GRE Test 2020: Exam Dates, Fee, Syllabus, Pattern, and Result

Akhilesh Kumar December 19, 2020 212 0

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an international standardized test required for admission into Graduate Schools in the United States of America and other parts of the world. Education Testing Services (ETS) is the organzing body of GRE. The test is conducted in offline mode thrice a year and in online mode throughout the year.

GRE intends to assess candidates’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. Check GRE Exam Pattern
A candidate can take the test a maximum of five times over a period of 12 months. There should be a gap of 21 days between 2 GRE attempts.
GRE Score is valid for up to 5 years.
GRE test-takers will receive 3 separate scores, one for each section. Math and Verbal GRE scores range on a scale of 130–170. Analytical Writing scores range from 0–6.
GRE Subject tests aim at assessing candidate’s ability in a particular field of study.
GRE Subject test is available in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Literature in English, Psychology and Physics.
The test was taken by more than 600,000 candidates from all over the world in 2017.

GRE Highlights

The following graph represents the number of GRE General Test takers in different regions of the world (Excluding United States) from 2013-14 to 2017-18:

GRE at a Glance

British Council IELTS

GRE General Test is for candidates seeking admission into Masters programs in various fields in universities of the US and other countries across the world.
It is available at more than 1000 centers in more than 160 countries across the world in both online and offline mode.
GRE General can be taken once every 21 days and up to 5 times over a period of 12 months. The slots in both online and offline mode are filled in the first-cum-first-serve basis.
The duration of GRE Computer-delivered test is 3 hours and 45 minutes and of GRE Paper-delivered test is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

GRE Subject Test

GRE Subject Test is for testing knowledge in a specific field. There is a separate paper for each subject.
There are six subjects tested through GRE Subject Test – Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
The duration of the exam for each of the 6 subjects is 2 hours and 50 minutes.
GRE Subject test is only available in the paper-delivered format up to three times a year in September, October and April.

GRE for Business School

- GRE Score is accepted by thousands of business schools across the world, including ivy leagues like Harvard Business School, Stanford University, HEC Paris, London Business School, and Oxford University.
- GRE General Test assesses candidates on parameters learned overtime, therefore, it is easier to score high on GRE than on GMAT.
- GRE costs less than GMAT or any other international management entrance test that measure candidates on the same skills.

GRE for Law School

Practicing law in the current times is one of the most lucrative career options for candidates. GRE General Test is used for admission into numerous Law Schools for the JD Program.

- Juris Doctor (JD) is an entry professional degree in law. It is basically a postgraduate course and can be used to practice law in the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Computerized Adaptive Testing in GRE

Computer delivered GRE is the standard form of testing, the paper delivered test is very rare and is conducted only in the regions where CBT mode is not possible. GRE is a computer adaptive test, which means that it is a form of computer based test which adapts to examinee’s ability. This works in the following way:

There will be two math sections and two verbal sections.
The difficulty (easy, medium, difficult) evel of the second section for both verbal and math shall be based on candidate’s performance in the first section.
If you get most questions right in the first section, you will get a difficult second section and your score range would go high.
If you get most questions wrong in the first section, you will get an easier second section and your score range would go low.

Scoreselect Option in GRE

Scoreselect option in GRE helps you to send the particular test scores to schools which you want them to see. This option is available in both – General and Subject tests.

Once you are done with the test and received your scores, you can either choose to not send your scores of that test or you can choose from any of the following options for each of your free score reports:

Most Recent: Send your scores from your current test.
All : Send your scores from all GREGeneral Test administrations in the last five years.

After the test day, you need to pay a fee to send your scores and you can choose from the following options:

Most Recent: Send your scores from your most recent test.
All: Send your scores from all test administrations in the last five years.
Any: Send your scores from one or as many test administrations as you like from the last five years.

Regardless of the option you pick, the schools you choose will only see the scores that you selected. There will be no additional information if you have taken multiple attempts at GRE.

How to Register for GRE?

Candidates can register for GRE General Test either online on the official website ets.org/gre or via phone. They can also request a GRE General Test Authorization Voucher by Mail.

