Physics gre Definition and 187 Threads

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. S

    Physics after bachelors in Computer/Information science

    Is it possible to do masters in Physics after studying computer science or information science at bachelors level? Do US universities accept students from Computer science or Information science for MS in physics? p.S.: I can prepare for physics GRE as I havea deep passion for physics
  2. G

    Schools Focusing on multiple branches of physics for graduate school

    Hi, I finished my M.S. in Astronautical Engineering in 2010, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 2009 with a minor in physics, and am finding that the work I have been doing in the aerospace industry for the past 4 years is unfulfilling. I would like to focus on something more research...
  3. electricspit

    Preparing for the GRE Physics Exam: Resources & Tips

    Hey! I'm planning on applying at some schools in the US next year/this year and I need ot take the GRE exam this fall. I've looked at some old exams and they look pretty straightforward, but I was wondering if anyone knew any resources for the physics exam (i.e. practice tests etc.). Thanks!
  4. A

    In ground state, are spins aligned or anti-aligned?

    In a past physics gre question (https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=192334), we make use of the idea that the ground state energy of two ions that have spin is when the spins are aligned. However, the ground state of the helium atom is a spin singlet state, which is a linear combo...
  5. A

    Stern-gerlach vs zeeman effect = paradox?

    This may be a stupid question, but I am reviewing for the physics gre and can't help but see the zeeman effect and stern-gerlach experiments as contradictions. In the Zeeman effect, a neutral atom energy level will split into 3 levels (or 2 or more if take into account anomalous zeeman), but in...
  6. T

    Schools Grad School Admissions for Physics with Low GPA

    Hello all, I am entering my senior year. I have a over all gpa of 3.3. My subject gpa currently is 2.83 due to some bad classes my freshman year. I have 6 classes left towards my major so I have a chance to bring up my major gpa. But I study and work hard as it is, and can't get an A in my...
  7. H

    How do I prepare myself for MS in ME from US?

    Hi guys I'm 19 and just finished my 2nd sem exams so yeah first year is over. I would like to do MS in mechanical engg (or something similar) from US after graduating. Now I would like to prepare for that as soon as possible. Apart from CGPA after four years, what else is required ? I have...
  8. C

    How competitive is cosmology at the PhD level?

    I am a masters student at some Canadian school best known for astrophysics (and one of the premier schools in the world for white dwarves), dreaming to get into the likes of UPenn (a reach, but not a pipe dream-level reach à la Harvard and Princeton, which some over-ambitious recommender advised...
  9. F

    Advice on how to spend my gap year?

    I have just completed my undergraduate degree, and will be taking the GRE and applying to graduate school this fall. I'll be applying to terminal master's programs because of my lackluster GPA, a 3.3. This is in hopes of continuing my recent track of improved grades, and hopefully...
  10. C

    Schools Grad school and career questions from an aspring astrophysicist

    There's a good deal of interesting grad school info here (though mostly for non-astrophysics, of course), but it seems quite US centered. I'm a few years ahead of graduation now but figure it's best to plan ahead. My interest was piqued since the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in...
  11. I

    Programs Want to pursue a Physics Degree Please advise

    Hi guys, I am currently at a crossroads where I have to make an important decision and was hoping the kind members of the PF forums could help me. I have a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an Ivy League school (GPA - 3.88). Lately, I have had the opportunity to rekindle my...
  12. G

    Schools Grad School Application: Assessing My Chances

    I'm applying for grad school in the fall and I need some opinions about my chances, where I should good, etc. I am majoring in math, with a minor in physics. I went to a community college then a UC. At my community college, I had a 4.0 major GPA, 3.8 overall GPA. At the UC I'm at now, I have a...
  13. PoyntingVector

    Schools Will i Get accepted to a Graduate school?

    Hello everyone, This is my first post on the website or a blog for that matter. I'm currently going to a division 3 school for my bachelor's in physics and mathematics but it has taken me a lot longer to finish my degree. Consequentially, I've done poorly in some classes because of a medical...
  14. interhacker

    Schools Courses and Additional Study required for Grad School Physics

    I've applied to the best ranked (according to QS) university in my country, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Of course the university isn't really all that nice in international standards, but in impoverished third-world standards, its facilities and faculty are pretty...
  15. S

    Schools Top European Physics Schools for Industrial Engineering Grad Programs

    There are huge resources to rank and rate the different universities for physics in US but i am blind as to what universities i can apply outside US preferably Europe. with the profile i have i don't think i have any shot in top schools and can aim only for 2nd tier schools My profile as of...
  16. S

    Will a Low GPA Due to an Accident Affect My University Applications?

    Engineering to Physics and GPA so here's the thing i am an industrial engineering student from India studying in one of the top 5 colleges down here (NIT only next to IIT's). I had an accident and was hospitalized during one of my semester and wasnt able to finish a particular subject credits...
  17. K

    Grade wise, what does it take to get a PhD in Math or Physics?

    I know grades aren't everything to get into a PhD program, but do know it plays a significant part in determining how well one will do in graduate school. With that being said, what does it take to get accepted into a top 20 math or physics PhD program? I've seen some applicant profiles...
  18. sinaphysics

    Which courses should I cover to become involved in string theory?

