Testing
What tests do I need to take before applying to graduate school?
That depends upon the grad school to which you're applying. If you're applying to a specialized degree program, like a law school, a medical school, or a business program, you will have to take more specialized exams, such as the Law School Aptitude Test, the Medical College Aptitude Test, and the General Management Aptitude Test. However, for most programs (and indeed, for generally all programs, regardless of specialization), you will need to take the Graduate Record Exam. The GRE has two forms: the general test and the subject test.
Do I need to take the general GRE alone or do I also have to take the GRE subject-area test?
That depends upon the individual program requirements. Some programs require just the general test, while others require that you take both. To find out info about which graduate programs at VT require which part of the exam (or an altogether different test), you'll need to check with each department. Same goes for schools beyond VT. Don't just check with the Graduate School or Program alone (which is like the clearinghouse for all grad school apps), because it often requires just the GRE general test. Make sure you check with the department's grad program, because it might require the subject test.
How do I study for such exams?
Each exam is going to require a different base of information, but here are some pointers that can help you plan for the subject area of the GRE:
Begin your preparation for such exams in your first in-major English courses by READING the material thoroughly and critically. How can you take an exam on material that you have not read?
Take thorough notes in class. Even spend time summarizing and organizing those notes into a style that can be easily referenced (flash cards, a chronological notebook, whatever) when the time comes to study for the exam.
Take as many different courses within the major as you can. Do you think the exam will cover just American literature? just British? just medieval? Cover your bases by covering wide swathes of time and subjects, both canonical and noncanonical.
Familiarize yourself with key literary histories, usually multi-volume works that trace the development of a particular literature over time. Such histories will cover major and minor figures, major genres, major developments, major works. They provide you with the "big picture" in a neat, easily-referenced form.
If you want to pay for it, Kaplan offers a variety of test prep courses and materials. Otherwise, you should (1) consult professors, (2) university organizations, and (3) book and online sources for advice on preparation.
What sorts of scores do I need to make to be competitive in the application process?
Each program will have slightly different exam requirements, so you might research your intended school(s) to find the best answers to this question. What's merely "good" for one school might be "great" for another .