Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Syllabus, Pattern, Dates, Registration, Centers in India

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) 2019

The Graduate Record Examinations or GRE® Test is a regulated test that is organized for the MBA aspirants at a number of graduate and business schools the world over. GRE 2019 will be executed in two modes: computer-based and paper-based formats. Therefore to assess candidates’ knowledge in various areas, there are 6 GRE subject tests, apart from the GRE general test. Rather the best part of the GRE test is that it is conducted by the Educational Testing Service, a U.S. based organization.

The ScoreSelect^® option of the GRE test provides candidates the flexibility to take the test for the ample number of times in a year so that you send your best set of scores. The best part of this all is that the candidate has 5 years to determine how to use any of his/her scores.

The candidates interested in higher studies, in particular in Post-Graduation or research-based studies, will greatly benefit from GRE. The exam asks questions from 3 major areas- Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Moreover, the scoring scale for the Verbal Reasoning and the Quantitative Reasoning of the GRE is from 130 to 170. Similarly, the scoring-scale for Analytical Writing of the GRE is from 0 to 6. More than 1000 GRE Test centers of more than 160 countries conduct the GRE Test.

GRE – A Quick Review

• Exam Name: GRE^®General Test
• Also known as GRE
• Next, the Exam Level: International
• Then, the Conducting Body: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
• Finally, the Number of Sections: Three, containing, Analytical Writing, Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning.

The Criteria of Eligibility for GRE

To begin with the criteria of eligibility, there is no such thing for the GRE. Though there certainly are the criteria of different institutes/universities, for which the aspirants seek admission to pursue their opted MBA course. Otherwise, aspirants can apply for the GRE test, regardless of their age and qualification (except for being a graduate, at least). Having mentioned that a candidate needs to be a graduate, it would be well to remind once again that, the GRE score is used for admission to PG programs in foreign countries. The score is particularly used in the US and Canada. The US and Canada use the GRE scores, particularly.

Additionally, many European and Asian countries now give recognition to the GRE scores for a number of Graduate programs. Hence, the students should keep in mind that it is not the country but the university which requires GRE score.

And it isn’t also that all disciplines of such universities demand the GRE score. Some departments/disciplines of these universities may demand the GRE score while some others may not. Hence, it will be wise on the part of the students to go through the admission checklist of the required university/institute before checking their eligibility criteria for GRE.

GRE General Test 2019 – A Short Description

GRE or GMAT: Which One Is for You?

It has been a common perception, which has been traditional also, that GMAT usually is for the students who apply to a business school or another management program. On the other hand, GRE is for the students, who mostly go for subjects other than business, in a graduate school. But, with the GRE turning out to be all the more broadly acknowledged for top MBA programs all through the US, more MBA candidates consider it to be a suitable business college affirmation test. Though a reminder here will be of use that GRE can’t be replaced by GMAT. Hence, unless and until you decide to go to a business school, don’t take the GMAT, try GRE instead.

GRE Registration 2019

For appearing in GRE^® General Test, a student, first, needs to create a “My GRE” account. Later on, candidates can also apply for the test and check their scores through the “My GRE” account. Furthermore, there are 3 routes for registering for the GRE general test – registration through online, phone and mail.

Here we are reproducing five major steps for registering for the GRE:

• First, Create an ETS account for GRE registration 2019
• Secondly, select the GRE test type- GRE General or GRE subject test
• Next, set location and date for the GRE 2019
• Then, fill academic background information required for GRE registration 2019
• Finally, make payment for GRE registration, through American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard or VISA

Registration Fee for GRE

While the fee for GRE^® General Test is $205, the world over, the GRE Subject’s test fee is $ 150. If the exchange rate of Rs. 66/dollar is the yardstick, for example, then this fee roughly seems like to Rs. 13,500. We, however, advise you to use the existing rate for calculating the GRE registration fee. By the way, we shall inform you that ETS is also lenient on the GRE Test fee. But the exam-giving agency provides this facility only for the examinees who carry the confidence of proving their financial hardship.

Charges for Special Requests

Though, any requirement of changing the subject in the “GRE Subject Test” will amount to an additional payment of $50.

Test Dates for GRE 2019

The schedule for the GRE^® General Test is highly flexible. The GRE test is conducted once every 21 days. And this can happen for only 5 times for a year. The student can also take the exam to improve his/her previous score. Another flexible feature of the GRE test is that there are no fixed dates for the GRE test. Furthermore, the online mode of the GRE test (the computer-based mode) is offered all the year round at Prometric test centers. The GRE exam/test can be taken by the students according to their needs and requirements. For the sake of extra care, we must remind you that the date for the GRE test also depends on the vacancy of the seats available at the test center of the student’s choice.

