GRE

The GRE is a standardized exam required for admission to thousands of graduate schools around the world.  The exam measures students’ analytical, reading, writing and math skills, and is an indicator of a student’s ability to succeed in a graduate-level program.  GRE scores are used in conjunction with applicants’ undergraduate performance, letters of recommendation and other information to make admission decisions.  


Test Structure

The GRE is comprised of three segments:  Analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning.  The analytical writing portion of the exam consists of two essays designed to assess applicants’ critical thinking skills.  Students are judged based on how well they provide adequate support for an argument and articulate their ideas in a clear, direct manner.

The verbal reasoning sections measure students’ reading comprehension skills and ability to draw conclusions based on the information provided.

Through the use of basic mathematical concepts, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, the quantitative reasoning questions assess students’ problem solving skills as well as their ability to understand and interpret data.


Test Administration

The GRE is usually an electronic exam administered on computers, but it is also offered as a paper test in areas where computers are not available.  The exam is comprised of six sections—two analytical reasoning, two verbal reasoning and two quantitative reasoning.  It takes about four hours to complete, with a 10 minute break halfway through the test. 

The analytical writing assignments are always first, and the remaining sections may appear in any order.  On both the computer-based exam and the paper-based test, students can answer questions within each section in any order they choose, and they can go back and change their answers as long as there is still time for that particular section. 


Test Scores

Scores for the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections of the GRE range from 130-170 and are based on the number of questions answered correctly.  Scores for the analytical writing section of the exam range from 0-6 and are determined by two readers who are trained to assess essays based on the quality of the argument presented and how well the applicant supports the argument.


GRE Subject Tests

There are eight subject tests students can choose to take in addition to the traditional GRE.  These exams are not usually required for admission to graduate school programs.  However, they give students an opportunity to show college and university officials their knowledge of a particular subject, such as chemistry or biology.  The GRE subject tests can help students enhance their applications and may be used by school officials to make course placement decisions.


Preparing for the Exam

Because performance on the GRE is a critical factor used in making admission decisions, it is important to properly prepare for the exam.  There are a variety of test preparation materials available to help students maximize their scores, including software, study guides, sample test questions, full-length practice exams, test prep classes and GRE tutors.  Students can choose the method that best meets their needs.