Your prospects after GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Over 6.75 lakh students from about 230 countries, take up the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam every year. GRE scores are an important criterion for admissions into MS and MBA programmes at different universities in the US and in other English speaking countries. It supplements the students' undergraduate academic performance, recommendations, and other qualifications to prove their capability to do well in the course they want to opt at the PG level.
You can also take GRE Subject Tests to show your knowledge and skill level in a particular subject or area. Some graduate schools may ask for GRE subject test scores specifically and some may not but it is still a great way to distinguish yourself from other candidates. GRE Subject Tests can be taken in following disciplines:
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Literature in English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Though, one can take GRE in one of the 700 test centers across over 160 countries. One can opt for computer-based GRE test or paper-based GRE test, three times a year - in October, November and February.
Who can appear for GRE?
Any graduate interested in taking admission into postgraduate programmes or applying for fellowships in the US or English speaking countries can opt for the GRE exam.
GRE exam pattern
Exam pattern of the computer-based GRE Test is as follows:
It has six sections. The overall testing time is about three hours and 45 minutes, with about 10-minute break after the third section.
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
| (One Section) |
One "Analyze an Issue" task and one "Analyze an Argument" task | 30 minutes per task |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Approximately 20 questions per section | 30 minutes per section |
| (Two Sections) |
Approximately 20 questions per section | 35 minutes per section |
| Unscored | Varies | Varies |
| Research | Varies | Varies |
The first section is always the Analytical Writing section and rest of the sections can appear in any order. The scores of the unidentified unscored section and the identified research section are not included in GRE General Test scores. The Research section will always appear at the end of the test, if included.
Exam pattern of the paper-based GRE Test is as follows:
It has six sections. The overall testing time is about three hours and 30 minutes, with about 10-minute break after the second section.
| Measure | Number of Questions | Allotted Time |
| Analytical Writing (Two sections) |
One "Analyze an Issue" task and One "Analyze an Argument" task |
30 minutes 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) |
Approximately 25 questions per section | 35 minutes per section |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) |
Approximately 25 questions per section | 40 minutes per section |
The first section is always the Analytical Writing section and rest of the sections can appear in any order.
Opportunities after GRE:
The GRE is conducted by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) for admission into MS programmes mainly in the US and other English speaking countries. From August 2011, GRE scores are also being considered for admissions into MBA programmes by Yale, Wharton, Stanford and MIT. Hence, it has now become a single test that opens gateways of both graduate schools and business schools for you worldwide.
The GRE scores are valid for a period of five years.
