The Relationship Between the Graduate Record Examinations Aptitude Test and Graduate Grade Point Average in a Master of Arts in Counseling Program

Abstract

This study was concerned with a determination of the predictive validity of the Graduate Record Examinations Aptitude Test: the verbal section (GRE-V), the quantitative portion (GRE-Q) and the total score (GRE-T). The criterion variable was the graduate grade point average (GGPA); subjects were 135 students enrolled in a Master of Arts in Counseling Program (MAC) at an urban university. The GRE-V part was correlated significantly with GGPA (.26), whereas the GRE-Q was not. The GRE-T score was correlated .24 with GGPA. It would appear that the GRE-V portion largely contributed to this correlation. These findings raise questions regarding the adequacy of the predictive validity of the GRE Aptitude Test for this sample of students for the criterion measure employed.

Selecting Tomorrow’s Forensic Psychologists: a Fresh Look at Some Familiar Predictors

“…One thing we expected to find, but did not, is a substantial difference in prediction using separate verbal and quantitative subscores rather than a combined GRE total score. Other researchers have found that the practice of combining the GRE scores to predict first-term GPA reduced the predictive validity from that obtained using separate scores (Bean, 1975;Camp & Clawson, 1979;House et al, 1987;Kaczmarek & Franco, 1986). The pattern for the present data was consistent with prior research insofar as separate GRE subscores accounted for a greater proportion of the variance in GGPA (R 2 = 0.34 vs. R 2 = 0.32).…”

“…Studies specifically targeting psychology students have generally fit the pattern of other social sciences (Bean, 1975;Camp & Clawson, 1979;Dollinger, 1989;Federici & Schuerger, 1974;Hackman, Wigins, & Bass, 1970;Herbert & Holmes, 1979;Holmes & Beishline, 1996;House & Johnson, 1992;House, Johnson, & Tolone, 1987;Ingram, 1983;Kaczmarek & Franco, 1986;Marston, 1971;Mehrabian, 1969;Newman, 1968;Powell & Geisinger, 1981;Sternberg, 1997;Willingham, 1974). Although the above authors are not always in agreement, three common themes emerge: (a) GRE scores serve as useful predictors of various criteria, (b) there remains ample room for improvement in prediction, and (c) ongoing research, including more validation studies, is desirable.…”

Predictors of Success on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination

“…Scores on the GRE tests have long been used by graduate colleges and programs alike as an indicator of future success in graduate school. However, the literature is discordant regarding the effectiveness of using GRE scores as a predictor of success in graduate studies (Camp & Clawson, 1979;Ingram, 1983;Kuncel, Hezlett, & Ones, 2001). For example, Morrison and Morrison (1995) explored the relationships between graduate student grade point averages (GPAs), GRE General Test Verbal Reasoning (GRE-V) scores, and GRE General Test Quantitative Reasoning (GRE-Q) scores, and found minimal predictive validity for academic achievement, with GRE scores accounting for only 6.3% of the variability in GPAs.…”