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About the GRE

Overview

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The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) General Test is a standardized entrance exam used by many graduate schools. Your results indicate how likely you are to succeed in graduate-level studies. The exam is generally administered by computer, but you have the option of taking the test on paper if you live in an area where computer administration is unavailable.

The GRE Analytical Writing section tests your ability to think critically and write analytically. It does not test specific content knowledge from any particular subject.

The GRE Verbal section tests your ability to comprehend and analyze reading passages on a variety of subjects in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. You will also be tasked with showing how well you understand the relationships between words and concepts.

The GRE Quantitative section tests your basic mathematical skills and your ability to solve problems. Material covers arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and data analysis.



Test Dates

The test is given year-round at computer-based test centers in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. In areas where the computer-based test is unavailable, you can take the paper-based exam.

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Test Locations

Times and locations vary. For more information, visit www.gre.org.

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Test Structure

 Analytical Writing
 Question Type Number of Questions
 Issue Task 1
 Argument Task 1
 Time Allotted: Issue 45 minutes, Argument 30 minutes.  Total: 75 minutes.
 Verbal
 Question Type Number of Questions
 Reading comprehension, sentence analysis 30
 Time Allotted: 30 minutes
 Quantitative
 Question Type Number of Questions
 Quantitative reasoning, problem solving 28
 Time Allotted: 45 minutes

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Scoring

Each of the two essays in the Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The two scores are then averaged together. The Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored on a scale of 200-800.

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Did You Know?

In 2005, nearly 430,000 people took the GRE worldwide.

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