GRE Test – The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a computer-based exam developed and administered by ETS. GRE scores are required for admission to graduate, law, and graduate business programs (MBA) globally. The standardized scores of the GRE exam provide these institutions with a common yardstick to measure the qualifications, skills, and preparedness of the candidate to pursue the graduate-level program.
As per the official exam content, the GRE will test the candidate’s understanding of basic arithmetic, data analysis, algebra, and geometry. Additionally, it will also test the college-level vocabulary of the candidate.
Furthermore, the test will delve deeper and examine whether you possess the ability to analyze and evaluate written content, have a critical bent of mind and whether you are a problem solver.
Table of Contents
GRE Exam Highlights
| Particulars | Description |
| Name of the exam | Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) |
| Conducting body | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
| Mode of the exam | Computer-delivered Test |
| Purpose of the exam | Accepted by graduate, business, and law schools across the world. |
| GRE Exam Fees | GRE General Test: INR 22,550 GRE Subject Test: INR 14,500 |
| Validity of GRE scores | 5 years |
| Score Range | Verbal Reasoning score range: 130–170 Quantitative Reasoning score range: 130–170 Analytical Writing score range: 0–6 |
| Similar Exams | TOEFL exam PTE Academic Exam IELTS Exam |
Types of GRE Tests
The GRE exam is available in two types:
- GRE General Test
- GRE Subject Test
The candidate can select their GRE type based on the academic requirement.
GRE General Test
The GRE General Test is a standardized test that measures the academic readiness of a candidate to attend graduate school. The GRE test will evaluate the analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills of the candidate.
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GRE Test Content
The GRE Test evaluates four basic skills of the candidate – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. These skills are typically developed over a long period and aren’t related to a specific field of study.
The GRE General Test is designed to closely reflect the kind of thinking that pervades today’s demanding graduate school programs, including business and law.
| Section | Test Content |
| Verbal Reasoning | The Verbal Reasoning section measures the ability of the candidate to: analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify 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 among concepts |
| Quantitative Reasoning | The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to: understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information solve problems using mathematical models apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis |
| Analytical Writing | The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to: articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively support ideas with relevant reasons and examples sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion control the elements of standard written English It requires you to provide focused responses based on the tasks presented, so you can accurately demonstrate your skill in directly responding to a task. |
GRE General Test – Test Structure
| Particular | Descruption |
| Duration | 1 hour and 58 minutes (approx.) |
| Number of questions | 55 |
| Sections | Five sections. Verbal Reasoning (One section) Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) Analytical Writing (Two sections) |
Note: The Analytical Writing section appears first. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section.
GRE General Test – Test sections and timings
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
| Analytical Writing (One section) | One “Analyze an Issue” task | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
GRE General Test Design Features
An advanced adaptive design has been introduced for the GRE General Test. It allows the candidate to move forward and backward throughout an entire section.
Specific features include:
- preview and review capabilities within a section
- “Mark” and “Review” features to tag questions, so you can skip them and return later if you have time remaining in the section
- the ability to change/edit answers within a section
- an on-screen calculator for the Quantitative Reasoning section
GRE General Test Registration
Scheduling GRE General Test
The candidate is allowed to take the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days).
Note that, if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously, it will still be considered as an attempt.
When selecting a test date, make sure that the test scores reporting schedule is in time for your application deadlines. GRE General Test scores are reported 8–10 days after the test date.
Also, the time required by schools to receive scores may depend upon which delivery method you have chosen. Electronic scores are delivered to schools twice a week. When choosing a test date, it is therefore important that you allow time for delivery of scores and processing by the institution.
Here is how you register for GRE General Test
- Select the test you want to take – GRE General or GRE General at Home
- Choose an area and date range
- Choose the preferred date and test location
GRE General Test Fees
| Particular | Fee |
| Test Fee | $220 |
| Rescheduling fee | $50 |
| Changing test center | $50 |
Scoring services
The services mentioned below have to be accessed through the applicant ETS account. Any scoring service not listed below, such as the GRE Diagnostic Service, doesn’t have an associated fee.
| Particulars | Fee |
| Additional Score Reports (ASR) — Per recipient | $35 |
| Question-and-Answer review service — Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning sections only (New York State residents only) | $50 |
| Score Review for Analytical Writing measure | $60 |
| Score Reinstatement Fee | $50 |
How to get GRE General Test Scores
What scores are reported?
| Section | Score Scale |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130–170, in 1-point increments |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130–170, in 1-point increments |
| Analytical Writing | 0–6, in half-point increments |
If no questions are answered for a specific measure (e.g., Verbal Reasoning), then you will receive a No Score (NS) for that measure.
When will I receive GRE General Test scores?
You can check the official GRE General Test scores through your ETS account 8-10 days after the test date.
Once test scores are ready, you will get an email notification from ETS.
Details included in GRE General Test Score Report
The official GRE Test-taker Score Report is intended only for informational purposes and personal records. It will contain the following information:
- contact information (name, phone number and email)
- date of birth
- gender
- intended graduate major
- test date(s)
- GRE test score(s) and the associated percentile ranks
- authorized score recipients or fellowship sponsors and the scores reported to those institutions
- cumulative record of scores reported within the last 5 years
Download – Sample GRE Test-taker Score Report
What information is sent to institutions?
Official score reports sent to the institutions you designate will include the following information:
- your contact information (name, address, phone number, email)
- date of birth
- gender
- your intended graduate major field
- the GRE test dates and score(s) you choose to report with the ScoreSelect® option and the associated percentile ranks
The score report don’t include:
- any information concerning the other score recipients you have chosen
- any scores you’ve chosen not to report
- any indication that you’ve taken other GRE tests
Download – Sample GRE General Test Institution Score Report
Validity of GRE General Test Scores
GRE scores are reportable for 5 years from the test date.
You can also check the exact date your scores will be reportable based on your test date.
GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject tests measure the knowledge the candidate has on a specific subject.
As per the official website, the GRE Subject Tests are achievement tests that measure the knowledge and skill level of the candidate in a particular field of study.
Note that these tests are intended for students who have an undergraduate major or extensive background in any of the following disciplines:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
GRE Subject Test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement the undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications of the candidate for graduate-level study.
The GRE Subject Tests in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology will be conducted in a computer-delivered format.
Also, the Physics and Psychology Tests will be of 2 hours.
GRE Subject Test Registration
The GRE Subject Tests are offered 2 weeks per month in September, October and April at computer-delivered centers worldwide. The tests can also be taken at home on certain dates during those 3 months.
GRE Subject Tests Fees
| Particular | Fee |
| GRE Subject Test Fee | $150 |
| Rescheduling fee | $50 |
| Changing test center | $50 |
Scoring services
The following services have to be accessed through the applicant’s ETS account.
| Particulars | Fee |
| Additional Score Reports (ASR) — Per recipient | $35 |
| Score Reinstatement Fee | $50 |
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