- - The registration must be done at least 2 business days before the preferred test date.
  - GRE General Test consists of questions on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. GRE Subject Test aims at analysing candidate’s knowledge in a particular field of Study.
  - GRE Registration fee ranges between the US $ 205 – $ 230 depending upon the region a candidate is registering from.

GRE Online Application

Step1: Create an ETS Account

An individual seeking permanent residency in an English speaking country are required to take an English language test.

- The governments of English speaking countries accept IELTS Score for granting visas/ permanent residency.
- It is accepted as evidence of English Proficiency in countries like Australia, UK, Canada, New Zealand and many more

Visit the official website ets.org/gre.

1. 1. Click on “Register Now.” You will be redirected to a webpage to create an ETS Account.
  2. Click on “Create or Login to your ETS Account Now”.
  3. Click on “Create an Account”.
  4. Fill in the Information asked. The name you submit in the ETS Account must same as that on your passport.
  5. Select a username a password of your choice. Choose a security question and enter an answer that you can easily remember.
  6. Review the information you have provided. If you need to make any corrections, Click on “Back” and make the edits.
  7. If no edits are required, Click on “Submit”.

Step 2: Register for GRE

Login using username and password.
Click on “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates”.
Select a Test from the list of seven given GRE Tests.
Enter the location to find your nearest test center.
Select the month in which you wish to take the test.
Choose your preferred date and test center from the available choices.

Click on “Show Test Times”. Select the preferred slot as well as a mode of test.
Click on “Register”.
Review your personal information. Click on Edit, if you need to make any changes, else click on “Next”.
Provide Background Information like citizenship, educational status, the reason for taking GRE, etc. Click on “Next”.
Add any preparation material from the given list, if you want. Click on “Next”. You will be redirected to a checkout cart.

Click on “Proceed to Checkout”.
If you have any voucher code, enter it in the box given. Click on “Pay Now” to pay the application fee.

GRE Phone Registration

For registration in U.S., Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada, call the test center directly or Prometric Services at 1-443-751-4820 or 1-800-473-2255.
For registration outside the U.S. Visit the official website ets.org/gre.
Type RRC in the search box on the top right corner of the webpage.
Click on “Register to Test Outside the United States”.
Click on the link of Regional Registration Center (RRC). Call the appropriate RRC depending upon the region to book the test.
A confirmation number, reporting time and test center address will be provided during the call.

Requesting a GRE Authorization Voucher by Mail

Download, print and fill the Computer-delivered GRE General Test Authorization Voucher Request Form.
Mail the completed form with a paper check or money order of application fee to the address mentioned on the form.
The mail delivery and processing may take up to three weeks. A confirmation email from ETS after the registration has been processed.
GRE Test appointment using the voucher must be made before the expiration date on the authorization voucher.
It is strongly advised not to send the application fee in cash with the form. No action will be taken by the authorities in case of loss of cash.
Use the voucher to get an appointment for the test online or by calling the RRC.

Registration by Mail

GRE Registration by Mail is only available for Paper-delivered test for both GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test.
Download and Complete the Registration form and mail it to the address mentioned on the form along with the payment through money order or certified checks or voucher numbers.
The form must be received at ETS before the deadline of Registration.
It will take up to four weeks for the processing of registration.
A confirmation email will be sent to you confirming the test choice, test date, test center, and score recipients.

GRE Dates for Paper Delivered Testing for General Test are:

*Late registration is available for online registration only for a fee of US$25.
* Monday test dates will be November 11, 2019, and February 3, 2020.

GRE Dates for Paper Delivered Testing for Subject Test are:

*Late registration is available for online registration only for a fee of US$25.
*Monday test dates will be September 16, 2019, October 28, 2019, and April 6, 2020.

Payment of GRE Registration Fee

Online Mode

GRE Application fee can be paid online using a Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, China UnionPay, Diners Club, or JCB Credit Card/Debit Card.
The application fee can also be transferred directly from the bank account, provided it is a US bank.
Payment can also be made through e-check draw against U.S. Bank accounts only.
It can also be paid using PayPal if you have a PayPal account.
If you are taking the test in Nigeria, only Visa, PayPal or Voucher Numbers are accepted.

