GRE Exam 2023: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Result

Conducted by ETS, the GRE test or the GRE General test is one of the world’s largest assessment programmes for graduate admissions to business or law schools and is accepted by thousands of universities and colleges worldwide. The GRE exam is a standardized test to measure the overall academic readiness of a candidate wanting to attend graduate school. Through the GRE General Test, a candidate is evaluated on his analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills. The GRE Subject Test evaluates the candidates’ ability in a particular subject. Candidates should note that the GRE Subject Tests only extend to Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

GRE test scores are available 10 to 15 days from the GRE test date and are accepted at thousands of graduate programmes around the world, for masters and doctorate degrees. According to the official ETS GRE website, Business Schools, Institutions, Fellowship Sponsors and Law Schools around the world accept the GRE scores. In this article, candidates would also get access to GRE test papers and a customized GRE study plan for beginners looking to appear for their GRE 2023. Candidates looking to appear for the GRE exam are required to pay the GRE exam fee of ₹22,550 INR. Candidates who are opting to appear for the GRE Subject Test are required to pay a GRE Subject test Fee of ₹14,500 INR. 

Apart from introducing the GRE home facility of the test in view of the pandemic, ETS - the conducting body of the GRE test now requires candidates who are eligible to appear for the GRE exam to use only their valid Indian passports during the GRE registration process. In this article, we are going to be talking about the test centre dates available for taking the GRE Test along with important GRE Exam topics such as GRE exam syllabus, GRE exam fees, GRE exam eligibility, GRE score validity, GRE test centers in India and much more. Candidates should note that Aadhar Cards are no longer accepted as ID for the GRE registration process. 

Why take the GRE Test?

GRE Exam: Apart from being one of the most commonly accepted exams by universities for admission to graduate programmes, students looking to pursue MS courses, MBA courses, professional degree programmes or opting for thesis work are required to appear for the GRE General Test or GRE exam as part of the university admission process. Apart from this, there has been a growing trend of business schools accepting GRE scores instead of the GMAT exam - the traditional business school entrance exam. There are also a few but growing number of U.S. law schools that accept the GRE as an alternative to the LSAT, the typical law school entrance exam.

When should you take the GRE Test?

There is confusion over the right time to appear for the GRE Exam. Candidates should note that the GRE at Home and the computer-delivered GRE test conducted at test centres are available throughout the year. Candidates wondering when they should take the GRE test are advised to register for the GRE exam when they have prepared well for the GRE test. The best time to take the GRE test would be once you have put in at least 100+ hours of studying or devoted 1 - 3 months to preparing for the GRE exam. 

From a university admission perspective, GRE experts suggest that the right time to appear for the GRE exam is 60 - 90 days before their first university application deadline. This way, the candidates would get enough time to re-appear for the GRE test if the need arises. GRE scores are valid for 5 years., 

What is GRE Score Validity?

GRE Validity: A lot of times candidates are confused about GRE score validity. Candidates who have appeared for their GRE test should know that their GRE scores are valid for a period of five years from the day of the exam. Hence any candidate who has taken the GRE exam on April 3, 2021, can report their scores until April 2, 2026.  

This section of the GRE test would cover any latest developments revolving around the GRE Exam for the benefit of candidates who are planning to appear for their GRE test.

GRE Fees Revised

Candidates should note that the GRE fee for both GRE General Test, as well as GRE Subject Fee, has been revised by ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam. Currently, students registering for the GRE General Test would be required to pay ₹22,550 INR and students booking their GRE Subject Test would be required to pay ₹14,500 INR. 

ETS GRE Exam to shorten to just under 2 hours starting September 22, 2023

One of the most widely accepted tests for graduates and professional courses, the GRE exam which is currently just under 4 hours will be shortened to just under 2 hours starting September 22, 2023, as notified by ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam. The shorter version of the GRE General Test, starting on September 22, 2023, will have 26 fewer Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions and only one Analytical Writing essay helping reduce test-taking fatigue. This new change will make the GRE exam (approx 2hrs) shorter than the GMAT exam (3hrs 7mins), GMAT Focus Edition (2hrs 15mins) and LSAT (approx 3hrs). 

GRE General Test to cost more for Indian Students

November 2022: Starting November 1, 2022, ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam has raised the GRE exam fee from US $213 to US $228. Indian students will be now required to pay US $228 or GRE Exam Fee in Indian rupees ₹18,863.31 INR. (USD 1 = 82.73INR). The fee for the GRE General Test at Home has also been revised to US $228 for Indian students. The GRE Subject Test fee remains unchanged at US $150. 

ETS offers 25% Off on TOEFL Exam Fees on Registering for the GRE Exam 

ETS the conducting body of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is providing for a limited time a 25% (US$48) off on your TOEFL iBT test when you register for the GRE General Test. ETS in continuation with their efforts of providing affordable testing options and study material to test takers, ETS announced an exclusive discount of 25% off the TOEFL iBT test registration fee when test takers register for the GRE Exam. Candidates should note this offer is valid for a limited time only. 

GRE Waived for Fall 2022

A lot of the US universities abroad are temporarily doing away with the GRE examinations given the unprecedented times that have been brought upon us due to COVID-19. A lot of universities have also made GRE optional in their university application process substituting it with multiple years of related work experience. However, this is temporary and candidates are encouraged to appear for their GRE exam as this would only add value to their overall application process. 

ETS to accept Aadhar Card as part of student ID starting July 1, 2021, temporarily

ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam has announced that they would be accepting Aadhar Cards of Indian candidates who are appearing for their GRE test in case they do not have their valid passports as part of their student ID starting July 1, 2021, onwards until further notice. Due to the pandemic, new passports have not been issued at a regular pace thus students who have not got their passports issued can use their Aadhar cards as proof of ID temporarily. The end date for this service has not been issued yet. All efforts are being made by ETS to make the GRE test as accessible as possible for students wanting to appear for the GRE test during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GRE General Test to cost more for Indian Students

Well, this may come as a shock, but starting in October 2020, ETS has raised the GRE General Test Fee from US $205 to US $213. Candidates registering from India, starting October 7, 2020, onwards would be required to pay the new GRE Registration Fee of US $213. All other fees including changing the GRE Test Centre Fee and Rescheduling the GRE exam fee remain unchanged. 

GRE General Test: ETS Launches GRE at Home during COVID-19

In response to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19, ETS - the conducting body of GRE - Graduate Record Examinations has decided to launch the GRE General Test at home in locations where the computer-based format of the GRE test was earlier available, for the convenience of students wanting to take the GRE test during the pandemic to be able to study abroad. The same is yet to launch in mainland China and Iran. The GRE General Test home edition has been started in response to GRE Test Centres being temporarily shut due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and local restrictions. However, candidates need to make sure that they meet the system equipment requirements and have a test conducive environment pre-determined by ETS before registering for the GRE test. You can read in detail about the GRE at Home, as you read along.

Know all about the GRE exam in under 5 minutes here:

Types of GRE Exam

There are two types of GRE tests, the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test.

• GRE General Test
• GRE Subject Test

What is the GRE General Test?

Created and administered by ETS, the GRE General Test is a standardized test to measure the overall academic readiness of a candidate wanting to attend graduate school. Through the GRE General Test, a candidate is evaluated on his analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills. The GRE Exam is conducted around the year, and candidates can appear for the GRE General Test at/her convenience. Students seeking admission to MS courses and a select few MBA courses or professional courses at the graduate level are required to appear for the GRE General Test. A growing number of students opt for the GRE test as the majority of universities across the world have started accepting GRE scores. The GRE General Test is available in three formats:

• GRE Computer-Based Test is the GRE General Test taken on a computer at a GRE-designated test centre. Candidates should note that GRE Computer Based Tests are available in all countries that have access to the Internet and computer technology. This online form of the GRE test is the most widely used mode of appearing for the GRE General Test. 
• GRE Paper Based Test is the GRE test that is taken offline in destinations that have limited access to the Internet or computers. The GRE Paper Based Test is the GRE exam taken on pen and paper. In India, candidates are required to opt for the GRE Computer-Based Test. There is no GRE Paper-Based test in India. 
• GRE at Home Test: Most recently launched, the GRE at Home is the GRE General Test that can be taken in the safety of the candidates' homes. launched during the pandemic, the GRE at Home is built on keeping student safety paramount and the GRE test has been designed to be conducted from Home as long as the candidate can meet the system requirements pre-determined by ETS and have a conducive environment during the entire duration of the GRE at Home Test. 

