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.