Graduate Record Examination, a standardized test required for admission to many graduate schools in the United States.
Acronym formed from 'Graduate Record Examination', first administered in 1936. The test was created to provide a common measure for comparing graduate school applicants from different educational backgrounds and institutions.
The GRE represents higher education's attempt to create fairness through standardization - ironically, this 'equalizing' test has become a source of anxiety and inequality itself. It's fascinating how a tool designed to level the playing field can become another hurdle that advantages those with test-prep resources.
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