What is GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE), created and administered by ETS, is a graduate-level admissions exam used by most of the graduate and business schools in the USA to make admission and fellowship decisions (https://www.ets.org/gre). Many graduate programs (Masters and PhD degree) require scores from the GRE General Test as part of a complete application, and some also require or recommend scores from one or more GRE Subject Tests.
The GRE provides Admission Committees with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants, who come from all over the world and have different academic and professional experience. GRE score is a significant part of the graduate school application, but it certainly isn’t the only part. Admissions officers consider many other factors, including undergraduate GPA, work and research experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interviews.
GRE Structure
| Frequency | Most weekdays and weekends year-round |
| Duration | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| Sections | Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing |
| GRE Cost | varies with location |
| Score Range | Verbal Reasoning score range: 130–170
Quantitative Reasoning score range: 130–170 Analytical Writing score range: 0–6 |
| Required for | Masters and PhD degree programs in the USA |
General Test Structure
| Measure | Questions | Time |
| Analytical Writing (One section with two separately timed tasks) |
One “Analyze an Issue” task and one “Analyze an Argument” task | 30 minutes per task |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) |
20 questions per section | 30 minutes per section |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) |
20 questions per section | 35 minutes per section |
| Unscored | Varies | Varies |
| Research | Varies | Varies |
Source: https://www.ets.org/gre
How is the GRE scored?
GRE test-takers will receive three separate scores, one for each section. Math and Verbal GRE scores fall on a scale of 130–170. Analytical Writing scores range from 0–6. Your GRE score remains valid for five years.
Your official GRE test scores will be available in your account on the GRE website 10-15 days after your test date. They will be sent to the universities of your choice within three weeks of your test date. Once the results are out, you will receive an email from ETS that your official GRE result is available in your account.
GRE fee enables you to send your scores to up to four colleges or scholarship programs. If you are taking the computer-delivered GRE exam, then you will be asked to select the score receivers at the test center.
How important is your GRE score?
Schools differ in how they use your GRE score. Some programs weight GRE scores very heavily or have a minimum score for applicants, while other programs consider scores more of a formality. We recommend asking your prospective grad and business programs about the unique role the GRE test plays in their admissions and financial aid decisions.
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