• The number of GRE test-takers in the US in 2018 was 416,613.
• In 2017, this figure was 430,400.
• In 2016, this figure was 443,408.
• In 2015, this figure was 415,975.
• In 2014, this figure was 419,694.
• Based on the above figures, the GRE test volume increased by 5.65% (= ((443,408 - 419,694)/419,694) x 100%) between 2014 and 2016.
• From 2016 to 2018 the test volume decreased by -6.04% (= ((416,613 - 443,408)/443,408) x 100%)
• According to this article by Chemical and Engineering News, university chemistry departments are dropping the GRE test because of the high cost of the exam and its poor ability to predict success in graduate school. The article cites that in recent years programs in the biomedical sciences have dropped the test and at least 6 chemistry departments in the academic year 2019-2020 have done the same. Thus, most likely the decrease in test volume will continue.
• Apart from the two reasons mentioned above, the article says that women and underrepresented minorities do not perform as well as white men on these tests and this hinders department's abilities to diversify their departments. Though women do not perform well on this test there appears to be no correlation between test results and how well they do in graduate school.

Summary of Findings

• During the initial hour of research, we have focused on finding information on the growth of GRE tests in the US.
• While we were not able to find growth figures, we were able to find testing volumes between 2009 and 2018 of which we have mentioned those between 2014 and 2018.
• These figures show there is a decline in testing in the US 2016 onward and recent articles are confirming this trend sharing that universities are dropping this testing method as a requirement for application.