The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and few in other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
According to ETS, the GRE aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning. The content of the GRE consists of certain specific algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary sections. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered at testing centers and institution owned or authorized by Prometric. In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely between schools and departments within schools. The importance of a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important selection factor.
GRE is the exam required for pursuing postgraduate studies in English-speaking nations. GRE exam pattern tests the verbal, quant, and analytical writing with each section calculated on a scale of 130 to 170. Top universities require a GRE score of 150 to 160 for both verbal and quant.
GRE Exam Pattern 2021
GRE General Test format has 3 different sections and the analytical skills are measured through this test. The main sections are GRE analytical writing assessment, GRE verbal reasoning, and GRE quantitative reasoning. All these sections have 2 subsections. The total time duration for GRE General Test is 3 hours 45 minutes. Three main sections of GRE general test are as follows
GRE Analytical Writing – GRE Analytical Writing comprises two types of questions. Analyze and Issue and Analyze an Argument are two types of tasks asked in this section. Candidates get 60 minutes to attempt two sections of GRE analytical writing.
GRE Verbal Reasoning – Candidates find GRE verbal reasoning section difficult for its tricky question types. Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence are three types of questions asked in this section. Candidates have to attempt 40 questions in 60 minutes.
GRE Quantitative Reasoning – With little practice, GRE quantitative reasoning can actually change the scorecard of the candidates. Quantitative comparison, Problem-solving and Date interpretation comprise GRE quant syllabus. Candidates have to attempt 40 questions in 70 minutes.
The GRE verbal section is comparatively easier than what the Power Prep series comprises, and candidates can actually score higher than what they generally obtain during the PowerPrep practice tests. Whereas, the GRE quant section’s first part is harder than what PowerPrep’s first part offers. Also, the last part of PowerPrep’s quant section is harder than what the actual test offers. From actual test-takers, it has been concluded that the GRE quant section, though might appear easy but is actually tricky. In fact, the experimental quant section is even harder.
Apart from GRE general test, GRE has another test - GRE subject test. This test is designed to check the knowledge of the candidates on their preferred subject. 6 subjects are included in the GRE subject test - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Literature, Psychology, and Biology. Aspirants take GRE subject test to make their applications outstanding by showing deep knowledge about a specific subject. ETS provides GRE practice books for each subject as study material.
How Long does the GRE Take?
Start to finish, the exam will take you 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Learn more about what’s on the GRE .
How do I register?
You must register online to take the GRE in advance of your test date; walk-in GRE registration at test centers is not accepted. The GRE is administered by ETS and given at Prometric testing centers. Visit ETS to register. The GRE costs $205 in most locations.
How is the GRE scored?
GRE test-takers will receive three separate scores, one for each section. Math and Verbal GRE scores fall on a scale of 130–170. Analytical Writing scores range from 0–6. Some test takers will also see an additional experimental math or verbal section, which will not be included in the final score. Learn more about GRE scoring .
Do GRE test scores expire?
Your GRE score remains valid for five years.
How important is your GRE score?
Schools differ in how they use your GRE score. Some programs weight GRE scores very heavily or have a minimum score for applicants, while other programs consider scores more of a formality. We recommend asking your prospective grad and business programs about the unique role the GRE test plays in their admissions and financial aid decisions. You can also check out the admissions data in our grad school and business school profiles .
How does the computer-adaptive GRE work?
The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, or CAT for short. Every test taker will see a least two Math sections and two Verbal sections. The difficulty level of the second section (easy, medium or hard) in each subject is determined by your performance on the first section. If you get lots of questions right on the first section, you will get a harder second section, but access to higher scores. If you don’t get as many questions right on the first section, you will get an easier second section and your scoring potential is capped at a lower range.
The computer-delivered GRE is the standard format for test takers. The paper-based GRE is far more rare and only offered up to three times a year. But if you want to learn more about the paper-and-pencil test, visit ETS.org .
What are GRE Subject Tests?
The GRE Subject Tests are similar to the SAT Subject Tests in that they test your knowledge of a particular subject like chemistry or literature. Not every school requires a GRE Subject Test, but many of the most competitive programs do. ETS offers the Subject Tests three times a year; they are not part of the standard GRE. There are six GRE Subjects: biology, chemistry, English literature, math, physics, and psychology.
