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Graduate Record Examinations by ETS
The GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations and is conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This test is widely accepted by universities and colleges abroad for admission to graduate programs. If you are aiming for a master's, Ph.D., or MBA, then you can take the GRE as per your target university’s requirements. Also, GRE scores can help you get merit-based scholarships for graduate schools. Around the globe, thousands of graduate schools accept GRE scores, including various law and business schools. The following are the types of GRE tests:
Let us take a quick check about the GRE General Test in India from the table below:
Specifics | Details |
---|---|
Full Form |
Graduate Record Examination |
Official Website |
|
Popular For |
MS programs in the US |
Conducted By |
ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
Mode of Exam |
Computer and Paper - Delivered Test |
GRE Fee |
INR 22,000 for the General Test in India |
Score Range (Maximum Score Possible: 340) |
|
Time Limit |
1 hour 58 minutes (from September 22, 2023) |
There are no specific age or qualification requirements to take the ETS GRE. However, it is generally recommended that you complete your undergraduate studies before applying for the test.
GRE is one of the most important entrance exams for abroad universities. International and Indian students must know the following key relevances of GRE exam:
The application fee for the GRE General Test 2025 in India is INR 22,000. The fee for a GRE Subject Test 2025 is INR 14,500. Additional charges apply for services like rescheduling or changing the test centre.
The GRE General Test is available throughout the year at various Prometric Test Centers. In India, the test is mainly computer-based. For the GRE Subject Tests, specific dates are announced annually. We advise you to check the exact dates from the ETS official website for the GRE.
As we have already mentioned, there are three sections for the GRE general test and the following table shows the number of questions and allotted time for each section:
Test Section | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
---|---|---|
Analytical Writing |
1 question related to the analysis of a situation, incident or issue. |
30 minutes |
Verbal Reasoning (Section 1) |
12 questions |
18 minutes |
Verbal Reasoning (Section 2) |
15 questions |
23 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning (Section 1) |
12 questions |
21 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning (Section 2) |
15 questions |
26 minutes |
The syllabus is not particular to any specific field of study, instead it is of general topic that is required by all streams of study. The test measures your ability to understand and evaluate written material, think critically, solve problems, and express your ideas clearly.
The ETS GRE scores can vary from 260 to 340. Let us see what is GRE score range for each section:
Now there are some important points related to the ETS GRE score range that you must be aware of:
Let us understand how and what is considered as a good GRE score and how it is compared across some of the top universities in the world.
University | Verbal Reasoning Score Range | Quantitative Reasoning Score Range |
---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
158 - 164 |
162 - 170 |
Stanford University |
158 - 164 |
156 - 170 |
University of California, Berkeley |
157 - 164 |
155 - 170 |
Harvard University |
155 - 166 |
155 - 170 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
157 - 163 |
167 - 170 |
Princeton University |
162 - 166 |
160 - 165 |
University of Chicago |
158 - 162 |
160 - 165 |
Yale University |
159 - 165 |
160 - 165 |
Columbia University |
156 - 161 |
159 - 165 |
University of Pennsylvania |
155 - 160 |
160 - 165 |
Please note that these score ranges are approximate and can vary by program. Always check the official website for up-to-date information.
Let us see how GRE ETS exam is different from other entrance exams from the table below:
Feature | GRE | TOEFL | IELTS | GMAT |
---|---|---|---|---|
Purpose |
Graduate, MBA, and PhD admissions |
English language proficiency |
English language proficiency |
Business school admissions |
Accepted In |
US, UK, Canada, Europe, Australia |
US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more |
US, UK, Canada, Australia, and more |
Global MBA and business schools |
Sections |
Verbal, Quant, Analytical Writing |
Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing |
Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
Verbal, Quant, Integrated Reasoning, AWA |
Scoring Range |
260 - 340 (total) |
0 - 120 |
0 - 9 band |
200 - 800 (total) |
Score Validity |
5 years |
2 years |
2 years |
5 years |
Test Duration |
about 2 hours |
about 2 hours |
about 2 hours 45 minutes |
about 3.5 hours |
Conducted By |
ETS |
ETS |
British Council, IDP, Cambridge |
GMAC |
The following top colleges around the world accept GRE scores:
All the popular study destinations in the world including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, Singapore, and Australia accept GRE scores. More than 600 business schools worldwide also accept GRE scores for MBA programs.
GRE exam slots can be booked online. Students should check the availability of the test centres on the ETS official website. After signing up, students can enter their location to find the nearest GRE test centre and available dates.
Preparing for the GRE ETS needs discipline, consistency and a good strategy. Here are some study plans to help you prepare and score well in your upcoming GRE ETS exams:
It is not always easy to prepare for the GRE day in and day-out. To stay committed to your GRE preparation, you need to set a schedule for your preparations. The following are some of the important tips that you can follow:
GRE remains a flexible, globally recognized exam that opens doors to graduate programs across various countries and fields.
No, not all programs require the GRE. Some universities have made it optional. We recommend that you check your target university’s official page.
You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12-month period.
Yes, you can cancel or reschedule your test through your ETS account. Rescheduling must be done at least 4 days before the test date (10 days in mainland China). Please note that additional fees apply for rescheduling your GRE test.
No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. So, it is recommended to attempt all the questions.
It depends on your strengths. GRE verbal is vocabulary-heavy, while GMAT focuses more on grammar. GRE quant is slightly easier than GMAT quant. Please check with your university requirements and prepare accordingly.
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