GRE® General Information

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) general test is a multiple choice exam that can be taken as a computer-adaptive exam or a paper and pencil exam (in countries where the computer based exam is unavailable). The computer-adaptive functionality of the exam allows the exam to automatically adjust the level of difficulty of each question based upon your performance on the preceding question. The exam measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills that have been developed throughout a student’s formal education and are not related to any specific field of study. The concepts and skills tested by the GRE® are those identified as prerequisites for success in graduate programs.

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) subject tests are paper based tests in eight subject areas, including: Biochemistry (cell & molecular biology), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

Graduate School admission officers usually suggest you take the test at the end of your junior year. It is best to take it then, just in case you want to retake it early in your senior year. Typically, graduate programs begin accepting applications in December of any given year for an August enrollment start date. Graduate programs have a limited number of enrollment slots and so you want to apply to graduate school as soon after December as possible. Remember, it can take up to six weeks for ETS to mail your score report to your designated graduate schools.

You can register for the computer based test by phone, by mail or online. For more information, please visit ETS' website at www.ets.org and request a GRE® Information & Registration Bulletin.

The total number of questions that you answer correctly in the verbal and quantitative sections will first provide a raw score for each. A wrong answer will be scored exactly the same as an unanswered question; there is no additional penalty for wrong answers or guessing. Each raw score is then converted to a scaled score. The scaled score takes into account the level of difficulty of previous editions of the test. Each essay in the analytical writing section is scored by two readers, normally college faculty members, and is based upon criteria published in the GRE® analytical writing scoring guides. Your raw score is determined by adding the scores you receive on each of the two responses you write. Because two different readers rate each essay, your total raw analytical writing score is the sum four scores; two for the first response and two for the second.

The scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections will be reported on a scale ranging from 200 (lowest) – 800 (highest). The raw score you receive on each section is converted to a score on this scale.

The exact conversion of the raw score to a scaled score is not constant; because different sets of questions are used on different test dates. The conversion of raw scores to scaled scores compensates for small variations in difficulty between sets of questions, and also helps minimize variability due to factors unrelated to your skill or knowledge. This scale tends to provide a more stable and accurate assessment of a student’s abilities.

The Analytical writing section will be reported on a scale ranging from 0 (lowest) – 6 (highest). Each number represents the sum of two scores on each Analytical writing essay. The sum can result from different combinations of individual scores (assigned along a 6-point scale). For example, a student whose scores are 4 and 5 on the 1st essay and a 4 and 4 on the 2nd essay – a raw score of 17 would receive the same numerical score point as a student who scored a 3 and 3 on the 1st essay and a 5 and 6 on the 2nd essay. In addition to scores for each essay, a total score will also be reported.

Graduate schools admission committees will consider your GRE® scores along with other information in evaluating your qualifications for graduate school. The emphasis that the committee places on your score will vary from school to school. Other sources of information used by admission committees include:

- Undergraduate point averages

- Breadth and difficulty of undergraduate coursework

- Letters of recommendation from undergraduate advisors or others

- Personal statements or admissions essays

- Involvement in extracurricular activities

- Involvement in related work and research

- Participation in other activities demonstrating motivation, responsibility, maturity, integrity, resourcefulness, tolerance, perseverance, dedication to service, or other relevant characteristics

- Graduate school (some do not require) interview results

GRE® scores are given greater attention in the evaluation of the academic records of candidates from colleges that are unfamiliar to the admission committee. In such cases, comparing GRE® scores with grades provides an estimate of the candidate's academic accomplishments in relation to those of candidates from colleges more familiar to the committee.

If you feel that your scores are low, or that the scores do not accurately reflect your ability, you may wish to take the GRE® again. GRE® policy states you may take the computer-based GRE® exam once per calendar month. If you test more than once per month, your new scores will not be reported and your test fee will be forfeited. All your scores will be written in the report as long as they are valid (less than 5 years.) Even if you cancel a score, this will be indicated on your score report.

According to a survey of graduate school admission officers, multiple sets of scores may be used in one of several ways:

- Some schools only consider the most recent set of scores

- Others take an average of the scores

- A larger number of schools consider multiple sets of scores equally and note improvements (most common)

- Finally, some schools use only the highest set of scores or the highest individual section scores

You may wish to consult an institution's admission office directly for information about its procedures