GRE Exam Guide for Nurses

GRE Exam Guide for Nurses

If you’re a nursing student aiming for a graduate degree, you might have to take the GRE. Learn how to prepare and approach this exam. While requirements for graduate nursing programs can vary, some applicants might need to take the GRE to show they can succeed in grad school. Certain schools might waive the GRE requirement based on your undergrad GPA. Also, many online programs don’t need GRE scores and look at other prerequisites. When applying to nursing school, know the different requirements and processes for both in-person and online programs. This guide gives you an overview of the GRE, including its format and the three sections where you’re evaluated. Learn about the registration process and effective strategies for test day.

GRE Subject Tests

Alongside the GRE General Test, there are GRE Subject Tests. These specialized tests cover subjects like biology, chemistry, math, and psychology. For nurse practitioner programs, you might take a GRE Subject Test in biology. And if you’re looking at online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs, you could need the psychology subject test.

Unlike the GRE General Test, subject tests are done with pencil and paper. They’re offered three times a year in September, October, and April at certain testing centers. These tests vary in length and question style. For example, the biology exam has 190 multiple-choice questions with five options for each question. Each subject test costs $150 and comes with a practice book.

Is the GRE Required for All Nursing Schools?

While many grad schools ask for GRE scores, you can get an online master’s in nursing without it. For instance, if you already have a master of science in nursing, you might be able to enter a nursing doctoral program without submitting GRE scores.

Some online family nurse practitioner programs could waive the test requirement if you have a good undergrad GPA.

What Do You Need for Nursing School?

What’s the GRE Like?

Understanding the GRE Structure

The GRE General Test has five scored sections and one unscored section. You’ll spend about three hours and 45 minutes on the test, with a short break after the third section. The first part is analytical writing, with two writing tasks, each given 30 minutes. The next five sections consist of two verbal reasoning, two quantitative reasoning, and one unidentified section. The order of these sections can change, and the unidentified one is not graded. It’s smart to treat every section as if it’s graded. Each verbal section gives you 30 minutes for 20 questions. For quantitative reasoning, you have 35 minutes per section, with the same number of questions. There are two types of ungraded sections: unscored and research. You only get one of these sections in your test. Unscored sections aren’t marked, while research sections explain their purpose.

Complete Guide on Good Nursing Essay Examples

You can mark questions for review and change previous answers during the exam. The computer-based test has an on-screen calculator for the quantitative reasoning sections.

Test Format

Most people take the GRE on a computer at a testing center. But a paper version is available at some centers. If you’re taking the computer version, you won’t get a paper test unless you’re approved for special conditions.

The paper test doesn’t have unscored or research sections. Also, you get an extra five minutes for each verbal and quantitative section.

After the computer test, you get your unofficial score right away. For the paper test, you’ll wait about five weeks for your scores.

Verbal Reasoning Section

Skills Tested

This section checks your understanding of written ideas. You show your skill in analyzing text, connecting ideas, and summarizing info. You need to understand how sentences relate.

Types of Questions

The GRE measures verbal reasoning with reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence questions. Reading comprehension asks you to read a passage and answer multiple-choice questions to show you understood it. In text completion, a passage is missing words that you need to fill in from three choices.

Sentence equivalence gives you a sentence with a blank. You pick two answers to complete the sentence.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

To get high GRE scores, avoid rushing through questions. Taking your time can help you catch important details in the question text and avoid losing points.

Before looking at the questions, read the whole passage. Highlight key words like “however” and “also.” Be careful with grammar and punctuation since they can change sentence meaning.

Remember to pick two answers in sentence equivalence questions that fit the original context.

Useful Tips

• Read the passage first: It’s better to read the passage before the questions to understand it better.
• Fill in the blanks: Try to fill in the blanks before checking the answers. This helps you choose words that fit the context.
• Check both answers: Some fill-in-the-blank questions have two right answers. Make sure both choices work.
• Proofread: If you have time, go back and check your answers for mistakes.

Analytical Writing Section

Skills Tested

This section looks at your critical thinking, argument building, and clear communication skills. Your essays need to make sense, but you don’t need to know specific content.