What is GRE Subject Test?

The GRE Subject Test evaluates the candidates’ ability in a particular subject. Candidates should note that the GRE Subject Tests only extend to Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. The GRE Subject Tests in Biology and Literature in English were discontinued in May 2021. The GRE Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology was discontinued in December 2016. Scores on these tests will continue to be reportable for five years per the GRE score policy.

Generally, the GRE Subject Test is required for getting admission to specialized courses/technical programmes. The GRE Subject test is primarily held three times a year and is a paper-delivered test. The GRE Subject Test is held in September, October and April. The total duration of the GRE Subject test is 2Hrs and 50 minutes and candidates are required to appear for only one of the subjects from the list mentioned below:

• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

How Does the GRE General Test Compare to a GRE Subject Test?

GRE General Test vs GRE Subject Test: A lot of times, candidates are left wondering about the differences between the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test. Candidates can check the table below to understand how the GRE General Test differs from the GRE Subject Test.

GRE Eligibility: There are no specific GRE eligibility criteria as prescribed by ETS. Anyone can register for this GRE exam, irrespective of age or qualifications. However, candidates applying for master's courses are required to take their GRE test. The only other factor that a candidate is required to keep in mind is the fact that he/she would be required to produce their original passport as proof of identity at the exam centre, so candidates are required to have a valid passport before they register for the GRE exam. Update: Candidates should note that starting July 1, 2021, candidates can use their Aadhar Card as part of the identity of proof during the GRE registration process. 

GRE Eligibility: Age Limit

There is no age limit set for candidates wanting to appear for their GRE test.

GRE Eligibility: Exam Qualification

ETS has not announced any official statement regarding the qualification required to appear for GRE Exam. However, candidates are expected to possess a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognized university.

GRE Exam Fees in India: The application fee for the GRE General Test is ₹ 22,550 INR for Indian students registering for the GRE test. The GRE fee in Indian rupees is roughly Rs. ₹ 22,550. GRE Subject Test costs ₹ 14,500 for students in India. Also, if the applicants want to change the centre or reschedule the test, they would be required to pay an extra fee for the same.

Worldwide GRE Application Fee 2023 and Related Charges

In this section, we are going to be discussing how much does it cost to take the GRE? Here is how much the GRE costs around the world:

GRE Cancellation Fee/ GRE Rescheduling Fee

Candidates who must cancel or reschedule their GRE General Test registration are required to do so no later than four days before the test date or the GRE exam fee would be forfeited. Candidates would be required to pay $50 for rescheduling their GRE test. Apart from this, candidates are charged $50 if they want to change a subject in the GRE Subject Test.

GRE Special Handling Requests India Rates

Accepted GRE Payment Modes in India

The following payment modes are accepted in India for students looking to book the GRE exam. 

1. Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro credit and debit cards
2. Rupay credit and debit cards
3. UPI and Bharat QR payments including the following digital wallets FreeCharge, PayZapp, Airtel Money, Google Pay; MobiKwik; JioMoney; Ola Money; PhonePe; Amazon Pay; Paytm, WhatsApp, and all BHIM UPI-enabled banking apps. (Coming Soon)
4. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for Visa and MasterCard cards issued outside India will also be supported.

GRE Special Handling Requests

Candidates wanting to avail of additional services would be required to pay an extra fee for the same. Charges for special handling requests for services are mentioned below.

GRE Exam Registration: There are multiple ways to register for the GRE test. Popular ways through which aspirants can register for the GRE exam are online and over the phone. Apart from this, aspirants can also register through mail or even by fax. For booking a slot for the GRE test candidates would require a debit or credit card to pay the registration fee of ₹ 22,550 and have a valid passport during the registration process. 

Ways to Register for GRE Test

• GRE Online Registration
• GRE Phone Registration
• GRE Mail Registration
• GRE Fax Registration

How to apply for GRE online?

Candidates are required to follow the below-mentioned steps to register for GRE via the online method. 

