Graduate Admissions Tests

This webpage provides information on the following graduate admissions tests that are commonly used for graduate admissions decisions at many universities.

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
  • Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
  • Dental Admission Test (DAT)
  • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Please check with the graduate program to find out which specific test they might require.

Preparing for a graduate admissions test is like any goal that’s important to you - Start with a plan, execute it, and you’ll succeed! These exams may seem intimidating at first, but it’s really just a test of the skills you’ve learned over time. Understanding the format, practicing sample questions, and reviewing one section at a time will help you arrive fully prepared on the day of your exam.

 

Student Resources:  WRITING CENTER

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE is offered year-round and tests potential graduate students in four areas:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Skills

Test-takers receive three scores: one each for verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. It is primarily a computer-based test. It can be given on paper, however, if the computer-based test isn’t available.

The test costs $205 (USD) worldwide.

Testing location and registration may be found at Test Center and Dates. Test results may be sent directly to UVU by using this school code - 4181.

Preparing for the GRE Exam

Many test preparation resources are available for students. 

  • The official site for the GRE exam is at ets.org/gre.
  • Self-study with online help tools may work for motivated individuals who have a clear understanding of their weak spots.
  • Courses taught by skilled instructors are available in many locations. This may be a great option for students who do better in a classroom learning environment and may be completed over a few, short weeks.
  • Online resources provide a level of convenience for students needing additional flexibility in the schedules.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

The GMAT is offered year-round. On test day, you have three and a half hours to complete the four sections of the GMAT exam which include:

  • Verbal
  • Quantitative
  • Integrative Reasoning
  • Analytical Writing Assessment

Test-takers receive five scores: one for each section, plus a total score. You will also receive a percentile rank for each score. Then you will know the percentage of test-takers in the past three years who received a lower score.

The cost of the test is $250 (USD) around the world.

Additional details about testing locations and registering for the exam may be found at The GMAT Exam.

Preparing for the GMAT Test

Students may benefit from some of the test preparation materials listed below.

The official website for the GMAT exam is mba.com.

Courses taught by skilled instructors are a great option for students who do better in a classroom learning environment. These courses usually available over a span of several weeks.

Online courses can also be particularly convenient for candidates with difficult schedules.

The Pre-Health advisors in LC 402 can help students prepare for tests related to health professions.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

The Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess your problem solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine.
In April 2015, the AAMC launched a new version of the MCAT exam. Scores are reported in four sections:

  • Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
  • Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
  • Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

The MCAT is offered in various locations during January, April, and May-September. There is a testing calendar available to view the specific dates available.

The cost of the test ranges from $305 to $355 depending on how far in advance you register for the test. It is valid for three years.

Preparing for the MCAT

Preparing for the MCAT exam takes time. A free study guide on how to prepare for the exam is available.

Online resources are available to help you prepare.

There is an MCAT Practice site offered through AAMC as well as a free practice test offered by 4Tests.

Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

The DAT is a computerized test that can be taken year-round. The test covers the following four areas:

  1. The Survey of the Natural Sciences is a test of achievement. The content is limited to those areas covered by an entire first –year course in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The examination is comprised of 100 items: 40 biology items, 30 general chemistry items, and 30 organic chemistry items.
  2. The Perceptual Ability Test includes various types of nonverbal visual acuity items. There are six sections in the Perceptual Ability Test. One section covers two-dimensional perception, while the other sections cover three-dimensional perception.
  3. The Reading Comprehension Test consists of three reading passages, each with 16 to 17 items. The reading passages are scientific in nature and may reflect topics covered in dental school.
  4. The Quantitative Reasoning Test measures your ability to reason with numbers, to manipulate numerical relationships, and deal intelligently with quantitative materials.

The test costs $415. The DAT must be taken at least a year prior to seeking admission to dental school.

Preparing for the DAT Exam

The official site for the DAT Exam is: http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test.

The ADA website contains information about what to expect on the test and offers a practice exam for a fee of $37.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The UVU Prelaw Advisement Center is available to help you prepare for the test.

The LSAT can be taken at test centers around the world, on up to four dates during the year. If you live more than 100 miles from a listed test center you can request that the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) sets up a nonpublished center. This costs US$255 within the US, or US$339 internationally. Many law schools require applicants to take a test in December at the latest for admission the following academic year.

The LSAT is delivered in five sections lasting 35 minutes each, with three different types of multiple choice question:

  1. Reading Comprehension: These questions test a candidate’s ability to understand lengthy and complex passages of text, and make reasoned judgments based on this information.
  2. Analytical Reasoning: These questions test ability to draw logical conclusions based on statements which describe relationships between various people, objects and events.
  3. Logical reasoning: A test of ability to evaluate and complete arguments, by answering questions based on a short passage of text.

Raw scores are converted to a score on the LSAT scale of 120-180. All questions are weighted equally. One of the five sections does not contribute to the score (this is used to trial new questions). You will also get a percentile rank, indicating how many people you outperformed.

You can retake the test, but not more than three times over any two-year period.

The test costs $180. It is valid for three years. It is reported to all law schools for five years.

Preparing for the LSAT

Very few people achieve their full potential on the LSAT without some preparation.

At a minimum, you should take a practice test, including the writing sample, under actual time constraints. This will help you estimate how much time you can afford to spend on each question, as well as which question types you should spend additional time practicing.

Familiarize yourself with the test instructions and question types. The test format should not delay or distract you from answering the test questions.

The official website for the LSAT is at http://www.lsac.org/.

Online resources are available to help you prepare for the test.