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Why Was The PPI Added To The GRE?

By: Rich Allen


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Just as high school seniors have to take the ACT or SAT tests for entrance into college, college seniors hoping to enter graduate school programs must take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). The GRE measures a number of factors that are used to forecast the student's likelihood of achievement in graduate school. Test scores combined with grade point averages and other information allow graduate programs to indicate the best candidates for their programs.

A drawback noted by many graduate schools was a high rate of attrition among graduate students. Another issue was the length of time it took some students to complete the program. Generally, graduate programs at the masters level take two years to complete, but there is flexibility and some students take longer that two years. Doctorate programs should usually be completed in two to three years, but many graduate students take much longer.

The second reason for the PPI was to forecast success for underrepresented groups of students whose test scores or grades might not fully represent their capability in graduate school. Evaluators can use the PPI in determining whether a student with a lower grade point average or GRE score may have a greater potential for completing graduate school than another student with higher grades and a better GRE score.

Educational Testing Service (ETS), which designs tests such as the SAT and the GRE, was asked by graduate schools to address these issues in the testing process. In response to the needs of the graduate programs, ETS added the Personal Potential Index (PPI) to the GRE in July of 2009. The PPI is designed to measure six personal attributes of the graduate school applicant which are predictors of his capability to complete his graduate studies in a timely manner.
The six areas targeted by the PPI are knowledge and creativity, communication skills, ethics and integrity, resilience, planning and organization and teamwork. The basis behind the PPI is that these attributes are functions of the applicant's character. A balanced PPI is an sign that an applicant possesses all the characteristics that make it likely he will complete his graduate studies.

PPI scores will play a role in the selection of candidates for graduate programs. It remains to be seen how much graduate programs will depend on PPI scores when selecting candidates. The test is too new for any distinct predictions on how much it will influence a student's likelihood of being selected for a graduate program. The only power a student has in the PPI is in selecting the advisors or employers who will answer the questions for the PPI evaluation.
According to ETS, the PPI isn't intended to replace letters of recommendation, but to complement those letters. The PPI is a multiple choice questionnaire which asks the evaluator to select one of five answers to questions regarding personal attributes of the student applying for graduate school. Applicants will need to choose their evaluators cautiously in order to insure a positive score on the PPI test.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

My name is Thad Newton and my website is www.ppitest.com Well, it's really quite simple. I know I can help thousands of people on this test and I want to become the #1 expert for all time on the PPI Test (Right now I am the only one, but there will be imitators, I assure you). By helping 1,000 students excel on this test (I am limiting the enrollment) I will prove myself to be the #1 expert in the world with this all important Graduate School qualifying test.

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