GRE Exam : All About Graduate Record Examination | What is GRE Test
Updated on 21 September, 2022
Mrinal Mandal
Study Abroad Expert
Study Abroad Expert
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the standard and prominent entrance exam students take to qualify for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, specifically in English-speaking nations. The Educational Testing Services (ETS), a New Jersey-based organization, conducts the GRE. The test comprises verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning. The 3 hours and 45-minute exam is accepted by more than 1500 universities across the globe. The students who want to pursue postgraduate courses can also appear for the GRE. GRE tests can be taken in both online and offline modes. You can also appear for the GRE online from the comfort of your home. Though some institutions require a test centre-based exam score rather than the online exam scores.This article will describe every GRE Exam detail to help students score well in the test.
Type of GRE test | Subject Test and General test |
Sections | Verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning |
No. of Questions | General Test- 82 Subject Test- 66 to 230 |
Score | Verbal reasoning- 130-170 Analytical reasoning- 0-6 Quantitative reasoning- 130-170 |
Duration of test | General test- 3 hours and 45 minutes Subject test- 2 hours and 50 minutes |
Exam purpose | Admission in colleges offering MS, MBA and Law, etc |
The eligibility criteria for GRE is as follows:
The GRE general and subject test registration can be done from anywhere, anytime. A candidate can use any of the following modes to register for GRE online test:
Both GRE Subject Test and GRE General Test have different fee structures. The GRE exam details for fee are as follows:
Type of test | Price |
General Test | $213 |
Subject Test | $150 |
GRE Services | Exam fees |
GRE subject change | $50 |
GRE Score Review | $50 |
GRE Rescheduling | $50 |
GRE late exam registration | $25 |
GRE additional score report request | $27 |
GRE test center change | $50 |
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You can give the exam from the comfort of your home as well. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ETS came up with the option of a GRE home test facility. The GRE exam from home registration fee is $213.
The GRE centers in India are under the purview of ETS. The candidates can now attempt the GRE either from the test center or their home. The test centers are available in almost every city in the country. Candidates can book their slots at the center of their choice at their convenience. However, they should check the official website of ETS before opting for a test center if it is functional or not.
The GRE exam is offered both online and offline all over the country. The students can choose the nearest Prometric test center and date to start their registration for the test. A student can retake the GRE test in a gap of 21 days but can only attempt it five times a year within a span of 12 months or 365 days. This is also applicable if a student applies for the cancellation of scores of the last attempt. GRE exam dates for 2022 can be opted by the candidates at their convenience.
The exam pattern and syllabus for both the subject and general tests are different. The exam can be taken online or on paper as per the candidate’s suitability. The pattern and syllabus in the GRE portion have different sections and question types. The GRE exam detailed pattern is discussed below:
GRE exam section | Total Questions | Sub-sections | Question’s type | Task |
Analytical Reasoning | 2 | n/a | Analyzing argument and issue | Think and represent your idea meticulously |
Quantitative Reasoning | 40 | Profit & loss | Numeric entry questions Comparison questions | Point out all the important information Analyze and understand every particular word and its relation with the concept and reach a conclusion |
Linear equations | ||||
Ratio and proportion | ||||
Quadratic equations | ||||
Sets theory | ||||
Stats | ||||
Lines and angles | ||||
Polygon | ||||
Percentage | ||||
Surface area | ||||
Triangle | ||||
Quadrilateral | ||||
Geometry | ||||
Speed, time and distance | ||||
Power and roots | ||||
Verbal Reasoning | 40 | comprehension, articles, idioms, sentence correction, antonyms, and synonyms, etc. | Comprehension, completing text and sentence equivalency | · Analyze the data . Solve geometric questions and sums |
Section | Time limit |
Verbal | 60 minutes |
Quantitative | 70 minutes |
Analytical | 60 minutes |
The GRE subject is conducted offline thrice a year, unlike the general test. The subject areas in GRE subject syllabus includes:
· Mathematics
· Biology
· Physics
· English Literature
· Psychology
· Chemistry
GRE Subject and General have certain differences based on varied parameters. The table below shows the major differences between the GRE tests.
