In the state of California, there are many universities and colleges that require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for nurse practitioner school. Schools use this as part of the admission process to select potential students for their program. However, taking the GRE can be a very time-consuming process for the applicant. It also can be expensive by having to pay for test prep courses and the GRE test itself. Applying to nurse practitioner schools that do not require the GRE is another option for those concerned about taking the exam.
What NP schools do not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
Listed below are Nurse Practitioner schools in the state of California that do NOT require the GRE for admission:
- Azusa Pacific University
- California Baptist University
- California State University
- Charles R. Drew University of Med and Science
- Fresno Pacific University
- Holy Names University
- Loma Linda University
- National University
- Samuel Merritt University
- San Jose State University
- Sonoma State University
- Touro University California
- United States University
- University of California Los Angeles
- University of San Diego
- University of San Francisco
- West Coast University
- Western University of Health Sciences
So what is the GRE exactly?
The GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. The purpose of the GRE is to assess applicants for their ability to succeed and pass graduate-level courses. This test is mainly used for admission to graduate programs and schools.
The GRE has a specific testing layout comprised of six different sections:
- 1 Analytical Writing section
- 2 Quantitative Reasoning sections
- 2 Verbal Reasoning sections
- 1 Unscored Research section
The Analytical Writing section contains two separate writing assignments. The first is the “Analyze an Issue” task in which an opinion is presented on a general issue. The test taker is to take a position and support their reasoning and point of view. The second assignment is the “Analyze an Argument.” This section is different in that the test-taker is to analyze a position of argument already provided by the test prompt. The purpose of this section is to expand on the logic and claims of the argument. Each writing task is allotted 30 minutes to be completed.
The Quantitative Reasoning portion has two sections which contain about 20 questions each. These sections evaluate competency in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry which involve quantitative comparisons and problem-solving. Test takers are allowed 35 minutes for each of these two quantitative sections.
Verbal Reasoning is the next category created to examine the ability of the test taker to analyze sentences, summarize text, and differentiate vocabulary. This category also includes two sections which contain about 20 questions each. Test takers are required to complete each section in 30 minutes.
The Unscored Research section is experimental and used to create questions for future GRE tests. These questions can be of the Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative category and do not count towards your final score.
The exam is offered in two different forms: computer-based and paper-based. The most common form taken is via computer. Several benefits to this are earlier score delivery dates and more frequently offered exam dates.
The GRE can be taken multiple times during a year. Test-takers are limited to once every 21 days, a total of up to five times in a continuous rolling 365-day period. However, the paper-based GRE is only offered three times a year, so if you need to take the exam more frequently, the computer-based GRE is the best option. Retaking the GRE several times to improve your score is common and will not affect the chances of you getting into a Nurse Practitioner program.
The GRE reports three different scores from the exam. The first is the Verbal Reasoning score, which is scored on a 130-170 point scale. The Quantitative Reasoning portion of the GRE is also scored on a 130-170 scale. The Analytical Writing section is reported on a 0-6 score scale. The average score on the Verbal Reasoning portion of the exam is 150, and the Quantitative Reasoning average score is 152.6. The Analytical Writing section has an average score of 3.5.
Should I be worried if a nurse practitioner school does not require the GRE?
Is it bad if a graduate program does not require the GRE? Some worry that programs that eliminate the GRE requirement are uncompetitive and provide substandard education. However, this is not necessarily true. The schools that don’t require the GRE may find other approaches such as in-person interviews, undergraduate GPA, or requiring a letter of intent as a better way to evaluate an applicant for their program.
There are graduate programs that highly value the GRE and other programs that require the GRE only because the university mandates it for admission. Some schools question whether the GRE truly is an accurate demonstration of an applicant’s ability to excel in a graduate-level program. Some believe it shows the student’s ability to take a standardized test versus testing the student’s actual knowledge. This test can also exclude those with low incomes to apply to schools, as the test cost several hundred dollars to take. Because of this, many schools have found other methods to assess applicants’ readiness for their program and eliminated the GRE requirement.
These are several factors that can indicate if a school has a good nurse practitioner program:
- Accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Nurse Practitioner school ranking
- Student passing rates of the credentialing nurse practitioner exam
- Percentage of graduating students who receive jobs and in what areas
- Opinions from professors, employers, coworkers, and even past students
Should I take the GRE?
Many of those applying to nurse practitioner schools debate whether taking the GRE is the best decision. The answer depends on a few factors. First, do the nurse practitioner schools you want to attend require the GRE? Second, would your application benefit from GRE scores? Do you have enough time to take the GRE? And finally, how much does the GRE and study preparation cost?
Do the NP schools you want to attend in California require the GRE?
Finding a nurse practitioner school that best fits your needs, schedule, and preferences is essential in the school application process. Consider your top NP schools and research their application requirements. If you would like to attend a nurse practitioner school that requires the GRE, then you will need to take the exam. If not, keep reading to find out why you may still want to take the GRE.
Would your application benefit from GRE scores?
If the nurse practitioner schools you want to apply to do not require the GRE, consider taking the exam to further enhance your application. Many graduate schools prefer or even require applicants to take the GRE if they are not meeting all the required criteria in their application, such as a low GPA. Contact an admissions counselor to find out if the school would find you a better applicant by taking the GRE.
Also, take into consideration whether your score from the GRE will continue to add to your application (high score) or detract (low score) causing further concerns for admission counselors. Some schools have minimum acceptable required GRE scores for each section of the exam that needs to be met for admission into their NP program. This is another topic to research and discuss with the admissions counselor of each NP school you are applying to.
Do you have enough time to take the GRE?
It is generally recommended to study two to three months prior to taking the GRE. This timeline, however, depends on your current schedule and how well you would like to score on the exam. If you are working full time, moving, or involved with big projects, this does not give you much time to study for the GRE. Because of this, your study preparation may take longer.
If you need to improve your current GRE score by a significant amount, you will also need more preparation time. Keep in mind, improving a test score by 20 points or more can be a much more lengthy process compared to improving your score by only a few points.
The delivery of your GRE test scores may also take time to be sent to your designated schools. The computer version of the exam can take up to 10-15 days after you have taken the test to be sent. The paper version takes even longer, needing up to over a month since the test date to be sent to your requested school. Make sure you can meet school application deadlines while also allowing yourself the appropriate preparation and study time for the exam.
How much does the GRE cost?
The GRE test costs $205, and there are charges for additional fees such as late registration, rescheduling, changing test center locations, and final score reviews. The exam may cost more as well if you are taking in specific states such as West Virginia and South Dakota for tax purposes.
Other unexpected expenses you may incur for the exam preparation and study. Many test takers participate in GRE prep courses which can be expensive. The cost of practice tests, study guides, textbooks, tutors, access to practice question banks, and even GRE phone apps can add up quickly. Plan ahead of time to make sure you account for these possible expenses.
What is your experience with applying to Nurse Practitioner school?
Do you need to take the GRE? Did we forget to list a school? Do you have other questions? I’d love to hear from you and all about your experience with applying for nurse practitioner school!
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