The Graduate Record Examination, commonly known as the GRE, is a pivotal standardized test for individuals aspiring to pursue graduate studies. But Gre Is What, exactly? It’s designed to assess your readiness for graduate-level work by evaluating your critical thinking skills in areas crucial for academic success: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Universities across the United States and Canada, and increasingly worldwide, use the GRE as a significant component of their admissions process for master’s, doctoral, and other graduate programs.
While traditionally administered in testing centers, the GRE is now predominantly computer-based, offering flexibility and accessibility to test-takers globally. For regions with limited computer infrastructure, a paper-based version remains available.
Key Facts About the GRE Exam
- The GRE is a standardized test for graduate admissions, focusing on verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing abilities.
- Scoring for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning ranges from 130 to 170, with top-tier programs often seeking scores in the 160s.
- The GRE is widely accessible, offered at testing centers and even for at-home administration in most countries, including the U.S.
- The standard GRE test fee is $220 in most locations, slightly higher in China at $231.30.
Understanding the Core Components of the GRE
The GRE exam is structured into three distinct sections, each designed to evaluate specific skill sets essential for graduate-level academic work. These sections are Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
The Verbal Reasoning section delves into your ability to comprehend and analyze written material. It tests your capacity to:
- Extract key information and identify central themes within written text.
- Infer conclusions and deduce meaning from provided passages.
- Grasp the nuances of vocabulary and sentence structure.
- Discern relationships between different parts of a sentence and ideas within a text.
This section is not just about vocabulary memorization; it’s about how effectively you can engage with and interpret complex written information, a cornerstone of success in graduate studies.
The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses your mathematical aptitude and problem-solving skills. It focuses on your grasp of:
- Fundamental mathematical concepts including algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and data analysis.
- Your ability to apply these concepts to solve problems efficiently.
- Your skill in interpreting and analyzing quantitative data presented in various formats, such as graphs and charts.
This section evaluates not just your mathematical knowledge, but also your logical thinking and ability to apply mathematical principles in analytical contexts.
Finally, the Analytical Writing section measures your critical thinking and argumentation skills in written form. It assesses your ability to:
- Articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
- Construct well-supported arguments with logical reasoning and evidence.
- Analyze and evaluate claims and arguments presented to you.
This section is crucial for graduate studies, where clear communication of complex ideas and reasoned argumentation are paramount.
A Brief History of the GRE
The GRE’s origins trace back to 1936, initiated by a consortium of prominent universities and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University of Wisconsin marked a milestone in 1938 as the first public institution to incorporate the GRE into its admissions requirements.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS), established in 1947, assumed responsibility for overseeing and administering the GRE. Initially, the GRE comprised only verbal and quantitative sections. An analytics and logic component was later introduced but was replaced in 2002 with the Analytical Writing assessment, reflecting the evolving needs of graduate programs.
The exam continued to adapt with new question formats in 2007, including fill-in-the-blank questions in the math section, and further stylistic revisions to reading comprehension questions in 2008.
A significant overhaul occurred in 2011, resulting in the current GRE format. This redesign brought about the 130-170 scoring scale, eliminated certain question types, and implemented section-level adaptive testing, adjusting difficulty based on performance in each section rather than individual questions.
Despite its widespread use, the GRE has faced scrutiny, with some universities opting to waive the requirement. Criticisms have centered on concerns about potential bias and whether the exam accurately predicts graduate student success or future academic employment.
In response to these evolving perspectives and to enhance test-taker experience, ETS announced a shortened GRE in 2023. This revised format reduces the exam duration to under two hours, approximately half the length of the previous four-hour test. The condensed exam streamlines the experience by removing and condensing sections like the argument essay and the unscored experimental section, and adjusting the number of questions in the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
Decoding GRE Scoring
The three sections of the GRE are scored using two distinct scales:
- Verbal Reasoning: Scored on a scale of 130 to 170, in 1-point increments.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Also scored on a scale of 130 to 170, in 1-point increments.
