If you are a student specialising in any given field of study, you must have heard of GRE. But just in case you want to brush up on your knowledge, we have prepared a comprehensive guide with all the necessary details you might find useful for your GRE preparation.
What is GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination is one of the preliminary steps in the application process for graduate or business schools. Conducted by ETS, the GRE is a fully computer-based standardised test that relies on multiple-choice questions to gauge your academic potential. Your GRE scores, along with your high school academic record and overall achievements, are taken into consideration during your admission to a business school or a graduate school.
Schools all around the world require a common standardised test to minimise bias and unfairness in the admission process, and that’s where the GRE comes in.
Simply put, if you manage to ace your GRE, it will increase your chances of getting into your dream school.
How is the GRE Conducted?
The GRE General Test is usually conducted at Prometric test centres all year round, although a few non-Prometric centres also offer the test.
If getting to a physical test centre is unfeasible, the GRE General Test is a computer-based test which can alternatively be taken at home. You can also sit the GRE home test at the comfort of your home, under the supervision of a human proctor. The GRE home test is identical to the tests conducted at test centres in terms of overall content, on-screen experience, and the general format.
How Many Times Can You Take the GRE?
You can write the GRE General Test up to five times in a year, but note that there must be a minimum of 21 days in between two attempts. This rule applies even if you have cancelled a previous test score in a year.
How to Register for the GRE
GRE registration can be done in 3 alternative ways:
- Online
This option can only be availed if you are paying the GRE exam fees by credit or debit card. Register online at the GRE ETS site and print out your voucher for future reference. GRE online registration also allows you to check the seat availability in real time.
- Phone
You can ring 1-800-GRE-CALL or 1-800-473-2255 to register for the GRE. The confirmation ID, test center, test date, and reporting time will be informed to you over a call. You can pay the GRE fees with an American Express, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, Visa credit, or debit card.
Fill out the Authorization Voucher Request Form in the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin. Sign the voucher request form and mail it along with the GRE fee in the envelope provided to the address mentioned on the voucher.
GRE Eligibility Criteria
Want to know if you are eligible to take the GRE? Here’s the great news:
The GRE has NO special eligibility criteria. The GRE has no age limit or educational qualification requisite, so you are at liberty to sit for the GRE any time you want. With the GRE exam eligibility guidelines being eased, all that counts is your preparation and intent to ace the test.
How to Prepare for GRE
Sitting to write your GRE paper might seem daunting, especially if it is your first time. To make your exam experience easier and less stressful, you can start sticking to a routine for your GRE preparation in the months ahead of your GRE examination. Here are a few ways in which you can ensure your best efforts at GRE preparation:
Keep solving previous years’ GRE papers as well as sample mock papers. Appearing for GRE mock tests can make you aware of your mistakes, in turn improving your chances of acing the GRE on the first attempt.
Pay attention to works of Analytical Non-Fiction, for the GRE has always seemed to favour liberal arts and philosophy students who are acquainted with analytical academic writing. This will help you improve your ability to comprehend reading passages. More than GRE books, reading works of non-fiction will help enhance your reading and writing skills, as well as your vocabulary.
Try to replicate the real-time GRE experience by appearing for practice tests in the same testing conditions, duration, and supervision. This will help root out the inherent fear of examinations, especially when it is one that decides your higher educational aspirations.
Work on enhancing your GRE vocabulary, as that would pay off in the reading, writing, as well as analytical sections. Inculcate a habit of reading newspapers, paperbacks, and magazines, and try to retain words that catch your eye.
Review your practice test results, and try to gauge your areas of weakness. Work extensively on those areas in limited time durations to acclimate yourself to the real-time testing conditions and the potential errors in judgement.
Many prefer to sit for multiple GREs before they send their final reports to the college admission committee. If you manage to ace the GREs with flying colours, your chances of getting into the best schools in the world becomes greater. So, try to allot a specific number of hours to your daily GRE preparation to be thorough with the possible challenges the paper can pose.
For more information on how to prepare for the GRE, you can check out the ETS Official Guide.
GRE Test Dates
If you are a prospective GRE examinee, make sure you are registered on the ETS website. Create your own ETS GRE account to be eligible to apply for the test. Keep checking the GRE exam dates to stay up to date about the upcoming tests.
- When can you sit for the GRE?
You can sit for the GRE General Test anytime in a year, but note that it follows a first-come-first-serve policy, so fast-tracking your GRE slot booking is recommended.
- When will you receive your GRE scores?
It can take 10 to 15 days for your GRE results to reach your school’s admission committee, so make sure you write the GRE early on. Your prospective graduate or business school’s admission committee should receive the scores within the application deadline.
