The PGRE, or Physics Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test used to assess the knowledge and understanding of physics concepts for individuals applying to graduate programs in physics.
The purpose of the PGRE is to provide a standardized measure of an individual's physics knowledge and skills, which can be used by graduate programs to assess an applicant's potential for success in their program. It is also used to compare applicants to each other and to national averages.
The PGRE is typically taken in the fall of the year before an individual plans to start graduate school. This allows enough time for the scores to be sent to the graduate programs before their application deadlines. It is recommended to take the PGRE after completing undergraduate physics courses, as the exam covers material from these classes.
To prepare for the PGRE, individuals should review their undergraduate physics coursework and practice with sample questions and exams. It is also helpful to review concepts and formulas that may not have been covered in class, as well as familiarize oneself with the format of the exam and its time constraints.
A good score on the PGRE is typically considered to be above the 80th percentile, which means that the individual scored better than 80% of the test-takers. However, the definition of a good score may vary depending on the specific graduate program's requirements and the competitiveness of the applicant pool.