GRE scores are an important component of an application to a Physician Assistant program. While GRE requirements and expectations vary by school, understanding typical score ranges can help you assess your profile and target your programs effectively.
How Important is the GRE for PA Schools?
GRE is considered important for PA school admissions, along with other factors such as an applicant’s undergraduate GPA, healthcare experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. It would be best to take the GRE to increase your options for PA schools.
Is the GRE important for PA school?
The importance of the GRE for the Physician Assistant program varies among programs. Understanding the range of good and average GRE scores can help you gauge your standing. While some PA schools don’t require the GRE, submitting a score can potentially enhance your overall application.
What is on the GRE for PA schools?
The skills tested on the GRE include Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. It is recommended that students take the GRE in the spring (March/April) of their third year.
Here’s a detailed look at what’s on the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for PA school applicants:
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning measures your ability to understand and analyze written material. This section evaluates several key skills:
- Reading Comprehension: This test measures your ability to read and understand complex texts, including identifying the main ideas, understanding details, and drawing inferences.
- Text Completion: Assesses your ability to use contextual clues to fill in missing words within a passage, ensuring that the text remains coherent and meaningful.
- Sentence Equivalence: Evaluate your ability to find two choices that complete a sentence in a way that produces logically equivalent sentences.
Why verbal reasoning matters for PA school:
Strong verbal reasoning skills are essential for understanding medical literature, communicating with patients and colleagues, and performing well in PA program coursework.
What is a good GRE Verbal Reasoning score for PA school?
A GRE score of 155 to 160+ is considered good verbal reasoning for PA school.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning measures your mathematical skills and ability to solve quantitative problems. This section covers:
Arithmetic:
Basic mathematical operations, properties of numbers, and fundamental arithmetic concepts.
Algebra:
Solving equations, working with algebraic expressions, and understanding functions.
Geometry:
Understanding shapes, sizes, properties of space, and the relationships between different geometric figures.
Data Analysis:
Interpreting and analyzing data from graphs, charts, and tables, and applying statistical concepts.
Why does Quantitative reasoning matter for PA school?
Quantitative reasoning is crucial for interpreting medical data, calculating medication dosages, and engaging in evidence-based practice.
What is a good GRE Quantitative Reasoning score for PA school?
A GRE score of 155 to 160+ is considered good Quantitative Reasoning for PA school.
Analytical Writing
Analytical Writing measures your critical thinking and writing abilities. This section includes one task:
Analyze an Issue:
This assignment requires you to construct a well-organized essay on a given topic. You will present your perspective and support it with logical reasoning and examples.
Why analytical writing matters for PA school
Analytical writing skills are vital for writing clear and persuasive medical reports, conducting research, and effectively presenting findings.
GRE Scores for Top Physician Assistant (PA) Schools
Here’s an overview of GRE scores for top PA schools:
What is a good GRE score for PA School?
What is a competitive GRE score for pursuing a degree in PA? A good or competitive GRE score of 310 to 320 generally places you in a competitive position among applicants. For the top PA program, aiming for scores in the higher percentiles can improve your chances of admission.
- Verbal Reasoning: 155-160+
- Quantitative Reasoning: 155-160+
- Analytical Writing: 4.5-5.0+
These scores indicate strong verbal and quantitative abilities, as well as excellent analytical writing skills, which are crucial for success in the PA program.
What is the average GRE score for top PA schools?
An average GRE score of 300 to 310 for a PA program can give you an idea of the general benchmark.
- Verbal Reasoning: 150-154
- Quantitative Reasoning: 150-154
- Analytical Writing: 4.0-4.5
Scoring in this range suggests that you are on par with the average applicant to these competitive programs.
