GRE :
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is required to be taken by students seeking admission to graduate schools. The exam has been developed to evaluate the verbal, analytical and mathematical skills of the candidates. GRE is a computer-based test and has a user-friendly design. Individuals applying to graduate schools in order to pursue a Master's of Science (MS) or MBA are required to take the exam.
GRE also has subject tests, apart from the basic GRE exam. These subject tests help to make your application stand out from the rest by highlighting your subject
knowledge and skill-level of a particular subject. Each subject test is intended for those students who have a bachelor's degree in the particular disciplines. The subject tests being offered currently are Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Literature, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
GRE exam is of two types
GRE General Test - The General Test takes into account verbal reasoning, quantitative ability, and analytical writing skills. Most universities accept the general test score and usually majority of students opt for this test. It takes place round the year and you can choose your date according to your convenience.
GRE Subject Test – The GRE Subject Test measures the candidate's achievement in a particular subject area. These tests are in the following areas: Biochemistry (Cell and Molecular Biology), Biology, Chemistry, Literature (English), Math, Physics and Psychology. It is conducted on a fixed date for everyone like an entrance exam. This test is required for specialized courses.
As per the GRE 2017 test pattern, the total duration of the Computer-based GRE General test is 3 hours 45 minutes.
There are six sections with a 10-minute break following the third section.
Section |
Number of Questions |
Allotted Time |
Analytical Writing |
One "Analyse an Issue" task and one "Analyse an Argument" task |
30 minutes per task |
Verbal Reasoning (2 Sections) |
20 questions per section |
30 minutes per section |
Quantitative Reasoning (2 Sections) |
20 questions per section |
35 minutes per section |
Unscored |
Varies |
Varies |
Research |
Varies |
Varies |
According to the GRE Test pattern 2017, the Unscored and the Research section do not count toward the actual GRE 2017 score. Research section may be included in place of the Unscored section. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on 130–170 scales.
Section |
Minimum |
Maximum |
Verbal |
130 |
170 |
Quantitative |
130 |
170 |
Combined |
260 |
340 |
It can definitely be confusing to contextualize your scores, especially because comparing Verbal scores to Quant scores can feel like comparing apples to oranges. So let's take a look at sectional scores and break it down a little more.
Note: GRE In-Section Scores
Because it's so important, here it is one more time:
Perfect GRE scores are 170 in each section, 340 combined.
Keep in mind that, depending on your program, your scores in one section may be weighted much more strongly in admissions. Potential English Lit MAs don't have to worry about Quant quite as much as potential Engineering PhDs. However, scoring high in both sections is a definite plus.
Indian student need to take Computer-delivered Tests Only
The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins at sign-in, ends at sign-out and includes breaks.
address, daytime telephone number, email address, original test date and registration or CBT appointment number, and a brief description of what occurred at the test center. All reimbursements will be made in U.S. dollars.
GRE Eligibility Criteria
Acronym |
GRE facts |
GRE eligibility criteria |
No specific eligibility criteria to pursue postgraduate programmes |
Test type |
GRE General (Aptitude) GRE Subject (Subjective) |
Test duration |
3 hours 45 minutes |
Test sections |
Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing |
GRE score |
130-170( per section) Analytical writing: 1-6 |
GRE 2017 scores are used by admissions panels at different universities across the world to supplement a candidate's undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study. Although, the test does not have any specific GRE eligibility criteria and does not bar anyone from applying for it, aspirants sitting for it have to keep in mind the requirements of the individual institutes they would be applying to.
Aspirants who are interested in pursuing a master's degree, specialised master's course or MBA usually sit for the GRE Test 2017 after fulfilling the eligibility criteria. For any master's course, candidates are required to hold a graduation degree first. A candidate may sit for the GRE 2017 but his/ her scores in the test will alone not be the yardstick for admission in the selection procedure of institute of choice. Also, different institutes have their own GRE eligibility criteria that students have to fulfil.
Gre Fees:
The registration fee to take the GRE is $195. This is cheaper than the $250 fee that you have to pay for GMAT. ETS is also willing to be flexible on the GRE test fee for test takers who can prove their financial hardship.
There are extra charges ($50) if you want to change your center or reschedule the test.
The GRE exam fees in Indian currency (Rupees) is INR 12,000. This test pricing is based on an exchange rate of 62 Rupees/Dollar. Use the prevailing rate to find the latest registration cost of the GRE test in rupees.
GMAT :
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer-adaptive test which assesses a person's analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in standard written English. This test is taken in preparation for being admitted into a graduate management program, such as MBA and Masters in Finance related courses.
The GMAT exam is a computer adaptive test and not a computer based test, which means that the candidate will get one question at a time and depending on the accuracy of the previous answer, the difficulty level of the next question will be ascertained. The average scores required for universities abroad varies; top tier universities require at least 710, while middle tier universities accept 600.
For Executive MBA, GMAC has recently introduced a new Mini GMAT called Executive Assessment exam. This exam is specially designed for EMBA applicants and is of considerably shorter duration. It is meant to test analytical and logical thinking of the applicant, which is more suited for the Executive MBA course.