For the first time in years, the Graduate Record Examination, known simply as the GRE, will change.

The computer-based test that helps students get into graduate school will now feature new questions and an on-screen calculator, among many other differences, starting Aug. 1. The test will now also allow students to go back and change their answers within a certain section of the test — a feature that was unavailable before.

Michal Goldstein teaches two GRE prep courses at St. Edward’s University and believes that the new test will create difficulties for students.

“The new GRE is much longer and more rigorous,” Goldstein said.

The Educational Testing Service, which created and administers the GRE, claims the test will include questions that will helps students be more prepared in graduate school. But Goldstein disagrees.

“The GRE is supposed to have questions on the new test that are more reflective of what students should know in graduate school, but that does not seem to be the case to me,” Goldstein said.

Currently, there are two classes offered to help students prepare for the GRE. Students can take one during their fall or spring semester for college credit. However, the course does not prepare students to take the actual exam. Instead, it provides them an overview of what the test will be like.

“I do think the credit class is relatively short, but students see remarkable improvement over the course of the semester due to regular testing and exposure to the test and effective strategies for approaching the test as a whole,” Goldstein said.  

Junior Veronica Adamcik just finished the other GRE class taught by Goldstein. Her class is a more comprehensive eight-week course that prepares students who are gearing up to take the test soon.

Adamcik, who plans on taking the old version of the test, is a firm believer in the GRE prep course taught by Goldstein.

“It only meets once a week for three hours, and my class only had about 10 people in it, so it’s very one-on-one,” Adamcik said.

Adamcik admits that, at about $500, the course was expensive. Still, she still feels that it is beneficial to people who need help in preparing for the exam.

Goldstein believes the St. Edward’s course is more helpful than the Kaplan and Princeton preparatory programs offered in Austin.

“It is longer than both the Princeton and Kaplan class and half the cost,” Goldstein said.

Because the test will be changing its format starting in August, Goldstein’s courses will change to fit the standards of the new test.

“The college credit class is going to be expanded because of the changing format. It will be about two hours now,” Goldstein said.

Senior Kristin Perez took the old version of the test in September 2010 and will be heading to graduate school in the fall. She does not believe that the GRE was the only factor that got her into graduate school.

“Since I applied for Master of Liberal Arts programs, they looked more at my transcripts and letter of recommendations more than the GRE. It matters more for others, especially ones going into science and math programs,” Perez said.

Goldstein does not think that standardized testing should be the deciding factor in what type of school a student gets into.

“Standardized scores do not predict a student’s future,” Goldstein said.

Students who plan to apply for graduate school in the fall are advised to take the old version of the test because scores will be released by November.  However, for students planning to one day enter graduate school, such as freshman Selena Alvarez, the changing format of the GRE will permanently affect them.

“I feel like things always have to change when it’s my turn to take them,” Alvarez said.