Your Insider Guide to the GRE

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GRE Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: How do I register for the GRE?

A: The best way is online, via the ETS website. You can also sign up by phone.

Q: When can I take the GRE, and where?

A: It depends on where you live, but testing is available throughout the year (seven days per week in some locations) at test centers around the world.

Q: How high do my GRE scores have to be for graduate school?

A: Reviewing the websites of the degree programs you are considering should give you a realistic idea. Most programs report average GRE scores for accepted students rather than GRE minimum requirements for applicants.

Q: I'd like to go to law school. Can I take the GRE for this purpose?

A: No, applicants to law schools in the United States and Canada take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

Q: Do business schools accept the GRE?

A: In most cases, yes.

Q: I'm an international student. Will my fluency in English be assumed when I take the GRE?

A: Yes.

Q: What types of questions will I see on the GRE?

A: The majority of quantitative and verbal questions are multiple choice, but there are a few other types, such as numeric entry on the quantitative section. The analytical writing section requires essay writing only.

Q: How much does it cost to sign up for the GRE?

A: $205, unless you're in China, where it costs $220.70.

Q: Who administers the GRE?

A: The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), one of the world's largest non-profit testing organizations.

Q: What preparation materials will I need?

A: We suggest the Official Guide to the GRE General Test, published by ETS. However, students must understand that books alone are usually insufficient, and optimal scores almost always require professional instruction.

Q: How many sections are there on the GRE, and how are they scored?

A: The GRE includes an analytical writing section, two verbal reasoning sections, and two quantitative reasoning sections. The test is scored from 130 to 170 each for verbal and quantitative and 0 to 6 for analytical writing.

Q: For how long are GRE scores valid?

A: Five years from the date of the test.

Q: How long does it take for score reports to become available?

A: Scores are available 10-15 days after the test.

Q: Where can I find good GRE practice tests?

A: The ETS Official Guide includes four official practice tests, and additional official practice materials are available from the online store on the ETS website. Private test prep firms publish unofficial practice tests, which are often available free of charge.

Q: How long should I spend preparing for the GRE?

A: At least 2-3 months. We suggest that students begin their preparation by taking a diagnostic GRE, and using the results to plan their study.

Finding the Right Time to Take the GRE

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Deciding when to take an exam can be a difficult process for something with as much importance behind it as the GRE. Since the GRE is so widely accepted and offered year-round, there are a plethora of options available. This article aims to offer advice on optimal timings to sit for the GRE that will give you a competitive edge.

Six Helpful Tips for Properly Preparing for the GRE

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Standardized tests are similar in many ways and there are certain strategies that can be applied to almost all of them, GRE included. If you are looking for the most efficient and effective methods of preparing for an exam of this magnitude, then take a look at these tips and see if you can apply them to your own GRE preparation process.

GRE Essay Writing Tasks: How to Use your Time

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Effectively make use of the given time for the GRE Analytical Writing Assessment. Implement the below strategies to increase your chances of attaining high GRE AWA scores and improving your overall writing abilities.