November 23rd, 2011
To get into graduate school, you may need to take the GREs or the GMAT. But to get into a specific graduate school program (e.g., business, law, or medical), you’ll need to showcase more specific skills. Get the profession-specific grad school test lowdown here:
Grad school test: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
What it is: The GMAT does not test business competence or specific subject knowledge; it measures general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills.
What it’s used for: Business schools use GMAT scores to measure and compare candidates’ academic ability.
Test format: The GMAT consists of three main parts: the analytical writing assessment, a quantitative section, and a verbal section.
Test tip: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the computer adapts to your performance as you’re taking the exam. Never skip a question, since there is a penalty for every one you don’t answer.
Test length: 4 hours
Test fee: $250
Test prep: Download free grad school test prep software at www.mba.com.
Grad school test: Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
What it is: The LSAT is not a knowledge-based exam; it is a standardized exam that tests critical reading and analytical thinking skills.
What it’s used for: Successful performance on the LSAT is required for admission to all ABA-approved law schools.
Test format: The LSAT is made up of six sections. Four of the five multiple-choice sections contribute to the score. The fifth, which is unscored, is used to test new questions or forms, and the sixth part of the test is a writing sample.
Test tip: The logical reasoning portion is designed to assess a wide range of skills involved in critical thinking, with an emphasis on legal reasoning.
Test length: 3.5 hours (six 35-minute sections)
Test fee: $139
Test prep: Download a free sample grad school test at www.lsac.org.
Grad school test: Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
What it is: The MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that assesses problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles.
What it’s used for: Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores.
Test format: The MCAT consists of four sections: verbal reasoning, physical sciences, writing sample, and biological sciences.
Test tip: Feel free to go back and change answers until the time limit for an individual section expires, but once a section is done, you cannot go back to it.
Test length: 4 hours, 25 minutes
Test fee: $240
Test prep: Download a free practice test at www.aamc.org.
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