Offline Mode

Only money orders or paper checks sent to ETS with the registration form is acceptable.
Cash payment of application fee is not allowed

Rescheduling and Cancelling GRE Test Registration

Candidates have the option to reschedule or cancel the test date they have chosen for GRE.
They have to pay an additional cancellation or reschedule fee, as applicable.
Rescheduling or cancellation must be done at least four days prior to the test date(10 days if the applicant is from Mainland of China).
Testing fees and registrations cannot be exchanged between the GREGeneral Test and GRESubject Tests.
Full Test Fee would be forfeited if the candidates do not follow the proper guidelines.

Rescheduling & Cancelling GRE General Test Computer-delivered Test

No appointments can be rescheduled beyond 1 year of the originally scheduled appointment.
Candidates must provide their appointment confirmation number and the full name used for GRE Registration to reschedule their appointment.
Candidates can reschedule and/or the test date online through the ETS Account or by contacting the appropriate RRC over phone
For the United States, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada: Reschedule the Test Registration online using ETS Account or by calling Prometric Services at 1-443-751-4820 or 1-800-473-2255. Provide appointment confirmation number and the full name you used to make the appointment.
In Mainland China, candidates are required to log into theirNEEA Accountfor rescheduling their appointment.
In Hong Kong, Taiwan or Korea,rescheduling test registrationcan be done online as well as by contacting the GRE services.

Rescheduling & Cancelling GRE General & Subject Paper delivered Test

Candidates are allowed to reschedule and/or cancel the test within the same testing year only (July 1 – July 30).
Testing fees and registrations cannot be exchanged between the GREGeneral Test and GRESubject Tests.
Candidates can reschedule and/or cancel test registration in one of two ways: online through your ETS Account or by calling, faxing or writing GREServices

NOTE: Candidates can also request a change of test center following the process mentioned above. The choice of test center will only be accepted if there is any seat available at the chosen center. Alternatively, a candidate can report to the preferred test center on the test day with the confirmation email. If the center can accommodate the candidate and the test is available, there will be no additional charges.

GRE Fee

GRE Fee for registration and other services is to be paid in U.S Dollars. If the same is not available, the charges can be paid in the local currency of equivalent value. The fee for registration and other charges are as follows:

GRE General Test Fee and other Charges

The table enlists GRE General Test registration fee and charges for other services like rescheduling the test, changing the test centers, etc.:

GRE Subject Test Fee and other charges

The table enlists GRE Subject Test registration fee and charges for other services like rescheduling the test, changing the test centers etc.:

GRE Exam Pattern

The exam pattern of the two types of GRE – GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests is different. GRE General Test assesses skills acquired through everyday learning overtime. GRE Subject Tests measures knowledge in a particular field of study.

GRE General Test

Computer-delivered Test Pattern

The test is divided into six sections with a 10 minutes break after the third section.
The entire duration of the test is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Verbal Reasoning assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage in two sections.
Quantitative Reasoning assesses basic high school level mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills in two sections.
Analytical Writing consists of two tasks each of essay writing. Given below is structure followed by the GRE General Test:

Unidentified unscored section: This section is not counted in the GRE final score. The purpose of this section is to test questions prepared for future GRE General Test. There is no way of identifying which section this is, so skipping this section is not an option for the candidates.
Identified Research Section: It not included in the GRE final score. The section might be included in place of the unscored section. Research section would appear at the end of the test. The questions in this section are included for ETS Research Purposes.

Paper delivered Test Pattern

The paper is divided into six sections – two sections each of Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
The duration of the test is 3 hours 30 minutes with a 10 minutes break after the second section.
Candidates can attempt the VR and QR sections in any order they wish while taking GRE paper delivered test.
Analytical writing sections will be first in the sequence of sections while the order of remaining sections is not fixed.

