Graduate Record Examination

Written by

sandhya dubey

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one of the World’s Largest Examinations- For graduate admissions to universities/colleges globally.

It’s among the most standardized tests globally. The test assesses your analytical composition, quantitative aptitude, & verbal reasoning skills.

The GRE test is owned and managed by ETS, Educational Testing Service. Click the button below to go to ETS website.

GRE: Dates, fees, registration, syllabus, pattern, result, & how to prepare

“Know Industrial Engineering” often brings you such helpful career guides on exams, colleges, courses, etc. to help you grow & explore your potential.

Table of contents:

1. What is GRE?
2. When should you give the GRE?
   • GRE Score Life
3. Eligibility criteria for GRE
4. GRE exam fee 2023
5. GRE registration 2023
   • How to register for the GRE online?
6. Types of GRE
   • 1. General test
   • 2. Subject test
     • Mode of conducting the GRE Exam
7. GRE at home
8. GRE exam pattern
9. GRE exam syllabus
10. GRE scores 2023
11. GRE cut off
    • What is the Score Select Option for GRE
12. Ending note

What is Graduate Record Examination?

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is for students who’re willing to take admission into Master’s programs. The test is owned & managed by ETS, Educational Testing Service.

• The test scores are accepted by most colleges/universities worldwide. Through this, you can get admissions to Business, Law, Medical, or Tech-based masters programs.
• Moreover, globally renowned business or law schools are accepting GRE scores as alternatives to their traditional tests e.g., GMAT or LSAT.

In August 2011, the exam was mended in a section-wise manner. Earlier, it was in a question-wise manner.

When should you give the GRE?

Here’s a good thing! The GRE is organised throughout the year. So, you can appear whenever you feel confident in your preparation. The exam can be given at GRE Test Centers or at home, whichever one!

Also, the experts say that (generally) you should give the test 60-90 days from your University Application Deadline. This will help you to re-appear for the test (if needed).

Further, you must know about your GRE Scores Life or Validity. The scores are valid for 5 years- from the day of examination.

Let’s understand it in this way! Suppose, I gave this exam on March 10, 2020. I can claim the scores till March 9, 2025.

Simple!

Eligibility Criteria for GRE

In our research, we didn’t find any such eligibility criteria specified by ETS. So, anyone of you can register for this exam.

Also, no age bar or qualifications are set for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). However, it’s presumed that you have a graduate degree in any of the streams from a recognised university.

Further, you only need your Identity i.e., your valid passport- to register for the exam & report at the exam center.

GRE Exam Fee 2023

The GRE General Test fee in India is $213. This is ₹17,629.48 (as per the latest prices when I’m writing this). The GRE Subject Test fee is $150 i.e., ₹12,414.88

Further, there is a set of additional fees for the following. In case, you registered late for the GRE, you need to pay an additional $25 for the same. If you want to change a subject in GRE Subject Test or reschedule the exam, you’ll need to pay an extra $50 for each.

Furthermore, if you want to cancel the exam, you must do it 4 days before the exam or earlier to save your registration fee. Otherwise, it’ll be relinquished!

GRE Registration 2023

Well, there’re 4 ways to register for the GRE, all in all!

• Online registration
• Over a phone call
• Via email or
• Via Fax

For Online registration, you can simply go to the ETS Graduate Record Examination (GRE) official website & register yourself following their guidelines.

You can also register over the phone. You just need to contact their Regional Registration Centre (RRC). If you are in India, their RRC is in Gurugram, Haryana (India). You can get in touch with their officials through this number:

After that, you just need to pay the registration amount through a Credit or Debit Card. Also, you must register yourself at least two days before your (preferred) exam date. The earlier, the better!

Or, just register yourself via email or Fax.

How to register for the GRE online?

As many of you will apply for the GRE online, here’re the step-by-step guide explained below:

1. Visit the official ETS GRE website & make an account therein.
2. Select the type of Graduate Record examination (GRE) you want to register for i.e., either GRE General Test or Subject Test.
3. Select your preferred exam center based on whether you want to give the test at a designated GRE center or at Home. For home, you need to ensure an exam-suitable environment on & around the desk.
4. Enter the required academic details.
5. Finally, submit the details & go for online payment for the registration fee.

Types of Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

The GRE is of two types. You can choose any one of the two to appear for the test.

1. GRE General Test
2. GRE Subject Test

1. GRE General Test

The main objective of this test is to check your overall academic strength. For example, your verbal reasoning skills, quantitative ability, analytical writing, etc.

The test is conducted many times a year & you can give it after every 21 days. Though one candidate can only appear for the test 5 times in a year- maximally. This exam is for 3 hours 45 minutes.

2. GRE Subject Test

The main purpose behind this exam is to know about your knack for a particular subject. The test is organised only for the following 4 subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, & Psychology.

