Graduate Record Examinations
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is part of the admissions process for many graduate schools[8] in the United States and Canada[9] and a few other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).[10] The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.[11]
"GRE" redirects here. For other uses, see GRE (disambiguation).Acronym
GRE
Computer-based or paper-based standardized test
Analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning.
Admissions to master's and doctoral degree programs in various universities
1936
1 hour and 58 minutes[1]
Analytical writing: 0.0 to 6.0 (in 0.5-point increments),
Verbal reasoning: 130 to 170 (in 1-point increments),
Quantitative reasoning: 130 to 170 (in 1-point increments).
5 years
Computer-based test: Multiple times a year (depends on availability of the test center)
Paper-based test: Up to 3 times a year in October, November and February[2]
About 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries[4]
English
319,101 (T.Y. 2021-22)[5]
No official prerequisite. Intended for bachelor's degree graduates and undergraduate students who are about to graduate. Fluency in English assumed.
Most graduate schools in USA, and in a few other countries
According to ETS, the GRE aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning. The content of the GRE consists of certain specific data analysis or interpretation, arguments and reasoning, algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary sections. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered at testing centers and institution owned or authorized by Prometric. In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely among schools and departments. The importance of a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important selection factor.
The GRE was significantly overhauled in August 2011, resulting in an exam that is adaptive on a section-by-section basis, rather than question by question, so that the performance on the first verbal and math sections determines the difficulty of the second sections presented (excluding the experimental section). Overall, the test retained the sections and many of the question types from its predecessor, but the scoring scale was changed to a 130 to 170 scale (from a 200 to 800 scale).[12]
The cost to take the test is US$205,[6] although ETS will reduce the fee under certain circumstances.[7] It also provides financial aid to GRE applicants who prove economic hardship.[13] ETS does not release scores that are older than five years, although graduate program policies on the acceptance of scores older than five years will vary.
Once almost universally required for admission to Ph.D. science programs in the U.S., its use for that purpose has fallen precipitously.[14]
GRE Subject Tests[edit]
In addition to the General Test, there are also three GRE Subject Tests testing knowledge in the specific areas of Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. The length of each exam is 170 minutes.
In the past, subject tests were also offered in the areas of Computer Science, Economics, Revised Education, Engineering, English Literature, French, Geography, Geology, German, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Spanish, and Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology.[42] In April 1998, the Revised Education and Political Science exams were discontinued. In April 2000, the History and Sociology exams were discontinued; with Economics, Engineering, Music, and Geology being discontinued in April 2001.[43] The Computer Science exam was discontinued after April 2013.[44] Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology was discontinued in December 2016. The GRE Biology Test and GRE Literature in English Test tests were discontinued in May 2021.[45] The GRE Chemistry Test was discontinued in May 2023.[46]
Preparation[edit]
A variety of resources are available for those wishing to prepare for the GRE. ETS provides preparation software called PowerPrep, which contains two practice tests of retired questions, as well as further practice questions and review material. Since the software replicates both the test format and the questions used, it can be useful to predict the actual GRE scores. ETS does not license their past questions to any other company, making them the only source for official retired material. ETS used to publish the "BIG BOOK" which contained a number of actual GRE questions; however, this publishing was abandoned. Several companies provide courses, books, and other unofficial preparation materials.
Some students taking the GRE use a test preparation company. Students who do not use these courses often rely on material from university text books, GRE preparation books, sample tests, and free web resources.
Testing locations[edit]
While the general and subject tests are held at many undergraduate institutions, the computer-based general test can be held in over 1000 locations[63] with appropriate technological accommodations. In the United States, students in major cities or from large universities will usually find a nearby test center, while those in more isolated areas may have to travel a few hours to an urban or university location. Many industrialized countries also have test centers, but at times test-takers must cross country borders.
GRE Subject Tests:
Discontinued GRE Subject Tests:
Other tests: