GRE Chemistry Subject Test – GRE Scoring process
When scores are calculated for the traditional paper-based tests, the number of questions answered correctly is adjusted according to the difficulty-level of the questions on the test form. Therefore, even if your number of correct answers is same in different test forms, it is not necessary that the result will have the same reported score.
In paper-based tests, there is a process called score equating. The number of questions answered is also figured into the calculation of the reported score because it limits the number that can be answered correctly.
The scores for any subject test are calculated in two-steps.
- First, your raw score is computed by subtracting the one-fourth the number of questions you answered incorrectly from the number of questions you have answered correctly.
- Your raw score will then get converted into a scaled score. This process is known as equating and accounts for differences in difficulty among the different test editions. Hence, your scaled score will reflect approximately the same level of ability regardless of the edition of the test that was taken.
Subject Test Score Scales
- Your total score will be reported on a 200-990 score scale, and in 10-point increments. This scoring process is applied for the general GRE. For the subject tests, the score range is usually smaller.
- There is the concept of subscores for the subject tests of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; and Psychology Tests on a 20-99 score scale.
Paper-Based Test Hand Scoring – Fee: $30
- There is an option to get your paper re-checked and manually marked. You can avail this option for your chemistry subject Test within six months of taking the test.
- In that case, you have to submit the required fee and a written request. The application has to include your full name, date of birth, date of the subject test, your registration number, and address and phone number.
- You have to mail the request to the address, which is available on the page mentioned under the heading of the General Inquiries in the site of the ETS organization.
- If there are any changes in your scores after the review process, the new set of score(s) will be reported by the organization.
- The same procedure is followed for the chemistry test with raw scores calculated first and then the scaled scores. The raw score is the difference between the number of correct questions and one fourth of the questions answered incorrectly. This raw score is then converted into scaled score. The scaled scores are within limits of 200 and 990. On an average, a student scores between 490 and 910 in the GRE Chemistry subject test. In addition, the percentiles will also be reported. A percentile score will be an indicator of the percentage of students who have scored less than your corresponding scaled score. For instance, if your percentile in the GRE Chemistry subject test is 89. It means that 89% of the total examinees scored less than you. The percentile scores are very important for the admission authorities to determine how competent you are as a student in comparison with others, who have appeared for the same test. Obviously it becomes a better indicator of your performance.