GRE Overview

What is the GRE?

GRE is a standardized exam taken by lakhs of students every year and is accepted by the world-known universities, business, and law schools. The full form of GRE is Graduate Records Examination administered and coordinated by ETS (Educational Testing Services). The GRE Exam scores are given to the candidates in the ETS accounts, accepted for taking admission in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs.

GRE Highlights 2022

Mention below are some of the highlights for GRE : 

Latest Updates on GRE Exam 2022

ETS, the board of administering GRE for the students, has announced some latest updates on the exam for 2022. To have a clear understanding of the latest updates on GRE Exam 2022, take a look below:

• Educational Testing Service has launched “Examination at home” during the pandemic (covid-19). Herein, the candidate can take the GRE Exam in their homes, where the computer-based technology is available and has good internet connectivity. However, the candidate has to keep in mind all the requirements, security protocols and system equipment beforehand. The ETS has launched this latest update on GRE Exam 2022 in response to the increasing cases of the novel Covid-19.
• Another latest update on GRE Exam 2022 is that the ETS is now accepting Aadhar Card as identity proof in the absence of a passport from Indian students. This update has been made because the candidates are getting their passports late due to the novel Covid-19. The services responsible for issuing passports are working at a low pace due to the lockdown and Covid-19.
• Moreover, the ETS has also increased the cost of the GRE Exam for Indian students. Now, the Indian candidates have to pay a fee of $213 instead of $205. In addition, other fees related to changing the date, late registration, rescheduling, and the centre fee will also increase.

When is the best time to take the GRE exam?

The best time to take a GRE Exam is when the candidate is ready with all the clarity about exam pattern, previous year questions and syllabus. However, as per ETS, there is no such best time to take a GRE Exam and, it is available for the students throughout. But, the candidate can give the GRE 60-90 days before the deadline, making sure that they have enough time to re-appear for the Examinations. In addition, the best time to take a GRE Exam depends on the testing available on the preferred date. So, the candidate should have information about the same and take the exam accordingly.

GRE Exam Pattern

GRE Exam Pattern for the general GRE test has three sections: Quantitative reasoning, analytical writing assessment and verbal reasoning. The GRE Exam pattern for computer-based and paper-based remains similar but, the GRE Exam pattern for the general test and subject test differ. Moreover, the GRE general Exam has 82 questions and, the GRE Subject exam has 66-230 questions.

GRE Exam Pattern for Computer-Based Exam

GRE Exam Pattern for Paper-Based Exam

GRE Score

The GRE Scores are accepted in thousands of world-renowned Universities, law and business schools. GRE Score ranges from 130-170 in two sections and 0-6 in one section of the Examination. The candidates receive their GRE score within 10-15 days after the conduction of the exam in the ETS accounts. Thus, the applicant can log in and send these scores for admission to numerous Universities.

What is GRE Score validity?

The GRE Scores are valid for five years and, the candidate can send them to any university or school for admission. In other words, if the applicant has received GRE scores in 2021, so they will be valid up to 2026. However, as per ETS guidelines, the GRE scores before 2016 are not valid for admission to any university. Moreover, after five years, the ETS removes the GRE score from the candidate accounts and records to maintain transparency. The reason for the expiration of the GRE Scores is the change of syllabus and the candidate's skills, abilities and knowledge.

Types of GRE Exam

The GRE Exam is of two types, divided based on the syllabus, pattern, and marking schemes. The first type is GRE General Exam, a test for candidates from various backgrounds and assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and writing skills. The second type is the GRE Subject-specific test, which revolves around assessing the candidate's efficiency in a specific subject like chemistry, psychology, biology, mathematics, English, and Physics.

What is the GRE General Test?

GRE General Test is a common and standardized assessment to measure the candidate's verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and writing abilities. Moreover, the GRE General test also assesses the applicant's readiness to go to college based on their interests, skills and abilities. The GRE General Test has 82 questions (80 are MCQ and two are descriptive) which takes 3 hours 45 minutes. In addition, the GRE General Test is conducted in three ways: computer-based, paper-based and at home during covid-19. And, GRE General Test has become a popular test among applicants. It is due to its acceptance by numerous world-renowned universities, business and law schools.

How does GRE General Test compare to a GRE Subject Test?

What are the GRE Eligibility Criteria for 2022?

The candidate does not have any GRE Eligibility criteria for 2022 to meet. The only thing to keep in mind is to have a passport or Aadhar card (based on the latest updates by ETS) as identity proof to sit in the examination centre. Any person from all backgrounds, educational qualifications can give the GRE Exam. However, the candidate must be clear with the eligibility criterion of the university they want to apply for. Some universities and schools give preference to those with previous work/internship and research experience. To have a clear understanding of the GRE Eligibility criteria 2022, take a look below:

• Age Requirements: No specific age is required in the GRE Eligibility Criteria 2022. Candidates from any age group (above 18) can apply for the GRE Exam. Moreover, the candidate can give the exam multiple times as no specific age is required. 
• Educational Qualifications: The ETS do not ask for any particular educational background/qualification from the candidate for the GRE Exam. However, those who want to take admission in postgraduate and doctoral programs must have a graduate degree from a well-accredited University. 