Types of Questions

There are two types of questions: analyzing an issue and analyzing an argument. For the issue question, you need to talk about a broad topic and different viewpoints. In the argument question, you get one side of an issue and evidence. Your job is to discuss the reasoning behind that argument.

Word Processing Software

Computer-based test-takers use a special word processing program. It’s limited to basic functions like inserting, deleting, undoing, cutting, and pasting. But you don’t get tools like spell check.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The analytical writing section might have unfamiliar questions, leaving you unsure about what graders want. Using big words can be tempting, but a clear argument is more important than fancy vocabulary. Focus on presenting a well-reasoned argument instead.

Taking GRE prep courses can help you understand scoring and grading.

Useful Tips

Review the topics: Practice writing responses to the essay prompts published by ETS.
Save time for proofreading: Leave a few minutes to proofread your essays for errors.
Learn the scoring guidelines: Take GRE prep courses to understand how scoring works. Review the guidelines before the test to keep them fresh.
Explain thoroughly: Make sure your essays are clear and logical. Don’t assume the reader understands your point.

Quantitative Reasoning Section

Skills Tested

This section shows off your math and quantitative problem-solving skills. You’ll face questions about arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.

Word problems also test your reasoning abilities and need you to pick the right formulas.

Types of Questions

The GRE tests quantitative skills with four question types: quantitative comparison, multiple-choice with one answer, multiple-choice with multiple correct answers, and numeric entry.

Quantitative comparison has you solve two equations and compare the values. Multiple-choice questions could need one or more correct answers. Numeric entry questions ask you to solve problems and type in answers.

Can You Use a Calculator on the GRE?

Computer test-takers get an on-screen calculator. Paper test-takers use calculators provided by the testing center.

Both calculators have basic functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. You can’t bring your own calculator.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One mistake is studying the wrong math concepts. You don’t need advanced math like calculus. Focus on basics like basic math and high school-level algebra.

Don’t spend too long solving equations in the quantitative comparison section. Understand the concepts behind them and choose the correct answer quickly.

Useful Tips

Review basic concepts: Brush up on fundamental math like mean, median, mode, and solving for x. These skills are key.
Use scratch paper: Whether you’re taking the computer or paper test, having enough scratch paper helps. Get more during breaks.
Memorize key formulas: Focus on memorizing formulas you might need on the exam if you’re short on time.
Review your work: Take time to go over your answers and catch mistakes. Even small ones can lead to wrong answers.

How Is the GRE Scored?

Analytical writing scores are between 0 and 6. Professionals evaluate essays based on critical thinking, coherence, and structure. The scores are rounded to the nearest half-point. Verbal and quantitative reasoning sections get scores of 130 to 170. These scores depend on the number of correct answers and question difficulty.

The Quickest Routes to Become a Nurse

The GRE computer test adapts to your performance. If you do well in one section, the next of the same type will be harder. The scoring takes this into account. For the paper-based GRE, scores are mostly based on the number of correct answers.

Score Ranges on the GRE General Test

GRE Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	130-170 (1-point increments)
Analytical Writing	0-6 (half-point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning	130-170 (1-point increments)

Understanding Scaled Scores and Percentile Ranks

Your scores on a scale of 0-6 or 130-170 show how well you did on the test. You also get a percentile rank that compares your scores to others.

Percentile ranks show where you stand among other students. If you have a percentile rank of 95, it means you did better than 95% of students and worse than about 5%. This kind of score tells nursing schools that you’re good at that subject.

What’s a Normal GRE Score?

GRE Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	150.37
Analytical Writing	3.6
Quantitative Reasoning	153.66

Source: ETS

What GRE Score is Considered Good for Nursing Programs?

Kaplan offers a comparison to help understand what makes a good GRE score for nursing programs and how it stacks up against other scores.

Comparing GRE Scores

Top Scores	Competitive Scores	Good Scores	Below Average Scores
Top 10%	Top 25%	Top 50%	Bottom 50%
Verbal: 163-170	Verbal: 158-162	Verbal: 152-158	Verbal: <151
Quantitative: 165-170	Quantitative: 159-164	Quantitative: 153-158	Quantitative: <152
Writing: 5-6	Writing: 4.5	Writing: 4.0	Writing: <3.5

How to Register for the GRE?

