Test Requirements

Entrance examinations are required for advanced study in the graduate programs at Alcorn State University. Students seeking admission to a degree program should submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), or PRAXIS I and II. GRE and GMAT scores are considered valid for five years from the testing date. If your scores are more than five years old at the time your application is reviewed, new scores will be required.

GRE Requirement

The General Graduate Record Examination is an admission requirement for many of the graduate programs. Students must submit scores for all three parts of the test: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing. Each graduate department has a formula that calculates the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing for admission. Students must score 3.0 on the analytical writing section. If less than 3.0 is scored, the student must meet a writing proficiency requirement which is established by each department. All graduate students must meet the Writing Proficiency requirement within the first semester of enrollment if a score of 3.0 is not achieved on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. Students should contact their department to inquire about the requirement(s) to meet the writing proficiency.

GMAT Requirement

The Graduate Management Test is required for students applying to the Master of Business Administration program. Students must submit scores for all three parts of the test: Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing. Students must score at least a 3.5 on the analytical writing component of the GMAT. An admission formula is used to determine a student's eligibility for admission which includes factoring all parts of the GMAT.

Major Field Examination

The major field exit examination results can be used to fulfill test requirements for admission to the MBA program. A student must score a minimum of 136 on this undergraduate level test to satisfy, in part, the test requirement. Since there are no analytical writing component on the major field test, students are requirered to satisfy the department's writing proficiency requirement.

TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for admission for International students. Students from the following countries in which English is part of the dominant culture are exempt from meeting this requirement: Ghana

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System assesses the English language proficiency of people who want to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. Four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking are assessed to determine proficiency needed for an academic or a higher education environment.

PRAXIS

Praxis I and II passing scores are required for prospective students interested in applying for the Master of Arts in Teaching (Alternative Route). New cut scores go into effect January 1 PRAXIS I PPST for alternate route educators, 2014.

Test Name	Test Code	NEW SCORE Beginning 9/1/2012 Accepted until 9/1/2015	OLD SCORE Taken before 9/1/2012 Accepted until 9/1/2014
READING	0710/5710	172	170-if taken before 9/1/2012
WRITING	0720/5720	173	172-if taken before 9/1/2012
MATHEMATICS	0730/5730	172	169-if taken before 9/1/2012

NEW PRAXIS TEST: Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE)

Beginning 01/01/2014, educators must take and pass the CASE in order to meet certification requirements. The educator cannot combine parts of the PPST and parts of the CASE to meet certification requirements.

TEST NAME	TEST CODE	PASSING SCORE	START DATE
READING	5712	156	170-if taken before 9/1/2012
WRITING	5722	162	172-if taken before 9/1/2012
MATHEMATICS	5732	150	169-if taken before 9/1/2012