What you need to know about GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
GRE

Target audience: Prospective graduate students across all disciplines.

Required by: Graduate schools and departments.

Purpose: GRE scores are used to assess the suitability of applicants for graduate-level study across many different subject areas. Some departments may ask applicants to take one of the GRE Subject Tests, while others require the General Test. The Subject Tests assess knowledge in a particular field, while the General Test assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.

Duration: Around three hours and 45 minutes (six sections with a 10-minute break after the third).

Test content: The GRE General Test (formerly the GRE revised General Test) is divided into three parts:

Verbal Reasoning: A mostly multiple choice section which tests candidates’ ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information; analyze relationships among component parts of sentences; and recognize relationships between words and concepts. (Two sets of 20 questions, each set lasting 30 minutes.)
Quantitative Reasoning: Mostly multiple choice, with a few questions requiring candidates to enter a number or conduct a quantitative comparison. This section tests ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis, and to reason numerically. (Two sets of 20 questions, each set lasting 35 minutes.)
Analytical Writing: Two essays. The first asks candidates to put forward a perspective on an issue; the second requires an analysis of an argument. This section tests candidates’ ability to articulate ideas, present supporting evidence and use the English language correctly. (Two separately timed essays in one hour).
Unscored sections: An unidentified section and/or a research section may be included. These are used by the test provider to develop new questions or for other research purposes, and do not affect candidates’ scores.

Scoring: Candidates receive a score for each section. Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are measured on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0-6, in half-point increments. You cannot pass or fail the GRE, but universities and departments may require specific scores. If you are unhappy with your scores, you can re-take the GRE (once every 21 days and a maximum of five times over a 12 month period, or as often as it’s offered if taking the paper-based test).

When sending score cards to admissions departments, you can use the ScoreSelect option to choose whether to include only your most recent score, or all scores from the previous five years. You can choose up to four institutions to send score reports to, or more for an extra fee. Results can be canceled immediately on completing the test.

Cost: US$205 everywhere except Australia where it is US$230, China ($220.70), Nigeria ($220) and Turkey ($255).

Valid for: Five years.
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Points to note: The GRE is only delivered in English. A paper-based version is offered at centers where the computer-based test cannot be delivered. Candidates sitting this version are allowed slightly longer for the Verbal and Quantitative sections.

Resources: The official site features sample questions and offers free software which simulates the test. Various third-party resources are also available, including free test prep from QS LEAP