GRE vs. MAT

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 19, 2009

I have taken the GRE. Most grad nursing programs require this exam. What would you like to know about it, Moogie?

buster4 · Jul 20, 2009

If you have the option,, I would recommend the MAT.. instead of the GRE.. my program gave the option to choose MAT or GRE... I chose the MAT.. I think it is easier than the GRE.. not saying it is easy.. but better than the GRE..

Moogie · Jul 20, 2009

I have taken the GRE. Most grad nursing programs require this exam. What would you like to know about it, Moogie?

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!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 20, 2009

I'd say if most of the school's students choose to take the MAT, there must be a reason for that.

Here is general info about the GRE, and here is an official practice test.

Here is general info about the MAT, and here is an official study guide for that.

Good luck on whichever you choose, and it's a good thing to start studying for either one fairly early.

Calzonan RN · Jul 21, 2009

My college offered the choice of the GRE or the MAT. I chose the MAT because it was only an hour long. I just didn't have the time to study up on my math or take a class to prep for the GRE or to spend the day testing. I ended up getting a high enough score on the MAT to qualify for the school I'm applying to, so it was a great experience for me. Plus it was easy to set up a date/time to take the test and since I'm restricted on time, this worked out really well.

Good luck

Fade to Black... · Jul 22, 2009

These are all the same reasons I took the MAT instead of the GRE. I didn't really have the time (or desire) to go back and study math, comprehension, etc. because I was trying to finish up my last semester of undergrad. I just bought a review book for the MAT and answered the questions in my free time.

I imagine that you know how the test works. It's about an hour long and consists of 120 analogies. I felt like it tested you on everything that you ever learned in life lol. I don't remember any specific test questions, but I remember the study guide had analogies about Greek Mythology, Basic Math, History, Geography, Grammar, etc. It sounds a lot harder than it really is, but I studied for about a month before the test and scored well enough to get into my chosen program. Good luck with your decision and test!

Moogie · Jul 31, 2009

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! :eek:

Any tips to help me feel less nervous about this?

Thank you!

Moogie · Aug 5, 2009

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! :chuckle

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.

Mexarican · Aug 6, 2009

If your school gave you the choice and you know thats the school you want then the MAT is the way to go. The GRE is usually preferred at a greater number of graduate schools/programs and it's only beneficial when your applying to several schools some of which prefer the GRE over the MAT.

Mex