Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as educational attainment rises, unemployment rates decrease and earnings increase. Whereas full-time workers age 25 and older with bachelor’s degrees had an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent and median weekly earnings of $1,156 in 2016, the unemployment rate for earners of master’s degrees dropped to 2.4 percent as their weekly wages rose to an average of $1,380. For those holding a professional degree, such as Juris Doctor or Master of Business Administration, the numbers were even more encouraging with the statistics revealing a 1.6 percent unemployment rate and median weekly earnings of $1,745.

Aimed at helping students prepare for law school, business school and other graduate programs, the University of Delaware’s Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (UD PCS) is offering test prep courses and free strategy sessions for the LSAT (Law School Admission Test), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Exam). All of the classes and strategy sessions are presented online, while the GRE and LSAT options can also be taken in person on UD’s Newark campus.

Students receive a copy of the official GMAT, GRE or LSAT textbook as well as a customized workbook. Conducted over three-hour sessions, the GMAT and GRE courses consist of 24 hours of instruction, while the LSAT course encompasses 30 hours.

The hour or hour-and-a-half, one-session, free strategy workshops are open to anyone wishing to learn more about the GMAT, GRE or LSAT exams and include study tips, typical exam question examples, scoring methods and a question-and-answer session with the instructor.

Scheduled throughout the spring, start dates for the prep classes and strategy sessions are listed below:

• GMAT Free Strategy Session: Jan. 17, March 7 (online)

• GMAT Test Prep: Feb. 7, Feb. 8, March 13 (online)

• GRE Free Strategy Session: Jan. 24, March 6 (online); Jan. 25, May 22 (Newark)

• GRE Test Prep: Jan. 31, Feb. 1, March 14 (online); Feb. 8 (Newark)

• LSAT Free Strategy Session: March 14, April 24 (online); April 17 (Newark)

• LSAT Test Prep: March 20 (online); May 1 (Newark)

UD students and alumni receive a 15 percent discount when enrolling in the courses. A military discount is also available.

Need-based scholarships covering the full cost of the courses, including books, materials and online resources, are available to first-generation college students wishing to enroll in one of these programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with preference given to submissions received at least three weeks prior to the course start date.

For more information, to register, or to RSVP for the free strategy sessions, visit www.pcs.udel.edu/test-prep/, email continuing-ed@udel.edu, or call 302-831-7600.