Key takeaways:
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized, computer-delivered test that students take to get into graduate school.
- The test includes the Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning sections.
- A good score can help you get into graduate school and potentially lead to scholarship opportunities.
- There are many free resources and practice tests available to help you prepare for the GRE.
If you’re thinking about attending grad school, you’ve probably heard of the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE. Let’s dive into seeing why the GRE matters, understanding the test format, good study materials, and tips to help boost your chances of scoring well on this important exam.
What is the GRE?
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The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test hosted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Students who want to get into graduate, business, and law schools take it as part of the admissions process. While it is generally taken on the computer, the paper version may still be offered in locations where there is no computer-based testing. The computer format of the GRE is shorter and adaptive, which means that the difficulty of the subsequent sections depends on how you do at the beginning of the test.
Admissions counselors consider GRE scores when evaluating the critical thinking, logic, and academic skills of applicants. Earning a high score can help you stand out and bring you one step closer to advancing your education.
What is the format of the GRE?
The GRE consists of three sections, and the test takes just under two hours to complete. The sections include:
Analytical Writing
- Description: In this section, you will write an essay that takes a stance on a topic.
- Number of section: 1
- Number of questions: N/A; This is an essay.
- Time allotted: 30 minutes
- Scoring system: 0-6 scale (in half-point increments)
Verbal Reasoning
- Description: These sections analyze reading comprehension. You will be asked to fill in blanks in a passage and choose words that fit the context.
- Number of section: 2
- Number of questions: 27 total (12 questions in section 1; 15 questions in section 2)
- Time allotted: 41 minutes (18 minutes for section 1; 23 minutes for section 2)
- Scoring system: 130-170 scale (in one-point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning
- Description: These sections test your basic math and data interpretation skills.
- Number of section: 2
- Number of questions: 27 total (12 questions in section 1; 15 questions in section 2)
- Time allotted: 47 minutes (21 minutes for section 1; 26 minutes for section 2)
- Scoring system: 130-170 scale (in one-point increments)
During the GRE, you have the option of skipping questions and returning to them later. This may help make it easier to concentrate on the questions you feel more comfortable answering first.
Who takes the GRE, and why do they take this exam?
Many students take the GRE, including:
- Prospective graduate students: Students wanting to pursue their master’s or doctoral degrees.
- Business school applicants: Students who want an MBA may take this test in addition to the GMAT exam.
- Law school applicants: Some law schools accept this test in place of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
For many of these students, taking the GRE is a requirement. However, a good score can help strengthen your application and help you stand out from other college applicants. Some schools also consider these scores when determining eligibility for scholarships, so you may be able to reduce the cost of your tuition.
How do you register for the GRE?
The registration process for the GRE is rather straightforward:
- Create an account on the ETS website: When you provide your name, make sure it matches your government-issued photo ID.
- Schedule your test online: You can choose to take the GRE at a registered test center or in the comfort of your own home. If you’re taking the test at home, make sure your computer meets the requirements. Select a date and time that works for you.
- Enter your personal information: You will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, mailing address, and phone number.
- Review details and make a payment: Make sure your registration details are correct. The fee to take this exam is usually $220. However, you may be able to lower the cost. Students with financial need may be eligible for a GRE reduction voucher, which brings the cost down to $100. Payment options include credit card, debit card, and e-check.
- Checkout: Once you confirm the details, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Select score recipients: You can choose up to 4 grad schools to receive your scores for free.
The test is available year-round, and the at-home test is available 24/7. You can take the GRE once every 21 days, and it’s best to register at least 2-3 months in advance to secure your spot.
How can I prepare for the GRE?
One of the best ways to prepare for the GRE is to take practice exams, which can simulate the testing conditions you will experience on the day of the exam. To prepare, stick to a study schedule that works for you and concentrate on strengthening your weaker areas. When you’re ready, it’s time to take another practice exam and discover how you’ve improved over time.
If you’re interested in learning more about the GRE and what will be asked of you, you can find the materials you need to succeed on the ETS website. There, you can find online preparation tools, practice books, content review, answers to frequently asked questions, the details you need to register for your test date, and more.
How can I study for the test?
Here are some quick tips on how you can prep for the GRE:
- Take full practice tests to improve your skills for all of the sections. The Manhattan GRE Practice Test is a free resource that lets you simulate test conditions before the big day. This can be especially helpful as you practice writing an essay within 30 minutes.
- Check out the Magoosh GRE Prep App, which provides video lessons that teach the best practices. You can access study guides from your phone and check out sample practice questions for free.
- You can work on improving your vocabulary for the Verbal Reasoning section. Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards are free and include more than 1000 GRE vocabulary words.
- Review basic math concepts like percentages and fractions to prep for the Quantitative Reasoning section. This ETS Math Review is a great resource to check out.
How can I manage stress on exam day?
It’s normal to feel nervous when taking a big exam like the GRE. Preparing in advance can help reduce stress, and there’s a lot you can do on test day to feel more confident:
- Plan to arrive early: If you’re going to a GRE test center, plan to arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of time. That way, if you run into some traffic or other delays, you have a bit of a buffer and can increase your chances of getting to the test site on time.
- Resist the urge to cram: You’ve already prepared for test day, and trying to study more at the last minute can increase nerves heading into the exam.
- Take a few deep breaths: If the stress feels overwhelming, it’s okay to pause and breathe. Remind yourself of how much you’ve prepared and let the nervousness go away.
Take the next step toward grad school preparation
Getting a good score on the GRE can help open many exciting opportunities for your education and career. You can strengthen your grad school application, increase your chances of getting accepted, and possibly become eligible for more scholarship opportunities. Taking practice exams is a great way to simulate real testing conditions, so you’re not experiencing it for the first time on exam day. Learning how to improve your score can make a meaningful difference as you prepare for the GRE.
Ready to explore grad schools? Try College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool. You can use it to compare options and discover schools that are a great fit for your unique interests, goals, and budget.
