Types of GRE Exam

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There are two types of GRE tests, the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test.

• GRE General Test

• GRE Subject Test

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What is the GRE General Test?

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Created and administered by ETS, the GRE General Test is a standardized test to measure the overall academic readiness of a candidate wanting to attend graduate school. Through the GRE General Test, a candidate is evaluated on his analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills. The GRE Exam is conducted around the year, and candidates can appear for the GRE General Test at/her convenience. Students seeking admission to MS courses and a select few MBA courses or professional courses at the graduate level are required to appear for the GRE General Test. A growing number of students opt for the GRE test as the majority of universities across the world have started accepting GRE scores. The GRE General Test is available in three formats:

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• GRE Computer-Based Test is the GRE General Test taken on a computer at a GRE-designated test Centre. Candidates should note that GRE Computer Based Tests are available in all countries that have access to the Internet and computer technology. This online form of the GRE test is the most widely used mode of appearing for the GRE General Test. 

• GRE Paper Based Test is the GRE test that is taken offline in destinations that have limited access to the Internet or computers. The GRE Paper Based Test is the GRE exam taken on pen and paper. In India, candidates are required to opt for the GRE Computer-Based Test. There is no GRE Paper-Based test in India. 

• GRE at Home Test: Most recently launched, the GRE at Home is the GRE General Test that can be taken in the safety of the candidates' homes. launched during the pandemic, the GRE at Home is built on keeping student safety paramount and the GRE test has been designed to be conducted from Home as long as the candidate can meet the system requirements pre-determined by ETS and have a conducive environment during the entire duration of the GRE at Home Test. 

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What is GRE Subject Test?

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The GRE Subject Test evaluates the candidates’ ability in a particular subject. Candidates should note that the GRE Subject Tests only extend to Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. The GRE Subject Tests in Biology and Literature in English were discontinued in May 2021. The GRE Subject Test in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology was discontinued in December 2016. Scores on these tests will continue to be reportable for five years per the GRE score policy.

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Generally, the GRE Subject Test is required for getting admission to specialized courses/technical programmes. The GRE Subject test is primarily held three times a year and is a paper-delivered test. The GRE Subject Test is held in September, October and April. The total duration of the GRE Subject test is 2Hrs and 50 minutes and candidates are required to appear for only one of the subjects from the list mentioned below:

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• Mathematics

• Biology

• Physics

• English Literature

• Psychology

• Chemistry

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GRE Exam Eligibility

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The eligibility criteria for GRE is as follows:

• A bachelor’s degree in any domain

• No upper age limit fixed by organizers to appear for the examination

• The candidate must have a valid passport

• Parents/guardians/candidates must possess a debit/credit card to pay for the fee

• Must take the test at least thirty to 45 days before applying.

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GRE at Home Test

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GRE Test at Home: ETS - the conducting body of the GRE exam is leaving no stone unturned to make the GRE test as accessible as possible to students wanting to take to the GRE test to study abroad. Due to the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19, and localized lockdowns imposed, GRE test Centers are functioning at reduced capacities or have been temporarily shut. Hence, students who want to appear for their GRE exams are finding it difficult to appear for the GRE Exam. In response to the crisis, ETS has launched the GRE test at Home for locations where the computer-based format of the GRE Test was earlier available for the convenience of students wanting to study abroad. However, candidates need to make sure that they meet the system equipment requirements set by ETS before registering for the GRE test and also have a test conducive environment during the entire duration of the GRE test.

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ETS has a series of webinars available on its official website that familiarizes the candidates with this new feature. The home edition of the GRE test, the GRE at Home test would be available to students until test center's resume functioning at full capacity in the various countries or till further notice. The GRE scores would be communicated to the student within 10-15 days. Candidates should keep in mind that due to the ongoing pandemic, there would be no hard copy of the scorecard available to the student.

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There have been many security measures including Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and live proctors that have been adopted by ETS for the smooth functioning of the test at home. Accommodation for test-takers with a disability is also available to students who require the same and on request. No other major changes have been brought in by the ETS while conducting the GRE test at home. Candidates are requested to visit the official website for a detailed understanding of the same. ETS has also temporarily waived rescheduling fees for all the test takers owing to the current crisis.

 

Pros and Cons of Taking the GRE at Home vs. in a Test Center

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In this section, we are going to be talking about the pros and cons of taking the GRE at Home and also how the GRE at Home is different from the GRE at a Test Centre. 

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Pros and Cons of taking the GRE at Home

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The pros of taking the GRE at Home definitely outweigh the cons. The pros of taking the GRE include, that candidates don't have to leave the safety of their homes, and the exam is scheduled according to their convenience, both time and venue. The cons of taking the GRE at home include, that candidates would have to meet the system requirements for the GRE test to successfully run on their system and ensure no electricity outage. 

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Difference between GRE at Home and GRE at the test Centre

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Candidates should understand that the GRE test at home has not replaced the GRE at the test Centre. The GRE at home has been introduced for the convenience of students who are looking to appear for the GRE exam from the safety of their homes. The GRE exam fee for both the GRE test at Home and GRE at the test Centre is the same. The GRE Exam Fee is US$228 for Indian students wanting to register for the GRE test. The basic difference would be that while the GRE exam for the GRE at Home is held in the safety of your home, the GRE exam for GRE at the test Centre is conducted at the test Centre.

 

While the GRE test Centre would have a specific test schedule, the GRE at home can be taken at the convenience of the student. However, candidates would have to make sure that they have the required system hardware and software to run the GRE test smoothly, and also there should be no electricity outage. This, however, would not be a matter of concern for students taking the exam from a GRE test Centre. The GRE at home is similar to the GRE at the test Centre which can be taken once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days).

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GRE Test Scores

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The quality of the attempt affects the GRE scores. The score calculation for both GRE general test and subject test varies. Let us know all about GRE scores.

 

GRE Score Calculation for the Quant and Verbal Section

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The total GRE is marked in the verbal and quant areas. The scores are calculated based on the number of right responses to the questions asked. Two major factors that influence the GRE score calculation:-

Each verbal and quant section comprises measures. Computer-based tests are adaptive and also determine the test’s difficulty level. The first measure has simple questions, whereas the second measure is quite complex. Please note that the second section depends on how you perform in the first one.

 

GRE Score Calculation For Analytical Writing

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The September GRE is relatively more manageable than the August exam. ETS does not show any clear scoring process; however, it mentions answering all the questions correctly to increase high scoring points. Let’s discuss how the analytical writing section of GRE is calculated-

• Trained rater reads the essay and marks on a scale of 0-6

• The ETS made software e-rater analyzes the essay and gives a score based on multiple areas

• If the e-rater and human reader’s score matches, then the final score is shared based on those two scores

• If there’s a vast difference or any discretion; then a second human reader is allotted to review the document.

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GRE Preparation Tips

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• Lock the date before so you can plan your preparation accordingly to score high marks.

• Take online assessments to assess your strengths and weaknesses. Work on your weakness to avoid losing scores.

• Solve as many mock tests as possible. It will help you understand the exam pattern and increase your speed.

• Start working on your vocabulary as GRE has a rich vocabulary that you might not understand if you don’t prepare.

• If you’ve opted for any subject, focus on it. If you opt for engineering or any other stream, focus on strengthening the topic related to your domain.

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GRE Updates

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Many universities in the US have temporarily waived the requirement of the GRE test amidst COVID-19. Some universities have made it optional to attempt GRE and submit the scores. As it is only a temporary move, the students are advised to appear for the GRE exam as it will only add weightage to their application.   

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