GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
One of the most crucial requirements for admission into a master’s program in the USA is your GRE score. The Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test by the ETS (Educational Testing Services) which is designed to test your skills in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. GRE is a computer-based exam and has a user-friendly design. You can also receive a merit-based scholarship if you perform well in your Graduate Record Examination.
Types of GRE
1. GRE General Test
The General Test assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative ability and analytical writing skills. This is the most opted test by all prospective students and is also accepted by almost all the universities in the US. The test takes place on certain dates all around the year, and you can attempt it at your convenience depending on your university application dates and deadlines.
2. GRE Subject Test
Apart from the General Test, there are also six GRE subject tests which measure the candidate’s achievement in a particular subject area. These tests are in: Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. It is conducted on a fixed date everywhere, just like any other entrance exam. This test is a prerequisite for specialized courses when you apply for master’s programs in the US
GRE registration
There are four ways in which you can register for the GRE exam.
1. Online Registration
Registration for the exam can be done on the online portal. You need to create an account on the ETS Website.
Once you have signed in the GRE official website, you will find your name and ETS ID. Register for the exam by clicking ‘Register/Find Test Centres, Dates’. Select the Test Type, Test Centre and the date of the exam. Go ahead and complete the remaining registration procedures. Complete the Payment by credit/debit card.
Note: Online registration test takers with disabilities or health-related issues need to visit the following link
2. Mail Registration
Print and complete this Form, and send it to the following address along with the appropriate fee.
Prometric
2nd floor, DLF Infinity Tower–A
Sector 25, Phase II,
DLF City, Gurgaon,
Haryana – 122002
India.
The organization must receive the form at least three weeks prior to the GRE test date you have chosen. A confirmation number, test reporting time and the test centre address will be emailed, faxed or mailed to you.
3. Phone Registration
Place a call at the Regional Registration Center (RRC), which is ‘Prometric’ located in Gurgaon, Haryana. The phone number is (+91 12441 47700). To register for the exam, place the call at least two business days before your preferred test date. A confirmation number, test reporting time and the test centre address will be sent to you.
4. Fax Registration
Print the Form, fill it and fax the same to (+91 12441 47700) with the appropriate fee. The Form must be sent at least seven days before your first choice of the test date.
GRE Test centres
The GRE is conducted at the following test centers in India. You can select the one that is most convenient to you:
- Ahmedabad
- Allahabad
- Bangalore
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Gurgaon
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Trivandrum
When to start preparing for GRE?
There are some essential pointers to be kept in mind before you decide to take your GRE exams:
- These GRE scores would be required while sending your application.
- You can re-take the exams, but the same is limited, as below
You can attempt the exam five times in a continuous rolling 12-month period from the beginning of the first test, with a gap of minimum 21 days between two consecutive attempts. You will receive the scorecard 10 – 15 days after taking the test.
GRE Pattern
The GRE exam pattern has three sections, analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning. Even though these three main parts are scored, there are also additional unscored sections which are used for analysis purposes.
The analytical writing section always comes first, while the quantitative reasoning, the verbal reasoning, and the unscored sections can appear in any order. The writing section has two tasks having 30 minutes for each task to be completed, the total time for this section being one hour. The verbal section has to be completed within one hour as well as both the two parts require 30 minutes each. Same goes for the quantitative section, where you get 35 minutes for each of the two sections. Here we cover the GRE General test Pattern.
| SECTION | QUESTIONS | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | One "Analyze an Issue" task and one "Analyze an Argument" task | 30 minutes per task – 1hr in total |
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 questions per section – 2 sections | 30 minutes per section – 1hr in total |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 20 questions per section – 2 sections | 35 minutes per section – 1hr 10mins in total |
Results and Scores in GRE
GRE Score Validity: Five Years
Scoring Pattern
| Section | Score Range | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 0 – 6, in half point increment | 3.6 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130 – 170, in 1 point increment | 150 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130 - 170, in 1 point increment | 152 |
| Total | 260 - 340 |
GRE Result
Your official exam scores will be available in your account on the ETS portal. They will be sent to the universities of your choice within six weeks of your test date. You will be notified by ETS when your official GRE result is available in your account.
GRE Preparation Tips
- If you want to secure admission to the top universities of USA for Masters, you need to set your eyes for aiming for the required GRE scores.
- After getting your scores, you need to decide which college best fits your profile and then apply accordingly.
- Although universities usually do not have minimum ‘cutoff’ marks required for admission, they do provide with average class marks for every academic year.
Links and Downloads
