The Graduate Record Examination

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for most graduate schools in the United States Created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) in 1949, the exam aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered at Prometric testing centers.

The GRE revised General Test features question types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you'll do in graduate or business school

There are 3 segments in GRE

Verbal Reasoning
Measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships among words and concepts.
Quantitative reasoning
Measures problem-solving ability using basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
Analytical Writing
Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.

There are two types of tests.

The General Test measures verbal and quantitative ability, and analytical writing skills. Data shows that scores on the GRE General Test consistently predict graduate school students' grades and performance.
The Subject Test measures the achievement in a particular subject area or extensive background in that discipline. These tests are in the following areas: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature (English), Physics and Psychology.

GRE SCORES:

Maximum marks in GRE: 340

Verbal Reasoning Score scale: 130-170 (1 point increment)

Quantitative Reasoning Score scale: 130-170 (1 point increment)

Analytical Writing Score: 0-6 (0.5 pt increment)


  • GRE is section level adaptive for Verbal and Quantitative sections. Thus the difficulty level of the second section of Verbal or Quant is based on your performance in the first section.
  • GRE raw score is the number of correct answers (e.g. 25 out of 40). This score is scaled into a final score in the above scoring range based on the difficulty level of the sections.
  • Analytical writing section is evaluated manually by trained readers. Average of scores given by two readers becomes your final score.
  • Aim to achieve score in excess of 155 in Verbal and 160 in Quant, a total score>315. This will ensure your admit in a good University with a chance of financial aid.
  • Official scores are mailed in 10–15 days after your test date.

Validity of GRE:

GRE scores are valid for 5 years. One can request a rescore up to 3 months after your test date.