I see a lot of people asking when they should take the GRE
and how to best prepare for it, so here are some of my thoughts on the GRE.
What’s the point of
the GRE?
Since the GRE is not testing us on sciences (like the MCAT),
why do some PA schools require applicants to have it and to have achieved a
certain percentile? Realistically, it boils down to the school wanting the
applicant to show that they can take a standardized test on a computer-based
platform and pass (aka like the PANCE). This reason is also while some schools
don’t require the GRE- they don’t think it showcases that much about the
applicant.
What GRE score should
I shoot for? Can a high GRE bring up my low GPA?
Most schools require that an applicant have at least in the
50th percentile for both the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE. A
good goal to shoot for is a score above a 300 combined (so at least 150 in both
sections). I see a lot of people ask all the time about whether a really high
GRE can make up for a lower end GPA, and the unfortunate answer is probably
not. Most of the schools I talked to weigh the GRE a lot less than the other
components of an applicant like GPA, Letter of Recommendation, or Patient Contact
Hours. Which makes sense since the GRE isn’t science based and probably has no
indications of how well you will do in PA school. Having a high GRE is not
going to hurt you, but it won’t make up for having a lower end GPA.
When should I plan to
take the GRE?
So applications for the cycle open in late April, and most
programs have due dates sometime in the fall (August, September, October). Once
CASPA opens, when you go to select which programs you are applying to, all of
the due dates will be listed. You need to have your GRE in before the
application due date for the program, so how far in advance should you take it?
My suggestion is to take the GRE in February-April for a couple of reason.
First off, you want to take it early enough that if you have to retake it
(because of a low score), you want enough time to study for and then retake it.
Secondly, you don’t want to be studying for and trying to take the exam during
applying for school because you’re already under enough stress as it is.
How long should I
give myself to study?
I gave myself about a month to study for the GRE, and I
thought it was ample time to prepare. I wouldn’t give yourself any longer than
that due to burnout. Plus, the test is honestly not that hard (it’s simple math
compared to some of the science classes that we take!). And I wouldn’t give
yourself anything less than 2 weeks.
How did you study?
I did a Kaplan online self-paced course (about $700, but I
had a coupon code at the time). I thought it was incredibly helpful and probably
the reason why I did so well on the exam. There were 8 two-hour long lectures,
four for each section. They went through some very helpful tips for how to
approach each problem. I also did some GRE flashcards over the month. I worked
through memorizing about 10 flashcards a day. Breaking it up into small doses
was really helpful and made it a lot less daunting.
What are some good
resources to use for study?
This is just a compilation of the resources that I hear of
people using to study for the GRE, I can’t vouch for any of them but the Kaplan
Books and Flashcards.
· Magoosh GRE Prep
·
ETS GRE Prep (these are the people who write the
actual test)
·
Kaplan GRE prep
·
practice exams from the GRE website – absolutely
do a practice exam!
·
Khan Academy
My name is Erin Rachel and I’m currently a first-year PA
student. I started Stethoscope and Sparkle to help others hoping to enter the
PA profession, and to show that it’s still possible to have a life and have fun
during the insanity that we call PA school. In my spare time, I binge watch
Netflix with my very fluffy, very adorable cat, Callie.
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