The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used for admission to graduate schools and business schools in the United States and many other countries. The test measures a student’s ability in three areas: analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the GRE and what it entails.
Overview of the GRE
The GRE is a computer-based test that is offered year-round at testing centers around the world. The test is designed to assess a student’s readiness for graduate-level coursework by evaluating their critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills.
The GRE consists of six sections:
- Analytical Writing – This section measures the student’s ability to analyze complex ideas and communicate their thoughts in writing. The student is required to write two essays within this section.
- Verbal Reasoning – This section measures the student’s ability to understand and analyze written material. The student is required to answer questions related to reading comprehension, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
- Quantitative Reasoning – This section measures the student’s ability to understand and analyze quantitative information. The student is required to answer questions related to algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Unscored – This section is an experimental section that does not count towards the student’s score. It is used by the testing agency to evaluate new questions for future tests.
- Research – This section is also unscored and is used to collect data for research purposes. It is optional and students can choose to skip it.
- Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning – This section is a second Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning section that is used to validate the student’s score. It may be either Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning, and the student won’t know which one it is.
The Analytical Writing section is always first, while the other five sections can appear in any order.
Scoring on the GRE
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the GRE are scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments, with a total possible score of 340. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments, with a total possible score of 6.
The GRE is a computer-adaptive test, which means that the difficulty of each section is determined by the student’s performance on the previous section. If a student performs well on the first section, the second section will be more difficult. If a student performs poorly on the first section, the second section will be easier. This adaptive nature of the test ensures that each student is tested at an appropriate level of difficulty.
Preparing for the GRE
Preparing for the GRE can be a daunting task, but there are many resources available to help students get ready for the test. One popular resource is the Official GRE Guide, which includes sample questions, test-taking strategies, and practice tests. Other resources include online prep courses, study guides, and tutoring services.
When preparing for the GRE, it’s important to create a study schedule and stick to it. Students should also focus on their weaknesses and spend extra time practicing those areas. Practicing with timed tests can help students get used to the time constraints of the test and improve their pacing.
The GRE is an important test for students seeking admission to graduate school or business school. It measures a student’s readiness for graduate-level coursework in three areas: analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. With the right preparation and study schedule, students can perform well on the GRE and increase their chances of being accepted into their desired graduate program.
