Which Grad School Test Should You Write?

When researching the criteria for your graduate program, you will come across different types of tests as part of the admissions process. The kind of test to write is determined primarily by your university and department. For the same course, some schools might require a particular test while others might not. So, before you reach a conclusion, make sure you've done significant research. Similarly, some universities can exempt specific tests if you meet certain criteria. However, this is not always clearly stated on their website, and you may need to send them an email to find out if you can get a waiver.

Most test criteria are general and can be written by students from a variety of fields, while others are more specific. Because of their particular nature, licensed programs such as law and medicine require more stringent assessments. In this article, we will go over the different kinds of tests that we have, in order to help you make the best choice. These tests include:

1. Graduate Record Exam (GRE):

Overview:

The GRE is a standardized graduate program aptitude test that measures abstract thinking in areas such as reading comprehension, writing, and mathematics. The GRE today is primarily offered via computer; however, in areas that lack the appropriate computer networks, a paper-based exam may be given.

Sections:

1. Verbal reasoning section (reading comprehension)

2. Quantitative segment (mathematics)

3. Writing 

Scoring:

For Verbal Reasoning, the score typically ranges between 130 and 170, in one-point increments.

For Mathematics, the score range is also between 130 and 170, in one-point increments.

Your final GRE score is the combination of your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. These scores are reported on a scale of 260 to 340, in one-point increments.

The Analytical Writing score is reported separately. Each task is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. The two scores are then averaged to get the Analytical Writing score, which ranges from 0 to 6.

Duration:

The GRE takes approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes to complete. The Analytical Writing and Verbal sections take 30 minutes and 41 minutes respectively; the Quantitative Reasoning Section takes 47 minutes to complete.

Score Validity:

GRE scores are valid for five years. Educational Testing Service ( ETS) will keep your score report on file for five years after you take the test. 

Cost:

 The cost of writing the GRE varies from country to country, but it ranges from $200 to $300. 

Number of Takings/ Year:

You may take the GRE once every 21 days and up to 5 times in a 12-month period.

2. Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT):

Overview:

It is similar to GRE in the sense that it is also a standardized test that is used to measure a test taker's aptitude in mathematics, verbal skills, and analytical writing. However, it is the primary exam that is commonly required by business schools to gain entrance into an MBA program. The exam is generally offered by computer only; in areas of the world where computer networks are limited, the exam may be given as a paper-based test.

Sections:

The GMAT exam consists of four sections: analytical writing assessment, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. 

Scoring:

Your overall composite GMAT score is calculated by combining your subscores from the GMAT Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights sections. Each of those sections is reported on a scale from 60 to 90 points, and the composite score is graded on a scale of 205 to 805 points.

The GMAT is adaptive, which means that when you answer GMAT questions correctly, the test will give you harder questions as you move through each section. If you get a bunch of questions wrong, on the other hand, the GMAT will adapt and show you easier questions.

The maximum score achievable is 800.  

Duration:

On average, the exam takes three and one-half hours to complete.

Score Validity:

Exam scores are generally valid for five years following the exam's completion. 

Costs:

In most locations, the online version of the GMAT costs $300 USD, while the testing-center version costs $275 USD.

Number of Takings/Year

GMATs are offered almost every day of the year and can be taken every 16 calendar days. However, the test can be taken no more than eight times total and no more than five times in a 12-month period. Most applicants take the exam once or twice before applying.

3. Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL):  

Overview:

TOEFL is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. Since its introduction in late 2005, the Internet-based Test format has progressively replaced computer-based tests (CBT)  which does not require an internet connection, although paper-based testing is still used in select areas.

Sections:

The test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills (while some tasks require integrating multiple skills), and all tasks focus on the language used in an academic, higher-education environment.

The Reading section consists of questions on 3–4 passages, each approximately 700 words in length and with 10 questions. The passages are on academic topics; they are the kind of material that might be found in an undergraduate university textbook.

