Graduate Record Examination

Most PA programs require applicants to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Programs may have minimum acceptable scores and last acceptable test dates. Policies regarding the consideration of multiple sets of GRE scores vary by institution. GRE requirements for CASPA-participating institutions can be found here and also obtained and each individual school’s website.  

Some programs will accept the MCAT in place of the GRE.

The GRE revised General Test can be taken either on paper or electronically and consists of the following sections:

  • Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
  • Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
  • Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.

The GRE is scored on a 130-170 scale, in one-point increments, for the first two sections (i.e., Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning). The Analytical Writing portion is scored on a scale of 1-6, in half-point increments.

To find out where you can take the exam, additional detail on the structure, and what preparation you need to succeed, information can be found at http://www.ets.org/gre/.

Physician Assistant College Admission Test

The Physician Assistant College Admission Test (PA-CAT) is a 240-item test covering 9 science subject areas.  It takes 4.5-hours to complete.

Covered Subjects:

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • General Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • General and Organic Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Genetics
  • Statistics

The PA-CAT Exam is relatively new.  Some schools require it, others will accept either the GRE or the PA-CAT Exam, and some still require the GRE.  We recommend you carefully check the exam requirement for all of the schools to which you are applying.