What is GRE?
Let me start with an analogy here, just as CAT is for MBA in
India or GMAT is for MBA in USA, the GRE is for Masters/Phd in USA. It is the
first thing which will eat up your time and mind while you prepare for studying
in an American or European countries. To say in a very sophisticated manner, Students
seeking admission into any Masters Program in the US and many other European
countries are required to take GRE. So we now know that GRE is a
generalized test which you will have to take before applying to universities.
Oops, I forgot to mention Canada!
The GRE or Graduate Record Exam is required for admission to
most U.S., Canadian, and UK graduate schools. Most students attend graduate
business school for pursuing an Master degree. In addition, GRE can also be
used for admission to PhD program. So, if you are preparing a list of “To
Dos” for applying in any university, write GRE on point number 1.
What does GRE test?
The GRE general test does not test specific knowledge in any
subject. It measures the
ability to respond to questions in limited time. The
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a multiple-choice exam designed to measure
verbal, analytical, and quantitative skills. The GRE General Test, required by
most graduate schools, many vet schools, and various other allied health
professional schools, is considered to be a good predictor of your success in a
graduate program.
GRE test format: Computer-based
test is the most commonly used GRE test format. However, paper-based format is
available at test centres where Computer-based GRE test is not there(Yes, there are still places where
computers are not available!).
The GRE revised General Test features question
types that closely reflect the kind of thinking you'll do in graduate or business
school.
·
Verbal Reasoning — Measures your ability to
analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from
it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize
relationships among words and concepts.
·
Quantitative Reasoning — Measures
problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra,
geometry and data analysis.
·
Analytical Writing — Measures critical
thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically your ability to articulate
and support complex ideas clearly and effectively.
Who is it that really conducts GRE?
ETS (a private non-profit organization also administers
TOEIC® tests, GRE® General and Subject Tests and Praxis Series™ assessments).
Money matters…
Now many of you must be interested in knowing how much does
it cost to give GRE? So, the official fees is $175 which includes Evaluation
Report and up to four official score reports.
So, I am pretty sure that now you know what GRE is and if
you need to take it. I need not say, questions are always welcomed :)
In my next instalment, I will be telling you about the
Pattern of exam in detail.


