Along with the Graduate Record Examination® (GRE®) general test, a variety of GRE® subject tests are available. Students who want to pursue specific fields of study in graduate school take these tests, though not all schools require them. Science subjects have some of the most common subject tests, with specific tests in chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science. GRE® subject tests are also available in mathematics, English literature, and psychology; these subject tests are divided into sections that cover various aspects of these subjects.
GRE® subject tests are tests that are taken in addition to the GRE® general test and focus on specific subjects in greater depth. Many graduate schools require prospective students to take the GRE® general test, and use the scores in addition to transcripts and letters of recommendation when evaluating applicants. Prior to admission, some schools require students to take one or more GRE® subject tests. This is usually determined by a school’s specific needs and requirements, and the test or tests taken by a prospective student are usually directly related to his or her field of study.
The GRE® subject tests in various fields of science are among the most popular. Students studying biology or medicine may be required to take two subject tests. The biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology exam covers a wide range of microbiology and laboratory procedures. Microbiology, organismal biology, ecology, and evolution are all covered on the biology subject test. GRE® subject tests in chemistry and physics are also available, which often include mathematical work and a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of these subjects.
Graduate students can also take GRE® subject tests in mathematics and computer science. The mathematics section of the exam covers a wide range of topics, with a strong emphasis on calculus and algebra, as well as graphing and statistics questions. Students taking the computer science subject test should be familiar with programming, data organization, memory management, and the mathematics that underpin many computer systems.
GRE® subject tests for literature in English and psychology are also available. The literature in English test covers a wide range of English literature from both British and American authors, including poetry and prose. The psychology subject test has questions about cognitive processes like language and memory, as well as the use of various diagnostic methods and an overview of various ethical issues in psychology.