In the world of graduate school admissions, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) has long held sway as a critical and objective measure of academic prowess. However, in recent years, the once-revered GRE has been losing its luster as many graduate programs across the U.S. have either made it optional or dropped it entirely from the application process. According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), from the 2017-2018 through the 2021-2022 admissions seasons, the number of GRE test takers declined from 541,750 test takers to just 341,574, a precipitous 36.95% decrease that was accelerated by, but actually began prior to, the pandemic.
The Decline of the GRE: Science Programs Help Lead the Way
Historically, the sciences (i.e., life sciences and physical sciences), have always had by far the greatest share of GRE test takers. That is why it is stunning that, in recent years, many science programs have been at the forefront of questioning the wisdom of the GRE. From 2017-2018 to 2021-2022, ETS data reveal that the number of examinees in the physical and life sciences plummeted from 142,286 to 66,459 — meaning that in just four years the GRE lost more than half of its science test takers! Although there are still more GRE-takers among aspiring scientists than there are in any other field, the value of the exam has been seriously been called into question.
For instance, researchers at Vanderbilt University, who have been at the forefront of data gathering and analysis regarding the value of the GRE, studied the test’s effectiveness in predicting outcomes for its biomedical PhD students and found that “overall, the GRE did not prove useful in predicating who will graduate with a Ph.D., pass the qualifying exam, have a shorter time to defense, deliver more conference presentations, publish more first author papers, or obtain an individual grant or fellowship. GRE scores were found to be moderate predictors of first semester grades, and weak to moderate predictors of graduate GPA .”
The sharp criticism of the GRE’s predictive abilities represents one of two heavy blows that have led many graduate programs to drop it from or diminish its role in the admissions process.
The Question of Bias
Alongside the concern of whether the GRE really does predict success in graduate school, for many years, an growing chorus of critics have made the case that the GRE introduces biases that result in disproportionate disadvantages among many underrepresented groups and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. More specifically, along with research showing that the test is not a good predictor of success in graduate school, the GRE has been criticized for having many built-in biases that put a burden on prospective students, such as the cost of the test and the timed aspect of the test which can bias the final score against students who may have English as a second or third language. Together, the critiques regarding test validity and test bias have taken their toll on an exam that was once questioned by few in academia.
As chair of the physics and astronomy department at the University of Pittsburgh As Arthur Kosowsky, chair of the physics and astronomy department at the University of Pittsburgh, explains, dropping the GRE is “a no-brainer. . . This test is both not really measuring something useful … and at the same time discriminating against students who we are trying to work very hard to increase the numbers of in our program.”
The GRE: In Decline, but Not Dead
Despite the GRE’s current state of decline, it is important to emphasize that many applicants still need to take the test, as a good number of graduate programs continue to either require the exam or accept it — which can be appealing to applicants whose academic backgrounds may not be as competitive as they would like or who are simply extremely good standardized test-takers. It’s also worth mentioning that over the past few years, a large number of law schools have added the GRE as a testing option alongside the esteemed LSAT (although relatively few law school applicants have utilized this option thus far).
Toward a More Holistic Admissions Process
Let’s keep in mind that as the GRE’s influence wanes, a new era dawns upon graduate school admissions: essays, resumes, letters of recommendation, and interviews occupy an even bigger space on center stage. Therefore, it is increasingly paramount that applicants seize the opportunity to showcase their experience, passion, and potential contributions to their chosen field. And, it is more critical than ever that aspiring graduate students invest time and effort in crafting compelling personal statements, polishing their resumes, and cultivating meaningful connections with recommenders. Whether or not you will be taking the GRE, to be a highly competitive applicant, you must embrace your passions, showcase your abilities, and forge a path that transcends the confines of a test score.
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