    Hello everybody. I have a BSc in physics, I tried hardly recent two years to get high scores in GRE/TOEFL exams to get accepted in U.S. and continue my education in physics,however, I rejected badly. First I thought by myself to leave physics, I gambled whole my future for physics and now I'm...
  19. S

    Schools Majoring in physics at a lower tier university/career options

    Hi, I am currently finishing my freshman year at San Jose State University. SJSU is not a very prestigious or selective university especially in the sciences. I was a bit of a slacker in high school, but I still managed to do fairly well ( >3.5 GPA, 2190 SAT I, lots of AP's). I ended up...
  20. djh101

    Has anyone gone from chemistry to physics?

    I will be graduating with my B.S. in physical chemistry after this quarter and would subsequently like to attend graduate school in physics. I'm not really looking for a "can I go to graduate school in physics with x degree" type answer, but more something along the lines of personal experience...
  21. J

    PhD in Accelerator Physics (EE or Physics?)

    Hi folks, I have a BSEE and am interested in pursuing a PhD focused on accelerator physics. I had originally planned for an EE PhD in RF/Microwave, but after reading ZapperZ's accelerator physics thread and doing a bit of reading, I find myself drawn in this direction. I've looked at some...
  22. M

    Bachelors in Physics: Now where are these jobs I was told about?

    When I switched to physics, it was mostly because I love science, and my major in journalism was going to numb my mind to an early grave, but also because frankly I needed to find a job that would make paying for an education a worthwhile investment. I am about to graduate from Shippensburg (one...
  23. D

    Please Advise: BS in Astrophysics, What Next?

    Well, I'm 23 years old and just finishing up my B.S. in Physics (w/ a concentration in Astrophysics), and I need some help evaluating my options. I delayed applying to graduate school last semester, electing for more 'finding stuff out' time. I have a lot to say, but I'd rather be brief than...
  24. Deadpeng

    Is GRE Required for International Students from English-Speaking Countries?

    Hey, I am a physics year 3 undergraduate seeking to pursue a graduate education in the United States. I am from the Republic of Singapore, a commonwealth nation, with English as our official language. May I know if GRE is necessary for me to get into USA universities for graduate education?
  25. A

    Schools Getting into Physics Graduate Schools as a non-Physics Major

    Hello, all, I am quite interested in pursuing a PhD in physics (preferably theoretical), but I've run into the slight problem that my undergraduate major is not physics. From what I've gathered, I pretty much have my choice of a graduate program in mechanical engineering from my...
  26. Dishsoap

    How much does it matter where you went to undergrad?

    Hey all, I'm looking at my third year of university here, trying to narrow down what I want to do. As far as graduate schools, I'm pretty confident I can get into at least a low-tier school somewhere. I have a few publications and talks, and found out yesterday that I'm a Goldwater scholar as...
  27. teroenza

    Schools Engineering Graduate School Competitiveness

    Hello, I'm a recent physics graduate (BS) who is having second thoughts about spending the next 5-6 years of my life in a physics PhD. program. I thought I wanted to do applied physics, but to keep options open I would like to include some engineering schools in my mix (will be applying...
  28. retro10x

    Schools Does distribution of grades matter when applying to grad school?

    I'm looking primarily for answers from people who have been on admission committees or have otherwise reviewed applications from undergraduate students. When you look at a student's transcript, is the distribution of his/her grades a factor at all? For example, I performed only around average...
  29. Ravi Mohan

    Masters in theoretical physics/high energy physics

    Hi, I am an undergraduate senior with physics major. I am searching for masters programme in HEP/Theoretical physics (in Europe but not in U.K). So far I have found these programs 1. (LMU) http://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/TMP/about_us/index.html 2. (ETH+EP)...
  30. Duderonimous

    Help in choosing 4 upper division physics classes.

    Hello, I am a transfer student that has been admitted to CSU Long Beach in the Fall '14 for a BS in electrical engineering and I would also like to pursue a BA in physics. I reckon this will take me 4 years. A BA in physics consist of taking lower division CALC I/II/III and PHYS ABC. Also...
  31. F

    Programs How competitive are US terminal master's degree admissions?

    My original plan was to apply for grad school (PhD) for physics after my undergrad degree, but things didn't go as planned. Simply put, I performed poorly in my first few semesters, and while my grades improved towards the end of my undergraduate studies, they were not enough to compensate for...
  32. T

    Schools Is research experience necessary for a successful PhD application?

    Hello everyone, I was just wanting some opinions, and advice would be even better. I'm a physics major, at a good university. GPA 3.3 and will be raised after this semester. my LOR will be average, I have one professor I took for several classes that knows me well. haven't taken GRE yet, I...
  33. O

    Schools Junior level needs advice on graduate schools and academic culture

    Hello! I am a junior level physics major at a state university (first semester here, 1.5 years to go). I am the first in my family to attend college beyond a two year degree and I myself have recently transferred from a community college. With that said I suppose it is no surprise that I...
  34. P

    Best materials to prepare for pGRE?