- Analytical Writing: Each essay task is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The scores for the two tasks are averaged to produce the final Analytical Writing score, ranging from 0 to 6.
Your overall GRE score, often emphasized in admissions, is derived from the combined Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. This combined score ranges from 260 to 340. It’s important to note that the Analytical Writing score is reported separately and is considered independently by admissions committees.
The Role of GRE Scores in Graduate Admissions
The GRE General Test is a widely accepted tool used by graduate and business schools to evaluate applicants. Beyond the General Test, some programs may require or recommend GRE Subject Tests to demonstrate expertise in specific fields. Currently, Subject Tests are offered in Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics. The availability of subject tests has varied over time, with tests in fields like Chemistry, English Literature, and Biology previously offered but now discontinued.
GRE Scores for Business School Admissions
While the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is often preferred by business schools, particularly for MBA programs, many top business schools also recognize and accept GRE scores as an equivalent measure of aptitude.
One notable difference is the inclusion of a dedicated writing section in the GRE, which is absent in the GMAT. Conversely, the GMAT’s quantitative section is generally perceived as more challenging. Despite these nuances, a significant number of leading business schools in the U.S. and globally accept the GRE for MBA admissions.
To provide context for typical score expectations, consider the average GRE scores of students admitted to the top 10 business schools in 2023:
| 2023 Average GRE Scores for the Top 10 Business Schools |
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How to Register and Prepare for the GRE
The GRE offers flexibility in testing locations, available both at designated testing centers and for at-home administration. The exam, in its shortened format, takes approximately one hour and 58 minutes to complete, encompassing the writing section and two sections each for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning.
While there is no strict limit on the number of times you can take the GRE, there must be a 21-day interval between test attempts. Furthermore, you cannot take the exam more than five times within a 12-month rolling period.
Many test-takers opt to retake the GRE to improve their scores and strengthen their graduate school applications. Crucially, the GRE ScoreSelect option empowers you to choose which scores are sent to institutions, giving you control over your application narrative.
The standard GRE test fee in the U.S. is $220. This fee is consistent across most countries, with exceptions for China ($231.30) and India (22,550 Indian rupees).
Registration for the GRE is conveniently done through the ETS website. Creating a free ETS account is the first step, followed by selecting a test date and location. Registration must be completed at least two calendar days before your desired test date. Payment can be made via credit or debit card, PayPal, or AliPay+.
For test preparation, ETS provides a wealth of resources, many of which are free. These include practice tests, math skills reviews, and instructional videos. For more in-depth preparation, ETS also offers paid resources such as additional practice tests and section-specific practice questions. Furthermore, online writing practice tools are available, providing feedback and scores on practice essays.
GRE Exam Duration: A Closer Look
The total testing time for the GRE is 1 hour and 58 minutes. The breakdown by section is as follows:
- Analytical Writing: 30 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: Two sections, 18 minutes and 23 minutes respectively.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Two sections, 21 minutes and 26 minutes respectively.
GRE FAQs
Can You Retake the GRE?
Yes, retaking the GRE is permitted. You must wait 21 days between attempts and cannot take it more than five times in a 12-month period.
Can I Send Only My Best GRE Score to Schools?
Yes, the GRE ScoreSelect option allows you to choose which scores to send to schools, so you can highlight your best performance.
Do All Schools Require GRE Scores?
No, the GRE is not universally required. An increasing number of graduate programs are moving away from requiring GRE scores for admission.
The Bottom Line on the GRE
The GRE is a critical standardized exam for graduate and business school admissions. It serves as an objective measure of your preparedness for advanced academic work, assessing your verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills.
Understanding what the GRE is – its structure, scoring, and role in admissions – is the first step towards successful graduate school applications. By preparing effectively and strategically utilizing the exam’s features like ScoreSelect, you can leverage the GRE to showcase your strengths and achieve your academic aspirations.
