Students interested in applying to graduate school next fall, may want to consider taking the GRE sooner.

Starting Aug. 1 the test will feature new types of questions, a different scoring method and slower feedback results.

Typically test takers receive unofficial scores right after the test, but those who take the new test for the first few months will have to wait until Nov. 1.

âÄúYouâÄôre gonna see the biggest changes in the history of the test,âÄù Kaplan Test Prep director of graduate programs Lee Weiss said. âÄúBasically every aspect is changing.âÄù

ETS, the makers of the test, contend that the changes will give test-takers a âÄúbetter test experience,âÄù but Weiss warned that the test will be more challenging as there will be a larger emphasis on higher-level reasoning.

Weiss predicted the testâÄôs changes will make it more competitive with the GMAT, which most business schools prefer.

Additionally, the new scoring scale will be able to differentiate studentsâÄô scores better, providing a more accurate percentile range, Weiss said.

Currently one-third of all graduate programs at the University of Minnesota and the Carlson School of Management MBA program do not accept the GRE.