Check out the test dates, test centres, and seat availability in the location of your preference.
GRE Syllabus 2021
The GRE exam syllabus for the verbal reasoning section is divided into 3 parts:
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Equivalence
- Text Completion
The GRE General Test includes a Verbal Reasoning section that focuses on the following topics:
- Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
- Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns
- Verb tense
- Subject-Verb Agreement
- Pronoun Agreement
- Modifiers and Parallelism
Here’s how the syllabus for the GRE Quantitative Reasoning looks:
| Arithmetic | Geometry | Data Analysis | Algebra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arithmetic Property and types of integer | Geometry Lines and angles | Data Analysis Descriptive statistics: Median, Mean, Range, Mode, Percentiles, and so on | Algebra Exponents |
| Arithmetic Power and roots | Geometry Circles | Data Analysis Interpretation of data based on graphs, circle graphs, scatter plots, etc | Algebra Algebraic Expressions – Factoring and Simplifying |
| Arithmetic Statistics | Geometry Triangles | Data Analysis Probability | Algebra Equations and inequalities |
| Arithmetic Estimation | Geometry Quadrilaterals | Data Analysis Permutation and Combination | Algebra Linear and Quadratic inequalities |
| Arithmetic Number properties | Geometry Polygons | Data Analysis Sets theory | Algebra Linear Equations |
| Arithmetic Percentage | Geometry Three-dimensional figures | Data Analysis Venn diagrams | Algebra Quadratic equations |
| Arithmetic Exponents and Roots | Geometry Area, volume, perimeter | Data Analysis | Algebra Word Problems |
| Arithmetic Ratio and proportions | Geometry Angle measurements | Data Analysis | Algebra Speed, distance, and Time |
| Arithmetic Simple and Compound Interest | Geometry | Data Analysis | Algebra Profit and loss |
| Arithmetic Arithmetic Operations | Geometry | Data Analysis | Algebra Coordinate geometry |
The GRE General Test’s Analytical Writing section is divided into 2 parts:
- Analyse and Argument: You will be required to accurately analyse, interpret, and argue against or in favour of the topic as provided on the paper.
- Analyze and Issue: You will be required to offer an option on the issue of general interest.
Note: Make sure you follow the instructions properly before starting to write the Analytical Writing section.
Here’s an idea of the GRE subject test syllabus:
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics | Psychology |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Analytical chemistry (15%) | Biology Cellular and Molecular Biology (33-34%) | English Literature Literary analysis (40-55%) | Mathematics Calculus (50%) | Physics Classical mechanics (20%) | Psychology Biological (17-21%) |
| Chemistry Inorganic chemistry (25%) | Biology Organismal Biology (33-34%) | English Literature Identification(15-20%) | Mathematics Algebra (25%) | Physics Electromagnetism (18%) | Psychology Cognitive (17-24%) |
| Chemistry Organic chemistry (30%) | Biology Ecology and evolution (33-34%) | English Literature Cultural and historical context (20-25%) | Mathematics Additional Topics (25%) | Physics Optics and wave phenomena (9%) | Psychology Social (12-14%) |
| Chemistry Physical Chemistry (30%) | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%) | Psychology Developmental (12-14%) |
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Quantum mechanics (12%) | Psychology Clinical (15-19%) |
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Atomic Physics (10%) | Psychology Measurement/methodology/other (15-19%) |
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Special Relativity (6%) | Psychology |
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Laboratory methods (6%) | Psychology |
| Chemistry | Biology | English Literature | Mathematics | Physics Specialized topics (9%) | Psychology |
Make sure you are thorough with all the topics before sitting for the test. As far as the GRE is concerned, preparation is key.
GRE Exam Pattern
Here is the basic structure of the GRE General Test:
| GRE General Test | Computer-based GRE | Paper-based GRE |
|---|---|---|
| GRE General Test DURATION | Computer-based GRE 3 hours 45 minutes | Paper-based GRE 3 hours 30 minutes |
| GRE General Test NUMBER OF SECTIONS | Computer-based GRE 7 | Paper-based GRE 6 |
| GRE General Test NUMBER OF QUESTIONS | Computer-based GRE 82 | Paper-based GRE 102 |
You can write the GRE Subject Tests in 6 subjects: Chemistry, Psychology, English Literature, Physics, Biology, Mathematics. Familiarise yourself with the GRE pattern through previous years GRE question papers and repeated mock tests to increase your chances of performing well.
Note: GRE Subject Tests are offered only in paper-delivered formats, and the total duration is 2 hours 50 minutes.
The GRE General Test consists of 5 sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
- Research
- Unscored
While the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections feature 2 sections each with 20 questions, the Analytical Writing section contains only one section with 2 questions.
Here’s how much time you can allot to each section of the GRE Computer-based General Test:
- Verbal Reasoning: 30 minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning: 35 minutes
- Analytical Writing: 60 minutes
GRE Fees
The GRE fees is subject to change, so make sure you keep checking the ETS official website to be informed about any modifications. It is inclusive of all value-added taxes that ETS is liable to pay.
Here’s what the GRE fees looks like:
| Country | Fees |
|---|---|
| Country Australia | Fees $230 |
| Country China | Fees $231.30 |
| Country India | Fees $213 |
| Country Nigeria | Fees $226 |
| Country Turkey | Fees $255 |
| Country All other areas of the world | Fees $205 |
You have to pay a nominal additional amount for special handling requests. Here’s what you have to pay if you want to reschedule the test or change your test centre:
| Special Requests | Fees |
|---|---|
| Special Requests Rescheduling fee (China) | Fees $53.90 |
| Special Requests Rescheduling fee (rest of the world) | Fees $50 |
| Special Requests Changing the test center | Fees $50 |
Here’s a list of additional privileges such as reviews and analysis of your test paper that you can avail for a fixed fee. Some of the services in this category are as follows:
| Additional Privileges | Fees |
|---|---|
| Additional Privileges Additional Score Reports (ASR) — per recipient | Fees $27 |
| Additional Privileges Question-and-Answer review service — Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning sections only (New York State residents only) | Fees $50 |
| Additional Privileges Score Review for Analytical Writing measure | Fees $60 |
| Additional Privileges Score Reinstatement Fee | Fees $50 |
What is a Good GRE Score?
GRE Total Score
The GRE total marks depend on whether you are sitting for the General Tests or the Subject Tests. Here’s the score breakup of the GRE tests:
| Section | Minimum Score | Maximum Score |
|---|---|---|
| Section Analytical Writing | Minimum Score 0 | Maximum Score 6 |
| Section Verbal Reasoning | Minimum Score 130 | Maximum Score 170 |
| Section Quantitative Reasoning | Minimum Score 130 | Maximum Score 170 |
| Section Total Score | Minimum Score 260 + 0 | Maximum Score 340 + 6 |
For your GRE subject tests, you will be marked on a 200 to 990 scale, featuring 10 point increments.
The highest score you can have in the GRE is 340, which would include 170 each in both Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning, and a 6 in the Analytical Writing section. However, it is important to note that the GRE scores are usually viewed separately, unlike ACTs and SATs, where scores for each section are clubbed into a cumulative score.
Graduate schools often want to see the scores of specific sections related to the course you are applying to. Hence, keeping the scores separate helps your admission committee gauge your potential in specific areas of speciality.
GRE Score Percentiles
| Scaled Score | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Scaled Score 170 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 99 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 96 |
| Scaled Score 169 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 99 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 95 |
| Scaled Score 168 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 98 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 93 |
| Scaled Score 167 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 98 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 90 |
| Scaled Score 166 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 97 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 89 |
| Scaled Score 165 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 96 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 86 |
| Scaled Score 164 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 94 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 84 |
| Scaled Score 163 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 93 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 82 |
| Scaled Score 162 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 90 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 79 |
| Scaled Score 161 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 88 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 76 |
| Scaled Score 160 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 86 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 73 |
| Scaled Score 159 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 83 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 70 |
| Scaled Score 158 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 80 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 67 |
| Scaled Score 157 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 76 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 64 |
| Scaled Score 156 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 73 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 60 |
| Scaled Score 155 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 68 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 56 |
| Scaled Score 154 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 64 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 53 |
| Scaled Score 153 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 60 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 49 |
| Scaled Score 152 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 54 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 45 |
| Scaled Score 151 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 51 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 41 |
| Scaled Score 150 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 46 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 37 |
| Scaled Score 149 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 41 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 34 |
| Scaled Score 148 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 37 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 30 |
| Scaled Score 147 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 33 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 26 |
| Scaled Score 146 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 29 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 23 |
| Scaled Score 145 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 26 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 19 |
| Scaled Score 144 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 22 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 16 |
| Scaled Score 143 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 19 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 13 |
| Scaled Score 142 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 16 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 11 |
| Scaled Score 141 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 14 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 9 |
| Scaled Score 140 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 11 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 7 |
| Scaled Score 139 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 9 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 6 |
| Scaled Score 138 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 8 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 4 |
| Scaled Score 137 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 6 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 3 |
| Scaled Score 136 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 4 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 2 |
| Scaled Score 135 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 3 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 |
| Scaled Score 134 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 2 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 |
| Scaled Score 133 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 2 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 |
| Scaled Score 132 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 |
| Scaled Score 131 | Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank 1 |
For the Analytical Writing section, check the percentile scores in the table below:
| Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|
| Score 6.0 | Percentile Rank 99 |
| Score 5.5 | Percentile Rank 98 |
| Score 5 | Percentile Rank 92 |
| Score 4.5 | Percentile Rank 80 |
| Score 4 | Percentile Rank 55 |
| Score 3.5 | Percentile Rank 38 |
| Score 3.0 | Percentile Rank 14 |
| Score 2.5 | Percentile Rank 6 |
| Score 2.0 | Percentile Rank 1 |
| Score 1.5 | Percentile Rank 0 |
| Score 1.0 | Percentile Rank 0 |
| Score 0.5 | Percentile Rank 0 |
| Score 0 | Percentile Rank 0 |
Average GRE Scores
Here’s a list of section-specific average scores that will give you a fair idea about the potential scores you need to achieve to get into the school of your choice:
| Section | Average Score |
|---|---|
| Section Verbal Reasoning | Average Score 149.97 |
| Section Quantitative Reasoning | Average Score 152.57 |
| Section Analytical Writing | Average Score 3.48 |
Check the table below to know the section-specific score requirements for students of different majors. For more information on MS Engineering GRE scores, click here:
| Intended Graduate Major | VERBAL REASONING | QUANTITATIVE REASONING | ANALYTICAL WRITING |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intended Graduate Major Arts & Humanities | VERBAL REASONING 156 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 150 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 4.1 |
| Intended Graduate Major Business | VERBAL REASONING 150 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 153 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.5 |
| Intended Graduate Major Education | VERBAL REASONING 151 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 149 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.8 |
| Intended Graduate Major Engineering | VERBAL REASONING 149 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 159 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.3 |
| Intended Graduate Major Life Sciences | VERBAL REASONING 151 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 151 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.8 |
| Intended Graduate Major Physical Sciences | VERBAL REASONING 150 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 158 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.4 |
| Intended Graduate Major Social Sciences | VERBAL REASONING 153 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 151 | ANALYTICAL WRITING 3.9 |
Check out the best US universities for GRE scores 320 to 330.
GRE Score Validity
- If you have taken your GRE on or after July 1, 2016, your scores would be valid for 5 years following your test date.
- If you have taken your GRE before July 1, 2016, your scores are valid for 5 years following your test year
- If you sat for your GRE prior to July 2015, your test scores are no longer reportable.
GRE Practice Tests and Sample Papers
Before any examination, preparation is integral to your chances of success. Keep solving sample papers and sit for GRE preparation tests. You can go through the official ETS Preparation Tests page to view some practise materials.
Here are a few renowned sites that have arrangements for sample papers and mock GREs:
Kaplan Test Preparation
Princeton Review
Magoosh Free GRE Practice Tests
GRE VS GMAT
| Differences | GMAT | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Differences When to take GMAT or GRE? | GMAT If you want to attend business school graduate programs | GRE If you are undecided about the graduate program of your choice |
| Differences Test fee | GMAT $250 | GRE $205 |
| Differences Test Validity | GMAT 5 years | GRE 5 years |
| Differences Test dates | GMAT All-year | GRE All-year |
| Differences Test mode | GMAT Computer-based | GRE Computer-based and paper-based alternative |
| Differences Number of sections | GMAT 4 | GRE 6 (including 1 unscored research section) |
| Differences Test duration | GMAT 3 hours 7 minutes | GRE 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Differences Analytical Writing section | GMAT 1 essay: 30 minutes | GRE 2 essays: 60 minutes |
| Differences IR section | GMAT 12 questions: 30 minutes | GRE N/A |
| Differences Quantitative Section | GMAT 1 section of 31 questions: 62 minutes | GRE 20 questions each in 2 sections: 70 minutes |
| Differences Verbal Section | GMAT 1 section of 36 questions: 65 minutes | GRE 20 questions each in 2 sections: 60 minutes |
| Differences Score range | GMAT 200 – 800 (in 10-point increment) | GRE 260 – 340 ( in 1-point increment) |
| Differences Quantitative score | GMAT 6 – 51 (scaled score) | GRE 130 – 170 |
| Differences Verbal score range | GMAT 6 – 51 (scaled score) | GRE 130 – 170 |
| Differences IR score | GMAT 1 – 8 | GRE N/A |
| Differences AWA score | GMAT 0 – 6 | GRE 0 – 6 |
Keep practising mock papers and sample questions to know more about the question patterns and topics. Be on the lookout for preparation tests in real-time test centres and register for preparation test reviews.
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