Grad school tests loom for some
A.
By Erin Wlggs Special to the Kansan
By mid-May, most students have relaxed because their finals are over. But the approach of summer means that a big test is yet to come for some students who are trying to make their careers happen.
It is the graduate admission test. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are given in June and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) will be given in August.
Many seniors will take admission tests this summer in order to receive their scores by September. That way, they can apply to graduate schools in October of their senior year, said Jennifer Pratt, Seattle senior, who took the LSAT in January.
Pratt said she could relate to the long hours of preparation students spent during their vacations. She studied almost every day during winter break.
"I took the test in January because I thought that's when I'd have the least to do," Pratt said. "I think that was a good idea, too."
Pratt described the whole experience of studying for and taking the LSAT as extremely stressful, mostly because LSAT scores play a major factor in admission to law schools.
"What you've done for four years is not as important as what you do in those four to five hours," she said.
Pratt said grade point average and extracurricular activities should factor into the decision more than they do.
"There are just some people who can't take tests," she said. "Or if you get sick that day, that doesn't matter, that's your score."
Immediately after taking the LSAT, students can cancel their scores — but not before losing most of their $150 test fee. And if their score is recorded, even if they take the test again, it factors into most schools' decisions.
Some students, like Pratt, give up vacations to study. Some sacrifice grades to study, and some pay almost $800 for preparatory courses.
Pratt opted to study on her own but suggested the courses for people who needed a more structured studying environment.
"It really depends on your discipline," she said. "If you say you're going to study on Saturday afternoon, but instead go to the park, it would be good for you."
One of these preparatory courses, called Kaplan, ranges from $695 for the GRE and GMAT, to $775 for the MCAT. For the money, students get classes, books and audio tapes.
They also receive this guarantee: If their test scores do not improve over their practice test scores given at the beginning of the course, they can take the Kaplan course again for free.
Linda Smith, office manager at Kaplan Test Prep, 1000 Massachusetts St., described the course as "total training."
"Students can come in and work with
whatever section of the tests they need help with," Smith said. "We're very thorough in getting these students ready for whatever test they're taking."
That was a deal Jennifer Vaughn, Kearney. Mo, senior, could not pass up.
Vaughn took the MCAT last year and said the course was a good representative of the test.
"Also, after you take practice tests, you go over steps step by step," she said.
Vaughn had only one complaint. She said the course was severely overpriced.
Smith said the price came from constantly updating study materials.
"If there is any kind of change (in the tests), we make that adaptation immediately," she said.
Vaughn advised someone who wanted to save money to use the test registration booklet to study.
The books, supplied when students register to take the test, have sample questions, but Vaughn said better explanations of the answers were given in the courses.
"We will be trying out a mock LSAT in conjunction with the LSAT to see how that works out." Dyer said.
Marion Dyer, advising assistant at the Advising Support Center, said preparation materials for the LSAT, including sample tests, were available through Law Services. At the Advising Support Center, officials are trying to formulate other ways to help students.
Dyer said, however, that she believed the University already had prepared students
Testdates
Here are the graduate admissions tests whose deadlines have not passed yet;
GMAT: deadline to register, May 20, 1994; test date, June 18, 1994.
■ MCAT: deadline to register, July 22,
1994; test date, Aug. 20, 1994.
LSAT: deadline to register, May 10, 1994; test date, June 13, 1994.
KANSAN
well.
"Really, the preparation for the LSAT is your education," she said.
The advice from Vaughn and Pratt to test-takers was the same: Students should time themselves.
"The problems aren't that hard," Vaughn said. "It's just doing it in the time given."
Another way to improve performance, Pratt said, is to start waking up early on the days leading up to the test day. By doing that the student is used to the early hours and can pay complete attention to the test, she said.
Also, since speed is important, students should make sure they wear comfortable clothing. If they like, they can take some candy — the sugar might keep them going.
"I ate a whole package of ROLOs while I took the test," Pratt said.
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GRADUATION • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN • May 2,1994