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Scores on the Graduate Record Examination are among the documents needed as part of your application to most graduate school programs in biology and related fields. A recent survey indicated that nearly all programs require scores from the General Test and nearly half also require scores of the Subject Test.

It is recommended that you take the GRE as early as possible in your senior year, if not in the latter part of your junior year.  By doing so, you give yourself the option of re-taking the test if the score is not as high as you wanted.  If you re-take the test, the programs you’re applying to will receive all results, but will likely consider only the higher tests results.  It will also makes the list of things to do during your senior year a little shorter.  Another reason for taking the GRE earlier is for your financial aid applications.  Many schools and universities require the complete application by the end of January.

The General Test is available by computer at certain test centers.  The Subject tests are still done with paper and pencil.  You should take the Subject Test in either November or December of your senior year to ensure that the results are back in time for your application to graduate schools.  Click here to connect to the GRE's official Web site.  The <a href="http://www.gre.org">GRE’s official web</a> site has great up-to-date information. Their <a href="http://www.gre.org/faqnew.html">FAQ page</a> also has a lot of information.

The GRE Registration form is normally available during the summer before an academic year.  Make sure you allow enough time for the GRE to process your application.  If you are not positive you want to attend graduate school, it is still recommended that you take the GRE.  The results are valid for five years, which is helpful if you decide to apply for a graduate program after some time has passed since your graduation.  This way you will be taking the exam while you are still familiar with the material and have a better chance of receiving a higher score.

The cost of GRE General Test was $115 in the 2004-2005 academic year, and a Subject Test carried a $130 price tag. Seniors meeting certain financial-need guidelines may have these fees waived.  Check your financial aid office for the possibility of this option.

The General Test asks questions from the three categories of analytical, quantitative and verbal in a multiple choice format.  Every student hoping to acquire a graduate degree in any major takes the same General Test.  The quantitative questions only cover the concepts that all college students have in their backgrounds.

There are currently two Subject Tests, out of eight offered, that are for programs in biology.  They are “Biology Subject Test” and “Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Subject Test”.  Contact the graduate coordinators of the programs you are interested in to determine which Subject Test they require.

The Biology Subject Test is also multiple choice and covers the topics:  cellular and molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and organism biology.  One recommended way to prepare for this test is to work through with your introductory biology text book chapter by chapter.  Many of the question answers can be found in a typical freshman biology text and course.  There are a large number of questions that will help analyze how you interpret a certain passage.  These questions are designed to test how you process new material and the conclusions you draw from it.  This may include diagrams, graphs and tables.  A good way to prepare for this is doing your own research, during which time you get a lot of practice reading and analyzing results.  Also, reading scientific journals and understanding how many scientific processes work is helpful as well.

It is unknown how much GRE scores influence graduate school admissions.  Most schools look at the overall picture, and the percentage the GRE scores are taken into account vary greatly.

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