GRE psychology?

[psych2012]

Hi, I'm applying to social psych PhD programs this Fall. I understand I can take the GRE subject test for psychology but most schools that I plan to apply to don't require it. I guess I can just take it anyway. But just want to get a sense of it. Do people usually take it? How important is it (I heard it's possible that this would help with fellowship application or something)? Really want to know what you guys think about this. Thank you very much!!

[lewin]

I took it and scored well. Compared to the general, where I studied for months, I studied pretty diligently for the subject for two weeks. The real drawback is that it's expensive.

The school I'm actually attending now doesn't require it, but everybody in my cohort took it.

It's odd that more schools don't require it because the data I've read (admittedly, from ETS itself) found that the subject is more predictive than the general test.

[PsychGrad2011]

I took it, and I think it was a huge waste of time. I spent a lot of time studying for it and consequently did not have as much time to work on my research and statement of purpose. None of my schools required it, and none of them had data on the average scores of their admitted students, so even though I think I scored pretty well I was reluctant to send the scores to the schools. If you are a psychology major and you have a high in-major GPA, that should be enough information for the schools.

[psych2012]

Thank you so much for the information! Did you use any books to prepare? I'm a psych major. Do I need to buy the princeton review for this test?

[lewin]

Thank you so much for the information! Did you use any books to prepare? I'm a psych major. Do I need to buy the princeton review for this test?

I had a used copy of the princeton review or the kaplan (I forget which) and my introductory text. That was plenty. The review book was probably worth it if only for the practice tests.

[Ennue]

I took it as well - it was not required for my school, but it was recommended. I scored well and I have received a fellowship - I don't know if the subject GRE helped with that but it may have! I used my introductory textbook (Psychology by Grey) and practice tests for studying. In general, I would say: if you have the time, take it, especially if you think you'll do well. If you weren't a psychology major, definitely take it to show that you know enough about psychology. If you don't have much time (so you would have to do worse on your SOP or general GRE or something) or if you aren't a good test-taker, don't take it.

[psych2012]

Thank you so much for your advice! I think I'll take it and probably first buy the princeton review book and see.

[Mr. Tea]

I did not take it. I'm not sure if anyone else in my cohort took it. My general impression is that it may help if you come from a non-psych background (to show whether you are familiar with the field), but otherwise you should not bother.

[honkycat1]

here is my take:

its not very important. The school I applied to required* it (as printed online) but I didn't have a score, and I got in.

if you did well in all your core psych classes, especially psych 101, you really don't have to study much to do well. however, if you think you will struggle and think you need a lot of time to study, then I wouldn't even bother.

so, I think take a practice, if you do well, then take the test. If you don't do well and feel you will sink a lot of time into studying it, then forget it. It helps, obviously, but the magnitude of that help is not worth the time it takes for you to improve your score. Unless you have nothing else to do but study for that thing.