The GRE
A good predictor of graduate school performance is a combination of grades and GRE scores. Most graduate schools require scores from the General GRE as part of your application.
When to Take the GRE
It is best if you take the GRE in October of your senior year. Later tests might not be scored in time to catch up with your applications. Scores for the October test arrive early enough for you to modify your school selections and (if necessary) retake the GRE.
All scores from any GRE test you take will be reported to schools. For this reason, we do not recommend taking an official GRE test just for practice. A better study strategy is to focus on the study guide sample exams. However, if you were sick and performed poorly on the day of the GRE, a retest would be worthwhile. If you take the GRE more than once, your higher score will have a greater weight in admissions.
Interpreting Your GRE scores
The Quantitative and Verbal GRE scores are the most important for most psychology programs. You are in good shape if your General GRE scores are above the averages for the program you are considering.
Subject Test
Graduate schools use the Psychology subject test score to compare applicants. It is something of an equalizer because students take different numbers and types of of psychology courses. The subject test lets schools know how much knowledge individuals are retaining.
Not all schools require a subject test. You may want to take the general test in October and if any school requires the psychology exam, you could take that section later.
