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GRE Exam: Overview, Purpose, Syllabus and Pattern

GRE EXAM

Introduction

The GRE exam is a widely accepted criteria to admit students in graduation courses or top colleges around the world. This test is highly popular and useful for the students planning to study abroad. This blog will clearly discuss the GRE exam and the purpose, syllabus, pattern and complete detail about the same. 

About GRE Exam

The ETS conducted Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an internationally accepted standard test for candidates planning to complete their post-graduation or Phd courses from abroad (MS or MBA). This multiple-choice, computer-based exam is designed to evaluate a candidate’s critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills.  

GRE Exam Overview

Full form Graduate Record Examination
Conducting Institution Educational Testing Service
Type of Exam Computer based test
Duration of Exam 1hr 58 min
Score Range  Verbal Reasoning score range: 130–170

Quantitative Reasoning score range: 130–170

Analytical Writing score range: 0–6

Types
  • GRE General Test
  • GRE Subject Test
Age Limit No age limits are mentioned 

The GRE Exam is for What Purpose? 

While the most important purpose of the GRE Test is to examine the academic competency of students for admissions abroad in English as well as specific subjects. Apart from this there are other reasons as well why you need to take the GRE exam. These are: 

Admission to various colleges and institutions abroad: The GRE is a primary criterion used by many graduate schools to assess a candidate’s academic aptitude and potential in order to provide them with admission in graduate-level courses.

Skill and subject Test: Different graduate programs may have specific GRE score requirements. Further, GRE subject tests enable assessment of specific knowledge and skills of the student in that subject necessary for admission in that course. 

Immigration Purpose: GRE general test is also used for immigration purposes providing necessary certificate and visa requirements. 

Scholarship Opportunities: Many universities and foundations offer scholarships based on GRE scores. A high score can increase your chances of securing financial aid.

Worldwide Recognition: The GRE is recognized by institutions across the globe, making it a global tool of excellence and skill check for international students.

Read More: Achieve GRE Success with Expert Study Plans

Types of GRE Exam 

GRE Exams are of two types explained in the table below:- 

GRE General Test GRE Subject Test
Evaluates Analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills. Knowledge and understanding of a specific subject.
Purpose Assesses a candidate’s readiness for graduate school. Assesses a candidate’s depth of knowledge in a particular field.
Duration 1 hr 58 minutes 2 to 2.5 hrs depending on the subject
Fees 22550 14500

GRE Syllabus and Pattern 2024 

GRE Analytical Writing Syllabus and Pattern 

This section analyzes the test taker’s ability to write error free and the understanding of the language. It checks your critical thinking and effective delivery through writing.

Number of Questions

One “Analyze an Issue” task

Duration 

30 Minutes

Score Range

0-6

GRE Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus and Pattern 

This section checks your aptitude, basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary mathematical concepts and your ability to solve problems with quantitative methods.

Number of questions

  • 10 Quantitative Comparison questions
  • 13 Problem Solving questions
  • 4 Data Interpretations questions
  • 27 questions total

Duration

  • 21 minutes for section 1
  • 26 minutes for section 2

GRE Verbal Reasoning Syllabus and Pattern 

The Verbal section of the GRE tests your ability to analyze written material, as well as relationships among component parts of sentences, including words and concepts.

Number of questions

  • 7 Text Completion questions
  • 6 Sentence Equivalence questions
  • 14 Reading Comprehension questions

Sections

2 Sections

Duration 

  • 18 minutes for section 1
  • 23 minutes for section 2

Score 

130 to 170

GRE Exam Fee in Indian Rupees 2024

The exam fee of GRE tests are mentioned in the below table.

GRE TESTS FEES IN INR 
GRE General Test 22550
GRE Subject Test 14500

Special Handling Requests

SPECIAL HANDLING REQUESTS FEES IN INR
Rescheduling fee 5000
Changing Test Centre  5000
Additional score report  2900
Score review  5900
Score reinstatement  5000
Returned Payment  2900

What is a Good GRE Score? 

In order to achieve a good GRE Score, you must be aware of what score is actually considered good. When considering your GRE score goal, look at the requirements—or minimums, if applicable—at the graduate or business programs to which you’re applying. This will let you know your score baseline. 

If you can find the mean or average GRE score of admitted applicants, you’ll be able to determine what GRE score will make you a competitive applicant. The scores of Verbal and Quantitative aptitude sections of the GRE ranges from 130 to 170. The mean score for Verbal Reasoning is 152, and the mean score for Quantitative Reasoning is 157. 

The score of Analytical Writing Assessment ranges from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, and the mean score is 4.0. You can use the tables below to see the relationship between scaled scores and the test takers achieving them:

Percentile Scaled GRE Verbal/ Quantitative Aptitude Score*
Top 10% of all test takers 162
Top 25% of all test takers 157
Top 50% of all test takers 152
Below 50th percentile of all test takers 151

abroad study

Where to Give the GRE Exam? 

Where can I give my GRE Exam is a common question. The answer is where you can not? GRE Centres are located in thousands of cities around the world. Almost every state and Union Territory has a GRE test center located in any of their cities. You can also opt for the GRE at home option from the official ETS India site. Book your slots and pay the necessary fee. Following is the list of centers located in Indian cities:-

TEST CENTRES STATE/UNION TERRITORY
Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Surat, Vodadara, Rajkot Gujarat 
Allahabad, Noida Uttar Pradesh 
Assam, Guwahati Assam
Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad Karnataka 
Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore Madhya Pradesh 
Chennai, Coimbatore Tamil Nadu 
Chandigarh Chandigarh 
Delhi  Delhi 
Dehradun Uttarakhand 
Goa Goa
Gurugram, Faridabad Haryana
Jammu, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir
Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram  Kerala
Kolkata West Bengal
Ludhiana Punjab
Mumbai, Pune Maharashtra
Hyderabad, Warangal Telangana
Ranchi, Jamshedpur  Jharkhand
Jaipur Rajasthan
Jalandhar Punjab
Patna Bihar
Raipur Chhattisgarh
Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh

Conclusion

Knowing the answer to the GRE Exam is for what purpose, I am sure you are ready to schedule your exam at the earliest date possible. Analyze your potential and work hard to score well in your GRE Exam. If you wish to study abroad and want further assistance with that our international education experts at Gateway international who can help guide you throughout your study abroad journey & avail our wide range of services for students on destinations like Study in USA, study in UK, study in Singapore, study in Switzerland, study in Australia, study in New Zealand and many other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What is the use of the GRE exam?

A- The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is an important step in the graduate school or business school application process. The GRE is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized exam that is often required for admission to graduate programs and graduate business programs (MBA) globally.

2.Who is eligible for the GRE?

A: There is no official eligibility criteria mentioned for the GRE exam. Students of any age and with any educational background can appear in the Graduate Record Examination. However, students who are taking this exam to prove their competence for Masters courses must have a valid UG degree.