GRE Psychology Subject Test 2025

Complete Guide to Graduate Record Examination Psychology Test

GRE Psychology Test: Quick Overview

Administered By	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Test Format	Paper-based, Computer-delivered multiple-choice test
Number of Questions	Approximately 144 multiple-choice questions
Test Duration	2 hours 50 minutes
Frequency	3 times per year (September, October, April)
Score Reporting	Total score + 6 subscores (Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical, Measurement)
Test Fee	$150 USD (varies by location)
Official Website	GRE Subject Tests

What is the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

The GRE Psychology Subject Test is a specialized examination designed to assess undergraduate knowledge in psychology. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), this test measures achievement in psychology and helps graduate school admissions committees evaluate applicants' readiness for advanced study in psychological sciences and related fields.

The test consists of approximately 144 multiple-choice questions drawn from courses commonly encountered in undergraduate psychology programs. Questions require not only factual knowledge but also the ability to analyze relationships, apply principles, draw conclusions from data, and evaluate research designs. The content reflects the relative emphases placed on various psychology topics in most undergraduate curricula.

The GRE Psychology Test yields six subscores in addition to the total score: Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical, and Measurement/Methodology. This detailed scoring helps admissions committees understand an applicant's strengths across different areas of psychology, making it particularly valuable for students applying to competitive graduate programs in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and related fields.

GRE Psychology Test Dates 2025-2026

⚠️ Registration Opens July 2025: The GRE Subject Tests are offered three times per year during specific two-week windows. Plan your preparation timeline accordingly.

Official Test Windows 2025-2026

Test Window	Test Dates	Best For
Fall Window 1	September 8-21, 2025	Early fall applications, PhD programs
Fall Window 2	October 13-26, 2025	December/January deadlines, Master's programs
Spring Window	April 20 - May 3, 2026	Fall 2026 admissions, retake opportunity

Important Registration Information

Retesting Policy: You can take a GRE Subject Test once every 14 days
Registration Opens: July 2025 for 2025-26 testing year
Score Delivery: Allow time for score delivery and university processing
Available Worldwide: Administered at computer-delivered test centers globally
Official Scheduling: Schedule Your Test

GRE Psychology Test Content & Structure

Six Content Areas & Subscores

The test provides both a total score and six subscores corresponding to major areas of psychology:

🧠 Biological (17-21%)

~30 questions

Sensation & Perception (5-7%)
Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience (12-14%)
Neurons, sensory/motor structures
Cognitive neuroscience, hormonal factors
States of consciousness, comparative psychology

🧩 Cognitive (17-24%)

~29 questions

Learning (3-5%) - Classical, instrumental conditioning
Memory (7-9%) - Working, long-term memory
Language (3-4%) - Syntax, semantics, bilingualism
Thinking (4-6%) - Problem solving, intelligence
Categorization, metacognition, decision-making

👥 Social (12-14%)

~19 questions

Social perception, cognition, attribution
Attitudes and behavior
Conformity, influence, persuasion
Group processes, interpersonal attraction
Cultural/gender influences, evolutionary psychology

🌱 Developmental (12-14%)

~18 questions

Nature-nurture interactions
Physical, motor, perceptual development
Cognitive development, language acquisition
Social, personality, emotional development
Socialization, family, cultural influences

🏥 Clinical (15-19%)

~23 questions

Personality (3-5%) - Theories, assessment
Clinical/Abnormal (12-14%)
Diagnostic systems (DSM-5), assessment
Treatment of disorders, epidemiology
Health psychology, cultural/gender issues

📊 Measurement/Methodology (15-19%)

Questions distributed throughout test

Psychometrics (11-13%) - Test construction, reliability, validity
Research design methodology
Statistical procedures and interpretation
Ethics and legal issues
History, industrial-organizational, educational (4-6%)

Question Types & Format

Types of Questions You'll Encounter

📋 Factual Knowledge

Questions testing recall of:

Key psychological theories
Historical figures and contributions
Research findings and principles
Terminology and definitions

🔧 Application Questions

Questions requiring:

Applying principles to new situations
Analyzing cause-effect relationships
Interpreting experimental results
Evaluating research methodologies

📈 Data Analysis

Questions involving:

