1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

The Real Benefit of Changing Your Answers on the GRE

The Real Benefit of Changing Your Answers on the GRE

Jul 31, 2017

 

Changing Your Answer

Let’s talk about students changing their answer choices on the GRE exam. Students may be likely to think that their first hunches are suspect, and so they might end up overanalyzing a question that they knew the answer to all along. The data in this ETS study shows that questions in which the student changed the answer— a potentially difficult question—tended to result in an increased score.

I urge students to think carefully about their current approach to the test before changing their answers. One reason for doing this: some students might actually do better by sticking with their original guess. That subset would clearly be in the minority but if you happen to be in that minority then applying the findings could actually work against you.

Hopefully, your head is not spinning with all the different possibilities and ramifications of these findings. And if it is—don’t fear. To get a better sense of how you do on questions in which you decide to switch your initial guess, take detailed notes while doing GRE practice tests. You’ll want to note all the questions in which you changed the answer and then the outcome of those questions. You’ll even want to make note of the questions that you weren’t a 100% sure on. So even if you don’t end up changing your answer, do you tend to go with the right answer when you less than certain?

Once you can determine a general pattern that fits you—that one test taker in a million—that you’ll start to improve. Blithely sticking with the answer choice you switched to, without actually going back to the original and without having a better understanding of your own approach, can hurt your score. So be careful how you decide to apply the findings of this study to your own test approach.

 

Does this mean I should not take the GMAT?

If you have no plans to apply to b-school, disregard this part of the post. If you are applying to b-school, then you might be wondering, after reading this, whether the GRE is the safer test—the better test—since it allows you to go back and change answers, if need be.

But knowing that students go back and changes their answers doesn’t tell us anything about those students who spent lots of time going back and looking over questions and not changing answers—regardless of whether those questions were right or wrong. In other words, students might have wasted time agonizing over questions that were right all along. In that case, the GMAT suddenly looks like the better test.

My recommendation: take plenty of mock tests across both exams, apply various strategies, and see which one you do better on percent-wise. Then, figure out the best GRE test date for you. Keep in mind that many business schools, while accepting both tests, continue to give greater weight to the GMAT than to the GRE. 
 

Chris Lele is the GRE and SAT Curriculum Manager (and vocabulary wizard) at Magoosh Online Test Prep. In his time at Magoosh, he has inspired countless students across the globe, turning what is otherwise a daunting experience into an opportunity for learning, growth, and fun. Some of his students have even gone on to get near perfect scores. Chris is also very popular on the internet. His GRE channel on YouTube has over 8 million views.

This post originally appeared on the Magoosh GRE blog.

Follow us:
Written by

Study in the USA

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the blog post titled Turn Your Vision Into Action in 2023
Turn Your Vision Into Action in 2023
Main image for the blog post titled New Year, New Me…not!
New Year, New Me…not!
Main image for the blog post titled An Open Letter to Lycoming College
An Open Letter to Lycoming College
Main image for the blog post titled Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Learn to Protect Our Environment for a Living
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Towson University

Towson University

$45,000—$50,000 Year

English Programs Bachelor Degree Masters
Contact
University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Online Bachelor Degree Masters
Contact
South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University

$1,000—$5,000 Semester

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Certificate/Short Term Bachelor Degree
Contact

Related Stories

From Student Blogger, Komz: What it’s like being an international student at the University of Redlands

Main image for the article titled From Student Blogger, Komz: What it’s like being an international student at the University of Redlands
From Student Blogger, Valeria: International Peer Mentor; The Best Job an International Student Can Have!

Main image for the article titled From Student Blogger, Valeria: International Peer Mentor; The Best Job an International Student Can Have!
From Student Blogger, Vincent: An International Student’s Advice

Main image for the article titled From Student Blogger, Vincent: An International Student’s Advice
Working as an International Peer Mentor

Main image for the article titled Working as an International Peer Mentor

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for ARGO

ARGO

Let us help you through your U.S. visa application process. GET STARTED NOW!

Read more
Partner service logo for The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

The Michigan English Test for Higher Education Admissions in the U.S.

Prove your English and achieve your goals with the Michigan English Test – widely recognized and available on your own schedule at a test center or from home.

Read more
Partner service logo for ELSA

ELSA

ELSA - World's Best English Pronunciation App. Speak English like a native speaker. Get instant feedback on your speech from proprietary artificial intelligence technology. Learn more. Get a 10% discount using code: StudyUSA

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

StudyUSA.com helped me on how to apply to study abroad precisely by showing how to select schools related to my goals. I sincerely wish to thank you for your everlasting support you bring to us. May continue in that spirit and i wish you all the best in your endeavors.

FRANCK MATHAUS DOUANDJI Cameroon

StudyUSA.com is a good website that sends me a lot of useful informations.

Wenbo Hu China

I checked their website to search for scholarships and find answers to some frequently asked questions.

Gracia Duron Honduras

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    English

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.