Scoring:

The TOEFL iBT test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points.

Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to determine the total score.

Each speaking question is initially given a raw score of 0 to 4, with a 1-point increment, and each writing question is initially given a raw score of 0.0 to 5.0, with a 0.5-point increment. These scores are converted to scaled scores of 0 to 30.

The final PBT score ranges between 0 and 677 and is based on three subscores: Listening (0–68), Structure (0–68), and Reading (0–67). The minimum possible score is 310, which corresponds to 31 scores for each section. Unlike the CBT, the score of the Writing component (referred to as the Test of Written English, TWE) is not part of the final score; instead, it is reported separately on a scale of 0–6.

ETS has released tables to convert between iBT, CBT, and PBT scores.

Duration:

The TOEFL iBT test is broken up into four sections and takes about 2 hours to complete.  

Number of Takings/ Year

The test cannot be taken more than once every 3 days. There are no restrictions on the number of times a student can write the exam in a year.

 Costs

The price ranges from $180 to $250. 

4. International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

Overview:

IELTS is aimed at people who want to study in an English-speaking environment, work in or emigrate to an English-speaking country, or get a job in their own country where English proficiency is required. 

Types of IELTS

For this reason, there are two IELTS tests to choose from: 

IELTS Academic: This test can help you secure university acceptance, student visas, and prove your English ability to professional organizations.           

IELTS General Training: This test measures your English proficiency in the workplace and is often useful to prove your level when applying for a new position in an English-speaking company or organization.

Sections

IELTS assesses the four key skills outlined below:

Listening: This section assesses how well you understand ideas, recognize opinions, and follow the development of an argument.

Reading: This section assesses how well you read for general sense, main ideas and details, and whether you understand the author's inferences and opinions.

Writing: This section evaluates how well and how accurately you organize your ideas and write a response, along with your ability to use wide-ranging vocabulary and grammar.

Speaking: This section assesses how well you can communicate opinions and information on everyday topics and common experiences, as well as how you express and justify your opinions.

Scoring:

You will be given a score from 1 to 9 for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The average produces your overall band score. You can score whole (e.g., 5.0, 6.0, 7.0) or half (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5) bands in each part of the test.

Duration:

Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Score Validity:

IELTS Test Report Forms are valid for two years.

Costs:

The cost ranges from $220 to $250.

5. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Overview:

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for prospective law school candidates. 

Sections:

It is designed to assess reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning.

 Duration:

The LSAT is composed of four 35-minute test sections. There is a 10-minute intermission between the second and third sections. The test takes approximately 3 hours for standard test takers.

 Scoring:

120 to 180, in 1-point increments. 

Score Validity:

An LSAT (or LSAT-Flex) result is reportable for up to five testing years after the testing year in which the score is earned.

Number of Takings/ Year

Scores of up to 12 tests taken since 1 June 2008 are valid.

Starting August 2023, no more than 5 attempts in 5 years, no more than 7 attempts in a lifetime. Exceptions may be granted for special circumstances.

Cost

US$222

6. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Overview:

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a computer-based standardized examination for prospective medical students (both Allopathic M.D. and Osteopathic D.O.) in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. Before 2007, the exam was a paper-and-pencil test; since 2007, all administrations of the exam have been computer-based. It is required by colleges mostly in the United States and Canada. 

Sections:

It is designed to assess problem-solving, critical thinking, written analysis, and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles. 

The skills tested include physical sciences, biological sciences, and verbal reasoning. 

Scoring:

118–132 for each of the four sections, totaling 472–528. The score is usually for 2 to 3 years. 

Duration:

The MCAT lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, with breaks. The test content itself takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. 

Score Validity:

As for that last reason, it's important to remember that MCAT scores are good for three years at most medical schools, meaning that an MCAT from 2021 would be good for anyone matriculating in 2024 or earlier. 

Cost:

US$310–US$460.

("Fee Assistance Program" available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or refugees, demonstrating financial need.)

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