The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills. GRE has been acquired over a long phase of time and is not related to any specific field of education.
Verbal Reasoning —This skill determines the test taker's ability to:
• Analyze and evaluate written material & synthesize information found from it.
• investigate relationships among component parts of sentences.
• identify relationships between words and concepts.
Quantitative Reasoning —This skill determines the test taker's ability to:
• Understand basic concepts of algebra, arithmetic, geometry, & data analysis .
• Reason quantitatively.
• Solve problems in a quantitative setting.
Analytical Writing —This skill determines the test taker's ability to:
• communicate with complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• examine claims and accompanying evidence.
• support ideas with relevant reasons and examples.
• maintain a well-focused, coherent discussion.
• control the elements of standard written English.
Motives of GRE
Potential graduate applicants are the takers of the General Test. GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for graduate education. The scores provide general measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants and aid in evaluating grades and approvals. motive
Place of the test
The General Test is offered year-round at computer-based test centers in the U.S. , Canada , and many other countries. It is offered at paper-based test centers in those countries or areas where computer-based testing is not available. See which format is available in your area .
Acceptance of GRE
Any qualified graduate, business or professional school, or any department or division within a school, may require or recommend that its candidates take the General Test, a Subject Test, or both. If approved by the GRE® Board, a non-qualified institution can also receive test takers' scores.
Structure of computer based General Test
The computer-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included. This section can be presented in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores.
Duration
The total time of the test is up to three (3) hours, excluding the research section. The instructions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time permitted for the section.
Typical Computer-Based GRE® General Test:
Section |
Number of Questions |
Time |
Analytical Writing |
1 Issue Task* |
45 minutes |
Analytical Writing |
1 Argument Task* |
30 minutes |
Verbal |
30 |
30 minutes |
Quantitative |
28 |
45 minutes |
Unscored** |
Varies |
Varies |
Research*** |
Varies |
Varies |
* For the Issue Task , two essay topics are presented and you have to choose one from those. The Argument Task offers one topic and does not present any choice.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any position after the Analytical Writing section. It is not added up to your total score.
*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it will always be held at the end of the test.