According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of graduate school admissions officers at 123 top programs across the United States, even as the new GRE launches this summer, many graduate school programs are still getting up to speed on what it’s all about and how they will use it to evaluate applicants. To view a press release with a summary of the survey results, click here. For more complete results in PDF format, click here: KTP Grad School Survey 2011. Below are some key findings:
How well informed to you think your program is about the new GRE’s changes in content, scoring and format?
Somewhat informed: 48%
Very informed: 22%
Not too informed: 21%
Not at all informed: 9%
Is there an admissions advantage if an applicant submits a score from one versionof the GRE intead of the other?
There is no advantage: 83%
There is an advantage to submitting a score from the old GRE: 12%
There is an advantage to submitting a score from the new GRE: 5%
For the current application cycle, compared to the previous cycle, has the amount of financial aid your school has been able to provide students…
Increased somewhat: 66%
Decreased somewhat: 28%
Decreased significantly: 5%
Increased significantly: 2%
How common is it for you to discover an applicant has been dishonest on his/her application?
Not at all common: 87%
Not very common: 7%
Somewhat common: 5%
Very common: 1%
Do you think it’s appropriate or inappropriate for applicants to reach out to admissions officers via social media?
Inappropriate: 65%
Appropriate: 35%
Are you permitted to visits applicants’ social networking pages like Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter to help you make an admissions decision/learn more about them?
Yes: 88%
No: 12%
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
New York, NY (August 1, 2011) – Even as the new GRE launches today, a new Kaplan Test Prep survey* of top graduate programs finds that nearly a third of top graduate schools (30%) feel inadequately informed about the new test – translating to some ambiguity about comparative score evaluation. While the vast majority (83%) will give equal consideration to applicants regardless of whether they submit GRE scores from the old test or the new one, a remaining 12% say applicants who submit a score from the old exam (valid for five years) have an admissions advantage, while 5% say applicants who submit a score from the new GRE have an advantage. The GRE is taken by approximately 700,000 aspiring graduate school students annually.
“Given that the new GRE is now first-time test takers’ only option, graduate programs will likely work diligently to better understand the new exam and how it can help them evaluate applicants,” said Liza Weale, executive director of pre-business and pre-graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “Future GRE takers, graduate schools and we here at Kaplan will be keen to hear from those taking the exam this month to learn about their experiences.”
Among the exam’s changes, the biggest in its 60+ year history:
“While test takers will find some of the new GRE’s features to be plusses, overall Kaplan Test Prep believes the exam’s more complex question types and increase in length will make it more challenging,” added Weale. “While most test takers will find the new GRE more difficult than the old one, they can still achieve a high score if they prepare thoroughly for it. Applicants should also keep in mind that a strong GRE score is not only one of the most important admissions factors, but also an important tool in securing a strong financial aid package. “
Other survey results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of graduate school admissions officers:
For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of graduate school admissions officers and the new GRE, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. For a host of resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews
*The 2011 survey was conducted by phone in May 2011 of 123 of the top 200 graduate programs – as designated by U.S. News & World Report – in education, engineering, psychology and public administration.
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.
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Attendees Will Have Opportunity to Network Face-to-Face with Admissions Officers from
Top MBA Programs and Learn Key Strategies to Get In
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
New York, NY (July 29, 2011) – Thousands of professionals and students across the United States and England looking to kick-start the business school application process will get insider advice and learn about dozens of top MBA programs – including Cornell University (Johnson), Chicago Booth, Dartmouth (Tuck), Duke (Fuqua), NYU (Stern), Northwestern (Kellogg), University of North Carolina ( Kenan-Flagler) and Yale School of Management – directly from admissions officers at Kaplan Test Prep’s free 11-city stop “Road to Business School.” “Road to Business School” will also include two live, online events – one workshop on “How to Impress a Business School” and one live panel with admissions officers from top schools – where attendees can participate from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Each stop on “Road to Business School” will include a strategy workshop on the GMAT – the primary admissions exam that business schools use to evaluate applicants – and an admissions strategy session, where attendees can learn how to put together the strongest, most compelling application possible. Attendees can also sit in on a panel discussion with admissions officers to learn more about the components of the application. One of the most popular parts of “Road to Business School” is the open tabling session with over 30 different top schools participating in each city, giving attendees a chance to ask specific questions about a given program. The last portion of each event’s program will include a happy hour reception, where attendees can socialize and speak individually with business school admissions officials.
“With administrations of the GMAT at continued high levels, admissions competition still fierce at top MBA programs, and the MBA job market improving, those in attendance will gain invaluable strategies about how to get into business school and move their careers forward,” said Liza Weale, executive director of pre-business and pre-graduate programs, Kaplan Test Prep.
Following is the scheduled list of events that are part of the 2011 “Road to Business School” series:
Those interested in attending any of the events should visit www.kaplangmat.com/roadtobschool to register. For media, each city event will also provide a good opportunity to speak with attendees about their career successes, challenges and goals and take B-roll footage. To cover an event in person,
please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
For a host of resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.
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