• Candidates need to create an ETS account on the official website: https://www.ets.org/mygre 
• Select the type of GRE exam they want to take – the GRE General or GRE Subject Test
• Select the GRE General Test
• Select your option to either appear for the GRE exam from a designated GRE Test Centre or GRE at Home
• Verify your email address, then continue.
• To select your test appointment, confirm your time zone, or select a new one
• Choose the two-month window you want to search and then select your preferred date from the calendar.
• Select an available time/date to test and click “Register for this test.”
• Complete your registration and pay the registration fee of ₹ 22,550 INR

How to register for GRE over the Phone?

Candidates can call the Regional Registration Center (RRC), which is ‘Prometric’ located in Gurgaon, Haryana. The phone number is 91-124-4147700. The call must be made at least two business days before your preferred test date. A confirmation number, reporting time, and the test centre address will be provided to you when you make the call for registration. You can make the payments online through JCB, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or Visa credit or debit card. As mentioned, other methods of registering for your GRE Exam include mail and Fax.

Things to remember before registering for the GRE 2023

• The information you provide on the ETS application should always match your passport. The name you provide should always be the same as it is on your passport. The testing authority can prohibit the aspirant from entering the test centre in case of any discrepancies.
• Check out which test-taking format is available in your location and if you are comfortable with that format or not.
• Also, carefully read the policies of the exam before registration.

GRE at Home Test

GRE Test at Home: ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam is leaving no stone unturned to make the GRE test as accessible as possible to students wanting to take to the GRE test to study abroad. Due to the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19, and localized lockdowns imposed, GRE test centres are functioning at reduced capacities or have been temporarily shut. Hence, students who want to appear for their GRE exams are finding it difficult to appear for the GRE Exam. In response to the crisis, ETS has launched the GRE test at Home for locations where the computer-based format of the GRE Test was earlier available for the convenience of students wanting to study abroad. However, candidates need to make sure that they meet the system equipment requirements set by ETS before registering for the GRE test and also have a test conducive environment during the entire duration of the GRE test.

ETS has a series of webinars available on its official website that familiarizes the candidates with this new feature. The home edition of the GRE test, the GRE at Home test would be available to students until test centres resume functioning at full capacity in the various countries or till further notice. The GRE scores would be communicated to the student within 10-15 days. Candidates should keep in mind that due to the ongoing pandemic, there would be no hard copy of the scorecard available to the student.

There have been many security measures including Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and live proctors that have been adopted by ETS for the smooth functioning of the test at home. Accommodation for test-takers with a disability is also available to students who require the same and on request. No other major changes have been brought in by the ETS while conducting the GRE test at home. Candidates are requested to visit the official website for a detailed understanding of the same. ETS has also temporarily waived rescheduling fees for all the test takers owing to the current crisis.

Pros and Cons of Taking the GRE at Home vs. in a Test Center

In this section, we are going to be talking about the pros and cons of taking the GRE at Home and also how the GRE at Home is different from the GRE at a Test Centre. 

Pros and Cons of Taking the GRE at Home

The pros of taking the GRE at Home definitely outweigh the cons. The pros of taking the GRE include, that candidates don't have to leave the safety of their homes, and the exam is scheduled according to their convenience, both time and venue. The cons of taking the GRE at home include, that candidates would have to meet the system requirements for the GRE test to successfully run on their system and ensure no electricity outage. 

Difference between GRE at Home and GRE at the test centre

Candidates should understand that the GRE test at home has not replaced the GRE at the test centre. The GRE at home has been introduced for the convenience of students who are looking to appear for the GRE exam from the safety of their homes. The GRE exam fee for both the GRE test at Home and GRE at the test centre is the same. The GRE Exam Fee is US$228 for Indian students wanting to register for the GRE test. The basic difference would be that while the GRE exam for the GRE at Home is held in the safety of your home, the GRE exam for GRE at the test centre is conducted at the test centre.  

While the GRE test centre would have a specific test schedule, the GRE at home can be taken at the convenience of the student. However, candidates would have to make sure that they have the required system hardware and software to run the GRE test smoothly, and also there should be no electricity outage. This, however, would not be a matter of concern for students taking the exam from a GRE test centre. The GRE at home is similar to the GRE at the test centre which can be taken once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days).

