Graduate Record Examinations

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

History

The GRE was significantly overhauled in August 2011, resulting in an exam that is not adaptive on a question-by-question basis, but rather by section, so that the performance on the first verbal and math sections determine the difficulty of the second sections presented. Initially, the demand for GREs was not high, with only about 1,000 test takers per year until after World War II, when the number began to increase to about 30,000 per year. By the early 1960s, the number had increased to about 75,000 annually, and by the 2000s, about 500,000 individuals took the test each year.

Structure

The GRE General Test is divided into three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The scoring scale for the Verbal and Quantitative sections is from 130 to 170, in 1-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. In addition to the General Test, there are also subject tests that assess knowledge in specific fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

Verbal Reasoning

This section assesses reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage. The test taker has to analyze and draw conclusions from discourse, reason from incomplete data, and identify author's assumptions and/or perspective.

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses basic high school level mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills. It covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The emphasis is on problem solving and quantitative comparison.

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing section tests the test taker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support ideas with relevant reasons and examples, examine claims and accompanying evidence, and sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion.

Preparation

Preparation for the GRE involves reviewing basic concepts in mathematics, vocabulary, and writing, as well as taking practice tests to become familiar with the test format and timing. Various resources are available for preparation, including books, online materials, and coaching classes.

Registration

Test takers can register for the GRE on the ETS website, by phone, or by mail. The test is offered at prometric testing centers worldwide, as well as at additional testing locations outside of the prometric network.

Use in Admissions

The GRE score is used by admissions panels to supplement undergraduate records, recommendation letters, and other qualifications for graduate-level study. The importance of a GRE score can vary widely between schools and departments within schools. Some programs do not require the GRE for admission.

Criticism

The GRE has been criticized for not being a true measure of whether a student will be successful in graduate school. Critics argue that the test is biased against certain groups, and that its high cost can be a barrier to entry for some students.