A study of the effects of special preparation on GRE analytical scores and item types

A brief curriculum of special preparation for the analytical section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Aptitude Test was developed and administered to a sample of 25 self-selected GRE candidates. Ss' reactions to the materials and procedures used were obtained from a brief evaluation form given at the end of the course. The effects of the program on analytical scores were determined by comparing the scores subsequently obtained by the specially prepared candidates with the scores of 415 students taking the test on the same day at the same place. Analyses revealed an effect on analytical scores that was both practically and statistically significant. The effect stemmed from improved performance on 2 of the 3 analytical item types formerly included in the analytical section. Hypotheses concerning the components of the special preparation that led to the improvement are discussed. (17 ref)