Result Oriented Courses - GRE

What is GRE?
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a required test for most American Graduate schools. Nearly 2300 universities in the US require GRE scores from the prospective students. GRE is designed to test fundamental verbal, mathematical and logical skills that a student is expected to have assimilated in course of his or her college education.

Universities require an Undergraduate degree (Bachelor's Degree) from an accredited college, university, or institute. Along with the GRE scores, universities have a minimum eligibility criteria based on educational qualifications, work experience or sometimes both. Prospective students are required to contact their respective universities for eligibility details.

The GRE is also being administered exclusively as a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). The GRE can be taken on computer at authorized, special testing centers located throughout the US and around the world.

Exam format
The General Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The test consists of three scored sections.

Verbal 30 questions 30 minutes	The verbal measure tests your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences, and recognize relationships between words and concepts. Because students have wide-ranging backgrounds, interests, and skills, the verbal sections of the General Test use questions from diverse areas of experience. The areas tested range from the activities of daily life to broad categories of academic interest such as the sciences, social studies, and the humanities.
Quantitative 28 questions 45-minute	The quantitative measure tests your basic mathematical skills and your understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, as well as your ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems in a quantitative setting. The content areas included in the quantitative sections of the test are arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. These are content areas usually studied in high school.
Analytical 35 questions 60-minute	The analytical measure tests your ability to understand structured sets of relationships, deduce new information from sets of relationships, analyze and evaluate arguments, identify central issues and hypotheses, draw sound inferences, and identify plausible casual explanations. Questions in the analytical section measure reasoning skills developed in virtually all fields of study. No formal training in logic or methods of analysis is needed to do well in these sections.

As of October 2002, the "Analytical Ability" section will be replaced with an Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).

Click here (www.gre.org) to learn everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to the GRE.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a CAT and how does it work?
A CAT is a computer-adaptive test, whose software calculates your score based on the number of questions you answer correctly, the difficulty of the questions you answer, and the number of questions you complete. When you take the GRE CAT, you'll begin each section with a medium-level question and a score of 500. If you answer the question correctly, the computer will raise your score and give you a harder question. If you answer the question incorrectly, your score will decrease and you'll be given an easier question. The process repeats for each question in the section, to arrive at your final score for that section.

How is the GRE scored?
Each of the three sections is scored on a scale of 200 to 800. The average scores for the GRE are about 470 for Verbal, 570 for Quantitative, and 540 for Analytical.

How important are my GRE scores?
Schools vary tremendously in the weights they place on the different factors in the admission process, so be sure to contact the specific schools to which you are applying in order to determine their unique requirements. Some programs weight GRE scores very heavily, and/or have a minimum score for applicants, while other programs consider GRE scores more of a formality. It is important to note that your GRE scores are a major factor in determining your eligibility for financial aid.

Can I cancel my scores?
Yes. You can cancel your scores immediately after you take the GRE. This is the only time you can cancel your scores. Unfortunately, you must make the decision to cancel at the test center before you see your scores. In addition, the fact that you cancelled your scores will be noted on your official GRE score report.

How do I know if I am ready for the GRE?
Try our, a full-length practice test. When you finish the practice test you'll get a complete report detailing your strengths and weaknesses. If you are satisfied with your results, then you may be ready. If you feel that you still need help, enroll for a GRE course..

How do I pick a test date?
First find out the application deadlines for the graduate schools to which you are applying, then work backwards from your earliest deadline. Build some extra time into your planning process for unexpected delays because you can only take the GRE once per calendar month. Keep in mind that it can take as long as four weeks for your official scores to arrive at your designated schools. The GRE is offered at testing centers almost every day. Call your local center for details and to book your test. While in theory you could sign up for the GRE with only two days' notice, don't depend upon this luxury. Call at least one month prior to your desired test date.

What fees are associated with the GRE?
The fee to take the GRE is $105 within the United States, some U.S. Territories, and Puerto Rico. The fee is $130 in all other locations.

What are the GRE Subject Tests and Writing Assessment Test (WAT)?
The GRE Subject Tests are intended to measure your knowledge of specific subject matter. Subject Tests are available in eight disciplines: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; literature in English; mathematics; physics; and psychology. These tests are given in paper-and-pencil format three times per year, in November, December, and April.

The WAT is a computer-based test, consisting of two analytical writing tasks: a 45-minute essay in which you present your perspective on a particular issue; and a 30-minute essay in which you analyze an argument.

These tests are given separately from the GRE General Test and require additional fees. Check with the graduate schools to which you are applying to determine whether any of these extra tests are required.

As of October 2002, the WAT will become part of the GRE General Test, replacing the multiple-choice "Analytical Ability" section.

Where can I get more information about the GRE?
For more information on GRE, talk to our counselors at 04-3316442 / 06-5732591 (in UAE).

More information can be had from www.gre.org