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The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an internationally standardized test that many graduate schools in the United States, Canada, and some universities in Europe, Asia, and Australia require for admission. Education Testing Services (ETS) conducts and administers the GRE exam. Offered year-round, the GRE is primarily administered online in most countries. Candidates can take the exam up to five times within a 12-month period, and individuals from around the world participate in it.
There are two types of GRE exams: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Tests. In this article, we will explain both types in detail. We will also cover key aspects of the GRE, including eligibility, application process, syllabus, exam pattern, and results, to help you better understand the test.
The GRE exam serves as the first step toward achieving academic goals, especially for students aiming to pursue programs like Master of Science (MS), Master’s in Management (MIM), Master of Engineering Management (MEM), Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM), Master’s in information systems management (MIS), or Master of Project Management (MPM). Each year, around 600,000 students from across the globe take the GRE exam. ETS conducts the GRE exam primarily for admission to postgraduate programs, and it stands as the world’s largest entrance exam among internationally accepted tests.
Most prestigious universities consider GRE scores as a key admission criterion. For students aspiring to enter these top institutions, a GRE score is often a mandatory requirement. Over 1,000 institutions worldwide recognize the GRE exam, including leading Indian institutes such as the IIMs and IITs, which accept it for their Ph.D. programs and Fellow Program in Management (FPM).
Graduate Programs Accepting GRE Scores
Management Programs Accepting GRE Scores
Indian Schools Accepting GRE Scores
GRE examination is conducted in two types i.e. GRE General Test & GRE Subject Test.
| Section | #Task / Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 essay task | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning Section 1 | 12 questions | 21 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning Section 2 | 15 questions | 26 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning Section 1 | 12 questions | 18 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning Section 2 | 15 questions | 23 minutes |
GRE General Test scores are reported for three sections: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a scale of 130–170 in 1-point increments, while Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0–6 in half-point increments. If no questions are answered in a specific section, a No Score (NS) will be reported for that measure. Official scores are typically available in your ETS account 8–10 days after your test date, and you will receive an email notification when they are ready. At that time, ETS will also send an official Institution Score Report to the score recipients you designated on test day.
Your official Test-taker Score Report, accessible through your ETS account, includes your contact information, date of birth, gender, intended graduate major, test date(s), GRE scores with percentile ranks, a list of score recipients, and a cumulative record of scores reported in the past five years. While this report is intended for your personal records, you may print a paper copy if needed.
Institutions you choose to receive your scores will get an official report that includes your contact details, demographic information, intended graduate major, the test dates and scores you’ve chosen to report using the ScoreSelect® option, and the associated percentile ranks. These reports do not include information about other score recipients, scores you chose not to report, or whether you’ve taken other GRE tests. Additionally, photos and essay responses from selected test administrations within your five-year reportable history will be included in the score record shared with institutions via the ETS® Data Manager. GRE scores are valid and reportable for five years from your test date.
ETS scores the GRE test on a total scale ranging from 260 to 340. The test includes two main sections: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section is scored between 130 and 170 in 1-point increments. In addition to these, ETS scores the Analytical Writing section separately on a scale of 0 to 6, using 0.5-point increments. Test-takers typically score around 315 on the GRE. However, more competitive programs often require higher scores, depending on the field of study. A score of 318 or above is generally considered good, while a score of 325 or higher is excellent. Scoring above 330 is regarded as outstanding on the GRE examination.
Immediately after completing the test, test-takers receive unofficial scores for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections. ETS releases the official score report—which includes the Analytical Writing score—within 10 to 15 days after the test date, though they advise allowing up to 21 days. GRE scores remain valid for five years from the date of the exam.
There are three ways to get yourself registered for this exam:
GRE Exam Fees
The GRE fees amount to USD $220, while the fee for the subject test is USD $150. In addition, in the case of late registration, there will be an additional charge of USD $25. At the time of registration, a candidate has to select a preferred date from the slots available and schedule their exam. The candidates can request a change of slot later for a fee of USD $50 and reschedule the examination to another available slot.
GRE Eligibility
To give this test in India, you have to prove your identity, and for this purpose, you must have a valid passport. Apart from this, you cannot use any other document like date of birth, driving license, etc. as an identity. A candidate should be of a minimum 18 of age and there is no upper age limit for writing the GRE test but the university for which a candidate is applying may have their age restrictions or other conditions.
GRE Test Dates
There is no fixed date for giving the GRE Examination, you can give this exam at any time of the year. Most of the students write the examination in India during the months of July through December as the application forms in most colleges open during the months of September to January. If a student is planning to write the GRE exam during this time, then he needs to plan his dates well in advance.
Choose the study material: Start your GRE exam preparation by selecting the right study material. If you are taking the test for the first time, begin with basic books to strengthen and revise your foundational concepts. The best starting point is the GRE Official Guide, published by ETS, which includes real questions from past exams. After completing the Official Guide, move on to the ETS Verbal Reasoning Guide and the ETS Quantitative Reasoning Guide for more targeted practice.
Schedule Your Test Based on Your Preparation: Plan your test date according to your level of preparation. Avoid rushing into the GRE exam. First, assess how much time you will need to study effectively, and then schedule your test accordingly. Most students require about four months to prepare thoroughly, including time for taking mock tests.
Take a Diagnostic Test and Practice with Mocks: Before you begin full-fledged preparation, take a diagnostic test from ETS.org. This test will help you understand the GRE’s structure and format. Aim to take at least 6–8 full-length mock tests before your actual exam. These mocks will help you identify and address your weak areas. Most mock tests available in the market also give you a realistic idea of the score range.
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