Graduate
Record Examination (GRE)
Graduate Record
Examinations
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions
requirement for many graduate schools in
the United States and Canada. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The
test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
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 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 between schools and departments within schools. The importance of
a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important
selection factor.
There are no
specific GRE exam eligibility criteria regarding age or educational
qualifications. The only two things that candidates need to be concerned about
is – Having a Passport if
you are an Indian, and successfully finishing the undergraduate degree.
The computer-based GRE General Test consists of six
sections. The first section is always the analytical writing section involving
separately timed issue and argument tasks. The next five sections consist of
two verbal reasoning sections,
two quantitative reasoning sections,
and either an experimental or research section. These five sections may occur
in any order. The total
time duration for GRE General Test is 3 hours 45 minutes.
The
computer-based verbal sections
assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage. The
verbal test is scored on a scale of 130–170, in 1-point increments. (Before
August 2011, the scale was 200–800, in 10-point increments.) In a typical
examination, each verbal section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 30
minutes. Each verbal section consists of about 6 text completion, 4
sentence equivalence, and 10 critical reading questions. The changes in 2011
include a reduced emphasis on rote vocabulary knowledge and the elimination of
antonyms and analogies. Text completion items have replaced sentence
completions and new reading question types allowing for the selection of
multiple answers were added.
The
computer-based quantitative sections
assess basic high school level mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills. The
quantitative test is scored on a scale of 130–170, in 1-point increments
(Before August 2011 the scale was 200–800, in 10-point increments). In a
typical examination, each quantitative section consists of 20 questions to be
completed in 35 minutes. Each quantitative section consists of about 8
quantitative comparisons, 9 problem solving items, and 3 data interpretation
questions. The changes in 2011 include the addition of numeric entry items
requiring the examinee to fill in the blank and multiple-choice items requiring
the examinee to select multiple correct responses.
The
analytical writing section consists of two different essays, an "issue
task" and an "argument task". The writing section is graded on a
scale of 0–6, in half-point increments. The essays are written on a computer
using a word processing program specifically designed by ETS. The program
allows only basic computer functions and does not contain a spell-checker or
other advanced features. Each essay is scored by at least two readers on a
six-point holist scale. If the
two scores are within one point, the average of the scores is taken. If the two
scores differ by more than a point, a third reader examines the response.
The
test taker is given 30 minutes to write an essay about a selected
topic. Issue topics are selected from a pool of questions, which the GRE Program
has published in its entirety. Individuals preparing for the GRE may access the
pool of tasks on the ETS website.
The
test taker will be given an argument (i.e. a series of facts and considerations
leading to a conclusion) and asked to write an essay that critiques the
argument. Test takers are asked to consider the argument's logic and to make
suggestions about how to improve the logic of the argument. Test takers are
expected to address the logical flaws of the argument and not provide a
personal opinion on the subject. The time allotted for this essay is 30
minutes. The Arguments are selected from a pool of topics, which the GRE
Program has published in its entirety. Individuals preparing for the GRE may
access the pool of tasks on the ETS website.
The
experimental section, which can be either verbal or quantitative, contains new
questions ETS is considering for future use. Although the experimental section
does not count towards the test-taker's score, it is unidentified and appears
identical to the scored sections. Because test takers have no definite way of
knowing which section is experimental, it is typically advised that test takers
try their best and be focused on every section. Sometimes an identified research
section at the end of the test is given instead of the experimental
section. There is no experimental section on the paper-based GRE.
In
addition to the General Test, there are also six GRE Subject Tests testing
knowledge in the specific areas of Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, 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, Geology, History, Music, Political
Science, Sociology, and Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular
Biology. 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. The Computer Science exam was discontinued
after April 2013. Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology was
discontinued in December 2016.
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.
While
the general and subject tests are held at many undergraduate institutions, the
computer-based general test can be held in over 1000 locations 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.