The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that many graduate schools in the United States, Canada, and some other countries use as part of their admission process. It is developed and managed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a well-known testing organization. The GRE was first introduced in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
What Does the GRE Measure?
The GRE is designed to check a student’s skills in areas such as:
- Verbal reasoning (understanding and analyzing written material)
- Quantitative reasoning (basic math and problem-solving)
- Analytical writing (expressing ideas clearly and effectively)
- Critical thinking (evaluating arguments and evidence)
The test includes questions on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, vocabulary, and data interpretation.
How is the GRE Taken?
Most students take the GRE General Test on a computer at official testing centers or locations approved by Prometric. The format of the test changed in 2011. Now, it adapts based on how you perform — the difficulty level of the second math and verbal sections depends on how well you did in the first ones. However, not all sections adjust like this; one unscored section does not follow this pattern. The scoring system was also updated, and now each section is scored on a scale from 130 to 170.
How Important is the GRE?
Different schools and departments treat GRE scores differently. Some may place a lot of importance on it, while others may consider it just a formality or even optional. In recent years, especially for science Ph.D. programs in the U.S., the GRE is no longer required by many institutions.
Cost and Financial Aid
Taking the GRE costs $205. However, ETS offers fee reductions to students who can show they are facing financial difficulties. They also provide additional support for students in need. One important thing to note is that ETS only keeps GRE scores for five years. Some universities might accept older scores, but this varies by program.