GRE Exam Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

GRE Exam FAQs About The GRE

When should I apply for GRE?

One of the most asked questions, candidates often want to know the right time to apply for the GRE exam. Candidates should keep in mind two aspects, the university application deadline and second the preparation plan for the GRE test. Candidates should only apply for the exam once they are well prepared and secondly, they should apply early to have enough time to fill out their application form. The best time to apply for your GRE exam is two months prior to the first deadline of your application form.

Is GRE required during the current pandemic?

Given the current situation, a lot of universities are doing away with the GRE exam for the benefit of the students. We recommend students check the official university website to understand the admission requirements and adhere to the same.

How do I apply for a GRE test?

Candidates are required to visit the official website of GRE, mentioned above and register by creating a test-taker profile. Once the candidate has created a profile, he/she is only required to select a preferred test centre and date and proceed with the registration. Candidates can also register for the GRE at Home version of the GRE test where if they have the required system requirments they can appear for the test from their home.

What is GRE exam eligibility?

ETS – the conducting body of the GRE exam has not prescribed any eligibility for students wanting to take the exam. Students that require GRE scores for university admissions can appear for the exam.

Can we go to the USA without GRE?

While a lot of the universities have scraped off the GRE test in view of the pandemic, however, we would advise our students to check the official website of universities to understand the updated status of the situation and plan accordingly. Read: Study in the USA

What is the GRE exam fee in India?

Indian nationals would be required to pay US $213 to register for the GRE test. Special requests such as late registrations and rescheduling come with an additional cost as is mentioned in the article above.

You may also like:

How many times can I retake the GRE test?

Candidates can appear for the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.

How to register for the computer-based GRE test?

The GRE exam is conducted round the year across the world, the aspirants are advised to register for the exam early in order to get their preferred location and test date. Candidates can register online or over the phone for their GRE exam. Other unconventional methods of registering for the GRE exam are via mail and through Fax.

Can I get admission to an MBA programme after giving GRE?

Worldwide business schools offering MBA programs also accept GRE scores. Students, who wish to study MBA can also give GRE and enrol in top-most programmes across the globe. However, it is always advisable to check the exact requirements and the eligibility criteria of the college/university/programme you want to enrol in.

GRE vs. GMAT: Which Exam Should You Take?

The major difference between GRE and GMAT is that GRE is widely accepted by colleges offering master’s courses worldwide, whereas, GMAT is accepted by colleges offering business courses globally. Therefore, students who wish to enrol in a graduate school opt for GRE, and those who want to attend business school take the GMAT. Both the exams include a verbal and quantitative section. In the verbal section, GRE assesses the vocabulary of the candidates and in GMAT the focus is more on grammar. Further, the quantitative sections of the GMAT and GRE are quite similar.

Do graduate schools have any preference when it comes to GRE and GMAT exams?

There is a general perception that business schools prefer GMAT and graduate schools are more inclined to accept GRE scores, however, there is no set preference when it comes to selecting between both the exams. Aspirants are advised to go through the requirements of the programme/institution where they wish to enrol before registering for the exam.

When and where is the GRE held?
The GRE is held year-round at test centers around the world. The ETS website has a full list of testing centers. The test is computer-based, and paper-based where computer testing is unavailable. Paper-based testing is held three times per year.

How much does the GRE cost?
The GRE costs $205. You can register for the exam on the ETS website.

Who accepts the GRE?
The GRE is accepted by thousands of graduate schools and business schools. You should research specific graduate programs to learn what tests they require.

What is the structure of the test?
The GRE is split into 6 sections: first an Analytical Writing section consisting of a 30-minute Argument Task and a 30-minute Issue task; then 2 sections each of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, with a final “experimental” section that is either Verbal or Quantitative reasoning. After the Analytical Writing section, the remaining sections occur in random order. Some tests also have an optional “research” section after the conclusion of the exam.

How long is the GRE?
The GRE lasts for approximately 3 hours 45 minutes.

How long should I study for the GRE?
Ultimately, this is a question best answered by you, as it depends on your target score and your level of English and mathematics testing proficiency. We recommend that you take a practice test to evaluate your position, and then form a preparation strategy to reach your target score. Depending on your needs, Manhattan Review offers a variety of test-preparation resources and study programmes that may be useful as you plan your study schedule.

How much does my GRE score matter?
Depending on the student and graduate program, the GRE score can vary from a mere formality to a critical component of the application. Generally, graduate schools consider the GRE below undergraduate GPA, and about equally with letters of recommendation.

How is the GRE scored?
The GRE is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments, for both the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in 0.5-point increments.

What changed in 2011?
Two major changes to the GRE were effected in 2011: the scoring system was revised from a scale of 200-800 in 10-point increments to 130-170 in 1-point increments, and the computer testing algorithm was changed from a question-adaptive to section-adaptive. Before 2011, students who answered a series of questions correctly would be faced with progressively more difficult questions. After 2011, the first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are of average difficulty, and the difficulty of the second sections is determined by performance on the first sections. Students who perform well will “level up” to a more difficult second section. The difficulty level of the test is taken into account when the score is tabulated, a process known as “equating”.

How does the computer algorithm work?
The computer-based GRE has an adaptive algorithm that adjusts the difficulty level of the test based on the student’s performance. The first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are of average difficulty, with a mixture of easy and difficult questions. The difficulty of the second sections is determined by performance on the first sections. Students who perform well will “level up” to a more difficult second section. The difficulty level of the test is taken into account when the score is tabulated, a process known as “equating”.

How does the paper-based test work?
The paper-based test is given three times per year in locations where computer-based testing is unavailable. All answers, including both Analytical Writing tasks, are written in the test booklet. A handheld calculater is provided for the Quantitative Reasoning sections.

What are the subject tests?
The General GRE evaluates Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The subject tests evaluate proficiency in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology.

Who administers the GRE?
The Electronic Testing Service (ETS) designs, administers, validates, and continuously updates the GRE.

Can I Retake the GRE?
Yes, once every 21 days up to five times per year for the computer-based test. You may retake the paper-based test whenever it is offered (3 times per year where computer-based testing is unavailable).

How do I submit my scores?
At the conclusion of your test, you will have the option to submit your most recent score or all of your scores from the past five years. After the test you will have the option to send specific sets of test scores. You may control which scores are sent out, but you may only send complete sets of scores (ie, you cannot combine section scores from different exams, you must send scores for an entire exam, but you may choose which exams to send).

Related Posts: