Why Was The PPI Added To The GRE?

Just as high school seniors must take the ACT or SAT tests for access into college, college seniors hoping to enter graduate school programs must take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). The GRE measures a number of factors that are used to predict the student's probability of success in graduate school. Test scores shared with grade point averages and other information allow graduate programs to select the best candidates for their programs.
A dilemma noted by many graduate schools was a high rate of attrition among graduate students. Another issue was the duration of time it took some students to complete the program. Usually, graduate programs at the masters level take two years to complete, but there is flexibility and some students take longer that two years. Doctorate programs should usually be completed in two to three years, but many graduate students take much longer.
The second reason for the PPI was to predict success for underrepresented groups of students whose test scores or grades might not fully symbolize their capability in graduate school. Evaluators can use the PPI in determining whether a student with a lower grade point average or GRE score may have a greater potential for completing graduate school than another student with higher grades and a better GRE score.
Educational Testing Service (ETS), which designs tests such as the SAT and the GRE, was asked by graduate schools to address these problems in the testing procedure. In response to the needs of the graduate programs, ETS added the Personal Potential Index (PPI) to the GRE in July of 2009. The PPI is designed to measure six personal attributes of the graduate school applicant which are predictors of his ability to complete his graduate studies in a timely manner.
The six areas targeted by the PPI are knowledge and creativity, communication skills, ethics and integrity, resilience, planning and organization and teamwork. The premise behind the PPI is that these attributes are functions of the applicant's personality. A balanced PPI is an sign that an applicant has all the characteristics that make it probable he will complete his graduate studies.
PPI scores will play a role in the selection of candidates for graduate programs. It remains to be seen how much graduate programs will rely on PPI scores when selecting candidates. The test is too new for any distinct predictions on how much it will sway a student's probability of being chosen for a graduate program. The only power a student has in the PPI is in selecting the advisors or employers who will answer the questions for the PPI evaluation.
According to ETS, the PPI isn't intended to replace letters of recommendation, but to add to those letters. The PPI is a multiple choice questionnaire which asks the evaluator to pick one of five answers to questions concerning personal attributes of the student applying for graduate school. Applicants will need to choose their evaluators cautiously in order to insure a favorable score on the PPI test.

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