Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

What is GRE

GRE is a test of general as well as specific skills and abilities that you have acquired over time.

GRE test scores are used by schools for their graduation program. The scores provide common measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants and aid in evaluating grades and recommendations. GRE consists of two separate tests.

GRE General Test

All the candidates need to take this test

GRE Subject Tests

Some schools require candidates to take specific subject test for considering their admission for Graduation Program.

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Before giving GRE do some study about the schools you want to apply. Look into their eligibility criteria, whether they need GRE Subject test also. Its always advisable to give GRE subject test before applying to those schools. you should register for the subject test approximately six weeks before it is given.

GRE General Test

The GRE General Test measures quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills which are not related to any specific field of study.

Computer Based General Test

Total testing time is up to 3 hours. The analytical writing section is always first. There are two sections for writing test.

Issue Topic:

Two topics will be presented and one need to be selected.

Argument Topic:

One topic will be presented. Candidates are not presented with choice in this section. The verbal and quantitative sections may appear in any order.

Apart from the above sections there can be two more sections.

• An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section may be included and may appear in any order after the analytical writing section which is not counted as part of the total score.
• At the end of the test an identified research section that is not scored may be included.

Paper Based General Test

Total testing time is up to 3 hours 45 minutes. The analytical writing section is always first. There are two sections for writing test.

Issue Topic

Two topics will be presented and one need to be selected.

Argument Topic

one topic will be presented. Candidates are not presented with choice in this section. The verbal and quantitative sections may appear in any order.

Apart from the above sections there can be one more section.

An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section may be included and may appear in any order after the analytical writing section which is not counted as part of the total score.

GRE Subject Tests

The GRE Subject Tests measures undergraduate achievement in the eight disciplines listed below. Students who have extensive background or having the subject as a major in undergraduate course usually go for the subject test.

• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Literature in English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

Note: This is not required for all the schools, but some schools only consider applications of students taking GRE general test as well as subject test of their interest.

Time of Exam

The Subject Tests are given at paper-based test centers worldwide three times a year in:

• April
• November
• December

GRE Revised General Test

A revised GRE General Test is expected to be launched around September 2007.

The revised Test will measure the same general skills that are currently measured.
Ex: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing. The major change is the format of all the different sections.

Total testing time will be about 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Apart from the above sections there can be one more section.

New Quantitative Section

• More emphasis on problems based on reasoning
• Proportion of questions involving real life scenarios
• Geometry questions may be decreased
• On-screen four-function (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with square root calculator will be provided to the candidates
• Some problems may need to be answered as fill in the blanks (There may not be choices for some questions)

New Verbal Section

• There will be a decreased dependency on vocabulary
• Emphasis on complex reasoning
• More text based materials such as reading passages
• Reading passages will have broader selection

New Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing Section

• Topics may be introduced to reduce the possibility of candidates using memorized materials.
• A performance-based measure that integrates the assessment of critical thinking and analytical writing

Important Points to know

• GRE Program plans to offer a paper-based revised General Test for places where Internet connectivity is a problem. The schedule for paper-based testing will be announced in the starting of 2007.
• Quantitative section will have an on-screen calculator. The calculator will have four functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and a square root
• The scores will remain valid for 5 years
• Registration for the revised General Test may begin around July 2007. The last date for registering a test online or by phone will be 7 days prior to the test date. Registrations by mail must be received at least four weeks before the requested first choice date.
• Exam fees may increase. No official announcement as of now.

GRE Test Centers in India (Computer Based Test)

For Registration Contact New Delhi Office

Prometric
160-A, Senior Plaza
Gautam Nagar, Yusuf Sarai
New Delhi-110049, India.
Ph: (011)26531442
Fax:(011)26529741.

Different Test Centers in India

AHMADABAD

Test Center Number: 8902
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
301-302, Abhijeet-II, Mitha Kali,
6 Road, Elisbridge,
Ahmadabad, Gujarat
Ph: (079)6561088.

ALLAHABAD

Test Center Number: 8903
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
119/25A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg
Civil Lines
Allahabad, UP
Ph: (0532)2622477.

BANGALORE

Test Center Number: 8904
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
1st Floor, Maini Sadan
7th Cross, No 38 Lavelle Road
Bangalore – 560001
Ph: (080)2292554.

CALCUTTA

Test Center Number: 8906
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
1/C, 1st Floor, Sukh Sagar Bldg
Sarat Bose Road
Calcutta – 700020
Ph: (033)24852792.

CHENNAI

Test Center Number: 8909
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
15, 2nd Floor, Romar House
Jagannathan Road, Nugambakkam
Chennai – 600034
Ph: (044)28241875.

HYDERABAD

Test Center Number: 8908
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
Avenue 1/ Plot 1672, Street 20, Road No 12
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad – 500034
Ph: 91-40-23308504.

MUMBAI

Test Center Number: 8921
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric
Marwah House, Saki Vihar Road
Saki Naka, Andheri East
Mumbai – 400072
Ph: (022)28573160.

NEW DELHI

Test Center Number: 8913
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

160-A, Senior Plaza
Gautam Nagar, Yusuf Sarai
New Delhi-110049, India.
Ph: (011)26531442
Fax:(011)26529741.

TRIVANDRUM

Test Center Number: 8912
Tests Offered: GRE, GMAT, TOEFL

Prometric Testing (P) Ltd.
2nd Floor, PTC Towers
ss coil road, Thampanoor
Trivandrum – 695001
Ph: (0471)2338662.

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