Predictive Validity of the Graduate Record Examination in Education

Abstract

This study investigated 170 students in education for the relations among Graduate Record Examination scores, graduate GPA, academic major, ethnicity, and nationality in combination with sex, undergraduate GPA, and the degree pursued. Regression analyses indicated that the GRE-Quantitative and GRE-Verbal scores accounted for 16% and 6% of the variance, respectively. Academic background, ethnicity, nationality, degree, sex, and undergraduate GPA did not predict success in graduate work in education. The study also suggested that caution must be taken in using GRE scores as graduate admission criteria for Asian ( n = 19) and African American ( n = 14) students, although a larger sample is required to draw this conclusion.