Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is the GRE Psychology Test?Test StructureWhat It CoversScoringTest DatesRegistering for the TestHow to Prepare for the Test

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is the GRE Psychology Test?

Test Structure

What It Covers

Scoring

Test Dates

Registering for the Test

How to Prepare for the Test

Close

If you plan to apply to a psychology graduate program in the U.S., there is a strong chance that you will be required to take the GRE psychology subject test to be admitted to an accredited program. The test can be challenging, but you can do plenty of things to prepare for it and get the scores you need to get admitted to a good psychology program.

At a GlanceThe Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) offers subject tests in subjects that measure knowledge and achievement in a particular field. The GRE Psychology Test assesses undergraduate psychology knowledge to help graduate programs evaluate how ready an applicant is for graduate school.If you need to take the GRE Psychology Test, learn more about the test’s format and what’s included in the exam.

At a Glance

The Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) offers subject tests in subjects that measure knowledge and achievement in a particular field. The GRE Psychology Test assesses undergraduate psychology knowledge to help graduate programs evaluate how ready an applicant is for graduate school.If you need to take the GRE Psychology Test, learn more about the test’s format and what’s included in the exam.

The Graduate Requisite Exam (GRE) offers subject tests in subjects that measure knowledge and achievement in a particular field. The GRE Psychology Test assesses undergraduate psychology knowledge to help graduate programs evaluate how ready an applicant is for graduate school.

If you need to take the GRE Psychology Test, learn more about the test’s format and what’s included in the exam.

The GRE psychology test is a standardized exam often used as part of the admissions process for graduate school programs in the United States and other English-speaking countries.While the test is an optional, single-subject part of the GRE, students may take the exam if they consider applying to apsychology graduate program.

Not all psychology programs require the subject test. Some programs recommend that applicants take the psychology subject test, while others make it a mandatory part of the admissions process.

Research suggests that the exam is often a barrier to graduate admission and impacts diversity in psychology doctorate programs due to systemic bias.

Psychology Grad School FAQs

Structure of the GRE Psychology Test

How Many Questions Are There?Most editions of the GRE Psychology test contain approximately 144 multiple-choice questions.Each question contains five different options, and the test-taker must select the option that best answers the question.You will have two hours to complete the test.

How Many Questions Are There?

Most editions of the GRE Psychology test contain approximately 144 multiple-choice questions.Each question contains five different options, and the test-taker must select the option that best answers the question.You will have two hours to complete the test.

All versions of the psychology test utilize the classifications, diagnostic criteria, and terminology used in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, theDSM-5.

The test may contain graphs, tables, and other material that serve as the basis for a number of questions.

Questions on the GRE psychology test are taken from core knowledge commonly taught in undergraduate-level psychology courses.

What Does the GRE Psychology Test Cover?

The content on the test covers:

How Is the GRE Psychology Test Scored?

Scores on the GRE Psychology test can be between 200 and 990 and are given in 10-point increments. You will also be given a subscore on the six subject areas.

When Is the GRE Psychology Test Offered?

Test dates may vary each year, but the GRE and subject tests are usually offered in April, September, and October for testing in the United States and Puerto Rico.Check theofficial websiteto learn more about specific test dates.

How to Prepare for the GRE Psychology Test

Reviewing notes and old tests from your undergraduate psychology courses is a great idea, but there are also other tools and resources that can help you prepare for the GRE Psychology test.

For example, you might find test prep books that can help you prepare for the psychology subject test. Visit your campus bookstore or an online book retailer to see what is available.

Here are some recommendations before you begin studying:

Take a Practice Test

Use a Test Prep Booklet

Get a prep study booklet from a publisher such as Kaplan or Princeton Review, but do not restrict yourself to studying simply what is in the study guide. Only reviewing one or two study guides will not provide sufficient preparation for most students.

Read an Introductory Textbook

Find one or two good introductory psychology books and spend a considerable amount of time familiarizing yourself with the content in each book.

Organize a Test Prep Group

Also, be sure to talk to your psychology professors. In addition to offeringhelpful study tips, they may be able to help you organize a test prep study group. You might also reach out to classmates who might be interested in studying together.

Take Another Practice Test

After spending a considerable amount of time studying, take another practice test. By doing this, you will get a better idea of which areas you are still weak in and what you need to focus on for the remainder of your prep.

The ETS also offers a freePsychology Practice Book(in PDF format) to download and study.

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sternberg RJ, Sternberg K.Measuring scientific reasoning for graduate admissions in psychology and related disciplines.J Intell. 2017;5(3):29. doi:10.3390/jintelligence5030029Gómez JM, Caño A, Baltes BB.Who are we missing? Examining the Graduate Record Examination quantitative score as a barrier to admission into psychology doctoral programs for capable ethnic minorities.Train Educ Prof Psychol. 2021;15(3):211-218. doi:10.1037/tep0000336ETS.GRE: Psychology Test.Educational Testing Service (ETS).The GRE psychology test.Educational Test Service (ETS).Getting your GRE subject test scores.Educational Testing Service.Schedule your test.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sternberg RJ, Sternberg K.Measuring scientific reasoning for graduate admissions in psychology and related disciplines.J Intell. 2017;5(3):29. doi:10.3390/jintelligence5030029Gómez JM, Caño A, Baltes BB.Who are we missing? Examining the Graduate Record Examination quantitative score as a barrier to admission into psychology doctoral programs for capable ethnic minorities.Train Educ Prof Psychol. 2021;15(3):211-218. doi:10.1037/tep0000336ETS.GRE: Psychology Test.Educational Testing Service (ETS).The GRE psychology test.Educational Test Service (ETS).Getting your GRE subject test scores.Educational Testing Service.Schedule your test.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Sternberg RJ, Sternberg K.Measuring scientific reasoning for graduate admissions in psychology and related disciplines.J Intell. 2017;5(3):29. doi:10.3390/jintelligence5030029Gómez JM, Caño A, Baltes BB.Who are we missing? Examining the Graduate Record Examination quantitative score as a barrier to admission into psychology doctoral programs for capable ethnic minorities.Train Educ Prof Psychol. 2021;15(3):211-218. doi:10.1037/tep0000336ETS.GRE: Psychology Test.Educational Testing Service (ETS).The GRE psychology test.Educational Test Service (ETS).Getting your GRE subject test scores.Educational Testing Service.Schedule your test.

Sternberg RJ, Sternberg K.Measuring scientific reasoning for graduate admissions in psychology and related disciplines.J Intell. 2017;5(3):29. doi:10.3390/jintelligence5030029

Gómez JM, Caño A, Baltes BB.Who are we missing? Examining the Graduate Record Examination quantitative score as a barrier to admission into psychology doctoral programs for capable ethnic minorities.Train Educ Prof Psychol. 2021;15(3):211-218. doi:10.1037/tep0000336

ETS.GRE: Psychology Test.

Educational Testing Service (ETS).The GRE psychology test.

Educational Test Service (ETS).Getting your GRE subject test scores.

Educational Testing Service.Schedule your test.

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