PA Programs and Their GRE Requirements
1. Duke University
- Average GRE Score: 310
- Verbal Reasoning: 155
- Quantitative Reasoning: 155
- Analytical Writing: 4.5
2. University of Iowa
- Average GRE Score: 306
- Verbal Reasoning: 153
- Quantitative Reasoning: 153
- Analytical Writing: 4.0
3. George Washington University
- Average GRE Score: 310
- Verbal Reasoning: 155
- Quantitative Reasoning: 155
- Analytical Writing: 4.0
4. University of Utah
- Average GRE Score: 306
- Verbal Reasoning: 153
- Quantitative Reasoning: 153
- Analytical Writing: 4.0
Is 311 a good GRE score for PA school?
A 310 GRE score can make you a competitive applicant for a PA program with an average GRE score of around 310. Scores above 310 are considered very competitive. The GRE is generally considered important for PA school admissions. However, GRE scores aren’t the only factor, and applicants should focus on strengthening their overall profile.
Can I get into PA schools with a 300 GRE score?
Most PA schools will accept applicants with a minimum GRE score of 300. A score of 300 is considered decent. A score above 310 is considered competitive, and a score above 320 is excellent for a PA program.
Is 295 or 290 a good GRE score for PA schools?
Is there a minimum GRE score required for admission to PA schools? In some universities, a minimum combined GRE score of 290 is needed for full admission. The results of all three components (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections) of the general GRE exam must be provided. In some universities, 300 is required, 310 is considered a good score, and 320 is considered an excellent score for top universities in the US. Physician Assistants need to understand the GRE scores before they apply.
Do PA schools accept GRE scores?
Yes, the majority of PA schools accept GRE scores. For example, students in the Mississippi College Physician Assistant Program are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test.
How to prepare for the GRE for PA school?
To perform well on the GRE and strengthen your PA program application, consider the following preparation strategies:
Study Materials
Use scholarden.com authentic GRE resources to prepare for the GRE online.
Learn Concepts
Concentrate on your weaker areas, whether it’s vocabulary for the verbal section or specific math concepts for the quantitative section.
Practice Questions
Regularly practice questions under timed conditions to enhance your skills.
Practice Tests
Take full-length practice tests to build stamina, improve time management, and identify weak areas for improvement.
What are the top Physician Assistant schools that do not require a GRE score?
Several top Physician Assistant (PA) schools in the United States do not require the GRE for admission. Here are some of them:
PA Schools that Do Not Require GRE
- Emory University
- Emory’s PA program is known for its rigorous curriculum and strong clinical training. Its holistic admissions process emphasizes healthcare experience and academic achievement over standardized test scores.
- George Washington University
- GWU’s PA program emphasizes community health and preventative medicine. It does not require the GRE, instead focusing on academic performance, healthcare experience, and personal attributes.
- University of Utah
- The University of Utah’s PA program is known for its focus on rural and underserved communities. The program does not require the GRE for admission.
- Drexel University
- Drexel’s PA program offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates didactic learning with clinical practice. They do not require the GRE for admission.
- University of Colorado
- The University of Colorado PA program offers a strong focus on interprofessional education and collaborative practice. They do not require the GRE for admission.
- University of Colorado PA Program
- Rosalind Franklin University
- This program emphasizes interprofessional education and training in a variety of healthcare settings. The GRE is not required for admission.
- Quinnipiac University
- Quinnipiac’s PA program offers a holistic admissions process that does not require the GRE. They focus on a candidate’s academic background and healthcare experience.
Does the GRE Matter in PA School Admissions? The importance of the GRE for PA school admissions varies among programs. For programs that do require the GRE, the weight placed on the exam can also vary. The GRE is a comprehensive test that assesses critical skills necessary for success in a physician assistant (PA) program. By understanding the content and purpose of each section, you can tailor your preparation to meet the demands of the exam and enhance your readiness for a career in a PA program.
Competitive GRE scores can significantly enhance your application to the top PA program. By understanding the good and average score ranges, you can better assess your profile and focus your preparation efforts. With diligent study and effective test-taking strategies, you can achieve the scores needed to strengthen your application to the leading Physician Assistant (PA Program).
Read on: New Shorter GRE
