The GRE General Test is meant for Indian students desiring to pursue a master’s abroad in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and some humanities courses. Effective from 22nd September 2023, the GRE General test has adopted a new version. In this blog, we have discussed the GRE comprehensively, including its types, pattern, format, syllabus, scoring system, registration process, and preparation tips.
Table of Contents
What is the GRE General Test?
- GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination, which is conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) worldwide.
- The GRE General test is taken for admission to graduate courses in the fields of science, technology, engineering, humanities, and law.
- In many cases, GRE scores help strengthen a university application, especially when a candidate’s bachelor’s degree marks do not meet the required academic criteria.
- It is also used to offer scholarships and fellowships to students.
Types of GRE Exam
There are two types of GRE exams.
GRE General Test
- The GRE General Test is a comprehensive test that assesses your quants, verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking rather than focusing on just one subject area.
- It evaluates the overall aptitude of the students.
GRE Subject Tests
- GRE subject tests are also known as achievement tests that evaluate the knowledge and skill level in a particular subject or field of study.
- The scores of GRE subject tests are also used for admission and fellowship purposes.
- They are intended for students who have an undergraduate major in psychology, physics, and mathematics.
GRE General Test vs GRE Subject Tests
The following table highlights the difference between the GRE general test and the GRE subject test.
| GRE General Test | GRE Subject Tests | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Hour 58 Minutes | 2 Hours 50 Minutes (Mathematics) 2 Hours (Physics and Psychology) |
| Number of Sections | 3 | 1 |
| No. of Questions | 54 | Mathematics: 66 MCQs Physics: 70 MCQs Psychology: 144 MCQs |
| Mode of Delivery | Computer Based | Computer Based |
| Skills Tested | Analytical Writing Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning | Subject-specific |
| Time Duration | 1 Hour 58 Minutes | Mathematics: 2.50 Hours Physics: 2 Hours Psychology: 2 Hours |
| Score Range | 260-340 (overall) | 200-990 (overall) |
| Fees | INR 22,550/- per application | INR 14,500/- per application |
Pattern of GRE General Test
- The GRE General test pattern consists of 3 sections: analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning.
- The analytical writing section involves test takers to attempt 1 analyse an issue task in 30 minutes.
- The verbal reasoning section requires test takers to attempt 27 questions in about 41 minutes.
- The quantitative reasoning section requires test takers to attempt 27 questions in 47 minutes.
| Parts | Number of Sub-Sections | Number of Questions/Tasks | Allotted Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 | 1 'Analyse an Issue’ Task | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 | Section-1: 12 questions Section-2: 15 questions | Section-1: 18 minutes Section-2: 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | Section-1: 12 questions Section-2: 15 questions | Section-1: 21 minutes Section-2: 26 minutes |
New Pattern of GRE General Test- Effective from 22nd September 2023
- Candidates can skip questions within a section, go back and change answers.
- They also can choose which questions within a section they want to answer first.
- The analytical writing section is the first section.
- The other two sections may appear in any order after the analytical writing section.
Breakdown of GRE General Test Sections
Now, let us detail each section of the GRE general test to understand the nature of questions and test content.
Analytical Writing
- The analytical writing section of the GRE general test evaluates the candidate’s critical thinking skills and analytical writing skills.
- It doesn’t assess specific content knowledge.
- Candidates are required to complete an ‘analyse an issue’ task.
- They are required to analyse the descriptive issue, consider its complexities, and write an argument in essay form with reasons and examples to support their views.
- In this section, spellchecker and grammar checker are not available.
Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning section of the GRE general test measures the candidate’s ability to
- Analyse the written material and articulate information from it.
- Form relationships among parts of sentences.
- Recognise relationships among words and concepts.
It consists of the following types of questions.
Reading Comprehension– It refers to reading and understanding the prose commonly found in graduate schools. Based on the reading, the candidates have to answer the objective questions.
Text Completion– It refers to reading and analysing the short passages to fill up the omitted words and form a meaningful and coherent picture of the scenario.
Sentence Equivalence– In this, candidates have to reach a conclusion based on the partial information to narrate how a passage should end.
| Types of Questions | Tasks/Structure | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Passage summarisation Drawing conclusion Meaning of words and sentences Infer missing information Identifying the author's assumptions Developing alternative explanations Understanding the structure of the text Distinguishing between major and minor points | Multiple Choice Questions Multiple Answers Questions Select-in Passage |
| Text Completion | Read given passages Each passage is composed of 1-5 sentences There are 1-3 blanks per sentence Selecting one answer choice per blank Each blank functions independently | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Sentence Equivalence | Each Question consists of a single sentence 1 blank per sentence 6 answer choices per blanks Selecting two of the answer choices | Multiple Answer Questions |
Quantitative Reasoning
The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE general test measures the candidate’s ability to
- understand elementary mathematical concepts.
- basic mathematical knowledge.
- reason quantitatively.
- model questions and solve problems with quantitative methods.
It consists of the following types of questions.
Quantitative Comparison– These questions ask candidates to compare two quantities.
One Answer MCQs– Candidates are required to select only one answer from the list of five choices.
One or More Answer MCQs- Candidates are required to select one or more answers from the list of five choices.
Numeric Entry Questions- Candidates are required to enter the integer or decimal in a single answer box or as a fraction in two separate boxes.
Data Interpretation– Analyse and interpret the given data from a table, graph, or any other presentation method. These types of questions may be multiple choice or numeric entry.
