Graduate Record Examination Scores and Academic Background Variables as Predictors of Graduate Degree Completion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and academic background variables for graduate degree completion in psychology. Stepwise logistic regression procedures were used to analyze the relative contribution of each GRE score and academic background variable toward explaining subsequent degree completion. GRE Verbal scores entered the prediction equation first as the best predictor of degree completion for students in professional psychology areas but entered the equation last for students in general/ experimental psychology. The results of this study indicated that the predictor variables did not predict similarly for all graduate students in psychology. The results of this study have implications for faculty involved in the selection of students for graduate study in psychology.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Afifi, A. A. (1990). Computer-aided multivariate analysis (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold.

Boudreau, R. A. , Killip, S. M. , MacInnis, S. H. , Milloy, D. G. , and Rogers, T. B. (1983). An evaluation of Graduate Record Examinations as predictors of graduate success in a Canadian context. Canadian Psychology, 24, 191-199.

Dollinger, S. J. (1989). Predictive validity of the Graduate Record Examination in a clinical psychology program. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 20, 56-58.

Educational Testing Service . (1948-1990). Graduate Record Examination. Princeton, NJ: Author.

Federici, L. and Schuerger, J. (1974). Prediction of success in an applied M.A. psychology program. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 34, 945-952.

Hackman, J. R. , Wiggins, N. , and Bass, A. R. (1970). Prediction of long-term success in doctoral work in psychology. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30, 365-374.

House, J. D. (1983). Effects of restriction of range on predictive validity for the Graduate Record Examination. Psychological Reports, 53, 710.

House, J. D. , Johnson, J. J. , and Tolone, W. L. (1987). Predictive validity of the Graduate Record Examination for performance in selected graduate psychology courses. Psychological Reports, 60, 107-110.

Kirnan, J. P. and Geisinger, K. F. (1981). The prediction of graduate school success in psychology. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 41, 815-820.

10.

Merenda, P. F. and Reilly, R. (1971). Validation of selection criteria in determining success of graduate students in psychology. Psychological Reports, 28, 259-266.

11.

Rawls, J. R. , Rawls, D. J. , and Harrison, C. W. (1969). An investigation of success predictors in graduate school in psychology. Journal of Psychology, 72, 125-129.