Many universities offer graduate programs and only accept the best students; they provide top-notch education to those who can succeed in their programs. But admissions officers can only make an educated guess on an applicant’s potential. To quantify the potential of applicants, there are a variety of things an admission official can review, such as the applicant’s undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Sometimes, they can even conduct applicant interviews. At some schools, admission committees assess a student’s future performance and abilities by looking at the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. In this guide, discover the GRE, why schools might want to see it, how to prepare for it, some tips and advice, and why some schools forego it altogether.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standard entrance exam developed by test makers – Educational Testing Services (ETS). Most schools that ask for GRE test scores will require applicants to take this test. It consists of two different types:
Of the two, the most common is the General Test. However, while a school or program may sometimes require both the GRE General and GRE Subject Tests, some schools may make the Subject Test optional while requiring the General Test.
One of the biggest reasons schools require the GRE is because it provides an objective measure of a prospective master’s student’s potential academic performance. Most of the other components of the student’s application are largely subjective in nature, such as the essay or letters of recommendation. For certain objective measures, such as a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), admissions committees know that each school (and each program within a school) will have its own level of “grade inflation.”
The GRE costs $205 in the U.S. This test fee does not include special handling requests such as rescheduling fees – which is $50 extra, and changing the test center – which is $50 extra. There are other additional services the individual might have to pay for after giving the test if they require them, such as:
The GRE General Test is available year-round. Aspiring candidates may take the test as often as they like, although they are limited to taking the test every 21 days and no more than 5 times in 12 months. The exact test dates will depend on the test center of choice and available seating. However, in many areas, students will have several days available to choose from in any given week.
The GRE consists of 3 main sections:
Most test-takers will also have a fourth component, which will either be an experimental or research set of questions. The experimental and research sections are similar in that they are not scored and can consist of either Quantitative or Verbal Reasoning questions. However, the research section will always appear at the end of the exam, while the experimental section can appear anywhere. The research and experimental questions allow the test creator to conduct research and try out new questions for future exams.
Individuals can register for the GRE General Test online or by phone. The user will create an Education Testing Service (ETS) account when registering online. Test takers are encouraged to register as soon as possible as availability in each testing center is on a first-come, first-served basis. Aspirants can only register for the GRE General Test at least two business days before the test date. General Test Scores will be available to the candidate after 10-15 days of the test in their ETS account.
The GRE General Test is a computerized adaptive exam where sections will become more difficult or easier depending on the test taker’s performance on earlier sections. Listed below are the three main sections of the GRE:
Note: Along with the three main sections of the GRE, there are two other sections with varied numbers of questions and allotted time to complete them: the Unscored Section and the Unscored Research Section.
The duration of the GRE is about 3 hours and 45 minutes. There are 6 sections in all, with a 10-minute break after the third section. The basic structure of the test is as follows:
Section | No. of Sections | No. of Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing | 1 section; 2 separately timed tasks | “Analyze an Issue” task x 1 “Analyze an Argument” task x 1 | 60 minutes (30 minutes per task) |
Verbal Reasoning | 2 | 20 per section | 30 minutes per section |
Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | 20 per section | 35 minutes per section |
Unscored | 1 | Varies | Varies |
Research | 1 | Varies | Varies |
GRE Scores
What is the best way to prepare for the GRE? Whether it’s increasing their level of knowledge or learning the nuances of how sections are structured, prospective master’s students can gain a tremendous advantage by carefully prepping themselves for the GRE. The following is a list of a few study tips to help candidates make the most of the time spent preparing for the GRE.
There are various methods and strategies that people can use as a part of their preparation for their exams. Preparing for the GRE can be made much easier by using prep materials. Below is a list of some of the best ones, including a few that are free:
Here are some tips on what students should and should not do the day before they take the GRE. Following these will reduce any uncertainty or anxiety on test day:
Here are some tips on what students should and should not do on the day they are taking the GRE:
Most colleges in the United States require applicants to submit their GRE or GMAT scores when applying for a master’s degree. However, in recent years, some colleges have waived or entirely done away with the GRE as a prerequisite. Here are some notable schools with No GRE programs:
Without a doubt, the GRE is a demanding examination that requires test-takers to think and act quickly. But if one prepares for the GRE well in advance, putting in several hours of hard work, studying, and practicing regularly, this test should not be too difficult.
Choosing GRE or GMAT can always be a little confusing. However, whether to opt for the GRE or GMAT primarily depends on the program one wants to apply to, and students must always check to see the program requirements. The following quick look at GRE vs. GMAT will present a fair idea of how the two differ:
GRE | GMAT | |
---|---|---|
Why | It is a requirement for most graduate schools for admission into their graduate programs. | It is a requirement for most business schools for admission into their MBA programs. |
Who accepts the test? | Graduate schools. A lot of online master’s schools accept a GMAT score also. | Business Schools. A lot of online master’s schools accept a GRE score also. |
Format | 3 Sections – Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. | 4 Sections – Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. |
Scores | 120 to 170 | 200 to 800 |
Cost | $205 | $205 |
Time | 3.75 hours | 3.5 hours |
Score Validity | 5 years | 5 years |
Preparing for the GRE can sometimes be challenging, especially if one has family, study, or work commitments. Getting the best and maximum help would significantly reduce stress and anxiety related to taking the GRE. Here are some valuable resources for prospective candidates to explore:
It is always good to know what to expect in a GRE test. Listed below are some sample questions and their answers for each section of the GRE:
The Analytical Writing measure tests your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses your ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct, and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion. It does not assess specific content knowledge.
The Analytical Writing measure consists of two separately timed analytical writing tasks:
The Issue task presents an opinion on an issue of general interest followed by specific instructions on how to respond to that issue. You are required to evaluate the issue, consider its complexities, and develop an argument with reasons and examples to support your views.
The Argument task requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. You will need to consider the logical soundness of the argument rather than agree or disagree with the position it presents.
The two tasks are complementary in that one requires you to construct your own argument by taking a position and providing evidence supporting your views on an issue, and the other requires you to evaluate someone else’s argument by assessing its claims and evaluating the evidence it provides.
Source: ETS
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