The sooner you begin selecting graduate schools, the more time you will have for all of the details, like taking the required standardized tests. If necessary, you can take it more than once to get the best admissions scores. Most schools won't accept scores more than three to five years old. Find out which tests you need to take. Examples of tests are:

DAT--Dental Admission Test

• A comprehensive half-day examination that includes chemistry (organic and inorganic), biology, mathematics, verbal skills (reading comprehension, completions, and antonyms), and two and three-dimensional perceptual ability. The DAT is administered twice a year, usually in April and October.

GMAT--Graduate Management Admission Test

• A half-day examination testing skills in both math and verbal areas. The content may vary from test to test. Included may be reading recall, reading comprehension, antonyms, analogies, sentence completions, mathematics (data sufficiency and data application), and writing ability. The GMAT is administered four times a year, usually in October, January, March and July.

GRE--Graduate Record Examination

• This test consists of a three-hour morning aptitude examination and a three-hour afternoon advanced test in the candidate's major study area. Question types in the verbal area include reading comprehension, antonyms, analogies, and sentence completion. The questions in the quantitative area include mathematical problem solving (sharpening of fundamental concepts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and graphs, with practice in applying these concepts in many non-routine situations) and quantitative comprehension. The analytical ability section includes logical diagrams, analytical reasoning, and analysis of explanations. The GRE is administered six times a year, usually in October, December, January, February, April and June. The GRE advanced tests are administered in the afternoon on the same day except in February, when they are not offered.

LSAT--Law School Admissions Test

• A half-day examination. It varies in content from test to test. Any particular test may include four or five of the following: Data Interpretation (graphs and charts), Quantitative Comparisons, Cases and Principles (three of six possible types), Logical Reasoning, Practical Judgment (data evaluation and data application), Logical Games, and Writing Ability. The LSAT is administered five times a year, usually in June, October, December, February, and April.

MAT--Miller Analogies Test

• This test consists of 120 analogies and is required for admission to many graduate schools. The MAT, administered by Psychological Corporation, is given frequently throughout the year at some 600-test centers at colleges and universities throughout the country.

MCAT--Medical College Admission Test

• A full-day examination that consists of four parts: Science Knowledge (biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics), Science Problems (biology, chemistry, and physics), Reading, and Skills Analysis. It is administered twice a year, usually in April and September.

OCAT--Optometry College Admission Test

• A half-day examination that includes biology, chemistry, physics, quantitative ability, verbal ability, and non-referent (study) reading of scientific materials. The OCAT is given three times a year, usually in November, January and March.

PCAT --Pharmacy College Admission Test

• A half-day examination that covers Verbal Ability, General Non-Scientific Work Knowledge, Quantitative Ability, Biology (basic biology and major human biology), Chemistry (problems and principles in organic and inorganic chemistry), and Reading Comprehension, with an emphasis on scientific topics. The PCAT is given three times a year, usually in November, February, and May.

When you have decided which test to take, you can obtain a test application for most tests in Career Services. Each test application booklet includes a complete description of the test, instructions, test dates for the next year, and sample questions.