Introduction to GRE

What is GRE Test?

GRE Test: GRE Test is an acronym for Graduate Record Examination. GRE Test is a standardized exam one has to take to get an admission into many of Graduate schools in United States and other English speaking Countries.

Who conducts GRE Test?

The exam is developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) based in the US. ETS has been working for more than 60 years to design tests that help to advance quality and equity in education worldwide.

GRE Test Versions:

There are two versions of GRE Test:

1. GRE General Test, and
2. GRE Subject Test.
   
   
   GRE General Test:

This test is open to all candidates, irrespective of their age or educational background. The GRE General test evaluates the students' basics, logical reasoning and understanding skills, learning capacity and analytical abilities. It signifies the basic requirement for college studies. 

      GRE Subject test:

This test assesses candidates' knowledge level and accomplishments in a specific field of study. Unlike the GRE General test, GRE Subject Test is available only thrice in a year and can be taken only as the paper based test.

GRE Test scores are often required for doctoral programs in the US, though some universities require the GRE Subject test scores for Masters level programs too.

 

There are 8 subjects in which GRE Subject test is presently conducted. They are:

1. Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology,
2. Biology,
3. Chemistry,
4. Computer Science,
5. English Literature,
6. Mathematics,
7. Physics, and
8. Psychology.
   

More details about GRE General test

The General GRE test comprises of 3 sections.

Verbal Reasoning:

This section of GRE Test measures the following skills and abilities of the test taker:

1. Ability to analyze and evaluate written material and comprehend information obtained from it
2. Ability to analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
3. Ability to recognize relationships between words and concepts
   

Quantitative Reasoning:

This section of the GRE test measures the following skills and abilities of the test taker

1. Ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis
2. Ability to reason quantitatively
3. Ability to solve problems in a quantitative setting
   

Analytical Writing:

This section of the GRE Test measures following skills and abilities of the test taker

1. Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
2. Examine claims, accompanying with evidence
3. Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
4. Sustain a well focused, coherent discussion
5. Control the elements of standard written English
   

All the 3 sections of the GRE General test are independent. ETS will send your GRE Test scores to four universities chosen by you after you finish the GRE Test. Additional score reports can be ordered for a small fee of $23.

Scores for the GRE Revised General Test include:

Total GRE Test score Maximum marks allotted is 340

Sectional scores for Verbal and Quantitative sections . 

Maximum marks allotted are 170 for each section.

Analytical writing assessment score: It is scored separately on a scale of 0 to 6 based on the overall impact of the essays written by a student.

‘% below’: This represents the percentage of examinees who have appeared in GRE Test in the most recent 3 year period and scored less than you. (This can also be called as 'percentile')