GRE Test Dates: Like other international standardized exams, there are multiple GRE exam dates in 2023 in India and candidates can choose any GRE date according to their convenience and availability. The GRE exam date that you choose should be at least two to three months before your first university application deadline. So if the deadline for your application is November, you should choose a test date for August or September. If you feel the need to retake the GRE exam, you can take it in October again. So you need to make a judicious decision about when you need to start preparing for GRE.

GRE Exam Dates August 2023

Candidates looking to take the GRE General Test in the month of August can book their GRE exam slot on all days of the month depending on the GRE test centre offering the exam. However, the GRE exam would not be available across multiple GRE test centres over the weekends, August 15 and August 30 2023. 

GRE Test Centres 

GRE Test Centres in India: In India, GRE is conducted in almost 22 cities having various GRE test centres. These are Ahmedabad; Allahabad; Bengaluru; Chennai; Cochin; Coimbatore; Dehradun; Gandhinagar; Gurgaon; Gwalior; Hyderabad; Indore; Kolkata; Mumbai; Nashik; New Delhi; Nizamabad; Patna; Pune; Trivandrum; Vadodara; and Vijayawada. The majority of them offer computer-based GRE options for the test. As informed earlier, in response to the ongoing pandemic COVID-19, ETS - the conducting body of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) has decided to launch the GRE General Test at home for locations where the computer-based format of the GRE Test was earlier available for the convenience of students wanting to study abroad.

GRE Exam Slot Booking: Candidates are advised to start the GRE slot booking process early as slots tend to fill up quickly. Candidates should be flexible with their test date and time and candidates are recommended to book their slot at least 45 days before their preferred test date as this will most likely be the best chance of getting their preferred slot. The ETS GRE slot booking is the process of GRE exam registration. In this section, we will inform GRE exam applicants of the successful steps to booking your GRE exam slot. The GRE slot booking consists of three fine steps:

GRE Registration 2023

Candidates looking to register for their GRE exam are required to follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Go to the official ETS GRE website
• Create an account or log in to your existing account
• Click on the "Schedule Test" tab
• Select the "GRE General Test" option
• Enter your preferred test date and time
• Select a test center location
• Pay the registration fee of ₹ 22,550 INR

GRE Test Centers 2023

GRE Exam Dates 2023

Students can book their GRE test dates once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days). The GRE at Home is available around the clock, 7 days a week, with appointments available as early as 24 hours after you register. However, candidates would need to meet the system and environment requirements to go ahead with booking their GRE exam dates. The GRE Subject Test dates are available three times a year and candidates can book their GRE Subject Test dates as often as they are available. 

GRE Pattern: The GRE exam pattern is made up of three sections, namely, Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The Analytical Writing section will always be the first, whereas, the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and unscored sections may appear in any order. Along with the time duration difference, the pattern also differs for paper-based and online exams. Candidates looking to appear for the paper-based format of the GRE Exam can visit the official website for the same. 

The GRE paper pattern consists of the following GRE sections

• Analytical Writing
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning

GRE Exam Pattern for the GRE Computer-based Exam vs GRE Paper-based Exam

Candidates looking to appear for the GRE General Test can find the detailed GRE Exam Pattern mentioned below for the GRE Computer-Based Test as well as the GRE Paper-Based Test. 

How long is the GRE Exam?

Candidates are often confused about the duration of the GRE test. The duration of the GRE General Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes. While the duration of the GRE Subject Test is 2 hours and 50 minutes.

GRE Exam Syllabus: The GRE syllabus is different for both GRE tests, GRE General Test, and GRE Subject Test. The GRE General Test syllabus is the standard exam that tests students’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. Students who wish to pursue specialized subjects, need to take the Subject Test that might be required by the college/university they are seeking admission to, as Subject Test focuses on judging the candidate’s technical expertise in specific fields.