To sign up for the GRE, first make an account on the ETS website. Then, check the available test dates, nearby centers, and fees. Once you pick the right date and place, you can register.

During registration, you can choose a few schools to send your scores to. You can cancel anytime, but if you cancel within four days of the test, you won’t get a refund.

When Should You Take the GRE?

If you want to go to nursing grad school, take the test about a year before your classes start. This gives you time to retake it for better scores if you want to include them in your nursing school applications.

How Much Does the GRE Cost?

In the U.S., the GRE General Test costs $205, and the Subject Tests cost $150 each. Other countries might have extra fees, and if you register late or pick the paper exam, there could be more costs.

How Many Times Can You Take the GRE?

After a computer test, wait 21 days before the next one. You can take it up to five times a year. If you’re doing the paper exam, you can take it whenever the center offers it.

How to Get Ready for the GRE?

Studying at Home

There are many ways to study for the GRE and do well.

– Books: You can find study guides in bookstores or online. They can cover single subjects or the whole test.
– Flashcards: Make your own flashcards for formulas and facts you need to remember.
– Tutoring: If you struggle alone, get a tutor. Search online for GRE tutors.
– Apps: There are apps like Magoosh that can help you study anywhere.
– Practice Tests: Online practice tests show your progress and help you find what you need to focus on.

GRE Prep Courses

You can take courses from places like Kaplan, The Princeton Review, Magoosh, The Economist, and GraduateX. They cost from $199 to over $1,000.

These courses can be in-person or online. They teach you about the exam, give practice tests, and explain the scoring.

Some programs like ETS PowerPrep II offer these for free.

Studying Tips for the GRE

– Weak Areas: Focus on the subjects you’re not good at.
– High School Content: You don’t need college-level knowledge. The GRE is at a high school level.
– Time Management: Learn to manage your time since the test is timed.
– Prefixes and Suffixes: Knowing these can help you understand tough words.
– Schedule: Don’t procrastinate. Set a regular study time and stick to it.

What to Expect on Test Day?

Arrive at the test location at least 30 minutes before the test starts. When you enter the room, the test administrator will assign you a seat. After three sections of the test, you get a 10-minute break.

During breaks, you can only leave the room to use the restroom. The administrator gives you scratch paper and might check your clothes for any notes or materials.

What Should You Bring With You?

What to have with you on test day:

1. Valid photo ID: Make sure you bring a government-issued ID with your picture and full name. It shouldn’t be expired.
2. Confirmation email/voucher: Print the email that confirms your test registration. It shows you paid for the test.
3. Layers of clothing: Wear layers so you’re comfortable. Some test centers are cold, others are warm. You can remove layers if you’re too warm.

What Should You Leave at Home?

What not to bring to the test center:

1. Study notes/books: You can’t bring any study materials into the testing room. This keeps things fair.
2. Your own scratch paper: The test center gives you scratch paper. You can’t bring your own.
3. Your own calculator: Everyone gets the same calculator provided by the test center. You can’t bring your own.

Accommodations for Test-takers With Disabilities or Health-associated Needs

If you have a disability, the ETS can make special arrangements. They offer things like braille devices, extra time, or specific accommodations for health needs. Apply for these accommodations through your ETS account. You need to provide documentation about your disability.

Submitting Your Scores

When Will You Get Your Scores?

If you take the computer-based test, you’ll see your unofficial scores right after the test. Official scores are sent to nursing programs you chose within 5-10 days.

For the paper test, unofficial scores aren’t given. Your ETS account will be updated with scores in about five weeks.

How Do You Submit Your Scores to Schools?

When you register, you can choose schools to send your scores to. You can add or remove schools until 10 p.m. the day before the test. ETS automatically sends the scores to these schools. After the test, you can pay to send scores to more schools.

What Scores Will Schools See if You Take the Test More Than Once?

If you take the test multiple times, you can choose which scores to send to schools. You can send all your scores, only the most recent, or scores from specific dates. You can decide this before or after the test.

How Long Will Your Scores Be Valid?

Scores are good for five years from the test date. For example, scores from a test on July 3, 2021, are valid until July 2, 2026. This is different from the old system, where scores were valid for only five years from the year of the test.