GRE exam is organized by Educational Testing Service (ETS) since 1949. The exam is computer based conducted in around 1000 test centers in around 160 countries. It is also conducted as paper based test in such areas where the test couldn’t be taken computer-based. With around seven hundred thousand annual test takers, it is one of the exams written by majority of students.
Why to take the GRE Exam?
The score in the exam is considered as one of the requisites in the admission process to many of the Master’s and Doctoral degree programs by several Universities of United States and of few in other countries. Few Universities count the score as general qualification for the admission where as few others give major importance. Though the examination fee is higher, ETS assist the applicants those who provide evidence for their economic difficulty.
GRE Exam Eligibility
Though there is no official eligibility, it is meant for Bachelor degree holders and Final year Degree students. Good knowledge of English is expected. The exam can be taken number of times in a year. The best score can be submitted to the applying college or University. The validity of the score is 5 years.
GRE Exam Structure
Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing are the three sections that cover the exam content. The exam is designed as test-taker friendly which provides flexibility to choose the questions to answer first. The exam takes 3 hours 45 minutes with six sections. 10 minutes break would be given after third section. Time allotment for first section Analytical Writing is 60 minutes which means 30 minutes for each task, 60 minutes for Verbal reasoning which includes 40 questions, 70 minutes for Quantitative Reasoning. Two other sections which are not counted in the score may appear which are for ETS research purpose and for comparing with earlier or later edition test scores.
How to apply GRE Exam?
Candidates are expected to apply through online registration unless they request accommodation or fee deduction etc., which are offered limitedly for U.S. citizens or residents. Reading the fee, cancellation, ID requirements etc. policies before registering is important. Create an account, schedule the test and as part of the test fee, it can be requested to send the scores to mentioned institutions or fellowship sponsors. Pay the fee using any of the payment options like valid credit card or debit card.
How to prepare GRE Exam?
ETS provide software for the preparation which can be downloaded from the official website. This enables to experience the features of the computer-based test. Along with the software, practice book, math review, instructional videos, writing practicing services can also be downloaded. The official Guide to the GRE can be purchased from the website. The practice tests help to understand the exam pattern and the questioning style. Several other publications also publish GRE preparation books and sample test papers. Many websites provide learning resources and sample tests.