Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Lynne Pepall has recently accepted a position on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Board, where she will be one of a panel of academics to review and consider changes to the graduate admissions exam.
Pepall will begin her four−year term on the board starting in January of next year, and beyond assisting in formulating format and content changes to the GRE, is most looking forward to analyzing statistics and issues related to the GRE and test−takers, including those pertaining to demographics.
"I like data analysis and making correlations," she said. "I think it will be interesting to see the variations in data that showcase topics such as the gender gap between test−takers. … I'm really excited to work with the GRE board, especially in interpreting the correlations between GRE scores and different categories."
The GRE Board, composed of 16 members, aims to increase the effectiveness of the exam for both students and graduate schools. In particular, it is looking to adapt the test to better fit into the graduate admissions process and quantify students' abilities.
"The Board seeks to better understand the needs of graduate school admissions," Pepall said. "I believe the GRE should be structured in a manner that allows students to accurately demonstrate their knowledge in the verbal and quantitative realms."
Pepall believes that her experience as a dean at Tufts will translate well to her new position on the board. She emphasized the importance of the exam in linking an undergraduate to a fitting graduate school.
"The serving purpose of the GRE test is to help graduate schools and students make a perfect match," she said.
Pepall started at Tufts as an assistant professor of economics in 1987; the department named her a full professor in 2003 and chair of the department in 2005. She became dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 2006.
Professor of Economics Daniel Richards, who co−authored an economic theory book, "Industrial Organization: Contemporary Theory and Practice" (2001), with Pepall and colleague Professor George Norman, said that she has the experience to contribute meaningfully to the board's work.
"Dean Pepall will be an asset to the board as she has the judgment to connect the make−up of the test with the objectives of the test; in other words, linking strategies and outcomes," Richards said.
Joanna Xylas, a graduate student in the School of Engineering and president of the Graduate Student Council, said that Pepall has worked extensively with the council to advocate for several policy changes benefitting students. These skills, she said, will make her a valuable member of the board.
"Dean Pepall is an enthusiastic, smart and truly inspirational woman," Xylas said. "She is supportive and passionate. I am excited to see her join the GRE board and believe she will do an amazing job as a member because of her effective leadership and organization."
Educational Testing Service, which administers the GRE, plans to release a revised format of the exam next August to more closely align with the qualities sought after by graduate and business schools.
The GRE Board is broken up into five standing committees, which meet roughly three times a year. These committees cover issues such as minority graduate education, research and finance. Pepall does not yet know which committee she will serve on and will be assigned to one at a preliminary meeting scheduled to take place within the first two weeks of this month.
