<p>One of the schools (undergrad) that I am looking at appears to require students to pass the GRE subject test associated with their major in order to graduate. On top of this, one has to score in the top 15-20th percentile to graduate summa cum laude. Should this be viewed as red flag?</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of that. What is a “pass” on the GRE subject test anyway? Everything is percentiles relative only to those who take the exam which is not all of the students graduating in that major and probably not even all of the graduates who plan to go to graduate school.</p>
<p>Neither had I. I may not be understanding correctly, but it appears that at this particular institution, in order to receive a degree, one must take the GRE subject test (among other things) and then score at least in the 30th percentile. In order to receive honors, one must score in the 80-85th percentile. I know close to nothing about the GRE, but the 30th percentile seems pretty low, and in my opinion suggests that either the exam is very difficult, or that students at this particular school are likely to be unprepared. On the other hand, the 85th seems unusually high. If an individual had earned near perfect grades but didn’t do particularly well on the test (that is, anything below the 85th percentile), then their shot at receiving honors would be gone? Seems pretty rough to me. I know that many grad programs don’t even require the subject tests, so it seems like mandating them might actually end up doing students a disservice. Should I be weary of attending an institution with such a policy? </p>
<p>What school is this? It seems almost certain that you are reading the policy wrong.</p>
<p>I could very well be wrong. The school is Whitman College. Here is the page that talks about the graduation requirements for biology: <a href=“http://www.whitman.edu/academics/courses-of-study/biology/policies-and-requirements/graduation-requirements”>http://www.whitman.edu/academics/courses-of-study/biology/policies-and-requirements/graduation-requirements</a>. </p>
<p>Looks like you read it correctly but it does seem odd as a requirement. On the other hand, the rest of the requirements look a lot like a Master’s thesis defense and comprehensive exam. I guess you need to decide if this kind of requirement is for you or not. It looks like there are similar requirements for other majors too. It looks like this is the general philosophy of the college.</p>
<p>I’m not bothered by the thesis and oral defense, but the fact that so much is riding on a single standardized exam is a bit concerning. </p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your quick and thoughtful replies! </p>
<p>Ugh, I think they need to rethink this.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about it too much though. It appears that you only need to score in the 30th percentile to graduate. And since this is a departmental requirement, I would imagine that the department has an imperative to prepare their students for the test - so they probably don’t have too many problems with students passing it. I just think it’s weird not only that they require it, but they also require you to arrange for the exam and pay for it yourself.</p>
<p>If only that dept would refund the GRE sitting of students that scored above the 80th percentile…</p>
<p>Accrediting agencies are looking for all kinds of outcomes assessment. Different schools do it different ways. It could be that this is part of Whitman’s plan, or that it serves several purposes. Developing in-house measures can be very expensive.</p>