What is Physics gre: Definition and 187 Discussions

The GRE physics test is an examination administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test attempts to determine the extent of the examinees' understanding of fundamental principles of physics and their ability to apply them to problem solving. Many graduate schools require applicants to take the exam and base admission decisions in part on the results.
The scope of the test is largely that of the first three years of a standard
United States undergraduate physics curriculum, since many students who plan to continue to graduate school apply during the first half of the fourth year. It consists of 100 five-option multiple-choice questions covering subject areas including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, wave phenomena and optics, thermal physics, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, laboratory techniques, and mathematical methods. The table below indicates the relative weights, as asserted by ETS, and detailed contents of the major topics.

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  1. D

    Admissions Do physics grad admissions care about the general GRE?

    I know that the PGRE is a big deal, in that a poor one can easily disqualify you, but what about the regular GRE's? Should I spend much time studying for them?
  2. S

    Testing Physics GRE without classical mechanics

    Howdy! I am taking Phyiscs GRE next semester and won't have taken classical mechanics by the time I take the test. I am not comfortable with the situation. Can anyone please suggest me a good preparation strategy for me ?
  3. U

    Testing GRE Physics Prep for non-physicist

    Hello again, I'm planning on apply to a few medical physics programs in the fall, most of which do not require the physics GRE subject test. However, one does, and I really want to apply there. My thoughts? It wouldn't hurt to learn some more physics. I am a nuclear engineering major, so...
  4. A

    Testing GRE Physics without Quantum Mechanics

    I'm going to be taking the GRE Physics not having taken any formal classes in Quantum Mechanics or Advanced Electromagnetism. Obviously, I have taken the basic Freshman/Sophmore year E&M but I haven't taken the advance level class yet. Also, I have taken an Intro to Modern Physics class which...
  5. D

    GRE (physics) practice problems

    Hey, I think it would be beneficial for many if we started a thread that contained several problems (and hopefully solutions as well) that would be helpful in studying for the GRE. So, everyone, add a problem if you can (with solution!). I'll go first: Problem: A sample of N atoms of helium...
  6. D

    Testing Physics GRE Q: 3D Harmonic Oscillator & Thermal Equilibrium

    I'm studying for the Physics GRE and I came across this question. The correct answer is D, but I'm not sure quite how to do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated! A three-dimensional harmonic oscillator is in thermal equilibrium with a temperature reservoir at temperature T. The average...
  7. G01

    Testing Physics GRE Woes: Battling Practice Problems for Test Prep

    Sorry if I have been kind of quiet lately. These stupid Physics GRE practice problems have been taking up so much of my time outside of the lab, that I haven't had time for much else! Hopefully it pays off when I take the test. I hope to make at least part of tomorrow's chat. Hopefully...
  8. Reshma

    Testing GRE Physics Test Registration: When and How to Sign Up?

    Hello Everyone! I am planning to appear for the GRE-Physics test this year. As most of you all know it is offered 3 times a year viz. October, November & April. However, in India (where I study) the subject test is offered only in the month of November. The 2008-09 test dates are out, but...
  9. R

    Is Taking Both the Math and Physics GRE Worthwhile for a Math Physics Degree?

    Has anyone done this? I'm a physics major and I'd like to pursue a degree in mathematical physics. I guess that physics GRE is expected from me as a physics student, although actually I feel much more comfortable in math. Do you think that it would be hard to make both? Would it make me...
  10. D

    Studying Top GRE Physics Books for Optics: Expert Recommendations

    Hi guys, What are the best books you did use to prepare for the "GRE Physics test"? More precisely, I am seeking your advice for an easy book explains the light and its applications (optics). Thanks a lot for your kindness and help
  11. G

    Testing I'm new here where are the threads related to physics GRE?

    I really need to start studying for the physics GRE. Are there any threads here devoted primarily to the physics GRE? Anyone looking for an online study buddy?
  12. P

    Testing HW Help as Physics GRE practice?

    I'm just wondering if anyone's tried this before, and how well it worked. I am thinking about spending roughly an hour a day to answer questions in the HW Help section as practice for the GRE-Ph. I figure it'll give me a good variety of problems and I'll get to help some people along the way...
  13. J

    Testing Physics GRE in the stead of coursework

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  14. V

    Testing Efficient Study Topics for Physics GRE: From EE to Core Physics Areas

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  15. B

    GRE/Physics study partner in the Boston area

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  16. A

    Testing Officel Physics GRE Test Prep Book

    Has anybody seen a copy of ETS's Practicing to Take the GRE Physics Test for sale anywhere? Is it too rare or is there some hope of picking one up somewhere? The REA book is, uh, less than useful. Thanks.
  17. L

    Testing GRE Physics - These materials enough?

