by lying about his age. He did this in order to be with his older brother. By joining the Battery 146 Field Artillery Battalion, he was to serve with several students from Garfield High School. But before graduation, he was called to Fort Lewis and did not return home until 1945. After returning home he worked for the Seattle times for over thirty years. Garfield High School and other Seattle Schools are honored to recognize Dick Coone for his service to the State of Washington and our country.

Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators Annual Recognition Dinner for
Retirees and Graduating Seniors

The Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators, the local affiliate of the National Alliance of Black Educators, will hold a dinner honoring selected graduating students and retiring faculty on June 21, 2006. The annual dinner is also used to recognize those students who have received Seattle Alliance of Black School Educators' scholarships. The students are chosen from high schools throughout Seattle Schools. The criteria used to select the students includes examining the students' academic record, their involvement in school activities, their participation in community service, the students' financial need, and a required application essay. The scholarships will be used to further the students' education. This year's dinner will also honor five retiring faculty members from the Seattle Schools. These retirees are honored due to their outstanding service and commitment to their work in Seattle Schools.

The SABSE is part of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). The NABSE is a non-profit organization devoted to furthering the academic success for the nation's children - particularly children of African descent. In 1970 the NABSE was founded to improve both the educational experiences and accomplishments of African American youth through the development and use of instructional and motivational methods that increase levels of inspiration, attendance and overall achievement. The NABSE aims to accomplish its goals by facilitating the education of all students, with a particular focus on African American students; establish a coalition of African American educators, administrators and other professionals directly and indirectly involved in the educational process; create a forum for the exchange of ideas and strategies to improve opportunities for African American educators and students; identify and develop African American professionals who will assume leadership positions in education and influence public policy concerning the education of African Americans. These groups hope to influence students in Seattle Schools to recognize the importance of African American contributions to the United States.

Comparing and Evaluating Graduate Programs

An effective graduate school search will yield several schools to which you plan to apply. It isn't difficult to find "the best" school in a particular discipline, but to protect yourself you are probably also going to apply to several "very good" schools too, so comparing them in meaningful ways, other than using that nebulous thing called "reputation," should be done as systematically as possible.

I recommend that you make a table whose horizontal axis contains the names of each school that you are thinking of applying with the categories that I will provide in this and several subsequent articles listed in the table's vertical axis. Filling in this spreadsheet is hard work. Some of the information you are seeking will be available on a school's web site [though it will take digging to find it] and some will be in the school's hardcopy Peterson's Guide entry. The rest of the information is gathered by calling the schools, contacting a program's graduate chair and probing for facts. Yes, it is time consuming and yes, a call like this will put you on their radar, and yes [and most importantly], they will understand that you are a serious, committed student if you are asking sophisticated questions.

Begin by examining admissions statistics and Graduate Record Examination scores [in cases where the tests are required]; this will help you to see how difficult this school might be for you to get into. Then determine the number of students they accept each year, how many apply, and try to get a fix on the program size [total number of enrolled students]. Unlike college where you took classes across many different departments during four years and got to know different students from different disciplines, in graduate school your personal horizons might be constrained by a small program in a small school. If you come from a large university where you had latitude and lots of friends, a small program might be constricting. Remember, you are joining a family, albeit as a transient member, and whom you know and whom you work with will affect your everyday life in many ways.

The size and diversity of the faculty is another variable you should explore. If the faculty is small and the number of students large, will the faculty have time to provide the individual attention you want as a graduate student? Remember, undergraduate students are also part of a faculty member's advising load. You also want to know if the faculty is strong in the fields that you are interested in in order to be able to provide the supervision you will require on your dissertation. If modern poetry is your passion and there is no name brand scholar at school X who shares that passion, you might take X off of your list.

Requirements are another important factor as you compare schools. You may find some programs too restrictive, or too requirement heavy for your tastes or needs. Perhaps you don't think you need to pass proficiency examinations in two foreign languages and several of the schools you are interested in think you do and several do not...then you should be asking why this discrepancy exists and figuring out which program is best for you.

Finally, the number of graduate level classes offered each year is a very important number. If, as is sometimes the case, the program offers few classes at the graduate level and double counts upper-level undergraduate courses and applies them towards your graduate program, then you will be taking more classes than you expect with seniors or advanced juniors, not with your graduate student peers; or you may have to fill your program with courses you would prefer not to take to maintain full-time status. This would be an especially bad deal in a one-year Master's program. Essentially, you are not quite getting what you came for, even if the instructor provides an extra hour or an extra section for graduate students [and that might not happen either]. So be sure to ask, and if the answer is that there are not many stand-alone graduate courses, try to find out why and determine if this is a deal-killer for you. This question may not make you popular, but ultimately it may make you happy!

