What is GRE? GRE Full Form, GRE Subjects & More

A GRE exam is a globally accepted aptitude test for students aspiring to apply for a graduate or professional program. It evaluates a candidate’s reasoning, quantitative, and analytical skills that are vital for a graduate program. It is widely recognized by prestigious universities like Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Oxford, as a requirement in the admissions process. Whether you are planning to apply for a master’s or a Ph.D. program, understanding what is GRE can help you thoroughly prepare for it. In this blog, we’ve discussed the types of GRE exams that you can take and the top countries and universities that accept a GRE score.

What is GRE?

The full form for the GRE is the Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardized exam for studying abroad designed to evaluate students’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. It measures problem-solving skills that are essential for success in graduate-level education. It is widely accepted by universities around the world including the US, the UK, Canada, etc, making it an important step toward pursuing higher education globally. 

One of the key benefits of the GRE exam is its flexibility. It simplifies the application process for a wide range of graduate programs, making it an important step for students aiming to advance their academic and professional goals. Additionally, a high GRE score can also give students a competitive edge during their application process. 

Now that we have explored what is GRE exam, let’s explore the different types of GRE exams. 

Types of GRE Exam

The GRE examination is offered in two primary formats: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. Each format assesses different skills and is suited for various academic goals. 

• GRE General Test: This test evaluates a candidate’s critical thinking, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning skills. It provides a broad assessment of academic abilities applicable to any graduate program.
• GRE Subject Test: It measures expertise in specific subject areas such as Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology. This makes it particularly beneficial for applicants to STEM or psychology programs at prestigious universities.

Here’s a table highlighting the key differences between a GRE General Test and a GRE Subject Test.

Feature	GRE General Test	GRE Subject Test
Purpose	This is a broad assessment of analytical skills	It provides a focused assessment of subject knowledge
Fees	₹22,500	₹14,500
Duration	3 hours and 45 minutes	Approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes
Sections	Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing	Subject-specific questions

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What Are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Sections in a GRE General Test?

The GRE exam evaluates your critical thinking, verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and quantitative analysis skills. Each section focuses on different skill sets. Here’s an overview of the following sections.

i. Analytical Writing:

This section assesses a candidate’s ability to evaluate complex situations and come up with efficient solutions. Also known as the ‘essay’ section, it requires you to articulate your thoughts rationally and logically. You will be given one issue task to solve under 30 minutes. It is important to come up with well-supported arguments to score the maximum marks. 

ii. Verbal Reasoning:

The verbal reasoning section is divided into two distinct parts.

• The first section consists of 12 questions and you would have 18 minutes to solve them. 
• The second section consists of 15 questions that must be solved in under 23 minutes. 

This section focuses on sentence equivalence, text completion, and reading comprehension. It tests your ability to understand sentence structure, relationships between words, and vocabulary. 

iii. Quantitative Reasoning:

Similar to verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning consists of two different sections.

• The first section includes 12 questions that must be solved within 21 minutes.
• The second section consists of 15 questions that should be solved within 26 minutes. 

Quantitative reasoning generally covers geometry,  algebra, data analysis, and arithmetic. It assesses a candidate’s ability to evaluate and solve mathematical problems.

What are GRE Subject Tests?

A GRE Subject Test measures a student’s proficiency in a particular subject. It is prepared for students who have pursued their undergraduate program in a given field of study and are aspiring to pursue their master’s. It typically assesses a candidate’s expertise in mathematics, physics, and psychology discipline. 

Let’s explore what is a graduate record examination subject test in detail.

i. Mathematics

This test is aimed at students who are interested in pursuing their mathematics courses abroad. The test consists of 66 multiple-choice questions and candidates have a duration of 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete the test. The topics covered in the test include: 

• Calculus: 50%
• Algebra: 25%
• Additional Topics: 25%

ii. Physics

The GRE physics test is designed for students who wish to pursue or further their education in any physics-related area. This test includes approximately 70 multiple-choice questions. Also, candidates have 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete the exam. This test focuses on the following areas: 

• Atomic Physics
• Special Relativity
• Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
• Electromagnetism
• Classical Mechanics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Laboratory Methods
• Optics and Wave Phenomena
• Specialized Topics

iii. Psychology:

The psychology test is intended for students who are pursuing a course in psychology or a related field at an international university. It has approximately 144 multiple-choice questions and must be written in 2 hours and 50 minutes. This test focuses on the following areas: 

• Cognitive Psychology (17-21%)
• Biological Psychology (17-21%)
• Measurement/Methodology (15-19%)
• Clinical Psychology (15-19%)
• Social Psychology (12-14%)
• Developmental Psychology (12-14%)

Top 10 Countries Accepting a GRE Score

The GRE is recognized in more than 90 countries worldwide as a valid aptitude test for a master’s program. Its wide acceptance simplifies the application process for students, eliminating the need to take multiple entrance exams for different countries. The table below outlines the top countries where international students commonly pursue their master’s degrees. It also features prestigious universities and the average GRE scores required for admission.

Country	Popular Universities	Average GRE Score
United States	Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of California	315–330
United Kingdom	University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics	310–325
Canada	University of Toronto, McGill University, The University of British Columbia	305–320
India	IITs, IIMs, ISB	300–325
Australia	University of Melbourne, The Australian National University, University of Sydney	305–320
Germany	Technical University of Munich, RWTH Aachen, Heidelberg	300–320
Singapore	National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University	315–325
Sweden	KTH, Lund University	300–310
Netherlands	Delft University of Technology, University of Amsterdam	300–315
China	Tsinghua University, Peking University	310–320

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Top 10 Universities Accepting a GRE Score

The GRE is a prestigious aptitude examination accepted by over 1300 business schools globally for admissions into graduate and professional programs. By scoring high marks in the verbal, quantitative, and writing sections you can strengthen your application. The following table contains a list of top universities and the average GRE score required to secure admission to the university of your choice.

Universities	Verbal	Quantitative	Writing
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	158	159	5.3
Stanford University	159	158	4.8
University of California, Berkeley	153 – 156	167	4.5
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	155	167	5.0
Johns Hopkins University	163	164	4.8
Duke University	160	160	4.5
The University of Texas, Austin	155	165	4.0
University of Notre Dame	165	165	5.3
California Institute of Technology	160	157	5.0
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor	160	167	5.0

Also Read: Top MBA Colleges in the World

GRE Exam Eligibility Criteria

The GRE exam is open to various candidates, including fresh graduates or someone with multiple gap years. The ETS board that organizes GRE exams has established very flexible eligibility criteria to encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to take the test. Here are some of the criteria that you must meet to appear for a GRE exam.

• Identity Proof: Candidates must have a valid passport that does not expire any time soon. It must have your photograph, signature, and name. Your passport must be original as photocopies of any kind are not acceptable by ETS.
• Age Limit: There are no age restrictions for the GRE exam. Candidates of any age group can take the GRE exam.
• Educational Qualification: ETS accepts candidates from all educational backgrounds. Although the GRE does not specify an educational level, universities accept candidates who have either completed their undergraduate education or are in their final year.

Conclusion

Understanding what is a GRE exam is very important if you are applying for graduate programs both overseas and in India. GRE assesses a candidate’s critical and theoretical ability through verbal reasoning, quantitative skills, and analytical writing abilities. Scoring a high GRE score can significantly improve your chances of getting accepted into a top university across several disciplines. 

If you’re planning to study abroad, it’s also important to check out English language proficiency exams like TOEFL or IELTS to help you choose the right exam for your needs. 

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