Good number of graduate and business school applicants from India are taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), and the number continues to raise each year. The exam is gaining popularity among the Indian engineering graduates as the more colleges, universities and B-Schools are accepting it as a standardised test English-taught graduate and business programs, sometimes in place of GMAT. This trend can be felt in United States and other parts of the globe as well.
The GRE was significantly overhauled in August 2011 where the scoring scale was changed to a 130-170 scale from a 200-800 scale.
Both the General and Subject Tests of GRE have been revised. While general test is aimed at testing the candidate’s overall ability, objective of the subject tests is to test the candidate’s knowledge in that particular subject. This article covers all the aspects of both tests in detail.
The revised GRE General Test
This revised GRE General Test is available at about 700 test centers in more than 160 countries from all around the world for those who are interested in pursuing a master's, MBA, specialized master's in business or doctoral degree . GRE scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study.
The computer-based test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year, which makes the business easy for students.
Structure for the revised GRE General Test
Following topics are covered in three sections of the test -
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, focusing on 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.
Computer-based GRE revised General Test
Testing Time: Three hours and 45 minutes.
There are six sections with a 10-minute break after the third section. Structure of the Computer-based Test is as following –
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
| Analytical Writing (One section with two separately timed tasks) | One "Analyze an Issue" task and one "Analyze an Argument" task. | 30 minutes per task |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | 20 questions per section. | 30 minutes per section |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | 20 questions per section. | 35 minutes per section |
| Unscored¹ | Varies | Varies |
| Research² | Varies | Varies |
- An unidentified unscored section that does not count toward your score may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section.
- An identified research section that does not count toward your score may be included in place of the unscored section. The research section will always appear at the end of the test. Questions in this section are included for ETS research purposes.
The Analytical Writing section will always be first. The Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and unidentified/unscored sections may appear in any order; therefore, you should treat each section as if it counts toward your score.
Paper-based GRE revised General Test
Testing Time: Three hours and 30 minutes. There are six sections with a 10-minute break after the second section.
Structure of the Paper-based Test
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
| Analytical Writing (Two sections) | Section 1: "Analyze an Issue" task. Section 2: "Analyze an Argument" task. | 30 minutes per section |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | 25 questions per section. | 35 minutes per section |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | 25 questions per section. | 40 minutes per section |
The Analytical Writing sections will always be first, while the other four sections may appear in any order.
Scores
GRE test scores are valid for five years
GRE revised General Test (tests taken on or after August 1, 2011)
GRE General Test (tests taken prior to August 1, 2011)
| Measure | Scores Reported |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130–170, in 1 point increments |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130–170, in 1 point increments |
| Analytical Writing | 0–6, in half point increments |
GRE General Test (tests taken prior to August 1, 2011)
| Measure | Scores Reported |
| Verbal Reasoning | 200–800, in 10-point increments |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 200–800, in 10-point increments |
| Analytical Writing | 0–6, in half-point increments |
Getting the Scores
Computer-based Test
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores can be viewed at the test center instantly; however, because of the essay scoring process would yet to be completed, the Analytical Writing score will not be available at that time. After about 10–15 days to the test date, official scores will be available in the student’s GRE Account, which is known as “My GRE Account”.
Paper-based Test
About six weeks after the test date, official scores will be available in the GRE Account of the student.
The approximate score report mailing dates.
| Paper-based revised General Test Dates | View Scores Online and Scores by Phone Dates | Approximate Score Report Mailing Dates |
| October 12, 2013 | November 11, 2013 | November 22, 2013 |
| November 09, 2013 | December 09, 2013 | December 20, 2013 |
| February 8, 2014 | March 10, 2014 | March 21, 2014 |
The ScoreSelectSM Option
While sending four free score reports to schools of your choice, ScoreSelectSM option on the test day helps in sending the best scores to the Schools. On test day, when viewing the scores at the test center, you can choose not to send your scores at this time or you can select either option to send scores from your current test administration or your scores from all General Test administrations in the last five years.
MBA Programs that Accept the GRE revised General Test
To Register for the Test
The GRE revised General Test is offered as a computer-based test year round at most locations around the world and as a paper-based test up to three times a year in areas where computer-based testing is not available.
A student has to create or have a My GRE Account to register for a GRE test or to view the scores. A valid credit or debit card is necessary to register for either the computer-based test or the paper-based test.
To register online visit here:
Fees:
Fees for the GRE revised General Test (as of July 1, 2013)
Worldwide: $185
Test Centers:
For computer based test centers internationally click here:
Paper based Test centers in India:
Bangalore, St Josephs College of Commerce
Coimbatore, South India Textile Research Association
Kolkata, Indian Institute of Psychometry
Mumbai, Mumbai Teachers Training College
New Delhi, St Michael's Sr. School
Pilani, Birla Institute of Technology and Science
Ranchi, Birla Institute of Technology
Retaking the GRE revised General Test
Students can take the GRE revised General Test once every 21 days, and up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.
Prepare for the GRE revised General Test
POWERPREP II, Version 2.1 Software: Preparation for the computer-based GRE revised General Test
This free software available in the GRE official website includes two full-length practice tests, including the test-taker friendly design features like moving back and forth and changing answers within a section, as well as the on-screen calculator. POWERPREP II, version 2.1 is Mac and PC-compatible.
Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE revised General Test, Second Edition
This publication contains one full-length paper-based test, test-taking strategies, sample Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions with explanations, sample Analytical Writing topics, scored Analytical Writing responses and reader commentary and information on how the test is scored.
To download Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE revised General Test, Second Edition (PDF) visit here:
Math Review
This free 100-page Math review includes definitions, properties, examples and a set of exercises with answers at the end of each section. This material is also available in the POWERPREP II, Version 2.1 software.
To download the Math Review (PDF) visit here:
Math Conventions
Math Conventions includes notation and terminology as well as guidelines for interpreting and using information given in test questions. This material is also available in the POWERPREP II, Version 2.1 software.
To download Math Conventions (PDF) visit here:
The Official Guide to the GRE revised General Test, Second Edition
The Official Guide to the GRE revised General Test, Second Edition comes with a copy of the POWERPREP II, Version 2.1 Software CD — includes four complete practice tests (two in the book and two on CD), hundreds of authentic test questions, explanations for many answers, test-taking strategies, sample essay responses with reader commentary and more. Available in print or eBook versions.
To purchase The Official Guide to the GRE revised General Test, Second Edition
http://store.ets.org/store/ets/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.3551800/pgm.84203000
ScoreItNow Online Writing Practice
This service lets you sharpen your writing skills as you prepare for the Analytical Writing measure of the GRE revised General Test.
To know more on Online Writing Practice visit here:
The GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject Tests are achievement tests that measure the knowledge of a particular field of study. Prospective graduate school applicants take the Subject Tests where scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study. Although the scores may not be a requirement for admission to a particular program, admissions committees are likely to consider the scores if they are submitted.
The Subject Tests are given at paper-based test centers worldwide three times a year, in:
September
October
April
Each Subject Test is intended for students who have an undergraduate major or extensive background in one of these seven disciplines:
Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Literature in English
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
Test timing:
Total testing time is 2 hours and 50 minutes. There are no separately-timed sections.
Register for the Test:
The GRE Subject Test can be registered online or by mail.
To register for the test visit here:
http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/register
Fees:
The Subject Test fee is US$150 worldwide.
Scores
Scoring of the Subject Test is a two-step process. First, the raw score is computed. This is the number of questions you answered correctly minus one-fourth the number of questions you answered incorrectly. Then the raw score is converted to a scaled score to account for differences in difficulty among the different test editions.
A total score is reported on a 200–990 score scale, in 10-point increments, although the score range for any particular Subject Test is usually smaller.
Sub scores are reported for the Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; and Psychology Tests on a 20–99 score scale, in one-point increments, although the range for any particular Subject Test sub score is usually smaller.
Prepare for a GRE Subject Test
Free, official test preparation materials for the GRE Subject Tests are available to anyone who registers for the tests or who visits this website.
Subject Test Materials
Each Subject Test practice book contains a full-length test and answer key, test-taking strategies, and information to help you understand how the test is scored. The appropriate practice book is sent to individuals who register for a Subject Test, or you may download them.
To know more on preparation resources visit here:
Customer Support Centre for Test Takers in India
The GRE program has opened a new toll-free customer support center in India to cater to the needs of growing number of test takers from this country.
The new customer support centre provides assistance and information for students registering, preparing for or planning to take the GRE revised General Test or a GRE Subject Test. Information about test preparation materials, test centers and dates, score reports and other test-related inquiries can be answered by the call center staff.
The center is accessible by phone toll-free directly at 000-800-100-4072, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.. In addition, test taker inquiries can be sent via email to GRESupport4India@ets.org.
For more details on GRE visit here:
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