GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an international standardized test designed for admissions into graduate schools in the US. It is mandatory for most students aspiring for Masters or PhD (other than in Law or Medicine) in several universities in the US. The test is taken by millions of students India every year who are seeking higher studies in USA.

The test uses a structure in which an examinee will still get a minimum score 0f 130 even if no question is answered correctly.Ā  A perfect score of 170 is received by the examinee even if he misses one or more multiple-choice questions. The test is both computer-based and paper-based. So, examinee can chose either mode of giving the test.

GRE is the major test taken throughout the world in more than 1000 centers for admission into American universities. Mostly, the test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year.

The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

GRE TEST OVERVIEW

  • The test is divided into 4 sections: Analytical Writing Section, Verbal Reasoning Section, Quantitative Reasoning Sections, and Unscored/Experimental Sections. The Analytical Writing section will always be the first. However, the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and unscored sections may appear in any order.

Analytical Writing Section: 60 minutes [1 sub-section]
Verbal Reasoning Section: 60-70 minutes [2 sub-sections]
Quantitative Reasoning Sections: 70-80 minutes [2 sub-section]
Un-scored/Research Sections: Varies[1 sub-section]
Total Duration: About 3 hours and 45 minutes (includes 1-minute breaks after each section and a 10-minute break after third section)

  • Computer bases test: conducted many times a year
  • Paper-based test: conducted 3 times a year
  • Your GRE score will remain valid for 5 years.
  • The test is conducted in English.

GRE TEST FORMAT

  1. GRE Analytical Writing section description

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  • The analytical writing section is grades on a scale of 0-6.
  • There will be 2 essays: One on “Analyze an Issueā€ and one on “Analyze an Argumentā€.
  • Test time is 60 minutes.
  • E ach essay is scored by at least two readers.

 

  1. GRE Verbal Reasoning Section description:
  • This section accesses your critical reasoning, reading comprehension and vocabulary usage.
  • The verbal test is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments.
  • There are 20 questions in this section.
  • There will be 6 questions on sentence completion, 4 questions on sentence equivalence, and 10 critical reading questions.
  • The test time is 70 minutes for the paper-based test and 80 minutes for the computer-based test.

 

  1. GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section description:
  • This section accesses your quantitative reasoning abilities. Questions based on Mathematics (numbers, data, etc.) will be asked.
  • The quantitative test is scored on a scale of 130ā€“170, in 1-point increments
  • There are 20 questions in this section.
  • There will be 8 quantitative comparisons, 9 problem solving items, and 3 data interpretation questions.
  • The test time is 70 minutes for the paper-based test and 80 minutes for the computer-based test.

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  1. GRE Un-scored or Experimental Section description:
  • The unscored section can be either verbal or quantitative. This section has some questions which the ETS is considering for future use.
  • This section does not count in the overall score of the examinee.
  • This section is only for computer-based test.
  • The time may vary depending on the number and type of experimental questions given.
  • The test-taker will not be specified that this is an experimental section.SO they are obviously made-bound to try and complete all the questions in the test.

 

  • Note: There is also a GRE subject test which tests you on particular subject like Physics or Literature.

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