Graduate Record Examinations

Graduate Record Examinations
source
Name	Graduate Record Examinations
Acronym	GRE
Type	Computer-based and paper-based standardized test
Developer / administrator	Educational Testing Service
Knowledge / skills tested	Analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning.
Purpose	Admissions to graduate and business schools.
Year started	1936
Duration	About 1 hour 58 minutes (General Test)
Score range	130–170 (Verbal and Quantitative); 0–6 (Analytical Writing)
Score validity	5 years
Regions	Worldwide
Language	English
Website	https://www.ets.org/gre

Graduate Record Examinations. The Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools, primarily in the United States and Canada, and for some business schools globally. Created and administered by the Educational Testing Service, the exam aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. Scores are used by admissions committees, often alongside undergraduate GPAs, letters of recommendation, and other materials, to assess the readiness of applicants for graduate-level academic work.

Overview

The test serves as a common metric for comparing candidates from diverse educational and international backgrounds. Many universities, including prestigious institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recommend or require scores from applicants to their master's and doctoral programs. In addition to traditional academic fields, many Master of Business Administration programs accept these scores, providing an alternative to other specialized entrance exams. The examination is offered at Prometric testing centers and via online proctoring in most locations around the world.

Structure and content

The current General Test is a multi-stage, computer-adaptive exam divided into three primary sections. The Analytical Writing section requires test-takers to write one "Analyze an Issue" essay and one "Analyze an Argument" essay, each within a 30-minute time limit. The Verbal Reasoning section assesses reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence, drawing vocabulary and passages from academic contexts. The Quantitative Reasoning section tests high-school level arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, with an on-screen calculator provided. An unidentified unscored research section or a identified unscored section may also be included.

Scoring

For the Verbal and Quantitative sections, scores are reported on a scale from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, evaluated by at least one trained human rater and one e-rater computerized program. Score reports also include a percentile rank for each section, indicating the percentage of test-takers who scored lower over a recent multi-year period. These scores are reportable for five years, and examinees can use the ScoreSelect option to choose which scores to send to designated institutions.

Use in admissions

Admissions committees at graduate departments use the scores as one component of a holistic review process. The weight given to them varies significantly by institution and program; fields like engineering, physical sciences, and psychology may emphasize the quantitative score, while humanities programs often focus more on verbal and writing scores. Some programs, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, have adopted test-optional or test-blind policies. Leading business schools, including those at the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) and Northwestern University (Kellogg School of Management), accept the exam for their MBA admissions.

Preparation and resources

A wide range of commercial preparation materials is available from companies such as Kaplan, Inc., The Princeton Review, and Manhattan Prep. The official administrator, Educational Testing Service, provides free and paid preparation materials, including the PowerPrep software that features full-length practice tests. Many candidates also utilize self-study with vocabulary lists, textbooks on mathematics, and online question banks. Preparation strategies often focus on familiarization with the computer-adaptive test format, time management, and review of fundamental concepts in grammar and statistics.

History and development

The examination was first administered in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and four prestigious universities, including Yale University. In 1948, the newly formed Educational Testing Service took over its development and administration. A major revision in 2011 introduced the current 130–170 scoring scale, reduced the emphasis on obscure vocabulary, and integrated the computer-adaptive format by section rather than by question. The Subject Tests, which assessed knowledge in specific fields like Biochemistry, were discontinued worldwide in 2023, consolidating the focus on the General Test.

Category:Standardized tests Category:Educational Testing Service Category:Graduate school admissions