I took the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) yesterday. This second time was very different from the first time, which was 35 years ago. It isn’t that the test changed that much.

Here are the differences:

1. This time I studied a math review and a verbal review. I even practiced writing the (2) mandatory analytical essays.

2. I started saying the Our Father and Hail Mary when I was in the cab enroute to the testing office. Once I started doing this, I couldn’t stop. I said a lot of them.

3. I didn’t flinch when I guessed at an answer. I allowed the guess to happen and moved on. No looking back.

4. I didn’t take the 10 minute break that was allowed during this 4-hour think-a-thon. I think I was afraid I wouldn’t return to finish, but I’m not sure.

5. I didn’t give much planning or thought as to WHY I was taking this test. It just seemed like a good idea when I thought it so I signed up.

6. Taking this test required courage. I risked the unpleasant discovery that I might not be very smart, or at least not AS smart as I thought, hoped, imagined, needed to be.

None of these occurred the first time I took the GRE. Was I smarter then?