Area | GRE Subject Test | GRE General Test |
Subject/sections | Single-subject test: Chemistry Biology Mathematics Psychology English Literature Physics | Three sections- Verbal, Quant, and Analytical |
Mode | Offline mode | Online and offline mode |
Dates | Exams are held thrice a year-Oct, Sept and April | Conducted throughout the year |
Fees | Fee: $150 | Fees: $255 |
No. of Questions | 66-230 | 82 |
Duration | Time limit- 2 hours 50 minutes | 3 hours 45 minutes |
Score Range | 200-990 | 260-340 |
What does the Course include:
The quality of the attempt affects the GRE scores. The score calculation for both GRE general test and subject test varies. Let us know all about GRE scores.
The total GRE is marked in the verbal and quant areas. The scores are calculated based on the number of right responses to the questions asked. Two major factors that influence the GRE score calculation:-
Each verbal and quant section comprises measures. Computer-based tests are adaptive and also determine the test’s difficulty level. The first measure has simple questions, whereas the second measure is quite complex. Please note that the second section depends on how you perform in the first one.
The September GRE is relatively more manageable than the August exam. ETS does not show any clear scoring process; however, it mentions answering all the questions correctly to increase high scoring points. Let’s discuss how the analytical writing section of GRE is calculated-
As mentioned, the GRE subject test comprises six subjects candidates can choose according to their preference. The score here is also calculated using the equating method.
In the biology section, the accurate answers for every content are added to the subscore.
In the psychology and physics part, the subscore consists of correct answers in each content and the correct answer of the whole sheet.
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The GRE exam result will reflect in the ETS account within 10-15 days after the test. The candidate will receive a notification once the results are out. The official GRE exam in India score consists of the following information:
Anyone with a bachelor’s degree is eligible to take the GRE in India. There’s no age limit to sit for the GRE. English fluency is necessary to ace the exam as there are writing and reasoning sections. However, if a candidate is not an expert in English, they can still be eligible to appear in the exam.
GRE online test is conducted all around the year and at various locations worldwide. The appointment for the GRE entrance exam is scheduled on the availability of first cum, first-served basis. The registration can be done either online, via website or phone. The candidates can choose the mode that suits them the best.
Many universities in the US have temporarily waived the requirement of the GRE test amidst COVID-19. Some universities have made it optional to attempt GRE and submit the scores. As it is only a temporary move, the students are advised to appear for the GRE exam as it will only add weightage to their application.
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The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is standard test students take to qualify or postgraduate courses. The GRE exam is generally required for admissions in English-speaking nations. The test is also considered prominent across the world.
GRE was the acronym for Graduate Record Examination. Presently it has been made the test name and its abbreviation is no longer used.
The GRE exam is used for taking admissions in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in around 1500 universities world over. Generally, GRE is required for all post-graduate courses to study abroad. The test comprises three sections - quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and verbal reasoning.
The GRE test focuses on critical thinking, hence making it difficult for average students. But the exam is easily manageable for those who have a knowledge of vocabulary and critical thinking.
The fee for the GRE exam general test is $213 while for the subject test is $150. However, there are additional charges for alterations in the test bookings and attempts such as rescheduling fee, subject change fee, test center change fee vary for GRE Exam.
The GRE exam has three different sections - analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. The analytical writing section measures the candidate's critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It also assesses the test taker's ability to base complex ideas and evaluate arguments.
Generally, most international universities accept GRE scores for admissions in courses such as MBA, MS, law, MIM and others. MBA and MIM programs accept GRE General Test scores in almost all specializations.
In the GRE computer adaptive test, the difficulty level of the next section is based on the success rate of the candidate in the previous section. This implies that as the candidate proceeds further in the next step of the question, the difficulty level increases. But students should work on technique, time management and score strategy.
Cracking GRE is not an impossible task. With few tips and tricks, a candidate can not only clear the GRE exam but score well in the exam as well.
GRE score is valid for five years following the date of the test. For instance, a score received in July 2012 are valid only till July 2026. The GRE scores gained before July 2016 are not valid. To process the request for generating the GRE scores, it needs five business days.
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