The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) has been a pivotal part of graduate school admissions for decades. Established in 1936, the GRE has undergone numerous changes to better assess the skills of prospective graduate students. This article delves into the historical evolution of the GRE, highlighting key changes and developments that have shaped the test into what it is today.
The Early Years
The GRE was initiated in 1936 as a collaborative effort by the graduate
school deans of four Ivy League universities and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The first institutions to experiment with the test were Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. By 1938, the University of Wisconsin became the first public university to require the test. The GRE quickly gained traction, and by 1948, over 45,000 students were taking the exam as part of their application to 500 colleges.
Initially, the GRE focused on verbal and quantitative abilities. Over time, the test expanded to include an Analytical Ability section, which was later replaced by the Analytical Writing Assessment. This evolution reflects the GRE's ongoing adaptation to better measure the skills deemed necessary for success in graduate studies.
Major Revisions and Overhauls
The GRE has seen significant revisions, particularly in 2011, when the test was overhauled to become adaptive on a section-by-section basis. This change meant that the difficulty of the second sections of verbal and quantitative reasoning was determined by the test-taker's performance on the first sections. The scoring scale was also revised from a 200-800 scale to a 130-170 scale.
These changes were part of a broader effort to enhance the test's focus on reasoning skills and critical thinking. The 2011 revision also introduced new question types, such as numeric entry items and multiple-choice questions requiring multiple correct responses. These updates aimed to provide a more accurate assessment of a candidate's readiness for graduate-level work.
The GRE Today
Today, the GRE is a computer-based test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at various testing centers worldwide. It continues to assess verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The test's format allows for flexibility, enabling test-takers to navigate within sections and mark questions for review.
Despite its long history, the GRE remains a subject of debate. Critics argue that it may not be a true measure of a student's potential for success in graduate school. Nonetheless, the GRE continues to be a significant component of the admissions process for many graduate programs, reflecting its enduring relevance in higher education.
