Changes in GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has undergone numerous changes over the years to adapt to the evolving educational landscape and the needs of both test-takers and institutions. This page will detail the significant changes in the GRE, covering its history, structure, content, scoring, and administration. By examining these changes, we can better understand how the GRE has evolved to maintain its relevance and utility as a critical assessment tool for graduate school admissions.

Historical Evolution of the GRE

Early Beginnings

According to WilsonGRE, the GRE was first introduced in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Initially, it was designed to measure the academic readiness of students for graduate-level work. The test’s early format included sections on verbal ability, quantitative ability, and analytical reasoning.

Mid-20th Century Developments

Throughout the mid-20th century, the GRE underwent several changes. In the 1950s, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) took over the administration of the test. The test content and format were periodically updated to reflect the changing demands of higher education and the feedback from academic institutions.

Late 20th Century Revisions

In the late 20th century, the GRE saw significant revisions, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. The introduction of the computer-based GRE (CBT) in 1992 marked a pivotal shift, allowing for more flexible test administration and faster score reporting. This period also saw the addition of the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) to better evaluate candidates’ critical thinking and writing skills.

Structural Changes in the GRE

Transition from Paper-Based to Computer-Based Testing

The transition from paper-based testing to computer-based testing was a major change in the GRE’s administration. This shift began in 1992 and was fully implemented by the early 2000s. The computer-based GRE offered several advantages, including adaptive testing, which adjusts the difficulty of questions based on the test-taker’s performance, and quicker score reporting.

Introduction of the Revised GRE in 2011

One of the most significant structural changes occurred in 2011 with the introduction of the Revised GRE. This overhaul aimed to better align the test with the skills needed for graduate and business school. Key changes included:

• Section-Level Adaptive Testing: Unlike the earlier version’s question-level adaptivity, the revised GRE adjusts the difficulty of the second section of each measure (Verbal and Quantitative) based on the test-taker’s performance in the first section.
• New Question Types: The revised GRE introduced new question types in both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections to better assess complex skills.
• Scoring Scale: The scoring scale was changed from a 200-800 range to a 130-170 range for the Verbal and Quantitative sections, providing a more granular measure of performance.

Changes in Test Duration and Breaks

The overall test duration has also seen changes. The introduction of scheduled breaks and adjustments in section timing aimed to reduce test fatigue and improve the testing experience.

Content Changes in the GRE

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning section has evolved to place greater emphasis on reading comprehension and critical reasoning. Key changes include:

• Emphasis on Contextual Vocabulary: The revised GRE reduced the focus on obscure vocabulary and instead emphasized understanding words in context.
• Reading Comprehension: More complex reading passages and question types, such as sentence equivalence and text completion, were introduced to better evaluate analytical reading skills.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section has been updated to reflect current practices and expectations in quantitative analysis. Changes include:

• Data Interpretation: Increased focus on data interpretation and real-life problem-solving, including questions that require interpreting graphs and tables.
• Multiple Answer Formats: Introduction of multiple answer formats, such as numeric entry and multiple-choice questions with more than one correct answer.

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section, added in the 1990s, underwent changes to better assess critical thinking and written communication skills. Key updates include:

• Two Tasks: The section includes two tasks – “Analyze an Issue” and “Analyze an Argument” – each requiring different analytical and writing skills.
• Scoring Criteria: Refined scoring criteria focus on the coherence and clarity of the argument, the complexity of ideas, and the overall writing proficiency.

Scoring Changes in the GRE

Introduction of the New Scoring Scale

The revised GRE in 2011 introduced a new scoring scale for the Verbal and Quantitative sections, changing from a 200-800 range to a 130-170 range. This change aimed to provide more precise differentiation among test-takers.

Analytical Writing Scoring

The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. This section is evaluated by both human raters and an automated scoring system, ensuring a balanced assessment of writing skills.

ScoreSelect Option

The introduction of the ScoreSelect option allows test-takers to choose which scores to send to institutions. This option provides greater flexibility and control over how scores are reported, enabling candidates to present their best performance.

Administrative Changes in the GRE

Global Expansion and Accessibility

The GRE has expanded globally, with test centers in numerous countries and territories. This expansion has made the GRE more accessible to international students, reflecting the growing demand for global higher education.

At-Home Testing

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ETS introduced the GRE General Test at home in 2020. This option provides test-takers with the flexibility to take the exam in a secure, proctored environment from their homes. The at-home test includes the same content, format, and scoring as the test taken at a test center.

Test Preparation Resources

ETS has significantly enhanced its test preparation resources over the years. These include free and paid materials such as practice tests, interactive tools, and comprehensive guides. The aim is to help test-takers prepare more effectively and improve their performance.

Changes in Test-Taking Strategies

Adapting to Adaptive Testing

The introduction of adaptive testing has influenced test-taking strategies. Test-takers now need to focus on performing well in the initial sections to maximize their potential scores in subsequent sections. This change has led to a greater emphasis on time management and strategic answering.

Increased Use of Test Prep Courses

With the increasing complexity and competitiveness of the GRE, many test-takers now opt for structured test preparation courses. These courses offer personalized coaching, practice materials, and strategies tailored to the revised GRE format.

Technological Integration in Test Preparation

The use of technology in test preparation has increased, with online platforms offering interactive study tools, real-time feedback, and virtual tutoring. These resources provide flexible and efficient ways to prepare for the GRE, accommodating diverse learning styles and schedules.

Impact of Changes on Test-Takers

Improved Fairness and Accessibility

The changes in the GRE have aimed to improve fairness and accessibility for all test-takers. The introduction of new question types, adaptive testing, and the ScoreSelect option provide a more comprehensive assessment of candidates’ abilities and reduce test anxiety.

Enhanced Measurement of Skills

The revised GRE places a greater emphasis on measuring critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. These changes align the test more closely with the skills needed for success in graduate and business school, providing institutions with more relevant information about applicants.

Global Competitiveness

The GRE’s global expansion and the introduction of at-home testing have made it more accessible to international students, increasing the pool of applicants for graduate programs. This change has enhanced the global competitiveness of the GRE and its recognition as a standard assessment tool.

Future Directions and Trends

Continued Technological Advancements

As technology continues to evolve, the GRE is likely to incorporate more advanced features such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for more personalized and adaptive testing experiences. These advancements could further enhance the precision and relevance of the test.

Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

Future changes in the GRE may focus on promoting diversity and inclusion by ensuring that the test is culturally fair and accessible to a wider range of test-takers. This includes developing content that reflects diverse perspectives and providing accommodations for test-takers with disabilities.

Ongoing Research and Development

ETS continuously conducts research to ensure that the GRE remains a valid and reliable assessment tool. Ongoing research and development efforts will likely lead to further refinements in test content, format, and administration, keeping the GRE aligned with the evolving needs of graduate education.

Conclusion

The GRE has undergone significant changes over the years to maintain its relevance and effectiveness as a tool for assessing the academic readiness of graduate school applicants. From its early beginnings to the introduction of the Revised GRE in 2011, and the recent addition of at-home testing, the GRE has continually adapted to meet the needs of test-takers and institutions. These changes have improved the fairness, accessibility, and accuracy of the test, ensuring that it remains a critical component of the graduate admissions process. As technology and educational needs continue to evolve, the GRE will likely undergo further changes, maintaining its role as a trusted measure of academic potential.