Unlike the general test, the GRE subject test is conducted only 3- times a year. In September, October, & April. The exam is for 2 hours and 50 minutes.

Mode of conducting the GRE exam

The Computer-based test: Both the exams i.e., GRE general & GRE subject test is conducted online (or computer-based). The computer-based test will be conducted at the test center allocated to you.

• Countries like the USA, UK, China, Denmark, France, India, etc. which have better accessibility to the internet conduct computer-based online tests.

The pen & paper-based: The pen-paper-based GRE general test is available in countries that have lesser access to the internet. Also, the GRE subject test is only conducted with pen & paper-based. Irrespective of the internet availability of your country.

You can give the paper-delivered test at the test center allocated to you.

GRE at home: GRE at home is only applicable to the General test. And not for the GRE subject test. GRE subject test is held only at their registered centres, not at home.

GRE at Home

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the functionality & arrangement of these GRE centres got affected globally. Students were finding it hard to select & report to their preferred GRE centres offline. So, the team can with the vision of the GRE AT HOME option.

• In the current pandemic-affected dilemma where many localised lockdowns & restrictions were imposed, students welcomed this option.
• Further, the GRE officials along with the students are taking care of every aspect of the test to maintain its integrity. For example, a well-equipped system & test-suitable environment during the entire duration of the test.
• Moreover, if you want to know more about this GRE at Home feature, you should visit their official website. The team has already shared a series of webinars to make you understand the Do’s & Dont’s of it.
• Note: The application fee for both, GRE general test & GRE at home is the same i.e., $213.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Pattern

Though I (we) recommend you to check out the official GRE website for detailed information, we’ve also tried to give you a brief description of exam patterns. And how the pattern for a computer-based test is different from a paper-based test.

GRE Exam mainly has 3 parts: Analytical writing, Verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The exam patterns differ in computer-based & paper-based exams. And so the duration.

For example, the very first part is Analytical writing in both exam types (i.e., computer-based & paper-based) but the number of sections & durations differ in further parts.

GRE Exam Syllabus

The Graduate Record Examination i.e., GRE syllabus is (obviously) different for both the GRE types i.e., GRE general or subject test. Because as it’s been mentioned that the GRE test measures your overall knack & aptitude academically.

Part:1 Analytical writing syllabus needs you to

1. Design complex ideas into simple & clear way;
2. Give your ideas the relevant justifications & examples;
3. Come up with a powerful discussion;
4. Analyze claims with verificatory evidence;
5. And yes, don’t forget to maintain standard writing in English.

Part-2 Verbal reasoning syllabus needs you to

Get to the result from the task; know the author’s perspective, and presumptions (if any); understand the different levels of meanings e.g., intent, literature, & representative.

• Write a summary in the most influential way. Try to establish the major points first followed by other relevant points. Understand each & every word of the text carefully. Always see what is the author’s intent behind saying any line.

Part:3 Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus needs you to 

Solve problems using mathematical standards & formulas; try to understand the question using numerical values & data.

GRE Scores 2023

You can access your GRE scores by logging into the GRE account and entering your credentials herein. The GRE has 340 marks, in total & thus, the maximum marks achievable is 340.

And the minimum score is 260. These scores (mentioned herein) do not include the AWA section scores.

When can I get my GRE scores?

You can get your GRE score within 10-15 days after the exam. This goes with ‘GRE at Home’ also. The GRE team updates the score on their official website- wherein you can access your scores by logging in through your credentials.

• Raw scores for verbal reasoning & quantitative analysis are available right after the exam. Mostly, these raw scores resonate with the final result.

• Further, as the final score is out, you can share the result (through the website itself) with the colleges/universities you are seeking admission to.

What is the GRE Score Range?

In this section, we are going to help you to understand the scoring style in GRE so that you’ll have a fair idea about your scores.

GRE Cutoff

While GRE doesn’t have its own qualifying marks or cutoff, your college/university must have mentioned a particular GRE cut-off for a particular course, on their official website.

Further, top colleges & universities lean to set a higher GRE cut-off. So, try to attain the marks accordingly.

What is the Score Select option for GRE?

Recently, ETS has launched the GRE Score Select option for students. This feature will allow you to select the best scores for all the GREs he/she has given.

So that only his/her best scores are sent to the college/university strengthening the chances of admission into the desired university.

Ending Note:

While I (we), at ‘Know industrial engineering’ have tried to serve you the informative details about GRE in the easiest way possible, Let us know your thoughts/suggestions so that we can add more real value to our verve.

So, before we wrap up, Best of Luck to you, students! If you have any queries related to the topic, connect section is all yours.

Wrapping Up!

Love & Peace!!

sandhya dubey @sandhyadubey

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