GRE Exam Syllabus

GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus 2023

In the GRE Analytical Writing Section, candidates would be required to attempt two separately timed tasks. Candidates would be required to “Analyze an Issue” and to “Analyze an Argument.” For the “Analyze an Issue” task, the test takers would be required to read an opinion on a topic of general interest and be given instructions on how to respond to the issue at hand. For the “Analyze an Argument” task, the candidate will need to consider an argument according to the instructions given in the prompt. GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus requires you to

• articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
• support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
• examine claims and accompanying evidence
• sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
• control the elements of standard written English

GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus 2023

The GRE Verbal Section (Verbal) section of the test will require candidates to analyze written material, as well as relationships among component parts of sentences, including words and concepts. Candidates will be required to solve questions on Text Completion (TC), Sentence Equivalence (SE) and Reading Comprehension (RC). GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus requires you to 

• analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify the author's assumptions and/or perspective; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author's intent
• select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
• understand the meaning of individual words, sentences and entire texts; understand relationships among words and concepts

GRE Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus 2023

The GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section (Quant) requires candidates to use their basic quantitative skills, as well as their ability to reason and solve problems with quantitative methods. This section would cover questions on basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Questions would be clubbed under Quantitative Comparison (QC) and Problem Solving (PS) sections. GRE Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus requires you to 

• understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
• solve problems using mathematical models
• apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis

GRE Test Scores: Candidates who have appeared for their GRE exam can access their GRE scores by logging into their GRE account using their credentials. The GRE exam total mark is 340. Similarly, the GRE maximum score is 340, whereas the GRE minimum score is 260. The composite score mentioned here is the sum of total GRE marks got in the Verbal and Quant sections, while the AWA section score is presented separately.

GRE Mean Score

When are the GRE total scores available?

Your official GRE test scores will be available in your account on the GRE website 10-15 days after your test date. They will be sent to the universities of your choice within three weeks of your test date. Once the results are out, you will receive an email from ETS informing you of the availability of your official GRE result in your account. GRE at Home scores will also be available to candidates 10-15 days from the date of the GRE test. 

Candidates should note that GRE raw scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections would be available to the candidates immediately after the completion of the GRE test. The analytical writing section which uses a human scoring functionality will be available during the official GRE score report. The GRE raw scores would be a reflection of the candidate's performance during the exam. The raw scores and official scores are more or less identical. Candidates do have a choice to cancel their score in case they are not happy with the performance. In such a case there will be no official scores recorded and sent ahead to universities. 

How to Send GRE Score Report?

One important thing to know about your GRE fee is that it enables you to send your scores to up to four colleges or scholarship programmes. If you are taking the computer-delivered GRE exam, then you will be asked to select the score receivers at the test centre. In case you chose the paper-delivered GRE format, you will be asked to select your score-receiving colleges on your admission ticket or during registration.

On the day of the test, once you complete the GRE test and view the unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores, you will be asked to choose the score recipients you wish to share your GRE exam scores. If a college of your choice is not listed, ask the administrator at the test centre for a list of unlisted institutions. After the test, you can order Additional Score Reports for $27 per college.

What is the GRE Score Range?

You need to have some idea about how the scoring pattern works to better understand how your GRE score will be calculated. The GRE Score Report comprises the following components along with their GRE score range according to the official website. 

*Source – ETS

GRE Score Calculator

The GRE score range can be understood with the GRE Score Calculator on our website.  

• Verbal Reasoning score: On a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments
• Quantitative Reasoning score: On a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments
• Analytical Writing score: On a 0–6 score scale, in half-point increments
• GRE Total Score: On a 260–340 score scale

GRE Subject Test Score

GRE Subject Test is calculated on a scale of 200 to 990 with an increment scale variation of 10 points.

How long is GRE Score valid for?

Candidates who have appeared for their GRE exam should be aware that their GRE score is valid for a period of five years from the day of the exam. 

What is GRE Cutoff?

GRE test is mainly made up of three sections, Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning, and students are given a total of 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test. While there is no blanket GRE cut-off, every college and course accepting GRE scores would have its own cut-off listed on the official website. Candidates wanting to get admission into top Graduate Colleges are required to lean towards the higher margin.

What is the ScoreSelect Option for GRE?

Recently launched by ETS, the GRE ScoreSelect option allows students to select the best scores of all the GRE tests he has appeared for to be sent to their designated institutions. This way it is only his best scores that make it to the university thus furthering his chances of getting admission into the university. More details of the same can be found on the official website.

What is a Good GRE Score?

