What is GRE?

GRE – Graduate Record Examination is a standardized test. GRE is an admissions requirement for most Graduate schools in the USA.

Who Conducts GRE?

GRE is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS).

Who writes GRE?

GRE is written by under graduate students & working professionals applying to Graduate schools in the USA & elsewhere across the globe.

What is the test duration of the GRE?

The time duration for GRE is usually three hours and forty-five minutes inclusive of all the breaks. In the given time period, the students taking the test are supposed to complete all the three sections.

• Verbal Reasoning- 60 minutes
• Analytical Writing- 60 minutes
• Quantitative Section- 70 minutes

An extra timing of one minute is provided to each student for reading the questions.

How many questions are there on GRE?

A total of 82 questions are on the GRE. The examination question pattern is divided into the following routine

• Verbal Reasoning- 40 questions
• Quantitative Aptitude- 40 questions
• Analytical Writing- 2 essays

What is the score distribution of GRE?

The score distribution of GRE in each section is as follows

• Analytical Writing – 0-6, with an increment of 0.5
• Quantitative Aptitude – 130-170, with an increment of 1
• Verbal Reasoning – 130-170, with an increment of 1

What is the General Test Structure and Time Allowed for GRE?

• Analytical Writing (Issue Essay)- 1 Question; 30 Minutes
• Analytical Writing (Argumentative Essay)- 1 Question; 30 Minutes
• Verbal Reasoning- 20 Questions; 30 Minutes
• Verbal Reasoning- 20 Questions; 30 Minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude- 20 Questions; 35 Minutes
• Quantitative Aptitude- 20 Questions; 35 Minutes

What is the question pattern?

For the GRE, the question pattern is divided as follows

• Quantitative Aptitude- Multiple-choice Questions
• Verbal Reasoning- Multiple-choice Questions
• Analytical Writing- Essay Writing

What are the sections of GRE?

As mentioned earlier, GRE is divided into three sections.

• Quantitative Aptitude- Quantitative Comparisons(16Q), Problem Solving(18Q), Data Analysis(6Q)
• Verbal Reasoning- Text Completion(12Q), Reading Comprehension(20Q) and Sentence Equivalence(8Q)
• Analytical Writing- Two Essays- ArgumentativeEssay(1Q) and Issue essay(1Q).

What is the GRE test environment?

GRE is conducted on two types based on the availability

• Computer Adaptive Test- Students in UAE will appear for the computer adaptive test that will be conducted throughout the year in the Dubai or Abu Dhabi AmidEast test centre.
• Paper Adaptive Test- In case computer isn’t available, ETS conducts Paper adaptive test for the students.

When is the GRE score published?

Once you complete the computer adaptive test, you will have the option to report or cancel the test. If you choose to cancel, then that particular test would be deleted from your GRE test record. If you choose to report the test, GRE would display your unofficial Quantitative Aptitude & Verbal Reasoning scores at the test centre. Since the Analytical writing section requires time for scoring, the official test score would be available 10 – 15 days after the test date.

Paper Based test results would be published 5 weeks after the test date.

Can I cancel the GRE test scores after taking the test?

Once you complete the computer adaptive test, you will have the option to report or cancel the test. If you choose to cancel, then that particular test would be deleted from your GRE test record.

How to send official GRE Score reports to recipient colleges?

On your GRE test day at the test center, you will be asked to designate 4 free recipient colleges for your official GRE score report. For every Additional score report recipient college, candidates will be charged a fee of $27.

Can I choose the GRE scores that should be sent to the colleges?

Yes. GRE provides the option to choose from one or many of the test taken as you like from the last five years.

How long is GRE score valid?

GRE score is valid for five years.

How many times is the GRE administered in a year?

The ETS paper-based GRE is administered up to three times a year in February, October, and November. However, the computer-based GRE is administered all around the year.

Eligibility criteria for GRE?

Until recently, Undergraduate students or working professionals planning to study in the graduate schools write the GRE. Of late some of the Business schools have also started accepting GRE scores in the place of GMAT scores for admissions criteria.

Age is no bar

Not all universities require GRE scores for admissions. Candidates should check with the rules and guidelines of the university to understand their requirement.

When should I write the GRE test?

There is no specific time for writing the GRE test. The undergraduate students may take it during their 3^rd year (6^th semester) or 4^th year (7^th semester) in college. Undergraduate students or Full-time working professionals should plan to take their GRE test at least 3 months before the application due dates. If you add another minimum duration of 3 months for GRE preparation, one should start his/her GRE preparation 6 months before the application deadline.

How many times can the candidate take GRE?

In a span of one year, the student is entitled to take GRE five times. The student can apply for a GRE once every 21 days. However, the exam limit should not extend for more than five times in a year.

What are the benefits of GRE?

Most of the reputed graduate schools in the USA consider the GRE score as a mandatory requirement in the admissions process. This test enables the graduate school to assess the Analytical, Verbal & Quantitative ability of the candidates applying. Apart from that, good GRE score also helps a student have a better chance of earning scholarships.

What is the GRE subject test?

GRE subject test is designed to test the knowledge level of the candidate in a particular subject. The GRE subject tests are conducted for the following –

• Mathematics
• Literature (English)
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics
• Biochemistry (Cell and Molecular Biology)

These tests are conducted in the paper format thrice a year – in April, September and October.

What is the GRE Exams Fees Structure?

• GRE General Test Fee- $205
• GRE Subject Test Fee- $150

Apart from this, the students may need to pay additional charges in the following cases

• Rescheduling Fee – $50
• Test Center Change Fee – $50
• Subject Change Fee (GRE Subject Test) – $50
• Late Registration (paper-delivered test online registration only) – $25
• Standby Testing (paper-delivered test only) – $25

https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about/fees/

How to register for GRE?

Interested candidates may register for GRE through the mail, phone, fax and even online. The candidate may follow the online registration process –

• The candidate should create an account in the org website
• Select the type of exam to be given- GRE General or GRE Subject
• Select the Date and Location for Test
• Register the Academic Credentials
• Make a payment of $205 as registration charge for GRE General Test (or) $150 for GRE Subject Test

Where is the test center for GRE in UAE?

• AMIDEAST, Ground Floor Villa 100 and 102, Al Nahyan Commercial Complex, Off Delma Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• AMIDEAST Dubai, Office G01, Block 2B, Knowledge Village, Al Burouj Road, Al Sufouh, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

GRE Snapshot: