What is GRE?

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is a standardised exam conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and serves as a crucial admission requirement for graduate schools and business schools worldwide.

The GRE is designed to assess candidates seeking admission to MS programs at leading universities worldwide. A GRE score is a prerequisite for pursuing postgraduate degrees in countries such as the USA, Canada, and other English-speaking nations. Candidates have the option to register for the GRE from their homes, offering flexibility beyond traditional test center arrangements. Notably, several prestigious Indian institutes now consider GRE scores for their master’s programs.

The GRE exam comprises three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, with scores ranging from 130 to 170 for each of the verbal and quantitative sections. As of September 22, 2023, the total test duration is approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes.

Top universities typically expect GRE scores ranging from 150 to 160 for both the verbal and quantitative sections. In India, the GRE fee for 2024 is INR 22,550. Furthermore, leading business schools globally now recognize GRE exam scores for MBA programs, alongside GMAT scores. General GRE test dates are available year-round to accommodate candidates’ schedules.

GRE Highlights

The GRE exam is tailored for individuals who have finished their undergraduate studies and could pose a greater challenge compared to the ACT or SAT. The verbal reasoning segment assesses vocabulary through complex reading passages, text completion, and sentence equivalence questions. Conversely, the GRE quant section is generally regarded as less difficult than other competitive exams. It’s crucial to verify GRE eligibility before applying, as the exam aims to gauge candidates’ academic proficiency in undergraduate subjects. Prior to sitting for the GRE, it’s essential to assess whether the chosen program necessitates it, similar to the ACT, and whether there are any fellowships or scholarships available for deserving candidates based on merit.

• Exam Name: GRE
• Full Form of GRE: Graduate Record Examinations
• Official Website: https://www.ets.org/gre.html
• Popular for: Pursuing MS courses in the USA
• Accepted for: MBA courses outside India
• Conducted by: ETS (Educational Testing Service)
• Mode of Exam:
  • Computer-delivered test
  • Paper-delivered test
  • GRE at Home
• GRE Exam Fees:
  • GRE General Test: INR 22,550
  • GRE Subject Test: INR 14,500
• Validity of GRE Scores: 5 Years
• Score Ranges:
  • Verbal Reasoning score range: 130–170
  • Quantitative Reasoning score range: 130–170
  • Analytical Writing score range: 0–6
• Contact for GRE:
  • Phone: +91-1244517127 or 000-800-100-4072 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. IST)
  • Email: [email protected]

Which Colleges accept GRE?

GRE results are used to determine admission to all types of master’s, MBA, specialised master’s in business, and doctorate programmes, as well as to grant fellowships.

Many colleges in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, and other countries accept GRE results. GRE results are accepted by business schools all around the world, including Harvard, IE, INSEAD, MIT Sloan, Stanford, and Singapore Management University.

Note:

1. Always check the requirements of the school you are applying to. They may be accepting either GRE Scores or GMAT Scores and many institutions are now accepting both. Always double-check the admissions requirements of the school to which you are applying. They may consider either GRE or GMAT results, and many colleges now do.
2. Whereas the GRE is generally used to gain admission to international universities (mostly Master’s programs in the United States), several Indian B-Schools now accept GRE scores as well,

GRE 2024 Eligibility Criteria

GRE Exam Pattern

The GRE Exam Pattern varies for computer-based and paper-based exams. The computer-based GRE Exam Pattern is adaptive, while the paper-based format follows a different structure. The GRE General Test consists of three main sections: GRE Analytical Writing Assessment, GRE Verbal Reasoning, and GRE Quantitative Reasoning. Each of these sections has two subsections. The total duration for the GRE General Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes. Let’s explore each section in detail:

1. GRE Analytical Writing The GRE Analytical Writing section is always the first part of the test and includes two types of tasks: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument. Candidates are given 60 minutes to complete two sections, allocating 30 minutes to each task. In this section, candidates need to analyze the logical coherence and effectiveness of the argument presented. To practice, you can refer to GRE AWA Practice Papers.

2. GRE Verbal Reasoning GRE Verbal Reasoning assesses a candidate’s ability to analyze written material and draw inferences from it. This section is known to be challenging due to its tricky question types. It includes Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence questions. Topics covered in the GRE verbal syllabus include Verb Tense, Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions, Pronoun Agreement, Subject-Verb Agreement, and more. Candidates have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions in this section. To further enhance your skills, you can utilize GRE Verbal Practice Papers.

3. GRE Quantitative Reasoning With practice, candidates can significantly improve their performance in GRE quantitative reasoning. The GRE quant syllabus includes topics such as Quantitative Comparison, Problem Solving, and Data Interpretation. The questions in GRE quantitative reasoning are designed to resemble real-life or mathematical scenarios, often presented in the form of tables, graphs, or other data displays. Candidates have 70 minutes to answer 40 questions in this section. To enhance your preparation, it is recommended to utilize GRE Quant Practice Papers.

   It is worth noting that the GRE verbal section is generally considered easier than the questions found in the PowerPrep series. Candidates often achieve higher scores in the actual test compared to their performance in the PowerPrep practice tests. On the other hand, the first part of the GRE quant section is more challenging than the corresponding part in PowerPrep. Additionally, the last part of the quant section in PowerPrep is tougher than what is encountered in the actual test. Test-takers have reported that the GRE quant section, despite its appearance of being easy, can be quite tricky. In fact, the experimental quant section is even more challenging.

GRE has a paper-based test format and the table below holds the details of the GRE paper-based exam: 

In addition to the GRE general test, there are also GRE subject tests available. These subject tests are designed to assess a candidate’s knowledge in specific subjects. The GRE subject tests cover six subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Literature, Psychology, and Biology. Candidates take GRE subject tests to demonstrate their expertise in a particular subject and enhance their applications. ETS provides GRE practice books for each subject as study material. The GRE subject tests are offered in a paper-based format only and are available three times a year in September, October, and April. Scores for the subject tests range from 200 to 990 with 10-point increments. The total duration of the test is 2 hours and 50 minutes, and there are no individually timed sections. Many candidates aiming to pursue postgraduate studies choose to take the GRE Subject Test.

GRE Syllabus

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an international standard test for graduate school entrance in the United States of America. Education Testing Services is in charge of conducting and organising the test (ETS). The test is available both offline and online; online exams are available at any time of year, but offline exams are only offered three times a year. The GRE scores are good for 5 years after you take the test. The test is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to think, write, and reason.

Syllabus

There are two types of GRE tests: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. Both of these tests have different syllabuses.

GRE General Test syllabus

Tests	Syllabus
Analytical writing	This section aims to assess candidates’ abilities to communicate difficult concepts clearly and effectively, to back up their ideas with relevant examples and reasoning, to analyse a situation with logic, and to keep a well-focused and coherent discussion while maintaining control over the standard elements in written English.
Verbal reasoning	The whole section is designed to assess candidates’ ability to analyse and draw conclusions from interactions, to reason from incomplete data, to identify a perspective, to distinguish major from minor points, to select essential points, to summarise, to comprehend the structure of any given text, and to comprehend the words, their meanings, and their relationships to the entire text. The following are the areas that are covered for the same: Nouns, pronouns, and other basic sentence construction  Idioms, idiomatic phrases,  verb, tenses  Agreement on pronouns  Agreement between the subject and  the verb Modifiers  parallelism
Quantitative reasoning	This portion assesses applicants’ abilities to grasp, interpret, and analyze quantitative data, solve problems using mathematical models, and use basic mathematic skills such as algebra, arithmetic, and geometry. The portions covered are: ratio and proportion profit and loss simple and compound interest distance, speed, time, work linear equations permutations and combinations sets quadratic equations statistics and probability powers and roots pipes and cisterns polygons (quads, triangles, etc.), circles lines and angles co-ordinate geometry order of operations volumes and surface areas percentages and other number properties

GRE Marking Scheme

On the GRE General Test Score-Card, three scores are reported: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Here’s how it went down.

Section	Min. Score	Max Score.	Increments (Inc. in marks per correct answer)
Verbal Reasoning	130	170	1-point increments
Quantitative Reasoning	130	170	1-point increments
Analytical Writing	0	6	1/2-point increments

• Your total verbal and quantitative score is expressed as a number of 340. As a result, applicants may frequently indicate their score out of 340 while stating their score.
• Analytical Writing receives a distinct grade out of six.

How to Register for GRE?

GRE registration for 2024 is available in both online and offline formats. Candidates have the option to register through ETS’s official website or through mail or phone. For those opting to take the GRE at home, specific equipment requirements must be met, and the “at-home” option should be selected during the test center selection process, followed by payment of the fees. The registration process involves creating an account, providing personal details, selecting the preferred GRE test date and center, and making the payment for the registration fee.

The paper-delivered GRE General test is administered in areas where the computer-delivered test is not available. It takes place twice a year, specifically in November and February. On the other hand, GRE Subject Tests are offered at paper-delivered test centers worldwide and are available up to three times a year.

Step 1: Create ETS Account

• Creating an ETS Account is the initial step in registering for the GRE online (if you do not already have one). 
• Go to www.ets.org/mygre to create an ETC account.

You also get access to the following features through your ETS account:

• Make an appointment to take the GRE.
•  Register for the GRE®
•  Search Service, which is completely free.
• Place an order for exam preparation materials.
•  Check out the results.
• Order Additional Score Reports View, amend, or cancel your registration 
• Use the GRE Diagnostic Service for free.

Note: Please double-check your name and birthdate while filling out your information. These must match the information on your government ID, which you will present at the test center. You will not be able to edit this once you have registered.

Step 2: Find Suitable Test Centre and Dates

For ambitious GRE applicants, the ETS provides an online calendar where they can check the availability of dates and seats at various testing centers.

GRE Exam Dates 2024 in India

Determining the frequency of GRE exams throughout the year and their availability is essential for prospective test-takers. The GRE General exam is conducted multiple times each month at over 1000 test centers worldwide, with seat availability and examination dates accessible on the official ETS website. The computer-based GRE General test can be taken up to five times annually, with a minimum gap of 21 days required between consecutive tests. Additionally, GRE subject tests are offered three times a year, typically in April, September, and October.

It’s important to note that ETS typically takes 10-15 days to send GRE scores to designated institutions. Therefore, aligning your GRE test date with the application deadline of your desired program is crucial for timely submission. Given that the GRE exam is most frequently taken between August and December, securing a seat during this period can be challenging.

Below are the details regarding GRE exam dates in India for both the GRE General and Subject tests.

GRE Exam Dates in India for GRE General Test

The GRE exam dates for the year 2024 in India are provided below, categorized by month.

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Hyderabad

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for New Delhi

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Bengaluru

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Pune

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Chennai

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Mumbai

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Chandigarh

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Kolkata

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Vijayawada

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Thiruvananthapuram

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Coimbatore

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Cochin

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Tirupati

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Patna

GRE Exam Dates 2024 for Ahmedabad

GRE at Home Exam Dates 

Please be advised that the dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to the GRE 2024 calendar.

Please note: A late registration fee of 25 USD is applicable for GRE registrations.

GRE Exam Dates Handling Request

To avail additional services candidates need to pay extra fee for special handling request. Few such service fees are mentioned below

How to Reschedule GRE Test?

• You can reschedule your test online.
• Rescheduling your GRE General Test must be done a minimum of four days before your appointment. Otherwise, your test fee will be forfeited. [Eg: the deadline to reschedule a Saturday appointment at a testing location in the United States is Tuesday.]
• A fee will be charged for rescheduling your test registration ($50)
• Appointments cannot be rescheduled beyond 1 year of original appointment date.
• You will need to provide your appointment confirmation number and the full name used to make an appointment when rescheduling.

Special Handling Requests
Rescheduling fee	$50
Changing your test centre	$50

GRE 2024 Admit Card

Educational Testing Services’ Graduate Record Examinations are highly significant and basic test that is necessary for graduate programs in the United States. Candidates compete against students from all over the world who want to attend a prestigious college in the United States. Graduate Record Examinations, administered by Educational Testing Services, are a crucial and fundamental test required for graduate programs in the United States. Candidates fight against students from all over the world for a spot at a prominent American university.

Candidates who have applied for the exam will be given the GRE dates. Messages or emails are sent to candidates with the necessary information. When applying for the exam, the candidate will be informed of the exam dates.

The essential methods for obtaining an admit card are outlined below. 

• ETS-webpage GREs can be found here.
•  Download the admission card and fill in the necessary information. 
• The hall ticket will be presented on the screen after submission.

GRE 2024 Result

GRE SCORING PROCESS:

Within a period of 10 to 15 days following the test, the official GRE scorecards will be accessible in the candidate’s ETS account and automatically sent to the universities chosen during the test. This timeframe represents the maximum duration for receiving GRE results, with results typically being generated within this timeframe unless there are any unforeseen technical issues. Additionally, candidates have the option to print their score report, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of the scores and percentiles for all three sections of the GRE.

GRE COUNSELLING PROCEDURE 

The Counseling Procedure genuinely aids in the identification of the best universities to apply to based on one’s overall profile and GRE score. It also aids in the preparation of the application, particularly the documentation section. Rather than having the counselor create the self-SOP, it is critical to write it yourself.

GRE ANSWER KEYS 

The number of right answers given determines the score in the multiple-choice sections. Any erroneous responses do not result in a loss of marks. Because time is of the essence in this exam, it is best to start with the easy questions and then move on to the more difficult ones. 

The number of right answers given determines the score in the multiple-choice sections. Any erroneous responses do not result in a loss of marks. Because time is of the essence in this exam, it is best to start with the easy questions and then move on to the more difficult ones. 

If any of the answers are fractions, the grid will include a division slash (/), otherwise the grid will have a decimal point. There is just one response that has to be circled. Columns that aren’t required should be left empty. It’s also crucial to fill in the blanks with your answers. These are critical skills to master in order to perform well on the GRE Exam.

GRE Cutoff

The Graduate Record Examinations, also known as the GRE, is a standardised test that is required of all students applying to graduate schools in the United States. Education Testing Service owns and administers the GRE exam (ETS). The GRE is designed to assess a candidate’s overall ability by assessing their verbal, quantitative, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. Algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and language are all covered on the GRE.

The test fees are $225, however individuals who cannot pay them and can demonstrate financial hardship are eligible for financial assistance. Even if a candidate misses one or more questions on a multiple-choice exam, he or she can still get a decent score of 170. Similarly, if no question is successfully answered, the lowest score is 130. While the GRE is a standardised exam, the GRE cut off varies greatly depending on the university a candidate wishes to attend.

The score slabs listed below will assist students in properly setting their score targets as they practise and work hard to get the highest possible GRE results. A high score of 163+ in Verbal, 165+ in Quant, and 5.0+ in AWA, resulting in an overall score of 328+, would qualify them for the top 10% of American institutions.