GRE vs. MAT

Mostly kind of wondering what the test's really like. I've looked at some of the GRE and MAT review books and the questions don't seem all that difficult. I hesitate to say that out loud in case I jinx myself.

The school I'm considering requires either the GRE or MAT; the director of the program told me that most students take the MAT. My only concern is with math as the last math course I took was graduate level biostatistics back in 2003. The MAT seems to be more based on understanding mathematic principles rather than being able to perform complicated equations in my head.

I do pretty well in standardized tests and think I'll be okay with either one. Leaning toward the MAT, though, since that was the advice given by the program director. I'm not necessarily looking to see which test is easier, though that's a plus, but I just want to get over this hurdle and get moving!

Now that I've decided for sure I'm going the RN to PhD route, I'm antsy to get going!

Thank you both for your responses!

Okay---I'm taking the MAT next week. I've been studying. Going over the lists of important facts, vocabulary lists, sample tests.

So how much more difficult is the test than the sample tests in the booklets?

I guess I'm feeling a bit stressed as I haven't taken a standardized test since nursing boards back in 1980!

Any tips to help me feel less nervous about this?

Thank you!

I survived the MAT! The test itself was okay; I had gotten a couple of review books and did lots of practice tests. Getting to the test site was----well, let's just say getting there was NOT half the fun. There is a ton of street construction around the campus where I took the test---plus there were no campus maps posted so I had no idea where I was going. Because of all the construction I was a couple of minutes late---but as I was the only person taking the test, I still got to do it.

My husband said I was talking in my sleep the night before the test and he thought I was figuring out analogies. Told him he's going to be learning a LOT about nursing over the next couple of years as I go through this PhD program. I'm sure he's thrilled about that!

I think I am still going to be a bit hyper, though, until I get my official score, dot my t's and cross my i's and am officially admitted.

Thanks again for the encouragement and sound advice! I may ask for a bit more while I wait on the school's decision.