TEM #036: Admissions tests to get into graduate school.

March 29, 2024

Happy Friday!

I hope you had the satisfaction of finishing everything on your to-do list this week and are excited to stock your freezer with half-price Reese’s eggs on Monday 🥚

On the other end of the joy spectrum? Standardized tests.

(I know, they give me the ick, too)

Good news: For certain programs, you may not even need one.

Today we’re going to do a brief run-through of:

• Which test(s) you might need to take

• What types of graduate programs they’re geared toward

• What “test-optional” admissions means for you as a working professional (who hopes testing days are behind you)

If the prospect of taking one more standardized test is what’s holding you back from pursuing graduate school, you may have more options than you think.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• Admissions tests to get into graduate school 📝

• The Mercury 13 test-takers

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Education affirmation.

“I think the best way to learn about anything is to try it.” - Mae Jemison

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Admissions tests to get into graduate school.

Will you need to take a standardized admissions test to get into graduate school?

… it depends on what you’re planning to study and where.

Let’s cover:

• The types of standardized tests and the graduate programs that require them

• What test-optional is and means for you as a future applicant

Graduate school admissions test types:

GRE = Graduate Record Examination 🎓

• Most common graduate admissions test

• Who takes it: Future graduate students studying anything from business, engineering, humanities, and social sciences

• Length of test: under 2 hours

• 2024 cost: $220

• Fun fact: some programs accept the GRE instead of the GMAT or even MCAT (for future veterinary students)

GMAT = Graduate Management Admissions Test 📈

• Who takes it: future graduate business students

• Length of test: 2 hours, 15 minutes

• 2024 cost: $275 - $300

LSAT = Law School Admission Test ⚖️

• Who takes it: future law students

• Length of test: 3 hours

• 2024 cost: $222

MCAT = Medical College Admission Test 🦴

• Who takes it: future medical students, including those pursuing an MD, a DO and even DVM (veterinary)

• Length of test: 7.5 hours (ouch)

• 2024 cost: $335

• Fun fact: there are similar tests for other health professions: DAT (dentistry), OAT (optometry), PCAT (pharmacy)

What are test-optional admissions?

When the pandemic caused testing centers to be shut down, a number of graduate programs in the US decided to go “test-optional” in their admissions process.

What does this mean?

Some graduate programs do not require test scores to be submitted. Applicants are welcome to take related standardized tests and submit their scores, but the scores are not weighed nearly as heavily into admissions decisions as they were 5+ years ago.

This is a major win for people whose financial situations don’t allow for expensive test prep or re-taking tests to get better scores (those testing fees add up).

What does test-optional mean for YOU?

If you absolutely hate standardized tests (I do), have limited money to pay for them, or minimal time to study, you might choose to apply to graduate programs with test-optional admissions requirements.

Note: this may or may not limit the number of programs you consider.

Years ago, the most prestigious programs required test scores and would boast about their incoming class’ average score.

In 2024, it’s kind of a mixed bag as to which schools still require them. Some of the top schools are still optional, while others re-adopted testing as part of their requirements.

As you start researching programs, you’ll get a feel for whether your intended path is one that still requires standardized test scores (ex. law or medicine) or now has test-optional admissions.

My advice?

If you find a graduate program you fall madly in love with that will take you where you want to go in your career -and- they require a test score? It’s probably worth the cost and effort to study and take the test.

If you hate tests and are more focused on getting a degree in your field - but less concerned about the program itself - then you might look at test-optional programs to meet your needs.

There’s no right or wrong choice.

It’s always about what’s best for you, your priorities, and your career goals.

🎓

And if you need someone to talk through this decision-making process? I’ve got you covered:

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Fun fact.

Did you know that 13 female pilots passed the rigorous physical tests to become astronauts in the 1960s? Jerrie Cobb was the first.

(yes, there’s a Netflix documentary)

Due to the “social order” of the time, the program was shut down and US women weren’t allowed to travel in space until 1983. Ugh.

Fortunately, the testing barriers to graduate school are more manageable - remember to look at testing fee waivers if cost is a concern, too.

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Looking forward to seeing you here next week!

Make it a great weekend,

Dr. Jena

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** Whenever you are ready, here are 3 ways I can help **

If you’re thinking about graduate school 🤔

If you’re ready to apply this year 😃

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