The Graduate Record Exam, or GRE, is a standardized test that measures your academic readiness for graduate school. It is accepted by thousands of graduate, business and law programs worldwide, and it tests your skills in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing. In this guide, we will give you some tips on how to pass the GRE test and get the score you need for your desired programs.
What Is the GRE Test?
The GRE test consists of two main parts: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Tests. The GRE General Test is a computer-adaptive test that adapts to your performance as you answer questions. It has three sections:
• Verbal Reasoning: This section measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, synthesize information, and draw conclusions. It contains two types of questions: text completion and sentence equivalence, which require you to fill in the blanks with appropriate words, and reading comprehension, which require you to answer questions based on passages.
• Quantitative Reasoning: This section measures your ability to solve problems using mathematical concepts and methods. It contains four types of questions: quantitative comparison, which require you to compare two quantities, multiple-choice questions with one or more correct answers, numeric entry questions, which require you to enter a number in a box, and data interpretation questions, which require you to analyze graphs and tables.
• Analytical Writing: This section measures your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support your claims with evidence, and demonstrate your critical thinking skills. It contains two tasks: an issue task, which requires you to write an essay on a given topic, and an argument task, which requires you to analyze an argument presented in a passage.
The GRE General Test takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, including a 10-minute break after the third section. The test will undergo a makeover, with a newer, shorter version launching on September 22, 2023. The new test will have fewer questions per section and will take about 3 hours to complete.
The GRE Subject Tests are paper-based tests that assess your knowledge in a specific field of study. There are six subject tests available: Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Literature in English; Mathematics; Physics; and Psychology. Each subject test consists of multiple-choice questions and takes 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete. You can take up to three subject tests on the same day.
Some graduate programs may require or recommend that you take one or more subject tests in addition to the general test. You should check the admission requirements of the programs you are interested in before registering for the subject tests.
How to Register for the GRE Test?
You can register for the GRE test online through your ETS account or by phone. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, email address, phone number, and payment information. You will also need to choose a test date and location from the available options. You can take the GRE General Test at any of the more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries, or take it from the comfort of your own home using a computer with a webcam and microphone. You can take the GRE Subject Tests at designated test centers on specific dates throughout the year.
The registration fee for the GRE General Test is $205 in most locations. The registration fee for each GRE Subject Test is $150 worldwide. You can pay by credit or debit card, PayPal, e-check or voucher. You can also apply for fee reductions or waivers if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
You can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days). You can take each GRE Subject Test as often as it is offered.
You can cancel or reschedule your test appointment online or by phone up to four days before your test date for a partial refund or fee. If you cancel or reschedule later than that, you will forfeit your entire test fee.
How to Prepare for the GRE Test?
To pass the GRE test, you need to study effectively and strategically. Here are some tips on how to prepare for the GRE test:
• Make a study plan: Set a realistic goal score based on the average scores of the programs you are applying to and your current level of performance. Then, create a study schedule that covers all the topics and skills tested on the GRE test. Allocate enough time for reviewing concepts, practicing questions, taking practice tests, analyzing your mistakes, and improving your weaknesses.
• Use official materials: The best way to familiarize yourself with the format, content, difficulty, and scoring of the GRE test is to use official materials from ETS. You can access free online resources such as POWERPREP Online practice tests, sample questions, test-taking strategies, and score reports. You can also purchase additional materials such as the Official Guide to the GRE General Test, the Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions, the Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, and the Official GRE Subject Test Guides.
• Supplement your preparation: You can also use other reputable sources of preparation materials such as books, courses, tutors, apps, and websites. However, make sure to evaluate the quality and accuracy of these materials before using them. Look for materials that are updated, comprehensive, aligned with the official test, and provide clear explanations and feedback.
• Focus on your weak areas: While it is important to review all the topics and skills tested on the GRE test, you should pay more attention to your weak areas. Identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking diagnostic tests and analyzing your performance. Then, work on improving your weak areas by reviewing concepts, learning strategies, practicing questions, and correcting your errors.
• Practice under realistic conditions: To simulate the actual test experience and build your stamina, confidence, and time management skills, you should practice under realistic conditions. Take full-length practice tests in a quiet and distraction-free environment, following the same rules and timing as the real test. Review your answers and scores carefully and learn from your mistakes.
• Review the rules and policies: Before taking the GRE test, you should review the rules and policies of the test administration. Read the GRE Information Bulletin and the Test Taker Handbook for detailed information on what to expect on test day, what to bring and what not to bring, how to check in and out, how to report problems or complaints, how to cancel or rescore your test, and how to send your scores to schools.
• Take care of yourself: To perform well on the GRE test, you need to take care of yourself physically and mentally. Get enough sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, relax your mind, and avoid stress. On test day, arrive early at the test center or set up your home testing environment properly. Bring the right ID and supplies. Stay calm and positive. Don’t panic or cheat. Don’t forget to breathe and celebrate.
How to Pass the GRE Test?
To pass the GRE test, you need to get the scores that meet or exceed the expectations of the programs you are applying to. The GRE test is scored on a scale of 130-170 for each of the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections, and on a scale of 0-6 for the analytical writing section. You will also receive percentiles that indicate how well you performed compared to other test takers.
The average scores for the GRE General Test are 150 for verbal reasoning, 153 for quantitative reasoning, and 3.5 for analytical writing. However, these scores may not be enough for some programs or fields of study. You should research the average scores or score ranges of your target programs by visiting their websites or contacting their admission offices.
To pass the GRE Subject Tests, you need to get the scores that demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a specific discipline. The GRE Subject Tests are scored on a scale of 200-990 for each subject test. You will also receive percentiles that indicate how well you performed compared to other test takers.
The average scores for the GRE Subject Tests vary depending on the subject and the number of test takers. You should research the average scores or score ranges of your target programs by visiting their websites or contacting their admission offices.
Conclusion
The GRE test is a challenging but rewarding exam that can open many doors for your academic and professional future. To pass the GRE test, you need to prepare well in advance, use official and reliable materials, focus on your weak areas, practice under realistic conditions, review the rules and policies, take care of yourself, and aim for your goal scores.
We hope this guide has given you some useful tips on how to pass the GRE test. If you need more help or guidance with your GRE preparation, you can check out our online courses or contact us for more information.
Good luck with your GRE journey!
