Many graduate school applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination® (GRE®) General Test, which assesses a student’s aptitude and potential for graduate school success. Depending on the degree program, most schools require the General Test and one or more Subject Tests. There are three types of questions on the General Test: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the GRE®, and its format is updated on a regular basis.
The GRE® General Test’s verbal reasoning section assesses one’s reading comprehension and reasoning abilities. The quantitative reasoning questions test basic mathematical skills using arithmetic, geometry, and basic statistics concepts. The analytical writing section assesses critical thinking abilities as well as the ability to express ideas clearly and comprehensively through writing. The GRE® General Test usually includes a fourth, experimental section that includes one of the three types of questions mentioned above, but does not count the scores. It’s usually used to conduct research in order to create future exam questions.
The GRE® General Test is available all over the world. Students in the United States and Canada typically take the exam on a computer at a local testing center. Students in some jurisdictions take a paper-and-pencil test. This is more common in countries where students lack access to computer-based testing centers.
The registration process for the GRE® General Test varies by location. Computer-based test takers can usually register online, by mail, by phone, or by fax. Paper-based test registration is typically limited to either online or mail-in registration. The registration fees vary depending on the test administration site.
Exam results are usually sent to graduate schools along with other materials like undergraduate transcripts, essays, and recommendations. GRE® (Generalized Risk Evaluation) Depending on the programs to which test scores are submitted, they may be given different weights. That is, admissions officers typically decide how much test scores should be weighted in an overall application. Admissions and scholarship or financial aid funding decisions are frequently influenced by their policies.
The GRE® General Test can be prepared in a variety of ways. Students have access to a variety of books and software packages, as well as online study assistance. Although study methods differ, many people find that review questions and practice tests are beneficial. The majority of these resources are provided by ETS, the test’s administrator, as well as commercial test prep services.
Debate over whether the GRE® General Test is a fair assessment of one’s skills is one of the most common issues with the exam. Others argue that requiring standardized tests for admission is ineffective in the long run. A student may be required to take one of eight Subject Tests in addition to the General Test, which include subjects like biology, chemistry, and psychology.