The old/revised GRE and post 2012 admissions

[Sarsathome]

I've searched and been unable to find a satisfactory answer to this question (i.e., please don't flame me).

Right now I'm a junior undergraduate, definitely looking towards phd programs for the fall of 2012 and beyond. It just so happens that because of a semester abroad I have a large chunk of time free right now with no other commitments, so I though it woud be a good a time as any to take the GRE. Enter the revised GRE.

I'm not seeking advice on which test is easier, I just have the sneaking suspicion I may get around to the admissions cycle in 2012 and schools will decide they no longer accept old (800 scale) GRE scores. I'm relatively confident in my abilities and have been studying for a while. My fear is having my preparation rendered moot when I have to take the new test anyway.

Does anyone have any inside info/experience on whether old scale scores are likely to be accepted for the next few years?

In case it matters, I'm looking at econ and poli-sci phd programs.

Thanks,

sr

[UFGator]

Econ applicant here. I know nothing about the "new" scales, but I do know that with a 610V and 730Q score I probably wouldn't get into to top programs, so I stuck with applying to what I consider "Safe schools" in state.

You really want your quant to be REALLY high, 780+ if you want to go to a good program.

Also how are you in math?

[Safferz]

I had written out a lengthy reply, but somehow managed to delete it by accident

I can't answer with certainty, but I think this is a non-issue. GRE scores are valid for up to five years I believe, so I can't imagine admissions committees all of a sudden deciding not to accept scores from the same year. Seems like something that will slowly phase out over the next few years. I'm also applying for the fall 2012 cycle, and I plan to write the GRE in July.

[Guest]

Having the same problem I found this on ETS:

if a school needs your scores before November 2011, you must take the current test before August 2011 to make sure you have your scores in time.

Keep in mind that scores will continue to be valid for five years. If you need your scores by November 2011, early planning will be important.

[Sarsathome]

@Safferz:

That's good to here, after all accepting the old scores which schools familier with seems like the logical way to go. Then again I have friends that went into college right when the SAT was changed from 1600 to 2400 scale, and they had to take the new one in addition because colleges insisted.

@UFgator

I've always been competent with math, but I'm really hitting the prep books hard for the quant part, because I know top econ programs insist on 780-800 scores.

[communications13]

Thanks for bringing this up. I, too, have some questions about the revised GRE. Any informed insight or wild speculation are welcome regarding the following concerns.

Mainly, can anyone discern a disadvantage to taking the new test? I am not referring to the difficulty of either test, but rather to adcoms' comfort with and understanding of the new scaling (130 to 170 per section, with each question worth 1 point). I am applying for PhD programs in Fall/Winter 2011 for 2012 admission and I worry that, in the transition period between the current and revised GRE, adcoms may subconsciously favor the old familiar scores. I understand it's a question of cognition, but an 800 score just looks better than a 170, in my opinion.

Don't worry about how it "looks". Adcoms are aware it is changing and have to go through instruction whenever a test undergoes a redo, they certainly won't be comparing the actual number (130v600). And, as is true with all tests, some people will do better and some worse on the new test. But, in 2012, they adcoms will be well aware of two different styles of GRE scores coming in and will be equip to handle it.

They are changing things that will benifit some and not others and that is just the way the chips fall....very similar to the ACT vs SAT when most of us were in high school or the Old SAT vs the New SAT when most of our little brothers and sisters were in high school.

[shivgan joshi]

Hey check out this video for strategies for the new GRE; is of around 1 hour.

Best of Luck for the revised GRE..

[lottesnk]

Thanks for bringing this up. I, too, have some questions about the revised GRE. Any informed insight or wild speculation are welcome regarding the following concerns.

Mainly, can anyone discern a disadvantage to taking the new test? I am not referring to the difficulty of either test, but rather to adcoms' comfort with and understanding of the new scaling (130 to 170 per section, with each question worth 1 point). I am applying for PhD programs in Fall/Winter 2011 for 2012 admission and I worry that, in the transition period between the current and revised GRE, adcoms may subconsciously favor the old familiar scores. I understand it's a question of cognition, but an 800 score just looks better than a 170, in my opinion.

Secondly, my GRE study guide (Kaplan) insists that every time a standardized test changes, average scores drop for a few years while testers "adapt" (or perhaps while ETS "norms" the test from year to year). Taking Kaplan on their word, I am afraid that my score on the revised test will compare negatively to an equivalent score on the older test.

That leads me to my last concern. This may be a dumb question, but I assume percentiles will only be calculated among scores on identical versions of the test, right? That is to say, new scores won't be compared to old scores when ETS calculates percentile. It seems only fair, but I know ETS usually calculates percentile based on a random sampling of scores over the last three years. I assume that method won't apply for the revised test.

Oy, the unsolved mysteries of the Revised GRE. My apologies if my worry-wort is showing, but I know this forum is friendly to our kind (the anxious overachiever). Thanks!

These are my concern too. I think in the absence of a reliable scoring scale, adcoms will lend more weight to percentile rankings. Like you, I wonder how ETS will create percentile rankings. I presume that it will be based on the guinea pigs who test in August-September. But that doesn't seem like a large enough sample. Maybe I should email ETS..

[sarofino]

Here are the responses I recieved from some Bioscience departmental admissions directors regarding how they'll be handleing the old vs. new GRE:

We will be accepting both the old and new version of the GRE for the upcoming admissions cycle. ETS has informed us that they will be providing a concordance table that will allow us to approximate what an old score would be on the new scoring system. This should allow us to more closely compare scores. Additionally, the GRE is but one aspect of the application that the admissions committee will be considering, and we have no set cutoffs for the GRE. In the past our programs have used the highest possible total GRE score that is derived from multiple exams. In that case old/old GRE scores will be easier to pull the highest total score from, but if old/new GRE scores were submitted we would look at both, but not weigh lower scores as much as the higher scores.

If you send both we will review both. ETS has sent us information for our admission committees to review the new format and understand the new scoring system. ETS will also be sending us along with the new scores a concordance report. This report will help compare scores before August 2011 to those who have taken the GRE revised test.