Interpreting graphs and charts
Drawing conclusions from data
Statistical significance interpretation
Research design evaluation

📝 Test Format Details

Multiple Choice: All questions have 5 answer options (A, B, C, D, E)
No Penalty: No points deducted for incorrect answers - guess if unsure
Stimulus Materials: Some questions refer to graphs, experiments, or research descriptions
DSM-5 Based: Clinical questions follow DSM-5 terminology and classifications
Undergraduate Level: Questions based on typical undergraduate psychology curriculum

Key Statistical Concepts & Formulas

Essential Statistics for Psychology GRE

Understanding these statistical concepts and formulas is crucial for success on measurement and methodology questions:

📊 Descriptive Statistics

Mean: $ \bar{x} = \frac{\sum x}{n} $

Variance: $ s^2 = \frac{\sum (x - \bar{x})^2}{n-1} $

Standard Deviation: $ s = \sqrt{s^2} $

Z-Score: $ z = \frac{x - \bar{x}}{s} $

📈 Correlation & Regression

Pearson r: $ r = \frac{\sum (x - \bar{x})(y - \bar{y})}{\sqrt{\sum (x - \bar{x})^2 \sum (y - \bar{y})^2}} $

Coefficient of Determination: $ r^2 $

Regression Line: $ \hat{y} = a + bx $

🔬 Hypothesis Testing

t-test (one sample): $ t = \frac{\bar{x} - \mu}{s/\sqrt{n}} $

t-test (two sample): $ t = \frac{\bar{x_1} - \bar{x_2}}{s_p\sqrt{\frac{1}{n_1} + \frac{1}{n_2}}} $

Effect Size (Cohen's d): $ d = \frac{\bar{x_1} - \bar{x_2}}{s_p} $

🎯 Psychometrics

Cronbach's α: $ \alpha = \frac{k}{k-1}\left(1 - \frac{\sum s_i^2}{s_t^2}\right) $

Standard Error: $ SE = s\sqrt{1 - r_{xx}} $

Spearman-Brown: $ r_{kk} = \frac{kr_{11}}{1 + (k-1)r_{11}} $

Who Should Take the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

Ideal Candidates

🎓 PhD Program Applicants

Clinical Psychology PhD programs
Experimental Psychology programs
Cognitive Psychology/Neuroscience
Social Psychology programs
Developmental Psychology programs

🔬 Research-Oriented Programs

Programs emphasizing research methodology
Competitive research universities
Programs with specific subject test requirements
Fellowship and scholarship applications
International students strengthening applications

🔄 Non-Psychology Majors

Career changers entering psychology
Students with limited psych background
Demonstrating subject matter competency
Compensating for lower undergraduate GPA
International degree holders

⚠️ Consider Carefully If:

Your target programs don't require or recommend subject tests
You have limited time to prepare (less than 2 months)
Your undergraduate psychology background is weak
You're applying to professional programs (PsyD, counseling) that don't emphasize research
You have strong undergraduate credentials and research experience

GRE Psychology Test Preparation Strategy

3-Month Preparation Timeline

Month 1: Foundation Review

Take diagnostic test to identify weak areas
Review undergraduate textbooks systematically by area
Create content outlines for each of the 6 major areas
Focus on memorization of key theories, researchers, terms
Complete 25% of practice questions

Month 2: Application & Practice

Practice application questions linking theory to research
Master statistical concepts and research methodology
Take timed section tests to build speed
Review DSM-5 criteria for major disorders
Complete 50% of available practice questions

Month 3: Integration & Test Taking

Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions
Focus on weak areas identified in practice tests
Practice test-taking strategies (elimination, guessing)
Review all practice questions and understand mistakes
Final review of key concepts and formulas

Essential Preparation Tips

📚 Use Official Materials: Download the free official practice book from ETS with actual test questions from previous years.
📖 Review Undergraduate Textbooks: Focus on comprehensive texts covering all six areas - biological, cognitive, social, developmental, clinical, and methodology.
🔬 Emphasize Research Methods: Understand experimental design, statistical analysis, and interpretation of research findings.
📊 Master Basic Statistics: Know formulas for correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, reliability, and validity measures.
🧠 Memorize Key Information: Names, dates, theories, and research findings - much of the test requires factual recall.
⏱️ Practice Time Management: With 144 questions in 170 minutes, you have about 1.2 minutes per question.
🎯 Focus on Weak Areas: Spend extra time on your lowest-scoring content areas from diagnostic tests.
📋 Review DSM-5: Clinical questions follow current diagnostic criteria and classification systems.

