Graduate College Admissions Tests

Graduate admission tests are a big part of your overall application. Sometimes your test scores also determine your eligibility for financial aid and scholarships.

Admission to graduate programs can be very competitive. Take practice tests. Read about the subject area(s) to be tested.

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1. GMAT- Graduate Management Admission Test

   GMAT is a standardized test that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management.

   Purpose:

   Helps graduate business schools assess the qualifications of applicants.

   What is tested:

   • Verbal skills
   • Math skills
   • Analytical writing skills

   Samples:

   • Verbal section – description and questions
   • Quantitative section – description and questions
   • Analytical writing section – description and questions

   For more information:

   • GMAT Overview



2. GRE- Graduate Record Examinations

   Because of the high correlation between high GRE scores and success in graduate school, many schools require that the applicants take the GRE General Test. They may also require the applicant to take the appropriate GRE Subject Test.

   What is tested:

   There are two types of GRE test:

   • GRE General Test: measures verbal ability, quantitative ability (math), and analytical writing ability
   • GRE Subject Tests: achievement in a specific field of study

   Samples:

   • GRE General Test sample questions
   • GRE Subject Test sample questions

   For more information:

   • GRE for Test Takers and About the GRE



3. LSAT- Law School Admissions Test

   The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all law schools that are members of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

   Purpose:

   Measures skills that are considered essential for success in law school.

   What is tested:

   Ability to:

   • Read and comprehend texts with accuracy and insight
   • Organize and manage information
   • Draw inferences from information
   • Reason critically
   • Analyze and evaluate reasoning and arguments of others

   Samples:

   • Preparing for the LSAT

   For more information:

   • About the LSAT



4. MCAT- Medical College Admissions Test

   Purpose:

   Predict ability to perform adequately in medical school.

   What is tested:

   • Knowledge of the science concepts and principles that are a prerequisite to the study of medicine
   • Problem-solving skills
   • Critical-thinking skills
   • Writing skills

   Samples:

   • MCAT Practice Tests

   For more information:

   • About the MCAT

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible to receive accommodations (such as Braille tests, large print, and extended time) when taking admissions tests. To learn more about the accommodations available for each test mentioned above, visit: GRE (graduate), LSAT (law), MCAT (medical), or GMAT (business/management).

Source: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and the University of Minnesota.