New vs. old GRE?

[roombarider]

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I am debating whether to take the current version of the GRE or the new one that's being rolled out in August. I do already have study materials for the "old" test but the 50% off the price of registration deal is appealing, as are a lot of the changes being made (no more antonyms!). What I am wondering though is how vet schools will look at the new test - will they be skeptical of the results, especially for the first few groups who take it? Is it worth contacting the schools I'm interested in and asking them about it? Or is it not a big deal?

And I should mention that I'm not applying until the cycle after next, so the scores not arriving in time for October 1st isn't an issue.

 

[kitty613]

I am debating whether to take the current version of the GRE or the new one that's being rolled out in August. I

How long is the old GRE going to be out for? Jeez, I would say to take the old one because you already have the materials for it. I think I would just take the old one...that's just me. I want to know exactly how the test is going to be set up before taking it. And to answer your other question, I can't see how vet schools would look unfavorably on the new test, since it's going to be commonplace anyway.

 

[sumstorm]

If this is the same roll out they were proposing a couple years ago (including short answer in math) I'd go for the old one.

Another issues is that it will take time for score correlations to reach a massive enough volume to be useful in terms of percentiles. it took 6mo-1yr for the CAT to stop heavily shifting on scores....and there were some major issues early on (including screens not displaying all of some problems, or freezing the scrolling in reading sections.

 

[rosyreef]

If you're applying for the class of 2016 cycle (for anyone else besides the OP), some schools are requiring that you take the "old" version before it changes to the "new" version in August.. so check with the schools you're applying to for sure 🙂

 

[NStarz]

As rosyreef said, if you are applying to the c/o 2016, you need to take the old one. Score reports won't be out for the new one until at least November, which is past the deadline for vet schools to receive your scores.

 

[New Foundland]

I don't like the sound of the new GRE..

the old one might be annoying and narrow in scope, but it's predictable and you can become very very familiar with it through study..

it's like george w. bush ... you know him so well, and hate him while he's in office, but once he's gone you miss having some fool to laugh at all the time 😛

 

[Savethewhales]

when I took the gre last year I did the guinea pig version of the new math after my test was over and I did not like it at all. There are questions where you fill in the answer so if you are stuck then you are sol. Also, there is a computer calculator, I think in an attempt to make the math section more complex. No antonyms are appealing but if you study the recommended words, they aren't so bad

 

[cowgirla]

I don't like the sound of the new GRE..

the old one might be annoying and narrow in scope, but it's predictable and you can become very very familiar with it through study..

it's like george w. bush ... you know him so well, and hate him while he's in office, but once he's gone you miss having some fool to laugh at all the time 😛

So says the Canadian lol

 

[twelvetigers]

when I took the gre last year I did the guinea pig version of the new math after my test was over and I did not like it at all. There are questions where you fill in the answer so if you are stuck then you are sol. Also, there is a computer calculator, I think in an attempt to make the math section more complex. No antonyms are appealing but if you study the recommended words, they aren't so bad

I've taken a practice round of the new verbal and it was a bit strange. I wouldn't say that it was harder, but it was definitely different - there were like... let me think. There were something like six answers below and you picked two of them for the fill in the blank questions. I dunno, I can't remember exactly because I wasn't in the mood to practice taking the test for some measly chance to win $200 or whatever.

 

[drwildlife]

I've taken a practice round of the new verbal and it was a bit strange. I wouldn't say that it was harder, but it was definitely different - there were like... let me think. There were something like six answers below and you picked two of them for the fill in the blank questions. I dunno, I can't remember exactly because I wasn't in the mood to practice taking the test for some measly chance to win $200 or whatever.

I haven't taken a practice round but, I've heard from some Kaplan teachers. I think what you're talking about is the sentence completion? Instead of having all of your options in one choice you will have sort of a word bank which seems rather difficult unless you have an amazing vocabulary base.

Sorry if I just repeated what you were saying TT 🙂

 

[Savethewhales]

Not sure if I was clear on my last post. The fill in the blank I was referring to was in the math section. They would give a problem and instead of multiPle choice answers there was a box to enter your own number

 

[bee83]

I did the practice new version of the math test when I took my GRE last month. I didn't like it because even though you get to use a calculator, the lack of multiple choice answers just means you spend more time precisely calculating and re-calculating your answer to make sure you get it precise, whereas the whole strategy everyone teaches for the old math is NOT to calculate all the way through, but to be able to estimate to a certain degree enough to compare the answers and make a logical decision.
I'm really glad I took the old version while I still could!

 

[bbeventer]

I read in my GRE study book that statistically every time the GRE changes scores are significantly lower for a period of time (I can't remember how long they said), but its something to keep in mind! The main reason they were saying why scores decreased with each change was just for lack of knowing what is going to appear on the test and adequate test preparation materials and classes.

 

[HelloNello]

I read in my GRE study book that statistically every time the GRE changes scores are significantly lower for a period of time (I can't remember how long they said), but its something to keep in mind! The main reason they were saying why scores decreased with each change was just for lack of knowing what is going to appear on the test and adequate test preparation materials and classes.

I believe it was 5 years that they remain lower...

I'd opt for the old GRE. Seems pretty simple to me: have all the info on how to ace the test or enter in and not have many strategies to use. I'd rather have some tools in my toolbox versus flying blind.

 

[bbeventer]

I believe it was 5 years that they remain lower...

I'd opt for the old GRE. Seems pretty simple to me: have all the info on how to ace the test or enter in and not have many strategies to use. I'd rather have some tools in my toolbox versus flying blind.

👍 Agreed! Thanks for the figure. Wow 5 years thats longer then I thought.

 

[roombarider]

Thanks for the responses, definitely put the issue in perspective. I went ahead and registered for the current version.

 

[Graduatedly]

ahh you guys are a life saver! i've been studying for the old one for quite some time now, but haven't really considered taking the test.

maybe i'll have to buckle down for it before the end of the summer 😛

 

[AHorseOffCourse]

I'm not a fan of standardized tests, including the old or new GRE - but I'd definitely choose the one that has established study materials/methods. I spent 2 months of intense, focused studying (self-study), took the GRE test and it was a good enough score I won't ahve to retake it and I could move onto the next phase of my vet application. And promptly forget the tricks and methods I used to answer the questions. It's easy to "beat" the tests if you have the right tools and are willing to learn them - much harder when the new test is completely unknown.

 

[libster06]

t's easy to "beat" the tests if you have the right tools and are willing to learn them - much harder when the new test is completely unknown.

It's true! I didn't even know they were changing the GRE?! Lucky me, since I'm usually the year they change things up on! You basically have to study to navigate your way through this test... I don't know how they would change it, because it's not a matter of intelligence as it is, but rather how well you can figure out whatever pattern they're throwing at you.

I took the [old] GRE 3 times to get a good score.. the final time I did the Kaplan course which helped a lot and is what I should've done in the first place, so if you already have the materials, I definitely think studying old materials and doing the old test is your best bet BECAUSE it will give you a practice run. Sure, the new GRE isn't going to be the same, but it will give you a good dry run for a standardized test. You don't have to send your scores off, since you know you'll take it again. And by the next cycle, perhaps there will be other materials to study catering to the new method.