For example, if a candidate has opted for the test center named “T1” for, say May 28, and the seats of this center are already booked up for the test by other candidates, he/she has no other option than to either change the date or the test center (T2, T3….). Once again, we would like to remind you that any student, first of all, requires creating the “My GRE” account in order to register for the test and proceed further. For further details about the GRE test dates hook on to this link.

Test Centers of GRE 2019

Presently, over 1000 cities of 160 countries are going to host the GRE Test 2019. Candidates can check their GRE Test centers, GRE Test dates and the availability of these from the ETS website. The portal, in addition,  lets the candidates choose the GRE Test dates. As a result, the candidates can also choose these dates for a duration of two months.

In India, the GRE test is conducted primarily by Prometric and by other independent teams, in the following cities:

Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Gandhinagar, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nashik, New Delhi, Nizamabad, Patna, Pune, Trivandrum, Vadodara, and Vijayawada.

Admit Card for GRE 2019

Afterward, the candidates complete their GRE registration process, the concerned authorities send a mail to them. This mail also acts as an admission ticket for the GRE test. The students must bring this confirmation mail/admission ticket, in addition to other mandatory things, to the GRE test center on the day of the exam. All details regarding your GRE test center like the place/location of the center, time of the test, in addition to date, etc are mentioned in this very admission ticket/confirmation mail. For more information on GRE admit card, click here.

Smart Features of GRE 2019

The structure of tests of GRE is extremely candidate-friendly since it gives a lot of freedom to him/her. We are saying this since it allows the candidates to skip questions within a section, go back and change answers. The GRE test also gives candidates the freedom to choose the questions, within a section, the students want to answer first. Then accordingly, they can answer them.

Test Pattern of GRE 2019

Concerning the test pattern, the GRE General Test covers the three core fields that a candidate will most probably require in his/her upcoming career. Consequently, the fields of GRE General Test include Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The total period for the GRE General Test is 3 hours and 40 minutes. Furthermore, this period of the GRE test is distributed over the main academic section covering Analytical Writing and Verbal Reasoning. This period is also distributed over the two variable sections by the names of “Unscored” and “Research,” section-numbers and durations for which vary. Lastly, a 10-minute break in the GRE test follows the third section of Quantitative Reasoning.

Then apart from the GRE General tests, are the GRE Subject Tests. There are 6 of these tests, based on the 6 subjects respectively. Presently Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology make up the list of these GRE subjects. However, each of these subjects has a different test pattern and the total duration of these GRE Subject Tests is of 2 hours and 50 minutes. Furthermore, these subject-based GRE tests are taken in the paper-based format and not through the online mode. Same as the GRE General test, the schedule for GRE Subject Tests is flexible. Students can take the tests of these subjects from anywhere in the world, three times a year in the months of September, October and April.

The Pattern of GRE Tests in a Nut Shell

Syllabus of GRE 2019

The syllabus of the GRE General Test is spread over the fields of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

Verbal Reasoning

Firstly, the sphere of verbal reasoning of the GRE General Test analyses students’ abilities in analyzing and drawing conclusions from discourses. It analyses your skills to produce reasons from incomplete data. Verbal reasoning also tests your ability to identify the author’s assumptions and/or perspective. Verbal Reasoning of the GRE General Test requires you to understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative and author’s intent. So, be prepared for the questions covering these tasks. Most of the questions of this section of the GRE General Test are going to come are from the sections of Reading Comprehension, Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence.

Quantitative Reasoning

Secondly, the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test measures one’s ability to understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information. It tests candidates’ abilities to solve problems using mathematical models. The field of Quantitative Reasoning of the GRE also tests one’s ability to apply basic skills and elementary concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test contains four types of questions. They are, Comparison Questions, Multiple-choice Questions — Select One Answer Choice. Furthermore, Multiple-choice Questions — Select One or More Answer Choices and Numeric Entry Questions.

In the GRE General test, the facility of a calculator is provided to the candidate who opts for the pen and paper mode. For the candidate opting for the online mode, “on-screen” calculator is provided to him/her.

Analytical Writing

Thirdly, there is the field of Analytical Writing of the GRE General Tests. This field tests you for using the language (English) for producing complex ideas that are clear and effective. You also need to work on the exercises of supporting your ideas with suitable causes and examples. Analytical Writing also needs you to analyze the claims and pieces of evidence associated with that piece of writing. This section of the GRE General test also measures your ability to maintain a concentrated and coherent discussion. Lastly, expect some questions on regulating the elements of standard English.