GRE Subject tests are available only in the paper-based format of GRE and these tests are available thrice a year – in September, October, and April. Scores are measured on a scale of 200-990 with 10-point increments. The total time for the test is 2 hours and 50 minutes. Most candidates who aim to pursue higher studies at the postgraduate level take the GRE Subject test.
Percentage of Candidates Pursuing GRE at Post Graduate Level
GRE Eligibility 2021
There are no specific GRE exam eligibility criteria regarding age or educational qualifications. The only two things that candidates need to be concerned about is – Having a Passport if you are an Indian, and successfully finishing the undergraduate degree.
GRE Registration 2021
You can complete GRE Registration online easily by making an ETS account at ets.org/gre. Firstly you have to find out the accessible GRE exam centers and the available time slots for booking the test. ETS makes an easy GRE login account for easy accessibility. GRE exam fees will be paid via credit or debit card. Candidates can make GRE Registration via phone by calling 1-800-473-2255. All necessary information will be given over a call. GRE Exam fee payment can be processed via JCB, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Candidates can also register for GRE via mail. You have to send the completed GRE registration form to the address mentioned on the website. The application form must reach the address at least 3 weeks before the chosen test date.
If you are opting for GRE general at-home exam then you should have the required computer and testing setting. Tablets or mobile devices are not allowed, and your PC needs to have windows operating system 8 or 10. In the case of MAC, Mac OS X® 10.5 or higher is recommended. Candidates should also check if the ETS browser and ProctorU system are running successfully
GRE Exam Fee 2021
For registration and other services like cancellation, rescheduling amounts are paid in US dollars. GRE Exam Fee for the general test is $213 whereas for GRE exam fee for the subject tests is $150. The GRE rescheduling fee is US$50.
GRE Preparation Tips 2021
Candidates pursue different kinds of classroom or in-person courses for GRE preparation. Usually, the candidates take around 2-4 months before the scheduled date. To perform the best, candidates must target the score first. Few GRE preparation tips are as follows
Always keep calm and come back to questions you couldn't solve in the end;
Self-preparation is one of the most fruitful techniques for GRE practice. Get a survey of the best kind of sample books, practice papers for GRE. Self-preparation will enhance self-motivation all the time.
Take crash courses online will help in getting updated study materials. This in turn will help to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.
Hire a personal tutor to get regular feedback on the status of your preparation.
Know details about the syllabus and exam pattern of GRE.
Taking regular mock tests will help in effective preparation. It will evaluate the readiness of your preparation.
Making a proper study plan will help in monitoring the growth status of the candidates in terms of readiness.
Understand the contextual meaning of the GRE words
Ques. What is the paper pattern for Quantitative Reasoning section of GRE General Test?
Ans. Exam Pattern for Quantitative Reasoning section of GRE is as follows:
Number and duration of sections: Two sections of 35 minutes each.
Number of Questions: 20 questions in each section.
Question Type: Quantitative Comparison, Multiple choice, Numeric Entry
Score Scale:130–170, reported in one-point increments
Ques. What is the scoreselect option for GRE General test?
Ans. With the help of scoreselect you can retake the test and send only the scores you want your schools to see. It works in the following way:
Decide on Test Day: When you get your score at the test day, you can choose not to send your score at this time or you can use any of the following options:
Most Recent option: Send your scores from your current test date.
All option: Send your scores from all test dates in the last five years.
Decide After Test Day: At any time, you can send additional score reports for a fee and select from the following available options:
Most Recent option: Send your scores from your most recent test date.
All option: Send your scores from all test dates in the last five years.
Any option: Send your scores from one or as many test dates as you like from the last five years.
The schools you designate will only see the scores you selected to send them. There will be no special indication if you have taken additional GRE tests.
Ques. What should be the gap between two GRE attempts?
Ans. You can take the computer-delivered GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days). This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously.
Ques. What is the validity period of GRE score?
Ans. The validity period of a GRE score is 5 years.
Ques. How are GRE subject tests scored?
Ans. First raw score is calculated on the basis of your correct answers. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Raw score is further converted into a scaled score through the process of Equating. Equating balances the minor variations in difficulty level among different test editions.
Ques. In what all subjects is GRE subject test available?
Ans. GRE Subject test is available in the following subjects:
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Literature in English
Psychology
Physics
Ques. Can I use a calculator in GRE General Test?
Ans. An on screen calculator shall be present during the Quantitative reasoning section of GRE General computer delivered test. For paper delivered format, a calculator shall be provided at the test center.