    GRE Physics -- These materials enough? Hi friends, I need your input regarding what else needs to score good in GRE Physics. Documents and Ebooks I have for GRE Physics Preparation : --------------------------------------------------------------- Synopsis on Electricity and Electronics...
  18. A

    Testing What Are the Best Review Books for the Physics and General GRE?

    Hi (sorry if this has been brought up recently, but I don't see it and the search tool seems to dislike me at the moment). I'm a physics major in my 5th semester, and the time has come to start seriously reviewing for the physics GRE. Which review book would you most recommend? Do you...
  19. B

    GRE Physics Exam: Calculator Rules & RPN Advice

    Has anyone reading this post taken the GRE subject exam in physics? If so, do you know what calculators they allow? I have a HP48GX (or something like that). If they won't allow that, can you recommend a good calculator that does RPN?
  20. B

    What is the ground state electron configuration for phosphorus?

    Homework Statement The ground state electron configuration for phosphorus, which has 15 electrons, is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 3p^4 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^3 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3d^3 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1 3d^4 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3p^2 3d^3 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  21. H

    GRE Question (Atomic Physics)

    Homework Statement The Ratio of the nuclear radius to the atomic radius of an element near the middle of the periodic table is most nearly a) 10^-2 b) 10^-5 c) 10^-8 d) 10^-11 e) 10^-14 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am completely lost. Can someone tell me...
  22. L

    Testing Did anyone here take the physics GRE today?

    Did anyone here take the physics GRE today?? If so, how do you think you did? I attempted ~60 problems and I might have gotten like 10-20 of them wrong. So, I didn't do all that great, really. I pulled maybe 50-60th percentile. However, I realized that I am not applying to any programs that...
  23. maverick280857

    Testing Preparing for the Physics GRE: Majors vs. Non-Majors

    Hi Just curious...how (tough/different) is the Physics GRE for people who don't have physics majors, but are introduced to most of the stuff at a basic level? Would like to hear from both physics majors and non-physics majors who have taken Physics GRE (subject test). Cheers
  24. D

    Programs GREs for Physics PhDs: Should US Students Take Them?

    Hi, I'm a UK student who wants to do a Phd in a year (after I finish my MSc). I'm a little bit puzzled about the status of the GRE in physics at US institutions. Looking at some webpages it seems as if the GRE is always mandatory, and that they use it as a major way of discriminating between...
  25. B

    Testing Anyone else take the physics gre today?

    i thought it was a bit easier than the four exams floatin' around the 'tubes. time got called when i still had five problems left, but i still answered 81 questions! :eek: can't wait until i see my score. it'll be a long six weeks. :biggrin:
  26. L

    Testing REA's book for the physics GRE

    Is anyone out there also using (or has used) the REA book to prepare for the physics GRE. I keep finding what I think are errors and it would be nice if someone could verify they are finding the same mistakes. Also, in general, how useful did you find this book and what other preparations do you...
  27. M

    Testing Preparing for Physics GRE: Scoring, Timing, and Review Material

    It's time for me to start studying for those dastardly standardized exams and I had a couple of questions. 1) Scoring: Does the GRE take away points for wrong answers? 2) When should I take it: I was told that most students take it April of their junior year and a second time October of...
  28. B

    Testing Maximizing Your Pre-Med Education: Essential Courses for Med School Success

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  29. Q

    Testing Taking the physics GRE in April

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  30. Gokul43201

    Testing GRE Physics Test: Questions, Advice and Prep Materials

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  31. A

    What if the GRE in Physics is not required?

    I was just informed that the school I was considering for graduate school (really my only option) does not require a GRE. Given that I'm going back to school after 10 years of absence from the field, do I really need to take the GRE? It would make my life a lot easier if I just took some...
  32. Q

    Testing What level of math is needed for the Physics GRE?

    Hi, I know the physics GRE is a multiple choice exam so quick answers are essential. Does anyone know the level of math required to answer the questions? Thanks.
  33. K

    Testing Has the Physics GRE changed?

    Has anyone taken it in the last year or so? Has it gone to computer-based now? The reason I ask is I would MUCH prefer a paper based test. And if it is now computer based, like the general, where you can only do 1 problem at a time and not go back and forth, then I want to find study guides...
  34. Y

    Testing Help w/ physics gre problem: radiation spectra

    64. Electromagnetic radiation provides a means to probe aspects of the physical universe. Which of the following statements regarding radiation spectra is NOT correct? a. lines in the infaret, visible, and ultraviolet regions of the spectrum reveal primarily the nuclear structure of the...
  35. M

    Testing Why is Physics GRE more difficult than that of Mathematics?

