What is GRE Exam?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GRE General Test (GRE), administered by IETS, is one of the most widely used standardised tests for graduate admissions to business and law schools. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an objective assessment of an individual's potential for success in graduate school. Analytical writing, numeric prowess, and verbal reasoning are all put to the test on the GRE General Test. Candidates' subject-specific skills are put to the test in the Graduate Record Examination Subject Test. Note that the GRE Subject Tests are limited to the disciplines of chemistry, mathematics, physics, and psychology.
Why take the GRE Test?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test required for admission to many graduate programmes, including those leading to a Master of Science (MS), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or a Thesis (Th.D.). In addition, the GRE is increasingly being accepted in place of the GMAT, the conventional exam for admission to business school. The number of U.S. law schools that recognise the GRE as an acceptable substitute for the more common LSAT is rising.
When should you take the GRE Test?
The best timing to take the GRE is a source of debate. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is offered year-round, both through the GRE at Home and in testing facilities. If you're wondering when you should take the GRE, the answer is: when you feel confident about your readiness. Experts recommend taking the GRE between 60 and 90 days before to the first university application deadline. Candidates would have sufficient time to retake the GRE if necessary.
What is GRE Score Validity?
Many applicants have questions about the relevance of their GRE scores. Candidates taking the GRE should be aware that their scores will be usable for five years after the date they took the test. This means that anyone who takes the GRE on April 3, 2021, and wants to report their scores, can do so until April 2, 2026.
GRE Exam Pattern
- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
|
GRE Sections
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Computer Based
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Paper Based
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|---|---|---|
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Analytical Writing
|
1 section - two tasks (60 minutes)
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2 sections - 2 tasks (60 minutes)
|
|
Verbal Reasoning
|
2 section - 40 questions (60 minutes)
|
2 section - 50 questions (70 minutes)
|
|
Quantative Reasoning
|
2 section - 40 questions (70 minutes)
|
2 section - 50 questions (80 minutes)
|
|
Unscored
|
Varies
|
NA
|
|
Research
|
Varies
|
NA
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GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus requires you to
- Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
- Examine claims and accompanying evidence
- Sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
- Control the elements of standard written English
GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus requires you to
- Analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify the author's assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author's intent
- Select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
- Understand the meaning of individual words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and concepts
What is the GRE Score Range?
|
Section
|
GRE Score Range
|
Mean*
|
|---|---|---|
|
Verbal Reasoning
|
130–170
|
150
|
|
Quantitative Reasoning
|
130–170
|
152
|
|
Analytical Writing
|
0–6
|
3.6
|
|
Total
|
260–340
|
-
|