GRE Allows Test Takers To Send Only Best Scores To Schools

Following last year’s introduction of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) revised General Test, the GRE Program is now introducing what it calls a ScoreSelect option that allows test takers to decide which test scores to send to the institutions they designate. The option, described by GRE “as one more enhancement to its more test-taker friendly platform,” essentially allows test takers to hide weaker scores from admissions officials and to send the scores they feel reflect their personal best.

GRE said the new option, announced today (April 24) and available starting in July 2012, builds on the momentum that started with the 2011 launch of the test-taker friendly GRE revised General Test, which test takers worldwide responded to with great enthusiasm. “The ScoreSelect option focuses on helping test takers succeed on the road to an advanced degree because they can approach test day with more confidence,” said James Wimbush, Dean of the University Graduate School at Indiana University, and 2011–2012 GRE Board Chair, in a statement.

Typically, a test taker’s scores from all his or her tests are sent to the schools to which they apply. Business schools usually take the highest score achieved, but taking a test multiple times and scoring poorly could impact an admissions officer’s view of a candidate’s application.

“Adding enhancements, like the new ScoreSelect option, to our test-taker friendly platform helps people feel good about making a move toward graduate and business school, and that is what’s most exciting about this announcement,” added David Payne, chief operating officer of the Higher Education Division at ETS, in a statement. “Anytime we can make changes that improve test takers’ testing experience and confidence to succeed, we create more opportunity for all students.”

GRE said that test takers can now select from several options.

On test day, when viewing their scores at the test center*, they can select the:

• ·         ScoreSelect Most Recent option — Send their scores from their current test administration (FREE).
• ·         ScoreSelect All option — Send their scores from all administrations in the last 5 years (FREE).

Test takers can decide which option to use for each of their 4 FREE score reports.

After test day, test takers can send Additional Score Reports for a fee and select:

• ·         ScoreSelect Most Recent option — Send their scores from their most recent test administration.
• ·         ScoreSelect All option — Send their scores from all administrations in the last 5 years.
• ·         ScoreSelect Any option — Send their scores from one OR many test administrations in the last 5 years.

Scores for a test administration must be reported in their entirety.

“The ScoreSelect option for the GRE tests is an extension of ETS’s long-standing strong commitment to enabling ever more individuals, both minority and majority, to take the next step towards graduate or business school, giving them invaluable additional opportunities for their future,” said Michael Sullivan, Executive Director, STEM, Hispanic Research Center, Arizona State University, in a statement.

The new ScoreSelect option will be available for both the GRE revised General Test and GRE Subject Tests, and can be used by anyone with reportable scores from the last five years. For more information on this new option and other GRE program offerings, including free test prep, visit www.ets.org/gre.

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