Good GRE Score: If you are applying for MS courses in the US in particular, remember that colleges don’t have minimum ‘cutoff’ marks required for admission. However, you still need to have an idea about average GRE scores across Top US universities. The below-mentioned good GRE score range will put you ahead of the pack (50%+), but won’t be as advantageous when applying to highly competitive programmes.

What is an Average GRE Score?

Average GRE Score: The average GRE score is highly dependent on your university/programme admission guidelines. However, to give candidates an understanding of what their average GRE score might look like candidates can take a look at the table below.

How to raise a GRE Score?

A lot of times candidates are unable to achieve the desired scores. They are required to re-appear for the GRE test to better their performance. Candidates can know all about the GRE preparation tips mentioned below to understand smart ways to raise their GRE scores. 

GRE Score card

GRE Score Card: Candidates wondering what their GRE Scores would look like when published can check out the sample GRE Score Card below.

source: https://www.ets.org/ 

Related reads:

• Improving your GRE Score: Why and How?
• GRE to GMAT Score Conversion
• GMAT to GRE Score Conversion

In this section, we are going to discuss important aspects of ‘What the GRE test is and how to prepare for the same.’

How often are GRE tests offered?

The GRE General Test is offered around the year at GRE test centres and candidates who are unable to visit the test centre can opt for the GRE at Home Edition of the test. However, candidates should note that GRE exam slots are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

When should you take the GRE?

Experts suggest that candidates hopeful of applying to grad schools abroad should appear for the GRE test 2 -3 months prior to the first deadline of their preferred university. This would allow them to retake the GRE exam if the need arose.

How much do GRE scores matter?

GRE score requirements should be looked at as a key factor in the student application process but not as a deciding factor. GRE scores are an integral part of the study abroad admission process and having good GRE scores are sure to increase your chances of admission.

How much time should you budget for GRE test prep?

This would entirely depend on the personal learning capacity of the student. However, students are advised to set aside two to three months for intensive GRE study, or three to four months of GRE study if they plan to spread out the test prep plan.

What types of GRE test prep should you consider?

ETS – the conducting body of the GRE exam should be your preferred GRE test prep source. The official website of the GRE exam provides numerous free and for-purchase general GRE test prep resources, including online practice exams and a free math review document.

How to raise a GRE score?

The best way to raise your GRE scores would be to focus on your weak areas where you have lost points and devise strategies to repeat mistakes made in a previous test.

What is the computer-adaptive GRE General Test like?

Your GRE General Test is computer-adaptive or section-level adaptive meaning the level of the questions in the second section of the GRE test is selected by the computer and is based on the test taker’s performance in the first section.

Prepare for GRE: If money is a consideration and one is quite confident of being able to prepare well without supervision, then self-study may be the better option to prepare for GRE. You could save money on personal tuition and classes, but you must also keep in mind other factors. To be able to study on your own effectively, you need a few good books and resources for GRE, along with motivation and self-discipline. Candidates can check out our customized 4-week GRE Preparation plan to better their GRE Exam performance.

On the other hand, if time is a constraint and one needs professional guidance to ensure a competitive edge in GRE exam preparation, then coaching classes are the better option. You will have access to a better resource of study materials and will have a team of experts guiding you. Your time will be better managed as being regular in classes will become part of your routine. Moreover, being around other students will increase their motivation levels. 

GRE Preparation Online

GRE preparation online free: One big question everyone preparing for the GRE faces is figuring out how to start the preparation. Some prefer good old private tuitions, coaching classes or self-studies, the most recent favourite among students is online prep courses. If you are confused between coaching classes or online prep, here are a few points clarifying why online exam prep is suddenly a rage among test-takers internationally. Candidates could also check out top online coaching for GRE exam preparation and know the Reasons Why You Should Choose Online GRE Prep.

Strategy for preparing for GRE

GRE preparation strategy: Candidates looking to prepare for their GRE exam can check out our detailed preparation guide on the various sections in GRE. Candidates can also benefit from downloadable sample GRE questions for the benefit of the test taker.

GRE Prep Books: As we all are aware that the GRE exam is broadly made up of three sections, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section, the Quantitative Reasoning section, and the Verbal Reasoning section. And test-takers would definitely require different GRE prep books to prepare for the different sections of the GRE test. Visit our website as we talk about the best GRE books for 2023, section-wise.