Study Strategies For the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE, or graduate record examination, tests your verbal, mathematical and critical abilities as part of the graduate school admissions process. Most schools will require you to admit your GRE score as part of your application, similar to what you had to do when you took the SAT for college. Before you have any test-taking nightmares, read these questions and answers to discover what you need to do to prepare.

Which GRE tests do I have to take?

Read the school's requirements carefully. Do not assume that you have to take the GRE at all. Then again, other programs may require the GRE and a subject exam in your specific field. Subject exam fields include Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. Even if you are applying to a program that corresponds with a subject exam, the program may not require it.

What does the GRE involve?

The GRE is similar to the SAT, with a verbal portion and a math portion. You will also need to write two essays that show your analytical abilities. The writing section always comes first, followed by the other section. You will also have to take an "unscored" section that includes questions being tested for later exams. The subject tests will test what you have learned so far in a subject to see how well prepared you are for a graduate program in that field.

How can I prepare?

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE, provides sample questions, strategies and one full-length test at its Web site, along with sample subject tests. If you do take these sample tests, try to take them in conditions as close to the actual test conditions as possible, and time yourself exactly how you would be timed during the real test. This way, you are less likely to panic if you find yourself running low on time on the actual test day.

Several companies offer GRE prep courses, but, before you invest in those, you may want to see how you do on the ETS sample test or pick up a test prep book from a bookstore. These books include several practice tests. An alternative to GRE prep courses is GRE tutoring, which can help you if you prefer one-on-one guidance or would like to focus on a specific area of the test.

GMAT Vs GRE - Which One Should You Take?

Recently, some business schools have decided to accept either the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score as a part of an MBA applicant's application.

Historically, the GMAT is taken by students applying to business school, while those who want to pursue a non-business graduate degree take the GRE.

While the GMAT is still the most widely accepted standardized test for aspiring b-school students, a few business school programs have chosen to start accepting the GRE score as a means to widen their applicant pool by encouraging increased applications from those with various educational and experience backgrounds, and those who have difficulty getting to a GMAT test facility.

Here are some other interesting facts about why business schools are starting to accept the GRE:

-Price: The GRE is less expensive than the GMAT. The GRE costs $140 to take, while the GMAT costs $250). The higher GMAT test fee could limit the amount of students who apply for business school programs, especially when you consider the cost of multiple re-takes and separate preparation programs/books

-Streamlining Applications: The GRE is taken by students applying to diverse graduate programs, which means students won't have to study, pay, and take another standardized test in order to apply for business school.

-Testing Centers: The GRE is given in more locations around the world than the GMAT. Schools are always looks for more diverse candidates, and accepting the GRE could lead to more applicants from around the world who might not have the finances or time to be able to travel to a GMAT testing center.

Although the GRE and the GMAT are somewhat similar, the differences between the two exams are most apparent in an analysis of their scoring, average scores, and verbal and quantitative sections.

-Total Score:

o GRE - Like the SAT, the GRE consists of verbal and quantitative sections, which each can earn you between 200-800 points. The writing section can garner you anywhere from a 0-6. For admittance, most universities don't consider the writing GRE score as much as the verbal and quantitative scores. Keep in mind that GRE scores are taken into consideration along with your undergraduate GPA, admissions interview, extracurricular activities, etc. The average GRE score across the board is 1050, while the average GRE score for a Harvard student is 1330.

The New GRE vs The Current GRE

The new GRE is coming. Like overbearing in-laws on Christmas, the new GRE is coming, and there's nothing we can do to stop it. The best course of action is to learn as much as we can about it, so we know what to expect. The following is a brief summary of the differences between the current GRE and the new (revised) GRE,

Content

Current GRE

    The verbal reasoning section of the current GRE tests your ability to analyze written material and understand the information presented (reading comprehension), identify relationships among different sentence parts (sentence completion), and comprehend relationships between words and concepts (analogies/antonyms).
    The quantitative reasoning section of the current GRE tests your ability to understand the basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, reason in a quantitative way, and solve problems involving quantities.
    The writing section consists of two topics: one "issue" topic and one "argument" topic.

New GRE
The content on the new GRE is more or less the same as the content on the current GRE; the main difference is that certain concepts are emphasized more than others.

    On the verbal reasoning section, there will be significantly less focus on vocabulary out of context (no more analogies/antonyms) and more of a focus on "higher-level cognitive thinking," which translates to critical reading.
    On the quantitative reasoning section, there is a greater emphasis on data interpretation and real-life problem scenarios.
    The writing section of the new GRE still consists of one "issue" topic and one "argument" topic.

Question Types
Current GRE

    There are four main types of questions on the current GRE verbal reasoning section: sentence completion, analogies, reading comprehension, and antonyms.
    The quantitative reasoning section has two question types: multiple choice and quantitative comparison.
    The "issue" topic on the writing section gives you two prompts from which to choose; the "argument" topic only has one prompt.