When types of questions on the Analytical Writing section of GRE General Test are concerned, they are of 2 kinds. They are, “Analyze an Issue” type and “Analyze an Argument” type.

In addition to the General Tests, there are the GRE Subject Tests. Accordingly, the syllabus of GRE Subject Test is distributed over the 6 subjects of Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

Sample Papers of GRE 2019

Especially relevant prerequisites for scoring high in the GRE Test are a student’s focus and plan of study. High focus and well-planned approach will greatly go the long way in achieving this goal. Furthermore, preparing with EduGorilla’s sample papers on the GRE, one surely takes steps in that direction only. Working with these sample papers, candidates get an opportunity to expose themselves to the style and pattern of the question papers. This he/she can avail much before the actual GRE Test. Consequently, this gives them the time to work on their weak areas and strengthen their preparation. Though, candidates should always bear in mind that all the sections of the GRE Test should be individually practiced and improved.

Institutes Accepting Scores of GRE 2019

GRE scores are commonly welcomed by the higher educational institutes/universities, the world over. In fact, accepting the GRE scores by the universities depends on their departments. For example, a candidate’s qualification of a GRE subject will be useful for him/her only if the department of the interest of the candidate, requires it.

Besides, many MBA, masters and doctoral programs in business schools accept GRE scores the numbers of which go over 1200. There is one more revealing fact here that GRE scores are also accepted for interdisciplinary programs like MIS and Engineering Management.

Results of GRE 2019

Results of the GRE Test are informed to the aspirants personally through email notifications, under the banner of the ETS. Besides, the results are also available to the students through their “My GRE” accounts. Consequently, candidates taking their tests through the computers (online mode) get to know their unofficial scores for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, at their test centers. Though, it takes a time of about 10 to 15 days for the results to be declared officially.

Scoring Pattern of the GRE

The scoring pattern for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing of the GRE Test are reported in the following manner:

• a Verbal Reasoning score reported on a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments.
• a Quantitative Reasoning score reported on a 130–170 score scale, in 1-point increments.
• an Analytical Writing score reported on a 0–6 score scale, in half-point increments.

GRE Test Centers

Here is a list of test centers in some of the more popular cities among GRE takers in India.

1. Bangalore

2. New Delhi

3. Chennai

4. Mumbai

5. Hyderabad

6. Kolkata

7. Allahabad

8. Ahmedabad

9. Pune

10. Trivandrum

11. Mysore

12. Gurgaon

13. Coimbatore

14. Chandigarh

Some Frequently Asked Questions About GRE

Question: Can you retake the GRE test?

Answer: A candidate may take the paper-delivered test as many times as he wishes. As far as the GRE test via computer is concerned, a candidate is liable to retake it once every 21 days. This he/she can do up to five times a year.

Question: How long is the GRE valid for?

Answer: ETS keeps your score on file for five years after your test administration date.

Question: Do business schools all over the world have a test preference?

Answer: Going by a recent survey done by Kaplan, approximately 8 out of 10 MBA programs have no test preference. This means that most MBA programs take the scores of GRE and GMAT, on a balanced scale.

Question: What is the level of math in the GRE General test?

Answer: The level of math in the GRE General test is that of high school. This includes the basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. The math test also measures one’s ability to reason quantitatively, and to solve problems in a quantitative setting.

Question: What are the differences between the Analytical Writing Assessment of the GRE General test and the Writing Section of the TOEFL iBT Test?

Answer: Different types of skills are measured by the TOEFL iBT Writing Section and the Analytical Writing Assessment of the GRE.

There are two kinds of writing tests in the TOEFL iBT Writing section. Firstly, a segregated task demanding support to an opinion in a written piece. Secondly, an integrated task that demands, integration, and organization of information from a reading passage and a lecture from the takers of the test. The TOEFL test measures the average level of critical thinking and analytical writing. It tests a candidate’s composition skills and command of English vocabulary. It also tests his/her grammar, spelling, and syntax with some analysis and synthesis of material.

The Analytical Writing Assessment, on the other hand, demands a high level of critical thinking and analytical writing from the aspirants. Simply put, the scores on the two tests are not comparable.

Question: What factors must be considered when preparing for self-study for the GRE Test?

Answer: The factors to be taken into consideration when preparing for self-study for the GRE Test are many. Firstly, the point is of evaluating your position regarding your preparation level. For this, take a full-length GRE mock test in one go. Results of this test will expose your forte and weaknesses to you. It is needless to say that you are required to put necessary efforts to maintain that level of your fortes and overcome the weak points. Next, you essentially need to relax completely before the day to your GRE test. Hope, these points will produce a good solution for your anxiety.

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