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What Exams do I Need to Take?

APS/Physics graduate programs typically all require the Graduate Record Examination (General GRE). Physics programs generally also require the GRE Physics Subject Test (Physics GRE). The Physics GRE is often optional for APS program applications, but be sure to check the programs you are interested in. If you are applying for graduate school in the 2020-2021 academic year, the Physics GRE and General GRE requirements will be waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some students have to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam (TOEFL) to demonstrate English-speaking proficiency when applying to graduate programs. If you attended or are currently attending a university in an English-speaking country (like ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder!) or are a native English speaker, you are not required to take the TOEFL. Some programs in non-English-speaking countries require proficiency tests in their country's primary language(s). If you are applying in the 2020-2021 academic year, language proficiency tests will not typically be required in your application due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you will have to complete and submit them before starting your graduate program.

Physics GRE

The Physics GRE is a paper-based test that is offered three times a year in the fall/winter/spring. Spaces are very limited so register as early as possible. The fee is $150, with . The official provides the dates and deadlines, registration, basic information and some study materials.

The test covers classical mechanics (20%), electromagnetism (18%), optics and waves (9%), thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%), quantum mechanics (12%), atomic physics (10%), special relativity (6%), lab methods (6%), specialized topics (9%).

Preparation

¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä PHYSICS GRE prep seminar

¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä physics professor Michael Dubson runs a every fall. Be sure to take advantage of this resource. 

Web resources

• has worked solutions to all problems on all four released practice physics GREs. Solutions vary in quality, look at the discussions below the solution for multiple ways of doing the problem.

• - Extensive and active discussions of the physics GRE and all the other minutia involved in applying to grad school.

• - This is a page with a lot of useful information about the Physics GRE, from a guy who already went through the entire process of taking it.

• has Physics GRE flashcards in the form of a mobile app.

Practice exams and problems

• Previous exams: , , and

• and

Books

• , Yoni Kahn and Adam Anderson. Excellent Physics GRE study guide.

Miscellaneous advice

• During the exam you can't actually solve all these problems as you normally would in a homework set - you simply don't have enough time. Instead, you must learn how to get to the the answers quickly. Use process of elimination, dimensional analysis, taking limits, and order of magnitude approximations.

• Being a Learning Assistant is an excellent way to solidify your freshman physics knowledge (the faster you can answer these questions, the more time you will have to answer more advanced questions). 

• Gravity has an inverse square law just like the Coulomb force, so you can use Gauss' law to work out certain problems involving gravity with symmetry (for example, finding the gravitational field at half the Earth's radius).

General GRE

The General GRE is a computer-based test offered year-round, though you need to register ahead of time. You should register as early as possible to get the date you prefer. The cost is $160, with . The official provides the basic information and some study materials.

The ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä writing center is a good resource for General GRE studying. You can take a couple practice exams and bring them your essays to look over.

There are many online flashcards for General GRE vocabulary terms. Try searching for up-to-date collections.

TOEFL and Language Tests

Note: if you are earning an undergraduate degree at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder (or any English-speaking program) or grew up in an English-speaking country (as defined by the university you're applying to), you will not need to take the TOEFL.

The TOEFL is an English-language proficiency test that is available in two formats: an internet-delivered examination, and a paper-delivered examination for students without internet access. The internet-delivered TOEFL tests reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in English. The exam costs $180, with . ETS has published a list of for the TOEFL exam.

If you are applying to a graduate program in a non-English-speaking country and you are not a native speaker of that country's primary language, check the graduate program's requirements to see if there is a language proficiency exam that you need to take.

Test Accommodations

Religious Accommodations

for students whose religious convictions prevent them from testing on Saturdays. You will need to submit a letter from your cleric and arrange a test at an existing center. Be sure that ETS receives your request before the registration deadline!

Disability Accommodations

long before the registration deadline. According to ETS, review takes six weeks, so be sure to apply as soon as possible!