GAT Test Study Guide

GAT Overview

As stated in its title, the Graduate Assessment Test (GAT) is indeed a difficult examination, and as such, it was required that media be chosen by which intellectual ability could be measured. In the case of the GAT, math, verbal, and writing were the selected media. While there is an ongoing, low-profile controversy about whether or not this test truly measure’s your abilities with regards to what you’ll need for graduate school, that is not the purpose of this book. The purpose is, however, to make sure that you’re able to achieve the best possible state of preparation, allowing you to maximize your score potential - no matter if your actual aptitude has been measured.

As no test can measure all aspects of a person’s intelligence, the GAT measures those skills deemed most critical to a new graduate student. Then again, if any admission test, no matter how cleverly assembles, is inherently inadequate, why perform this type of testing at all? This is a question posed by every student who sees the GAT looming ahead of him/her. Nevertheless, the answer to this question is quite simple, and quite reasonable; to make graduate school acceptance a more fair experience, by expanding the basis approval beyond your grades.

Your GAT score is one of the most critical elements to your qualification for graduate school, so it is naturally much too important for you to take this test unprepared. The higher your GAT score, the better your chances of admission will be for a respected, competitive graduate program.

 

While different graduate programs assign a different weight or importance to your GAT scores, it is safe to assume that your GAT will be a major determining factor when it comes to the final admission decision made by each graduate school to which you’ve applied.

Careful preparation, as described in this expert guide, along with hard work, will dramatically enhance your probability of success. In fact, it is wise to apply this philosophy not only to your graduate school applications, but to other elements of your life as well, to raise you above the competition. Your GAT score is one of the areas in the graduate admission process over which you have a substantial amount of control; this opportunity should not be taken lightly. Hence, a rational, prepared approach to your GAT test as well as the rest of the admission process will contribute considerably to the likelihood of acceptance. Keep in mind, that although it is possible to take a GAT test more than once, you should never take the test as an “experiment” just to see how well you do. It is of extreme importance that you always be prepared to do your best when taking the GAT.