    Why is Physics GRE more difficult than that of Mathematics!? Peace, I don't know why is Physics GRE more difficult than that of Mathematics!? I can do the math test without any preparation and can score high too (practiced with two of them, the first for fun, the second to be sure :grumpy: )...
  36. E

    Testing How Does Preparing for the GRE Physics Test Benefit Your Career?

    Share your experiences about benefits that u got by taking GRE Physics test. U can also tell the story about your preperation for the test.
  37. C

    Testing Conquering the Physics GRE Section 1.1 Prob. 3

    Homework Statement Two blocks of masses M and m are oriented as shown in the diagram. The block M moves on a surface with coefficient of kinetic friction μ_1, and the coefficient of static friction between two blocks is μ_2. What is the minimum force F which must be applied to M such that m...
  38. C

    Schools Which universities I should apply to without a Physics GRE?

    Hi fellas, I am in senior year of my undergrad and will be graduating next May. If I want to apply for the fall-2015 session, which universities will best fit me with my academic record? I have a cgpa of 3.87 out of 4.00 . I have not given general GRE yet but wish to give within December...
  39. F

    Testing Prepare for GRE Physics: Tips & Sample Questions

    Hi there! I am a second year undergraduate students and planning to take GRE. When should I apply it? What should I prepare for this test? Are there any sample questions of the test available? Thanks a lot for helping.
  40. R

    Should I retake GRE for Medical Physics (Master's)

    I just finished taking my GRE and I am a bit unsatisfied with my scores and am debating if I should retake it before the application deadlines. I got a 156Q and 150V... below is my resume thus far. I posted the following on here before.. so apologies for repeating the same post, but I felt it...
  41. P

    Testing Physics GRE Exam Experience: Completely Destroyed and Glad it's Over

    Did anyone take the exam this last Saturday? I got completely destroyed. To be honest, I thought it'd be much, much easier ;(. Anyway, I'm glad it was the first and last time I take it.
  42. P

    Testing Missed the reg deadline for the physics GRE

    Normally ETS offers it in November too but it seems to only be offered in October this year. Can I still apply to grad schools without a pgre? Is it possible to still get admitted?
  43. I

    Studying Required books and knowledge to take physics GRE.

    Hi all, What math and physics books I need to read before I am able to score well in physics GRE. I just started with Apostol/Spivak for calculus. My question is what should I read next? Real analysis vs multivariable? or rather, Spivak should be enough to handle the required math for physics...
  44. A

    Studying Physics gre books with problems

    I am looking for a recommendation on books with problems similar to pgre problems. I already have Halliday Resnick, Schaum's 3000 solved problems, and the new Conquering Physics GRE book by Yoni Khan, and have pretty much gone through them all in detail, so I feel I understand all of the...
  45. R

    Testing Book for Cherenkov radiation problem in Physics GRE

    This is GR9277, Problem 69. I know nothing about this thing. At 'http://grephysics.net/ans/9277/69' someone said it's about Cherenkov radiation. I think this is about interaction of charged particles with matter. In what course is this covered? What book do you recommend for studying this?
  46. R

    Testing Book for Coaxial cable problem in Physics GRE

    Book for Coaxial cable impedance problem in Physics GRE This is GR9277, Problem 18. Is this covered in any physics undergraduate course? What subject is this problem belong to? What book do you recommend for studying this? How can I make the picture appear bigger?
  47. A

    GRE Math Sub for Physics PhD program

    I am a rising junior in a US college and I plan to apply to a top physics PhD program. I am both a physics and a math major, and I am more interested in theoretic physics rather than experimental. So should I also take the GRE Math Subject Test?
  48. S

    Testing Will I need the Physics GRE after an MS?

    Hello. Pretty self explanatory. Does having a good masters degree in physics waive the Physics GRE requirement for most US schools? Going to get an MS from : Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey Hoping to go for PhD to: a good US school, TBD. Looking at Stony brook, or in general unis from...
  49. C

    Studying for the GRE subject test: physics

    I am going to do the GRE subject test: physics, and I would like to know if any of you have some advises to study for this test, as well as books to use to prepare for this test. Also if you have already done the test it would be helpful to know about your experience.
  50. P

    Testing Best Way to Study for the Physics GRE?

    Hi all, sorry if this thread already exists. I am just wondering if going through a University Physics text cover to cover and doing all of the exercises is a good way to prepare for the physics GRE? I know I should also do many practice tests of course. I'm pretty worried about this test...
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