GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardised examination conducted by the ETS (Educational Testing Services), United States of America. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) measures the potential of a candidate which almost all the graduate schools and universities abroad demand for the purpose of admission in different streams like Graduate studies, Fellowships Programs and Research Programs etc. ETS representative in India is responsible for conducting the examinations. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores happen to be one of the several parameters which the Graduate Schools or Universities look into, for assessing an applicant for study in the all the streams except Management.
Types of GRE
- GRE general test
- GRE Subject test
GRE general Test: This test is open to all candidates, irrespective of their age or educational background. Generally taken by prospective Graduate students, this test majors verbal reasoning, analytical writing, critical writing & Quantitative reasoning skills of a candidate.
GRE computer based test section are
| Section | Number of question | Time |
| Analytical Writing | Issue Task (Choose one ofthe two essay topic) | 45 minutes |
| Analytical Writing | Argument Task (one task) | 30 minutes |
| verbal | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative | 28 | 45 minutes |
| Un-scored section | varies | varies |
| Research | varies | varies |
GRE Subject test: This Version of GRE Exam Assesses candidates knowledge level & accomplishments in a specific field of study. Unlike the GRE general test, this test is available only thrice in a year & can be taken only as the paper based test.
The scores of this test are often required for Doctoral programs in the US, though some universities require the GRE subject test scores for master level program too.
The eight subjects in which the GRE subject test is presently conducted are –
- Bio Chemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- English Literature
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Scores: Maximum score is 340
| Section | Score scale |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 |
| Analytical writing | 0-6 |
GRE Exam Eligibility: It seems that there is no defined eligibility for GRE Exam. But as you are going to pursue graduate program in US, the minimum eligibility as define by respective graduate or business school will be at least required to enable these institution to consider your GRE score. Usually, most of these institutions would require undergraduate degree from any recognized university.
In addition you would require a valid passport to visit US or any other country.
Every year a number of students move to some of the top Universities/ Institutions in the USA and around the globe for pursuing further studies in a variety of courses. A majority of these students dream of settling there after successful completion of their courses. It is for this reason that the planning for the GRE GENERAL is important as it enables the achievement of the goals of the potential settlers of the States.
UNDERSTANDING GRE GENERAL: GRE is a test conducted by ETS, a non-profit organization, to provide a meaningful measurement solution for admission purposes. The GRE comprises three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
- Verbal Reasoning:
| Number of sections | Number of Questions per section | Time per section | Type of Questions | Scores |
| 2 | 20 | 30 | · Reading Comprehension· Text Completion· Sentence Equivalence | 130-170 |
- Quantitative Reasoning
| Number of sections | Number of Questions per section | Time per section | Type of Questions | Scores |
| 2 | 20 | 35 | · Quantitative Comparison· Select One Choice· Select Multiple Choices· Numeric Entry | 130-170 |
- Analytical Writing
| Number of sections | Time per section | Type of Questions | Scores |
| 1 | 30 | · Analyze An Issue | 0-6(Combined) |
| 1 | 30 | · Analyze An Argument |
My experience of preparing the aspirants over the last 15 years has made me conclude that Analytical Writing portion is not that important for the Institutes as this skill is also tested in other compulsory tests like TOEFL/ IELTS. An average score in this section is sufficient. Most of the preparers face problems with the Verbal section but by utilizing certain strategies can score more than 160 in this section. Quantitative section is more predictable and a score above 160 is easy with the right preparation.
Official Website for GRE: http://www.ets.org/gre/
Email me at navpreet_singh_sidhu@yahoo.in for further queries.
Coming Soon:
- Strategies for
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
- Most Helpful Preparation Material for GRE General
- Getting Assistantships and Scholarships
- Financial Documentation
- Preparing Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Preparing Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
