The GRE Test

The GRE general test is meant to gauge your overall academic ability and is the standard test for admission to non-business schools. However, not all graduate schools or programs require the general GRE test. Some schools and programs also require various subject tests, so check with your choice of schools to make sure which test(s) you need to take. The general GRE test does NOT test specific facts or knowledge that you may have learned in any one class.

GRE Scores

For the math and verbal sections of the GRE test, the scores range from 200 to 800. For the writing section, the scores range from 0.0 to 6.0. The verbal and math sections of the GRE are computer-based, and are automatically graded while you are taking your test. You receive your GRE math and verbal score immediately after you take the test. The essay section of the GRE is composed on the computer, but it is graded by trained readers; you receive you final GRE scores, including your essay score, in the mail several weeks after you take the test.

GRE Registration

Registration for the GRE test is straight-forward. Test centers are located throughout the world, and most testing locations are open seven days a week. Registration of the GRE test is first-come, first-serve, so you want to register as soon as possible for your preferred test data and venue.

GRE Test Format

In all cases the Analytical Writing section is the first section of the test, followed by a 10 minute break. After the break, there are 3 sections, one of which is an experimental section, which is not scored. The experimental section is used by ETS to test new questions for use in future tests.

When taking the test, you will have either 1 verbal and 2 math sections, or 2 verbal and 1 math section. You won’t be able to tell which section is the experimental section because it will look like the real section, so just be sure to do your best on all the parts of the test. The Test is composed of the following sections:

Analytical Writing	2 essays, 45 minutes and 30 minutes The writing section of the GRE is meant to gauge analytical reasoning, organization, and analysis skills. The two essays include an issue essay and an argument essay. There are no right or wrong answers to the essay questions, and the essays will be read and scored by 2 (and possibly 3) readers. For more information about the essay section, and for writing tips, go to the essay tutorial section.
Break	10 minutes
GRE Verbal Section	30 questions, 30 minutes Includes 5-7 sentence completion questions, 8-10 antonym questions, 6-8 analogy questions, and 6-10 reading comprehension questions based on 2-4 reading passages. For more information on each of these question types, please see that tutorial chapter.
GRE Math Section	28 questions, 45 minutes Approximately 10 of the questions are problem solving questions (the standard word problem, multiple choice questions), 14 are quantitative comparison questions, and 4 are data interpretation questions. For more information about the quantitative reasoning questions, please proceed to the appropriate tutorial.
GRE Experimental Section*	You will have a fourth, experimental section that will either be a math or a verbal section. You will know if you were given a math or verbal experimental section because you will have two of those sections during the test, but you won’t know which of two identical sections will be experimental. The experimental section does not count toward your score and can be the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd section after the break. The experimental section is used by ETS to test new questions.

*In the above example, the experimental section is the last section, but the order of the sections can be any of several combinations. For example, your test may be math-math-verbal, or verbal-math-verbal, or verbal-verbal-math, etc.