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Trends in the GRE Scores Reported to the NSF and to Selected Graduate Schools: 1974-1980 GRE NSF

Author(s):
Hilton, Thomas L.
Publication Year:
1982
Report Number:
RR-82-04
Source:
ETS Research Report
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
41
Subject/Key Words:
Fellowships, Gifted, Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), National Science Foundation (NSF), Scores

Abstract

Trends from 1974 to 1980 in the mean GRE scores for two selected samples were examined. The subjects of the first sample were applicants for NSF Graduate Fellowships, and the second sample were examinees who, in approximately the same time period, had their scores sent to a sample of leading U.S. graduate schools, defined as those schools selected by the largest number of NSF Graduate Fellowship Awardees in 1978, 1979, and 1980. The data analysis indicated, first, that the test score means for NSF applicants were generally stable, with the exception of means for the Advanced Test in Sociology, which declined, and Mathematics, which moved upward. The second analysis indicated that the superiority of the means for examinees sending scores to leading schools remained fairly constant from 1975 through 1980 except for Engineering and Mathematics for which the margin decreased and Psychology for which it increased. Thus, as far as these special samples are concerned, there is no evidence of a pervasive decline in test scores. (41pp.)

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