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M.A.T vs G.R.E.

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: M.A.T vs G.R.E. users admin

Author Message
Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 1:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
Help! I just realized that I have only a few months to get my application junk in for grad school - yes I was too busy procrastinating. Given that I got my BA in 1998 and haven't really had a math class since Jr. year of high school (1992) what should I do? I was just informed that for the program I want to get into, I can take either the MATs or the GREs. What is easier to study for?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 3:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I talked to my dad and he says the MAT was miserable (does the M stand for Miller?) If so, he says that was horrible (at least for him.) He says the GRE is no picnic either, but not as bad as the MAT. Hope that helps.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 3:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
The GRE vs. The MAT

When researching graduate school programs, some students discover that the program of their choice will accept scores from either the GRE or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Because the two tests are very different, you may find that taking one test is more advantageous for you. Below we discuss the differences between the two tests.

The MAT, unlike other exams, has only one question type—analogies. The analogy questions on the MAT test an extremely broad range of topics and concepts including geography, history, vocabulary, art, science, math, modern events, sequence of letters and words, literature, and grammar. Students with a well-rounded humanities background tend to do well on the MAT, but the MAT’s wide subject range can be intimidating and lend a degree of uncertainty to your test performance.

Here is a sample MAT question:

BACH : MUSIC :: MONET :

(a) painting
(b) architecture
(c) design
(d) dance

The correct answer is (a) because the composer BACH is associated with MUSIC in the same way that MONET is associated with (a) PAINTING. Overall, this question is considered to be on the easier end of the MAT spectrum.

The MAT, unlike the GRE, is a paper format exam that features 120 questions administered in a 60 minute time period. Thus, you must work quickly to complete all of the questions. MAT scores are reported in 3 ways:

The raw score (the number of questions answered correctly);
Percentile score in relation to other test takers in your intended major; and
Percentile score in relation to all MAT takers.
In contrast, the GRE is a longer test with a wider variety of questions types. The GRE is composed of three different sections which test students on their math, verbal, and writing ability:

The Verbal section of the GRE consists of antonyms, analogies, sentence completion, and reading comprehension. Like the MAT, much of the Verbal section’s antonyms, analogies, and sentence completion, much, tests students’ vocabulary skills.

The Quantitative section of the GRE focuses on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and word problems.
The Analytical Writing section of the GRE provides two prompts; one prompt asks the student to analyze an issue and the other asks the student to take a position on an issue and present an argument for the issue.
GRE scores a provided in three different scores: one for the Verbal section, one for the Quantitative section, and one for the Analytical Writing section. The way the GRE reports scores is helpful for students who are applying to programs that are more interested in either your Verbal or Quantitative score.

Overall, although the MAT and GRE share the analogy question format, they are very different tests. The most important factor in deciding whether to take the GRE or MAT is determining which exam will produce the best score for you. The GRE obviously has math and writing sections, and therefore, if you are weak in math or writing the MAT may be the better option. If you are strong in reading comprehension or math (which on the GRE is at the high school level) the GRE gives you opportunity to pick up some easy points.

If you have the choice of taking one test or the other, keep these considerations in mind:

Are you a good writer or strong in math? If so, the GRE may be better test for you.

Are you a poor writer or weak in math? If so, the MAT may be better test for you.

Are you weak at trivia, especially trivia that can be difficult and require knowledge of a variety of disciplines? If so, avoid the MAT.

Do you become easily fatigued when testing? Since the MAT is considerably shorter than the GRE, the MAT might produce a better result.

Are you applying to programs that only require proficiency in one specific area? The GRE is probably the better test since it reports individual Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores.

Would you like an organized study plan and the option of live classes and tutoring if needed? If so, the GRE is the far better choice since there are very few options for MAT preparation beyond a few books on the market. For the GRE, on the other hand, there are many choices, including live preparation courses and tutoring.
Regardless of whether you decide to take the GRE or MAT, contact each school you intend on applying to for information on required exams for admission. You may find that one of the tests gives you an edge that you can use to your advantage!

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 4:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
thanks! that really helps - I think I'm going to look online for practice tests and see which ones feels easier without studying. . . I don't have much time. . .

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Grace....check to see which test is offered in your area, and what it costs. Sometimes the cost difference is really big. The MAT isn't given as many places as the GRE, but when I was looking at grad schools, the place that offered the MAT gave it frequently. Also check to see if you can take it at an online place like Sylvan. You can get your results sooner.

I used to give these tests. :-)

If you don't like math, do the MAT.
If you hate analogies, do the GRE.

Good luck to you!

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 6:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
yeah I'm really leaning to the MAT's since I haven't taken math in so long. . . .

Kiersten_love
Member

08-03-2001

Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 9:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kiersten_love a private message Print Post    
Grace, I took the GRE's and it was tough, like you I was out of school for many years, and I decided to go back for my Master's. I took a course for a few weeks in GRE's right after that, and had to wait quite awhile for the scores, but at least when you register for the test and apply to schools you can assign the GRE scores to be sent to the schools. I think that the GRE's may be a bit more easier, and yes the GRE"s have a section that is analogy as well. Good luck

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 11:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
I took the GRE's too when I thought graduate school was a possibility (changed my mind.) Like Kiersten, I found them tough and to be honest, I don't think I did so well. Can't remember what I got though; just don't think it was great. LOL!

Schoolmarm
Member

02-18-2001

Friday, March 10, 2006 - 12:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Schoolmarm a private message Print Post    
Get a practice book and then set the timer and take a test or two every day. It is GREAT prep for any of these tests. I had to take both when I was applying for my PhD. University of Illinois likes the MAT, everywhere else wanted the GRE.

There is a practice book for the MAT as well as the GRE. There might be online practice tests, too.

At least get yourself familiar with the directions so you don't have to use up time reading them.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, March 10, 2006 - 6:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Great idea about learning the directions ahead of time!

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Friday, March 10, 2006 - 10:41 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tishala a private message Print Post    
I never did the MAT so I don't know how it is, but I took the GRE twice. The first time I didn't do as well as I thought I should have (I didn't prepare well) so I did it a second time. I'm NO math whiz--that's an understatement--and I didn't think the math was too hard. It's definitely easier than the SAT math. My scores after better preparation were much much better and schools usually only look at the top scores. (As it turns out, I also had to take the English Literature subject test and I was always very, very average at it because it tested knowledge more than text-taking ability.)

The secret to the verbal portion of the GRE is to make flash cards with vocabulary words. I got my list in the Kaplan and the Princeton Review prep booklets and just studied them over and over. That's really what you need for the analogies and the sentence completion. And don't overthink the analogies--that was my big problem the first time.

When I took the GRE it had a logic section. I guess it doesn't now.

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Friday, March 10, 2006 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
I took the GREs about 20 years ago when they first added a logic sort of score (I don't even know if they still have that). I got a 700 on the verbal, 800 on the quantitative, and an 800 on the logic part.

And my mother said to me, "Really? You know, you always did score lower on the verbal parts of those types of tests..."

Thanks Mom....

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 9:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
I took a couple online practice tests and found I liked the MAT style better - it'll be less actual studying for me. The GRE practice had fractions and square roots and I started to glaze over. . .I know it can be reviewed, but I don't think I have the time to devote to it. . .I know I sound like I am being lazy - well I am.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 7:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Graceunderfyre, have you decided definitely on taking one of the tests? Which one? Is the test soon? Give us an update! :-)