GRE General Test Syllabus
The table below highlights the syllabus of the GRE general test.
| Section | Syllabus/Topics |
|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | Comprehensive passages covered everyday life's scenarios |
| Verbal Reasoning | Passages are based on the following topics Physical Sciences Biological Sciences Social Sciences Arts & Humanities Business Topics from Everyday Life |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Arithmetics Integers Divisibility Factorisation Prime Numbers Remainders Odd and Even Integers Arithmetic Operations, Exponents and Roots Ratio and Percentage Algebra Quadratic Equations Coordinate Geometry 3D Geometry Angles Shapes Data Analysis Permutation and Combination Probabilities Venn Diagram Line Graph, Bar Graph, Circle Graph Frequency Distribution Statistics |
How Does the Scoring System of the GRE General Test Work?
Below is the description of the GRE general test section-wise score system.
Score Level Description for Analytical Writing
- The essay responses in the analytical writing section are measured on a 6-point scale.
- These scores are assigned based on the overall quality of essay answers, such as grammar, ability to reason, ability to form complex ideas, etc.
| Score Range | Inference | Result |
|---|---|---|
| NS | No response | - |
| Score 0 | Response does not address any part of the assigned task | Off-Topic |
| Score 1 | Fundamental deficiencies in writing | Fundamentally Deficient |
| Score 2 | Lack of analysis, development, and structure in writing | Seriously Flawed |
| Score 3 | Some competence in analytical writing | Limited |
| Score 4 | Adequately organised ideas convey meaning with clarity | Adequate |
| Score 5 | Thoughtful analysis of complex ideas, focused and well-organised writing | Strong |
| Score 6 | Insightful and in-depth analysis of complex ideas, coveys meaning effectively | Outstanding |
Score Level Description for Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning
- The reported scores are measured on the basis of the number of correct answers.
- On the basis of each correct response, a raw score is provided.
- There is no penalty for incorrect responses.
- Upon completion of the test, the raw scores are converted into scaled scores (130-170) by the equating process.
Calculation of GRE Total Scores
- The GRE total score is calculated by summing the scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections.
- The scores of the analytical writing section are considered alongside it.
- The total score range of the GRE general test is 260-340.
Registration Process for GRE General Test
- Registration for the GRE general test is offered year-round on a first come, first served basis.
- Candidates can register for the test 2 days prior to their preferred test date.
- You can appear in the test either at your home or centre, depending on the circumstances and personal preferences.
- Registration for the GRE test involves these two processes, which are described below.
Creating an ETS Account
- With an ETS account, you can register for the
- GRE General Test
- GRE Subject Tests
- Applying for Testing Accommodations (for candidates with physical and mental disabilities)
- View test scores
- Order test report, etc.
ID Proofs for Indian Candidates
Before creating an account on ETS, you should ensure that you have valid updated ID proof. Indian candidates are required to have a passport with a clear name, signature, and photograph.
Steps for Creating an ETS Account
- Visit the official website of the Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Enter your email
- Select the ‘Create an account’ tab
- Enter your personal details asked
- Create a username and password
- Review and submit
- You will receive a confirmation email and can now proceed to the registration steps.
Register for the GRE Test
- Sign in using your username and password
- Click ‘register’
- Select ‘GRE General Test’
- Choose the test centre or the ‘test at home’ option.
Steps for Test Centre Registration
- Enter your preferred testing location
- Choose the 2-month period when you would like to appear for the test
- Select ‘Continue’
- Choose the available date from the calendar
- Choose a test centre
- Select ‘show test times’ for that location/centre
- Choose the time and click on ‘register.’
- Review and proceed to payment options
- Pay the required fees and submit
- You will receive a confirmation email containing the test details
Steps for ‘Test at Home’ Registration
- Verify your email address
- Choose the 2-month period when you would like to appear for the test
- Select ‘Continue’
- Confirm your time zone
- Choose the available date from the calendar
- Choose the time and click on ‘register.’
- Review and proceed to payment options
- Pay the required fees and submit
- You will receive a confirmation email containing the link to launch your test.
- Keep this email secure
GRE General Test Scheduling & Receiving Scores
- You can appear for the GRE General Test once every 21 days, upto 5 times a year.
- After the conclusion of the test, you will receive the test score within 8-10 days.
- You can also choose to submit the test scores directly to your 4 preferred institutes with the ‘ScoreSelect’ option.
Preparation for the GRE General Test
You can start preparing for the GRE test with the ‘Official GRE Prep’ provided by the ETS on its official website. There, you can purchase the official test guide, digital lectures, quizzes, practice tests, tips and tricks to improve your score, and a lot more. Along with these, ETS also offers
- Official GRE Mentor Course
- GRE Vocabulary Flashcards
- POWERPREP Practice Tests
- Math Review
- Math Conventions
Key Takeaways by Smart Academy
The GRE General Test is a standardised exam that evaluates a test taker’s aptitude and subject knowledge, essential for admission to master’s programs abroad. Unlike subjective tests, they measure the overall expertise of the candidates, such as quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing. The GRE test scores supplement the university application, especially when a candidate’s bachelor’s degree marks do not meet the required academic criteria.
FAQs
How much does the GRE general test cost?
In India, the GRE general test costs around INR 22,550/- per registration, regardless of whether you choose to take the test at a centre or from the comfort of your home.
Can I cancel the GRE test?
If you cancel the scheduled GRE test within 4 days of the assessment date, you will receive 50% of the test cost.
What is a good score on the GRE General Test?
A good GRE score depends on the program and university you are considering applying for. However, an overall score of 320 or more is considered competitive enough to demonstrate the aptitude required.
Who is eligible for the GRE General Test?
Undergraduate students desiring to pursue master’s programs in the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, business management, and law are eligible for the GRE exam.
What does the GRE test for?
The GRE exam is intended to check the academic readiness and aptitude of Indian students desiring to pursue master’s degree programs abroad. It evaluates the candidates’ verbal reasoning, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
