Testing Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the question below to find out the answers!
- Where can I take the GRE and GMAT on campus?
- What testing publications are available in the
Career Services Office?
- How can I best prepare for a test like the GRE,
GMAT or LSAT?
- What is computer-based testing like?
- How do I know if I have to take the GRE subject
test?
- Where can I register for the MAT (Miller-Analogy
Test)?
Answers
- The Graduate School and Continuing Education Office offers computer
based testing right here on campus. The new ETS computer lab is located on the ground
floor of the library. Students interested in taking the GRE or GMAT can call the testing
site at (508) 531-1780 to schedule an appointment at your convenience. The exams are
offered on the computer by appointment.
- The following is a list of graduate and professional testing
registration bulletins that are available in the Career Services Office. Stop by to pick
up a copy. Bulletins can not be mailed out. The Career Services Office is located on the
ground floor of the Rondileau Campus Center, Room 8.
| Abbr. |
Test Name
|
Abbr. |
Test Name
|
| GRE |
Graduate Record Exam |
MCAT |
Medical College Admissions Test |
| GMAT |
Graduate Management Admissions Test |
PCAT |
Pharmacy College Admissions Test |
| LSAT |
Law School Admissions Test |
TOEFL |
Test of English as a Foreign
Language |
- There are several ways to
prepare for a graduate/professional school exam. The method you choose will depend upon
the amount of time, energy and money you are willing to commit to the process.
At one end you can simply purchase a study
guide or software offered through a local bookstore or software vendor. Study guides
can be purchase for under $25.00 and software is often available for under $100.00. These
independent methods are relatively inexpensive. Since some of the testing providers
like ETS produce their own study guides and software, it is recommended that you look into
these. Preparing for the exams will require some discipline to make sure you devote
sufficient time to the process within your daily schedule.
On the other end of preparation, there are courses that are offered to help
test takers prepare for the exams. There are two basic types. Commercial
companies like Princeton Review and Stanley Kaplan offer the first. These
companies have been around for a while and offer prep courses throughout the
area. They often claim to guarantee higher scores. Remember that these are
commercial profit making businesses. This doesn't mean that they are not
reputable, it simply means that they are in the business of getting as many
students enrolled in their courses. The cost can range upward of $1000. Some
students have found these courses helpful and effective.
Adult Education Programs, Community Colleges
and other educational institutions also offer preparatory courses. These non-commercial
courses are generally less expensive and may range in price from $300-$700. Be sure to ask
what type of prep course is being offered.
Students who need a more regimented program often opt for courses over
study guides or software. Since the courses are at a set time they can provide the needed
structure that some individuals may be looking for. Whatever you decide make sure to ask
about the training of the instructor.
- Computer based testing,
sometime referred to as CBT, is now the preferred way of taking the GRE. You may have
heard of the paper and pencil version of the GRE. Currently the paper and pencil version
is only available for the subject test. Most students are now taking the General Test
and/or the Writing Assessment of the GRE on the computer.
Some of the advantages of CBT are year round
testing, fewer test questions, questions tailored to your ability level and immediate
viewing of your scores. To assist test takers, the CBT offers a helpful tutorial before
you actually begin taking the test to help you become more familiar with the computer and
computer-based testing. In addition, you will receive your official scores by mail within
two weeks. Currently BSU has an ETS computer testing site here on campus. Please call
508-531-1780 to schedule an appointment.
- Subject tests for the
GRE are given in the following areas:
(Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology),
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Geology, History, Literature
in English, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Psychology and Sociology.
Each college and university varies in their testing requirements. If
you want to know whether the colleges or universities you are considering requires a
Subject test you can research this through the Peterson Graduate School Guides available
in the Career Services library. You can also research this by going to the College Search
page of this web site.
- Some colleges and
universities may require the Miller Analogy Test instead of the GRE or they may
give you the option of taking one or the other. Check to see what tests are required by
thoroughly researching the graduate school programs. The Miller Analogy test is offered on
campus through the BSU Graduate and Continuing Education Office. Please call the testing
center at 508-531-1780 to schedule an appointment.
Last Modified: October 15, 2010