GRE Exam Fees 2022

GRE Exam Fees differs for the candidates coming from various countries and, it has increased for Indian Students, as mentioned above. The GRE Exam fee (General test) for the Indian students is $213 or 15.5thousands/INR. The fee for Chinese students is $231 and for all other countries is $205. Moreover, the candidates have to pay $150 for GRE Exam (subject-specific test).

GRE Cancellation Fees

The GRE Cancellation fees will be the amount paid while applying for the examination. If the candidate cancels four days before the examination date, they will be refunded the application fees. However, if the candidate cancels the registration after four days, the fees will be forfeited and not refunded. Moreover, to change the subject or centre of the examination, the candidate must pay $50.

GRE Rescheduling Fees

The GRE Rescheduling fee is $50 for all the applicants irrespective of country, age and educational background. The candidate must reschedule the examination date four days before the original date and pay the GRE Rescheduling fee accordingly. Moreover, they can pay the GRE Rescheduling fees online through their ETS Account or contact GRE services to reschedule and pay.

GRE Special Handling Requests

Educational Testing Service has some GRE special handling requests or additional services for the convenience of the candidates applying for the GRE. Some popular GRE special handling requests include late registration, standby testing, rescheduling, cancelling, and changing the test centre or date, and subject change. However, to access these additional services, the candidate must pay the required amount to ETS online. Thus to have a clear understanding of these special handling requests, take a look below:

• Late Registration Fee: $25
• Standby Testing Fee: $$25
• Rescheduling Fee: $50
• Changing the test centre/date: $50
• Changing the subject: $50

GRE at Home

GRE at home is a new service given by the ETS for the convenience of students to take the exam in their houses in the ongoing pandemic. GRE at home is similar to the centre and is n the computer where security protocols are installed to maintain transparency. However, the candidates must check the system equipment requirements and security protocols before the examination. Additionally, the candidate must sit in a calm and conducive environment to take the exam. For the convenience of the students, GRE at home is available seven days all around the clock (24*7).

Pros and Cons of giving GRE exam at home

Here are some of the pros and cons of giving GRE exam at home 

Pros

• The first pro of giving the GRE Test at home is the safety of the candidate. The applicant can give the test at their homes without risking their health due to the ongoing scenario of covid-19.
• Another pro of giving the GRE test at home is the candidate can be comfortable, less nervous and maintain peace of mind while concentrating on the examination. 
• The candidate has the advantage of keeping the examination as per their time and venue. 
• Moreover, in the GRE tests at home, the applicant can find numerous date and time slots easily. But, this was not the case in the centre-based -exam due to the limited availability. 

Cons

• The major con for giving GRE Test at home is the technical and internet connectivity issues candidate may face while doing the exam. 
• Another con is facing difficulty in contacting the trained human Proctor (who monitors the candidate) which, delays the examination. 
• The candidate can get distracted and lost many times due to the human proctor keeping an eye on continuously. Moreover, he can cancel the examination on the spot if any suspicious activity is found without any confirmation. 
•  A major con of giving the GRE Test at home is that the applicants must meet all the system equipment requirements and maintain internet and electricity connectivity. 

Difference between taking the GRE at home and taking it in a test centre?

• Crucial difference between GRE at home and test centre is that GRE at home is an examination taken at the applicant's home.
• On the other hand, an exam in a test centre is an examination taken in the chosen centre (outside their home).
• Another difference is that the candidates can take the GRE at home at their convenience, but in the GRE at the centre, the candidate must follow a fixed slot. Moreover, in the exam at home, the candidate has to check all the system requirements and internet connectivity which is not a concern in the centre-based exam.

FAQs

✅ When is the right time to apply for the GRE Exam?

Ans: There is no such right time to apply for the GRE Exam. However, one thing is that you are fully prepared for the examination beforehand and have enough time to re-appear for the GRE. Moreover, the candidate should check all the available slots and centres before the exam date. 

✅ What is the eligibility criterion for GRE Exam?

Ans: The ETS has not set any eligibility criteria in the age group or educational background for the GRE. The only thing about ETS asked is identity proof (Aadhar card/passport) while appearing for the examination. Moreover, applicants applying for master and doctoral programs in college must possess a graduate degree to give the GRE. 

✅ What is the price of the GRE?

Ans: The GRE Exam has a fee that ranges from $200-$235 which, varies based on the country. For instance, the Indian students have to pay $213 or 15.5thousands/INR for the GRE general test, the Chinese students have to pay $231 and, the other countries fee is $205. Moreover, the fee differs for changing the date or centre, rescheduling or cancelling the registration. 

✅ Which school accepts the GRE Scores?

Ans: GRE scores are accepted by well-known and world-renowned Universities, business and law schools. Moreover, the GRE scores are accepted by all the countries and can make the admission process easier for the applicant. In addition, departments of allied sciences, law, social sciences, medicine, and business accept the GRE scores for admission in several UG, PG and PhD programs.

✅ What are the sections of the GRE Exam?

Ans: GRE Exam has three sections: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and critical writing assessment. Quantitative reasoning measures the candidate’s proficiency in interpreting and analyzing quantitative/numerical information. The Verbal reasoning measure the candidate's skill to analyze and draw a conclusion from the text and, the critical writing assessment checks the ability to articulate complex ideas effectively.