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What is the GRE test ?
GRE test stands for GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS.

There are two types of GRE tests -

(1) GRE General test,and

(2) GRE Subject test.

The GRE General Test is required by many graduate and professional schools in the U.S, as an important criterion for admission to their graduate programmes. Applicants must submit their GRE test scores together with certain other records/requirements as part of the process of admission to graduate schools.

The GRE test is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS). ETS is responsible for conducting the GRE test under the guidance of the college education board of the U.S.

What is a GRE - CAT (Computer Adaptive Test)?

The GRE test is a CAT (Computer Adaptive Test). This means that the computer adapts the level of the questions to the test-taker's ability. Initially questions of medium difficulty level are administered to an examinee. If a candidate answers these questions correctly, a more difficult question is given. Otherwise, an easier question is administered. So, at every stage, the computer tailors the test to the examinee's level. In this examination, the score depends both on the number of questions attempted and the number of correct responses.

Test Pattern Top

The GRE general test comprises an analytical writing section, one verbal ability section and one quantitative ability section. Besides this, there is an additional experimental section which could be a verbal or a quantitative section. Sometimes, ETS may give an identifiable research section but usually the experimental section cannot be distinguished from the scored section.

Analytical Writing Section

In this section, a candidate has to respond to two types of essays:

(i) Issue task

(ii) ArgumentTask

One Issue essay has to be typed in 45 minutes. As of now ETS gives two issue topics and a candidate has to type out his response to one of these two topics. In an Issue Essay a topic of general intellectual interest is given and a candidate has to respond by expressing his opinion on the given issue and back it up with valid reasons.

Sample Issue topic :- The application of sciences has proved to be more often a curse than a boon, and it is a threat to a good standard of living.

Besides this, one Argument essay has to be typed in 30 minutes. ETS gives only one argument topic and the candidate has no choice for this type of essay. In an Argument essay, a candidate will examine the logical soundness of an argument and critique it.

Sample Argument topic:- The chairman of the Baleroti car manufacturing company asserted the following in his memo.

"An analysis of our past performance reveals that we did not fare as well as our competitors because we have stuck to outdated designs. However, the encouraging news is that many people across the country would be getting driving licenses very soon and we should be able to increase our market share by selling to these people. Hence, we should stop manufacturing our old-fashioned cars and focus on manufacturing trendy cars. To add teeth to our marketing effort we should now switchover to the Juvenile Ad agency, which successfully marketed a leading cola."

Please note that the ISSUE and the ARGUMENT topics given here as sample topics are not an exact replica of what ETS stipulates in its pool of topics. However, these sample topics are on the lines of ETS topics. For the actual ETS pool of topics please refer to the ETS website.

Verbal Section

Number of Questions = 30

Time allowed = 30 minutes

Question Types No. of questions

Sentence Completion 5-7 questions

Analogies 6-8 questions

Reading Comprehension 6-10 questions

Antonyms 8-10 questions

All the questions are standard, multiple- choice questions with 5 choices.

Quantitative Section

Number of Questions = 28

Time allowed = 45 minutes

Question Types No. of questions

Quantitative Comparison 13-15 questions

Problem Solving 8-10 questions

Data Interpretation 4-6 questions

Elementary knowledge of arithmetic, algebra and geometry is required to answer the questions. Almost all the questions can be answered by application of high school level concepts.

Must know Top

How is the GRE test score reported?

The score range for the verbal as well as the Quantitative section is 200 to 800. No one gets less than 200 or more than 800 in each of these two sections. The Analytical writing score is a scaled score with the least score being zero and the maximum being six. Each of the two essays is rated "out of 6" and the average of the two is reflected on your GRE test Score Report. In other words, if an examinee gets 5 in the issue essay and 6 in the argument task, the scorecard will show the average i.e.,(5+6)/2 = 5.5 . As per ETS, two independent evaluators evaluate each essay and if the score varies by more than 1 point, a third evaluator will adjudicate.

When can you take the GRE Computer Adaptive Test?

The GRE CAT can be taken at different centres across the country on any day - Monday through Saturday, except on national and some other holidays.

How to register for the GRE test

1) Candidates can book for the GRE test on the phone itself. The phone numbers in India are:-
+91-11-26511649 and 26531442

* You must clearly state one test date.
* If that date is not available you must state another test date.
* You need to quote your international master or visa card number and its expiry date.


* If you do not possess any of these cards you can borrow someone else's card. The operator will ask the name of the person whose card is being used.

Before you finish talking to the operator do not forget to verify
o The date of the test
o Exact time slot alloted
o Your test confirmation number
o Your ID number (required for future queries, if any)
You will not receive any further communication form Prometric, Delhi. One can download these details from the net but not obligatory to carry this information to the test centre. The candidate can note his/her test conformation number and their ID number to the test centre.

2) You may also book your test online now by going to the ETS website - www.ets.org.

As per ETS, there are several "preferred forms of payments"

# Credit card
VISA, Master Card, or American Express (Discover and JCB cards may also be used for services ordered directly from ETS - GRE test).
# Money order / certified check
# U.S. postal Money order
# International Money order
# UNESCO Coupons

Fees as per ETS: -$140.00 for the GRE test. Please visit www.gre.org for the latest updates on the fees.

Test Centres in India
City Code
Ahmedabad 8902
Allahabad 8903
Bangalore 8904
Kolkata 8906
Hyderabad 8908
Chennai 8909
Mumbai 8921
New Delhi 8913

If you do not desire to schedule an appointment on the phone you can ask for an International Test Scheduling form by sending a letter or fax to Prometric, 160-A, Seinor Plaza,3rd Floor, Gautam Nagar,Yusuf Sarai, Behind Indian Oil Building, New Delhi - 110049 . The fax numbers are +91-11-26529741/26523266. After filling up the form you may mail, courier or fax the completed form by following the instructions given in it. After receiving your draft and filled-in form, you will be given a test date, time slot, location, test Confirmation number and ID number.

For additional information ask for the GRE test information and Registration Bulletin from ETS.


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