Scoring & Score Interpretation

Score Structure

The GRE Psychology Subject Test provides seven distinct scores:

Score Type	Score Range	Description
Total Score	200-990	Overall performance across all areas
Biological Subscore	20-99	Sensation, perception, neuroscience
Cognitive Subscore	20-99	Learning, memory, language, thinking
Social Subscore	20-99	Social psychology topics
Developmental Subscore	20-99	Developmental psychology
Clinical Subscore	20-99	Personality, abnormal, clinical
Measurement Subscore	20-99	Statistics, research methods, psychometrics

Score Interpretation Guidelines

🏆 Competitive Scores

Total Score 700+: 75th percentile and above
Top PhD Programs: Often expect 750+ scores
Clinical Programs: May require 720+ total
Research Programs: Focus on methodology subscore

📊 Average Performance

Total Score 600-700: 25th-75th percentile
Median Score: Approximately 650
Subscore Balance: Important for program fit
Most Programs: Accept scores in this range

📈 Score Improvement

Retesting: Available every 14 days
Score Choice: Send your best scores
Focused Study: Target weak subscores
Practice Effect: Often see 20-40 point improvement

Official GRE Psychology Resources & Links

GRE Subject Tests Homepage	About GRE Subject Tests
Test Content & Structure	Psychology Test Structure
Official Practice Materials	Psychology Fact Sheet (PDF)
Schedule Your Test	Test Scheduling Portal
Registration	Subject Test Registration
Score Users Information	For Admissions Offices
ETS Main Website	www.ets.org

Free Practice Materials & Resources

Official ETS Free Resources

📋 Practice Test Book

Full-length practice test with actual questions
Detailed content outline for all areas
Answer key with explanations
Test-taking strategies and tips
Scoring information and interpretation

📊 Content Specifications

Detailed breakdown of test content
Percentage of questions per area
Sample question types and formats
Learning objectives for each section
Recommended preparation strategies

💡 Additional Preparation Tips

Use Multiple Sources: Combine official materials with undergraduate textbooks for comprehensive coverage
Form Study Groups: Collaborate with other psychology students preparing for the test
Create Flashcards: Essential for memorizing key terms, researchers, and theories
Practice Regularly: Consistent daily study is more effective than cramming
Seek Faculty Guidance: Psychology professors can recommend key topics and resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the GRE Psychology Subject Test required for graduate school?

A: It depends on the program. Many competitive PhD programs in psychology recommend or require subject tests, while others do not. Check specific program requirements for your target schools.

Q: How long should I study for the GRE Psychology test?

A: Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, studying 10-15 hours per week. Students with strong undergraduate psychology backgrounds may need less time, while career changers may need longer.

Q: Can I take both the GRE General Test and Psychology Subject Test?

A: Yes, many students take both. The General Test is more widely required, while the Subject Test demonstrates specific expertise in psychology. Plan your testing schedule to allow adequate preparation for both.

Q: What's considered a good score on the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

A: "Good" depends on your target programs. Generally, scores above 700 (75th percentile) are competitive for most programs, while top-tier PhD programs may expect scores of 750+ (90th percentile).

Q: How are the subscores used by admissions committees?

A: Subscores help programs assess fit between applicants and their specific focus areas. For example, cognitive psychology programs may pay special attention to the cognitive and methodology subscores.

Q: Can I retake the GRE Psychology Subject Test?

A: Yes, you can retake the test once every 14 days. ETS will report all scores from the past 5 years unless you use the ScoreSelect option to send only your best scores to schools.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This comprehensive guide to the GRE Psychology Subject Test is based on official ETS sources and publicly available information as of 2025. Test content, dates, fees, and policies are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information through the official ETS website at www.ets.org/gre before registering or making decisions. Individual program requirements vary significantly—consult specific graduate programs for their GRE Psychology Subject Test requirements and score expectations. Test preparation strategies and score interpretations are general recommendations and may not apply to all individuals or programs. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered official testing guidance from ETS or any educational institution.