GRE Subject Test

The duration of each subject test is 2 hours and 50 minutes.
There are 6 different subject tests – Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology.
Biology test consists of 190 five-choice questions from three major areas: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, and ecology and evolution.
Chemistry test consists of approximately 130 multiple choice questions from the four fields into which chemistry has been traditionally divided and some interrelationships among the fields.
Literature in English comprises of approximately 230 questions on poetry, drama, biography, the essay, the short story, the novel, criticism, literary theory and the history of English language.
Mathematics test is made up of 66 multiple choice questions from courses of undergraduate level.
Physics test has 100 five-choice questions aimed at assessing a candidate’s clarity of fundamental principles of physics and their ability to apply such principles.
Psychology consists of 205 multiple type questions from the core of knowledge of the courses offered at the undergraduate level in the field of psychology

GRE Result

ETS sends an email notifying the test takers when the result is released.
Candidates can check the GRE scores by login into their ETS accounts.
A copy of GRE Scorecard is sent to candidates within 10-15 days after the day of the test in case of computer-delivered test. The same for paper delivered test may take up to 5 weeks
Additional GRE Score Reports can be requested by candidates online, via mail or fax by paying an additional charge of $27. The same is sent to candidates with 5-10 business days.
Candidates can also request for a score review if they are not satisfied by the percentile scored by them. They need to pay an additional charge of $50 for the purpose.
The steps to check the GRE Score are given below:

Visit the official website ets.org/gre
Click on “ETS Account” on the right-hand corner of the webpage.
Login using username and password
Click ”View Scores and Score Recipients” under the title Scores.
Your Score Card will be displayed on the screen.

GRE Scoring System

GRE General Test:
- The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on a range of 130-170, in 1 point increments.
- Analytical Reasoning is scored in a range of 0–6, in half-point increments.
- If a candidate does not answer any questions of any/all measures, then a No Score (NS) is stated for that measure.

The average general test scores based on all test takers who tested between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2018 are tabulated below:

GRE Subject Test:
- All the subject tests are scored on a range of 200-990 with 10 point increments.
- The Biology and Psychology Tests also have subscore range on a 20–99 score scale, in one-point increments

The average subject test scores based on all test takers who tested between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2018 are tabulated below:

Scaled score percentiles for GRE General Test

The table below represents score v/s percentile for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures of GRE General Test:

Scaled score v/s writing percentage for the Analytical Writing measure of GRE General Test:

Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs

Candidates with special needs due to physical disabilities or health-related issues can avail facilities offered by ETS while taking the GRE Test.
The request for such accommodations can be made in the following ways:
- Online using the ETS Account
- Via Email at disability.reg@ets.org
- Via Mail by sending a request form at the following address: ETS Disability Services, P.O. Box 6054, Princeton, NJ 08541-6054 USA.
- Via Courier Service to the following address: ETS Disability Services, 225 Phillips Boulevard, Ewing, NJ 08628-1426 USA
ETS also provides special preparation material for candidates with disabilities and health-related needs. Check Here
List of facilities provided for GRE Test Taker with Disabilities or Health-related Needs are as follows:

Extended Testing Time: All tests are timed.

50 percent (time and one-half)
100 percent (double time; documentation required)

Extra Breaks: Breaks are not included in testing time (can be used for medication, snacks, trips to the restroom, etc.).

Accommodations for the Computer-delivered GRE General Test Only

Ergonomic keyboard
IntelliKeys keyboard
JAWS with or without a refreshable braille device
Keyboard with touchpad
Screen magnification
Selectable background and foreground colors
Trackball

Assistance

Reader
Scribe

Assistance for Spoken Directions Only

Oral interpreter for applicants who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
Sign language interpreter for applicants who are deaf or hard-of-hearing
A printed copy of spoken directions (for paper-delivered tests only)

Assistance for Note Taking

Braille slate and stylus for applicants who are blind or have low vision
Perkins brailler for applicants who are blind or have low vision

Alternate Test Formats

Braille for applicants who are blind or have low vision
Large-print test book
Recorded audio
Recorded audio with tactile figure supplement for applicants who are blind or have low vision
Recorded audio with large-print figure supplement for applicants who are blind or have low vision
Computer-voiced with tactile figure supplement for applicants who are blind or have low vision (GREGeneral Test in the U.S. only)
Computer-voiced with large-print figure supplement for applicants who are blind or have low vision (GRE General Test in the U.S. only)

Contact Information for Test Takers in India

Email: GRESupport4India@ets.org

Phone: 91-1244517127 or 000-800-100-4072 (toll free for test takers in India)

Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. IST (except for local holidays)