New GRE

    The verbal reasoning section of the new GRE will have neither analogies nor antonyms. Instead, there will be more sentence completion questions and a new type of question called sentence equivalence, in which you must identify which two answer choices will give the sentence the same meaning. The reading comprehension questions will have two new question types. In addition to the traditional multiple choice questions, there will be multiple answer questions and sentence highlighting questions. Multiple answer questions are exactly what they sound like -- of the three answer choices provided, one, two, or all three choices may be correct. Sentence highlighting questions will ask you to highlight the sentence in the passage where the answer is found.
    The new quantitative reasoning section will have two more question types in addition to multiple choice and quantitative comparisons. Multiple answer questions are just like they are on the verbal section -- more than one answer may be right, and you must identify all correct answers. Numeric entry questions are similar to the numeric entry questions on the SAT -- a box in which you must type in your numeric answer will be provided with the question.
    Each topic has only one prompt on the writing section of the new GRE.

GRE Study Reveals How We're Worked Into a Frenzy

It's official: when it comes to GRE test takers, they're a nation of stressheads.

A recent survey conducted by a herbal remedy brand revealed that of 2,372 GRE test takers, 99% claimed that they felt stressed about their GRE preparation at least once per day. The study also concluded that of these anxiety sufferers, 35% have missed at least one day's work of work or school due to stress over GRE study.

But for the rest of students preparing to realize their graduate school dreams, this isn't really news at all. In fact, it's a part of everyday life when it comes to GRE practice.

Let's face it: a small amount of stress is expected in any GRE practice schedule. Heck, sometimes it's even good for you! But what is this stress and anxiety doing to our health...

...And what steps can we take to stop it?

Under GRE Study Pressure

Many GRE test takers simply assume that GRE study pressure is part and parcel of the whole experience. After all, it's not like these highly talented students are unused to stress. And let's not forget what life will be like once you've made it into grad school.

Talk about stressed out!

But there's a flaw in this type of logic - and this flaw can really drag down your grad school dreams. You see, our college grades and GPA are determined by multiple tests, papers and presentations. In this respect, if we ever get stressed out and our score suffers as a result, we have multiple opportunities to make up for it.

But not with the GRE test. In fact, you've got one shot to prove that you've got the goods to succeed in graduate school. And if you fail, that's it.

Game over.

Fighting Back Against GRE Practice Anxiety

So what can you do to stay in tip-top shape? Take a look at these expert tips and techniques, and reclaim your GRE preparation once and for all!

• You've heard it all before: but if you want to fight back against high-pressure GRE test preparation, then you need to fine-tune your diet. Many foods can make our bodies feel as though we're in a state of high-stress. Nuts and seeds, however, have a positive impact on blood sugar levels, energy and mood, leading to decreased stress levels.
• Plenty of health experts have celebrated the physical activity as the best way to beat stress at its own game. However, there's a different between regular exercise and the kind that has been proven to significantly reduce stress levels. Don't go for high-impact workouts, as these can exacerbate stress levels. Instead, try yoga or meditation as a more productive method for reducing testing anxiety.

Remember, staying healthy and reducing your stress and anxiety levels is just as important to your GRE preparation as constant study and emotional preparation.

GRE Scores - Determine How Good Your Score Is

Students are often confused about how to interpret GRE Scores.  Common questions include: "What is a good GRE Score?" and "What GRE Scores do colleges require?"  To answer these questions, it is important to understand the different components of the GRE Test and how GRE test scores are calculated.

The GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on a scale of 200-800, with 10 point increments. The GRE Analytical Writing section is scored on a 0-6 scale with half-point increments.  Your scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections are based on your performance on the questions you were given and on the total number of questions answered in the time allotted.

The verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE Test are administered in a "computer-adaptive testing" (CAT) format.  The CAT format adapts the difficulty of the questions based on how a user answers the questions.  An average level question is given first, and then more difficult questions are given if the first question is answered correctly, or easier questions are given is the first question is missed.  The intent of the CAT approach is to adapt the questions based on the user's aptitude. With the CAT approach, you are not allowed to go back and change answers to previous questions, and you must answer each question to proceed.

Interpreting your GRE Scores

The best way to understand your GRE TestScores is by comparing them to other students and seeing what your preferred colleges require. The information below summarizes your percentile compared to other students.  For example, if you scored a 600 on your GRE Verbal Reasoning score, this implies that your percentile score is 85 (i.e., you scored better than 85% of the other students who took the GRE Test).  For students who took the exam between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007, the average (mean) GRE Scores were 462 for Verbal Reasoning, 584 for Quantitative Reasoning and 4.0 for Analytical Writing.