The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a computer-based test that measures what
students have learned in their graduate school.. It is designed to measure your verbal,
quantitative and analytical writing skills as well as provide information on your aptitude for
graduate study in a particular field of study. The Graduate Record Exam is an important
step for top graduate programs. It assesses your skills in specific categories of examinees,
including quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. A great score can help you earn
admission to your graduate school or career goals.
What is On the GRE?
The GRE is a computer-based test administered twice a year. The two tests are both graded
on a scale of 300-1600. The test consists of three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal
Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Assessment Sections. These sections measure how well
you do on each of the three skills required for graduate school. The analytical writing
assessment section measures writing ability by requiring candidates to write an
argumentative essay on an assigned topic (e.g., ethical dilemma in American society). The
verbal reasoning section measures knowledge of grammar and usage, vocabulary, and
reading comprehension skills to determine what your level of analytic reading
comprehension is.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a computerized adaptive exam. This means
that it adapts to your performance level in order to provide the most accurate scores
possible.
When to take the GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination is an aptitude test that measures how well you can apply
knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
The paper-based GRE is only given at a few testing locations on a restricted number of
occasions. GRE seating is first-come, first-served, and specific testing center locations can
fill up well before the popular autumn testing season. It is strongly advised that you register
for your selected GRE test date as soon as possible so that ETS can process your scores
and transmit them to the universities to which you will apply.
This might take anything from 10 to 15 days. Seats at testing facilities may be
limited during peak testing hours. You can take the computer-delivered GRE up to five times
in any continuous rolling 12-month period.
Format of GRE
The GRE exam contains four distinct sections:
● Analytical Writing Assessment
● Verbal Reasoning
● Quantitative Reasoning
Analytical Writing Assessment
Time: 60(2x30) Minutes || Score Range: 0-6
Number of Questions: Two separate tasks, Analyze and Issue and Analyse an Argument.
You will be asked to Analyse an or an Argument; throughout the two independent timed activities in Analytical Writing. You will read an opinion on a topic of broad interest and be given directions on how to reply to the problem at hand for the Analyze an Issue activity. For the Analyse an Argument exercise, you must evaluate an argument following the prompt & the given directions.
The Analytical Writing portion assesses your ability to do the following:
➢ Express complicated thoughts plainly and efficiently
➢ Ideas should be supported with appropriate explanations and instances
➢ Investigate the accusations and supporting evidence
➢ Maintain a focused, cohesive debate
➢ Regulate the conventional written English components
Verbal Reasoning
Time: 60(2x30) Minutes || Score Range: 130-170
Number of Questions:
● There are 6 text completion questions.
● 4 questions about sentence equivalence
● 10 questions on reading comprehension
● There are a total of 20 questions each segment.
The GRE verbal section assesses your analytical skills and understanding of the links
between sentences various words and concepts. Verbal reasoning questions come in a variety of
formats:
Text Completion: Fill-in-the-blank questions for text completion (TC) need you to finish phrases. There are also 1-, 2-, and 3-blank questions as variations. Each Verbal part contains roughly six of
these, and you should strive to finish them all in 1 to 1.5 minutes.
Sentence Equivalence: Sentence Equivalence (SE) questions ask you to fill in a single blank with two options that result in two coherent phrases with logically equivalent meanings. Each Verbal part will have roughly four SE questions.
Reading Comprehension: Questions about reading comprehension (RC) are based on passages of one or more paragraphs that present an argument or explanation of a subject. RC questions call for you
to comprehend the text's main concepts and its organisation and read the chapter in detail
and make reliable deductions from it. The ability to strategically read and paraphrase is
needed for RC questions.
Critical Reasoning: Critical Reasoning (CR) questions are a form of GRE Reading Comprehension question that tests your ability to think critically and logically in a variety of circumstances that call for these skills.
Quantitative Reasoning
Time: 35 Minutes Per section || Score Range: 130-170
Number of Questions:
● 7–8 Quantitative Comparison questions
● 12–13 Problem Solving questions
● 20 total questions per section
The GRE Quant part assesses fundamental quantitative skills and the ability to reason and
solve problems using quantitative approaches. Questions will involve fundamental
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
There are two types of Quantitative Reasoning questions:
Quantitative Comparison: Quantitative Comparison (QC) questions require you to compare two quantities—Quantity A and Quantity B—and determine the link between the two. You will probably encounter 7-8 of them in each Quant section.
Problem Solving: The most common Problem Solving (PS) questions are multiple-choice, with five options. Variants include questions in which you must choose one or more responses from a list of options (multiple-choice all-that-apply) and questions in which you must type your answer into a box (numeric entry.)
(There is a calculator on the screen in the Quantitative Reasoning portion.)
What is the Duration of the GRE?
You should take the GRE on test day for around four hours, including test time and brief
breaks. ETS advises that you get to the testing facility at least 30 minutes prior to the start of
the test.
The duration of each section is provided as follows:
Analytical Writing Assessment 60 Minutes (30 Minutes per Task)
Verbal Reasoning 60 Minutes (30 Minutes per Section)
Quantitative Reasoning 70 Minutes (35 Minutes Per Section)
Experimental 30-35 minutes
Breaks 15 Minutes Approx.
Total Approximately 4 hours
How much does the GRE cost?
All GRE testing locations charge a fee of $205. The price covers the cost of submitting score reports to up to four graduate schools of your choosing.