    I intend to take the physics GRE this coming april, and will probably retake it again next year. I want to go to a good grad school, but my gpa isn't stellar (3.5ish), so in order to atone for my sins (so to speak) I want to put a lot of work into getting a stellar grade on the pGRE. However...
  35. L

    How much preparation for the general GRE?

    I'm a current junior considering applying to graduate school next year (I'm tossing up between applying for certain applied physics programs and going into finance). I was wondering how much preparation people found necessary to take the general GRE. I'm not sure whether it would be better to...
  36. A

    Programs Self-Taught Undergraduate Physics Major

    All, Do you think that it would be possible for me design my own curriculum and teach myself all of undergraduate physics and the appropriate level math in a year potentially? I know that I will have to work lots of problems to become really good at the content. I was also thinking about taking...
  37. M

    What are my chances to be accepted in a PhD Physics program?

    Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! :wink: As you have probably already guessed, this New Year is especially important for me since it is the time when I fill the applications for US graduate schools on Physics. I am more than a little bit worried about my chances since, in case I won't enter...
  38. M

    How Effective Is My Physics Grad School Application?

    So, here it is... rough draft obviously. I included foot-notes denoted by asterisks * Also, while I have you here, considering I went to a small state school not known for Physics, how does my application look for applying to not top schools (i.e. U. Oklahoma, Clemson, Oregon St) GPA: 3.38...
  39. K

    Can Last-Minute SOP Reviews Enhance UCSB Application Success?

    Pretty unlike me, but I've waited until the last minute to put together my statement. Finals (and grant proposals and having to fly out of town for both GRE's (not offered at my school)) reallllly got the best of me this year, but it is what it is at this point. I was hoping that someone would...
  40. A

    Advice on research and being competitive

    Hi everyone, I am finishing up my first semester of my Masters program in Physics. I got my bachelors in Math. It's been very hard, but so very rewarding this semester. I don't go to a top school, but i feel like I'm getting a great education here. I'm the only female too, which makes me...
  41. P

    Schools Graduate School Applications and Health Problems

    I have been reading posts on PF for a while, but I have not signed up until now. I am applying to graduate programs this year. I have been told I have a very strong application. I have been doing theoretical physics research for 3 years, have taken 16 graduate courses in math and physics...
  42. P

    Is Taking a Gap Year a Good Idea for Math-Focused Students?

    Hello, I am currently in my senior year as an undergraduate and plan to apply to physics grad school in a year or two. I feel like taking some time off would help me become more focused and I don't have money to take the physics gre, or to apply for grad school. I also want to explore other...
  43. M

    Nuclear Engineering from Physics

    So I should be graduating next year with an AA, BS in Physics, minor in math ~3.4/3.6gpa. GRE 55% verbal 87% qualitative 4 in writing with a Physics GRE score of 710 (~55%). Undergrad research along with an REU. I can probably retake the GRE as I have another year of undergrad left. With this...
  44. B

    Testing What are the Best Strategies for Studying for the Physics GRE?

    Hi all, I am going to take the Physics GRE, which I think is offered in October 2010. I have some questions: 1) Given that the GRE takes a noticeable amount of material from Griffiths-texts: I was wondering how much of Griffithe electrodynamics and Griffiths quantum I could skip while...
  45. Pengwuino

    Testing The Physics GRE, thoughts? Opinions?

    So a professor of mine and another student were having a discussion about the PGRE the other day. While it does seem to be of the overall opinion that it is only good for determining how well a student can take the PGRE and not really how good they are at being a physics student, I've come to a...
  46. B

    Testing Physics GRE and Thermodynamics - recommended reading?

    Hi all, I wanted to know what text would be best reading for the thermodynamics portion of the Physics GRE. Quantum and Electrodynamics has "Griffiths" questions, for instance: "standard tomes", if you will. Is there, likewise, a standard tome of thermo and statistical? Thanks so much...
  47. Goddar

    Testing Is a Low GRE Physics Score a Dealbreaker for Top Schools?

    Hi everyone, i won't be the 1st (or the last) to ask the $1Million question about his GRE score, but i need the opinion of knowledgeable persons. First the good sides: my GPA is a nice and pure 4.00; i think my recommendations are good (2 professors who truly praised my work, one friend who...
  48. V

    Testing Should I Submit My GRE Physics Subject Test Score for Grad School Applications?

    I have been trying to figure out whether I should submit my physics subject test score to grad schools if it is optional. I scored a 29 percentile on the test which despite being relatively high for my school doesn't look great on a grad school app. 'm not applying to any really top schools but...
  49. D

    Testing Is there an error on problem 77 of the 1996 Physics GRE test?

    On problem number 77 on the 1996 Physics GRE test that is now available for practice, I believe there are two answer choices that are completely equivalent. The test is here: http://www.stanford.edu/group/sps/files/GR9677.pdf I think answer choice (d) reduces down to choice (b), and I...
  50. S

    Guidance needed about physics field and post-secondary education

    I'm to start at Aberdeen, UK, where I have 4 compulsory (basically mechanics, waves, optics +electronics, relativity and quantum mechanics) modules and 4 optional modules. This is basically the only time I can choose modules - the next two years are pretty much set. Disappointingly, there are...
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