GRE Mock Test: For the benefit of our readers, we have also collated a set of GRE question papers with answer keys that are based on past year's GRE exam papers for the benefit of our readers. The following GRE exam question paper has been sourced from various authentic websites and ETS - the conducting body of the GRE 2023. Try your hand at GRE Sample Papers to self-evaluate your understanding of the GRE exam.

Solve GRE Question Papers here

Interesting facts regarding students from India based on previous GRE exams: 

• About twice as many men, as compared to women take the GRE General Test in India. However, the number of women in the younger age range (18-22) has grown slightly year over year. From 29.5% of the Indian test-taker population in the 2013-2014 test year, a growth of 30.3% in the 2015-2016 test year has been reported. Globally, more women take the GRE General Test than men (53% women vs 45% men). There are more women test-takers in the 18-22 age group.
• GRE test takers were interested in graduate study in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe.
• Engineering (34%) and Physical Sciences (28%) were the most dominant areas of interest.

Who Accepts GRE?

Those students who wish to enrol in graduate, business, or law schools should opt for the GRE test. It is accepted by thousands of schools across the globe. You can check the list of MBA programs worldwide that accept the GRE General Test on the official website. Apart from this, you can check also out the complete list of institutions and fellowship programs available on the official ETS website.

Grad Programs accepting GRE Scores

Often candidates are confused about universities that accept GRE scores. For the benefit of our readers, we have outlined the popular MS Colleges that accept GRE scores and popular MBA universities that accept GRE scores.

GRE for Engineering School

Candidates who have appeared for their GRE can check out popular Computer Science & Engineering colleges abroad for admissions. GRE scores are widely accepted by engineering colleges across all courses. 

GRE for Business School 

Business schools across the globe use GRE scores for giving admission to MBA aspirants. Apart from this, students who want to pursue business programs and other specialized master's courses seeking admission to business schools worldwide also take the GRE test. 

GRE for Law School

Those who are seeking admission to law school can also give the GRE 2023 Test. Various law schools across the world are accepting GRE General Test Scores for giving admission. Some of the law schools accepting GRE Scores are:

Countries accepting GRE Scores

Universities in the following countries accept GRE exam scores as part of their application process.

Universities accepting GRE Scores

Following is a list of popular universities that accept GRE test scores along with a rough average of the accepting scores. Candidates are requested to visit the university page by clicking on the university name to stay updated on the current score requirements. Acceptance criteria can fluctuate.

Popular universities accepting GRE Scores 

GRE vs GMAT vs LSAT 

In this section, we are going to bring to our readers the difference between GRE and GMAT and the difference between GRE and LSAT exams. 

GRE vs GMAT

Candidates are often confused about GRE and GMAT exams. The table below shows the difference between GMAT and GRE exams (GMAT vs GRE).

LSAT vs GRE

A lot of times candidates are left wondering about the core differences between the LSAT and GRE exams. Here we have a comparison of the two, GRE vs LSAT:

Read: GRE vs IELTS: Know the Difference

GRE Scholarships

The GRE aspirants must note that ETS, the body that conducts GRE does not provide any scholarship even to the top scorers. There is no such thing as a GRE scholarship. Scholarships are provided by graduate schools and a GRE score is not the sole criterion for granting financial aid. Your academic background, work or research experience, or any other achievements are also considered for awarding a scholarship. So, it doesn’t mean that GRE scores are not important, they are given equal importance with other factors while applying for a scholarship. For a list of scholarships, visit our page on scholarships for study abroad. 

Also Read: The Future of IELTS, PTE, GRE & TOEFL exams in the face of COVID-19

When should I apply for GRE?

Is GRE required during the current pandemic?

How do I apply for a GRE test?

What is GRE exam eligibility?

Can we go to the USA without GRE?

What is the GRE exam fee in India?

How many times can I retake the GRE test?

How to register for the computer-based GRE test?

Can I get admission to an MBA programme after giving GRE?

GRE vs. GMAT: Which Exam Should You Take?

Do graduate schools have any preference when it comes to GRE and GMAT exams?

What is GRE? And How is it useful?