Overview
The GRE Test is a standardized exam that is used by many graduate schools in their admissions process. The GRE Test serves a similar function to the SAT and ACT Tests in that both are used by colleges and universities as a factor in admissions. Different institutions place varying degrees of importance on standardized tests, such as the GRE, and use them along with other factors such as GPA, class rank, community service, recommendations and extracurricular activities. The GRE Test is meant to measure a student’s readiness for graduate or business school. The GRE Test focuses on testing abstract thinking skills in the areas of: vocabulary (verbal reasoning), mathematics (quantitative reasoning), and analytical writing. There are also GRE Subject Tests that attempt to gauge a student’s knowledge in seven different subject areas. GRE Test scores range from 130 to 170 for the verbal and quantitative sections. The GRE analytical writing section is scored on a 0 to 6 scale.
GRE Test Format
The GRE Test consists of two written essays and a total of 58 questions. You are given a total of 150 minutes to complete the test. The table below lists the sections of the test in more detail.
| Section | Time Limit | Number of Questions | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRE Analytical Writing | 45 minutes (issue task) 30 minutes (argument task) | 1 Issue Task 1 Argument Task | Evaluates your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, examine claims and accompanying evidence, and appropriately utilize the elements of standard written English. |
| GRE Verbal | 30 minutes per section | Two Sections 20 questions per section | Evaluates your verbal reasoning and comprehension. You will be asked to analyze and evaluate written material, including synthesizing information, analyzing relationships among sentence components, and recognizing relationships between words and concepts. |
| GRE Quantitative | 35 minutes per section | Two Sections 20 questions per section | Covers basic mathematical concepts that are typical for a college graduate. You will be tested on:arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. You will be assessed on quantitative reasoning. |
GRE General Test Sections
The GRE General Test contains three separate test areas: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. The details of these sections are listed below.
Analytical Writing : The Analytical Writing section requires a student to write two separate analyses – “Analyze an Issue” and “Analyze an Argument”. Students are given 30 minutes for each task. The purpose of the Analytical Writing section is to assess how a student can provide a focused response to a given writing prompt. Writing will be assessed on:
Clear and effective presentation of complex ideas, Use of relevant examples and reasons that support central argument, Demonstration of appropriate English grammar, Presentation of a focused and well-reasoned discussion, Analysis of claims and accompanying evidence.
Verbal Reasoning : The Verbal Reasoning test contains two separate sections. Each section contains 20 questions with a 30 minute time limit per section. The intent of the Verbal Reasoning section is to assess a student’s ability to comprehend written passages and apply reasoning skills. The main skills evaluated include:
Understanding of words, phrases and passages, Understanding of relationships among concepts, Determining important points and distinguishing important concepts from minor or irrelevant points, Drawing conclusions and reasoning from incomplete information, Identifying an author’s perspective and assumptions.
Quantitative Reasoning : The Quantitative Reasoning test contains two separate sections. Each section contains 20 questions with a 35 minute time limit per section. The Quantitative Reasoning section measures a student’s ability to:
Understand, interpret, and analyze quantitative information, Solve complex problems using various mathematical models, Utilize basic mathematical skills related to arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation.
- Weekends : 10 AM to 4 PM
- GRE Eligibility Criteria 2019 – Candidates aspiring for GRE 2019 have to satisfy the GRE 2019 eligibility criteria for the institutes and universities to which they are applying for their graduate programme.
- It is the onus of the candidate to check if the university of their choice accepts GRE 2019 scores.
- Following this they can go for GRE General Test 2019.
- If the candidates fulfil the GRE eligibility criteria 2019 of the programme or the university, they should then go for the GRE registration process to take the GRE General test 2019.
- Different institutions have their own GRE 2019 eligibility criteria that the aspirants have to fulfil.
- Candidates may choose from any available GRE test dates 2019.
- GRE test 2019 which is conducted by ETS is taken at not less than 1000 test centres across the globe in 160 countries.
- Intensive preparation program – Proven techniques taught by Expert Faculties
- Comprehensive and well researched Study Material
- Library Access – Well Equipped Library with Best latest publications.
- Mock Test at regular intervals simulating Exam conditions.
- Unlimited one-to-one doubt clearing sessions with Faculty.
- Specialised Admission counselling and Scholarship opportunities.
Benefits of GRE High Score
- A high score will increase the chances of Admission in op ranked Universities of US, Canada and Germany.
- Chances of getting Scholarships / Financial Aid are bright with a high GRE score.
- Visa Officers also give weightage to high GRE scores while considering Visa applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GRE is held year-round at test centers around the world. The ETS website has a full list of testing centers. The test is computer-based, and paper-based where computer testing is unavailable. Paper-based testing is held three times per year.
The GRE costs $205. You can register for the exam on the ETS website.
The GRE is accepted by thousands of graduate schools and business schools. You should research specific graduate programs to learn what tests they require.
The GRE is split into 6 sections: first an Analytical Writing section consisting of a 30-minute Argument Task and a 30-minute Issue task; then 2 sections each of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, with a final “experimental” section that is either Verbal or Quantitative reasoning. After the Analytical Writing section, the remaining sections occur in random order. Some tests also have an optional “research” section after the conclusion of the exam.
The GRE exam lasts for approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.
Depending on the student and graduate program, the GRE score can vary from a mere formality to a critical component of the application. Generally, graduate schools consider the GRE below undergraduate GPA, and about equally with letters of recommendation.
The GRE is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments, for both the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in 0.5-point increments.
The computer-based GRE has an adaptive algorithm that adjusts the difficulty level of the test based on the student’s performance. The first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are of average difficulty, with a mixture of easy and difficult questions. The difficulty of the second sections is determined by performance on the first sections. Students who perform well will “level up” to a more difficult second section. The difficulty level of the test is taken into account when the score is tabulated, a process known as “equating”.
The Electronic Testing Service (ETS) designs, administers, validates, and continuously updates the GRE.
Yes, once every 21 days up to five times per year for the computer-based test. You may retake the paper-based test whenever it is offered (3 times per year where computer-based testing is unavailable).
At the conclusion of your test, you will have the option to submit your most recent score or all of your scores from the past five years. After the test you will have the option to send specific sets of test scores. You may control which scores are sent out, but you may only send complete sets of scores (ie, you cannot combine section scores from different exams, you must send scores for an entire exam, but you may choose which exams to send).
