Test Terminology Glossary
Understand common terms and abbreviations used in standardized testing.
A
Adaptive Testing
A testing method where the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your previous answers. GRE and GMAT use this format.
AWA
Analytical Writing Assessment - the essay section of the GRE and GMAT that measures critical thinking and writing skills.
B
Band Score
The scoring system used by IELTS, ranging from 0 to 9, with half-band increments (e.g., 6.5, 7.0).
C
CAT
Computer Adaptive Test - a format where questions are selected based on your performance. Also refers to Common Admission Test for Indian business schools.
Composite Score
An overall score calculated from multiple section scores. ACT composite is the average of four section scores.
D
Diagnostic Test
A practice test taken before studying to identify strengths and weaknesses.
E
ETS
Educational Testing Service - the organization that administers GRE, TOEFL, and other tests.
F
Fee Waiver
A reduction or elimination of test fees for eligible students based on financial need.
G
GMAC
Graduate Management Admission Council - the organization that administers the GMAT.
GPA
Grade Point Average - a cumulative measure of academic performance, typically on a 4.0 scale in the US.
I
Integrated Reasoning
A GMAT section that tests ability to analyze data from multiple sources.
L
LSAC
Law School Admission Council - the organization that administers the LSAT.
P
Percentile
A score indicating the percentage of test-takers who scored below you. A 90th percentile means you scored higher than 90% of test-takers.
Prometric
A testing company that operates test centers worldwide for many standardized tests.
Q
Quantitative Reasoning
Test sections measuring mathematical skills, problem-solving, and data interpretation.
R
Raw Score
The number of questions answered correctly before conversion to a scaled score.
Reading Comprehension
Questions testing ability to understand and analyze written passages.
S
Scaled Score
A converted score that accounts for slight variations in test difficulty across different versions.
Score Choice
An option allowing you to choose which scores to send to institutions (available for some tests).
Score Report
Official documentation of your test results sent to institutions.
Section-Level Adaptive
A testing format where difficulty adjusts between sections rather than question-by-question (used by GRE).
Superscoring
A policy where institutions consider only your highest section scores across multiple test dates.
T
Test Center
An authorized location where standardized tests are administered.
V
Verbal Reasoning
Test sections measuring reading comprehension, vocabulary, and verbal logic.
W
Waitlist
A list of students waiting for a spot if registered test-takers cancel.