Key Takeaway
- The four most common graduate school entrance exams are the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT.
- The GRE is required by most graduate schools in the United States and measures your skills in math, reading, and writing.
- The GMAT is geared toward business students, the MCAT is for medical students, and the LSAT is for law students.
- Each of these four exams is broken into sections with multiple-choice questions and some feature essay components (GRE and LSAT).
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Thinking about graduate school? Along with your application essays and transcripts, you’ll likely need to tackle an entrance exam. Just like when you had to take the SAT or ACT for undergraduate school, you will have to take a graduate school exam to get in. The most common ones are the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT. If these acronyms seem like a confusing jumble, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Below we are going to cover a breakdown of what each exam is, what it measures, and what you can expect to pay.
The Four Major Grad School Exams
Whether it’s the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, which test you take will depend on the program you’re applying for. Let’s see what these four major grad school entrance exams are all about.
1. GRE GENERAL TEST (GRADUATE RECORD EXAM)
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the most common general admissions exam for graduate schools in the United States. It is designed to measure your overall academic readiness for graduate school and is most similar to the SAT since it tests you on math, reading, and writing.
Test Format
While the GRE was once almost a four-hour exam, it is now only 1 hour and 58 minutes as of September 2023. It is broken into three sections and consists of 55 total questions broken up like this:
- Verbal Reasoning: Multiple Choice, 27 Questions, 47 Minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning: Multiple Choice, 27 Questions, 41 Minutes
- Analytical Writing: Essay (“Analyze an Issue” task), 1 Question, 30 Minutes
View sample questions from the GRE.
Exam Fees and Scheduling
The registration fee for the GRE General Test is $220. If you need to reschedule or change your location, you will have to pay an additional $50.
2. GMAT (GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSIONS TEST)
If you want to go to business school to earn your MBA, then you’ll need to take the GMAT— the Graduate Management Admissions Test. More than 70% of students rely on the GMAT to get into business school. While this test measures similar skills to those on the GRE, it is geared more toward business majors.
Test Format
The GMAT takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete (with one optional 10-minute break). It is broken into three sections and consists of 64 total questions broken up as follows:
- Quantitative Reasoning: Multiple Choice, 21 Questions, 45 Minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: Multiple Choice, 23 Questions, 45 Minutes
- Data Insights: Various Types, 20 Questions, 45 Minutes
View sample questions from the GMAT.
Exam Fees and Scheduling
The registration fee for the GMAT is $275-$300. If you need to reschedule your exam you will have to pay an additional $55-$180, depending on how far out you are from your exam.
3. MCAT (MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TEST)
The MCAT, or Medical College Admissions Test, is a prerequisite for students applying to medical school. This test is required in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. The MCAT measures critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they relate to scientific concepts and principles. Until 2006, this exam was traditionally paper-pencil, but it has since become computer-based.
Test Format
This exam takes approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes to complete. It is split into four multiple-choice sections with a total of 230 questions divided like this:
- Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: 59 Questions, 95 Minutes
- Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: 59 Questions, 95 Minutes
- Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: 59 Questions, 95 Minutes
- Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: 53 Questions, 90 Minutes
View sample questions from the MCAT.
Exam Fees and Scheduling
The standard registration fee for the MCAT is $325. If you need to reschedule your exam you will have to pay an additional $50-$200, depending on how far out you are from your exam.
4. LSAT (LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST)
The LSAT, or Law School Admissions Test, is mandatory for students who are applying to law school and is the only test accepted by ABA-accredited law schools. Much like the previous exams we’ve covered, this one measures critical thinking skills, reading comprehension, logic, and verbal reasoning.
Test Format
The LSAT exam is three to four hours with four multiple-choice sections (three scored and one unscored). An additional unscored essay is sent to the law schools you applied to so they can personally assess your writing ability. It has a total of approximately 75 questions, separated into these sections:
- Logical Reasoning (2 sections): Multiple Choice, 24–26 Questions (per section), 35 Minutes (per section)
- Reading Comprehension: Multiple Choice, ~27 Questions, 35 Minutes
- Logical Reasoning or Reading Comprehension (Unscored): 35 Minutes
- Writing Sample (Unscored): Argumentative Essay, 1 Question, 50 Minutes
View sample questions for the LSAT.
Exam Fees and Scheduling
The standard fees for the LSAT are $238. If you need to reschedule your exam, it is free to do so until your administration’s registration deadline. After that, you are subject to pay up to an additional $238.
Preparing for Graduate Exams
It can feel like there’s a lot riding on your graduate school exams—after all, your score plays a role in determining whether or not you’re accepted into a program. But with the right preparation, you can study effectively, manage your pre-exam jitters, and create an approach that works for you. Here are some strategies to help:
- Know What’s Coming: Research the format, question types, and scoring criteria for your specific test. Understanding what’s coming helps you focus your study efforts. You can usually find test prep resources on each test’s website.
- Gather Necessary Resources: Test prep books, online courses, study apps, practice tests—all of these resources can help set you up for success.
- Practice With a Timer: When you take a practice test, use a timer to get a feel for pacing and where you might need to improve.
- Block Off Time: Dedicate specific times to study so that you can show up with the right mindset.
- Practice Essay Questions: If your test includes an essay, make sure you practice in advance. Try writing a quick outline before you get started so that your writing stays focused.
Why You Should Consider Attending Graduate School
The idea of taking another standardized test might make you groan, and understandably so. But before you let a looming exam discourage you from considering graduate school, think about this: in today’s competitive job market, landing a position with just a bachelor’s degree can be a challenge. Even for those who are lucky enough to secure a job, chances are high that it will be an entry-level position. Those with higher education (e.g., graduate school) often receive higher-paying opportunities, greater job security, and broader career growth. The path might be longer, but the benefits are well worth the investment.
Knowing what to expect from each graduate school exam—GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT—can make all the difference. Just by understanding the format and content of each test, you can begin to prepare effectively and feel more confident when it comes time to finally take your exam. Best of luck!
Understanding grad school standardized tests can help you choose your ideal graduate program. Use College Raptor’s College Match tool to help you discover personalized college matches around the U.S.—for FREE!
