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The GRE (Graduate Record Exam)
There are two kinds of GRE: The GRE
General Test and GRE Subject Tests. Check
with the program you are applying to for information on which
GREs you should take.
NOTE: A revised GRE General Test was
introduced in October 2007.
There were significant
changes to the format and types of questions asked on the verbal
reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing
sections of the test. The new test is also computer-based
rather than computer-adaptive (meaning that everyone who takes
the test will answer the same questions, rather than being
presented with questions selected by the computer on the basis
of test performance.)
Administered by:
ETS (The Educational Testing Service)
Registration:
Online:
GRE Homepage
By phone (for General Test registration only):
1-800-GRE-CALL
By mail: Download a mail registration form
You may take the GRE General Test no more than one time per
calendar month, and no more than 5 times in a year.
Test dates:
The GRE General test is given year-round
at computer based test centers in the US, Canada, and many other
countries. It is also offered as a paper-based test in countries
where computer testing is not available. See the ETS
GRE Web
page for details.
Fees:
General Test Fees (for both computer and paper based
tests):
$140 – US, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands
$175 – China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
$170 – Other locations
Subject Test Fees:
$130 – US, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands
$150 – Other locations
Length:
General Test: approximately 3 hours
Subject Test: approximately 3 and 1/2 hours
Scoring:
General Test: You receive three scores for the General Test – a verbal reasoning
score (200 to 800, in 10-point increments); a quantitative reasoning score (200 to 800,
in 10-point increments); and an analytical writing score (0 to 6 scale, in half point increments).
Unofficial verbal and quantitative scores are available at the end of a computer based test session. Official scores for computer based tests are reported approximately two weeks after your test date. Official scores for paper based tests are reported four to six weeks after your test date.
Subject Tests: A Subject Test has a single total score, on a 200 to 990 scale, in 10 point increments. Subject tests in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; and Psychology Tests also report subscores on a 20-99 score scale, in 1-point increments.
Subject test score reports are mailed four to six weeks after the test date.
GRE Information for Selected Graduate Programs:
University of California Berkeley, School of Public
Policy - GRE General Test scores for admitted students
entering in fall 2007:
Quant: 380 to 800, average 710
Verbal: 320 to 790, average 620
Analytical Writing: 2.5 to 6.0, average 5
University of California at Santa Barbara, Department of English – GRE General and Subject Test scores for students admitted to the MA/PhD program in 2007:
Average Verbal: 665
Average Writing: 5.30
Average Literature: 609
Tufts University – the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy gives this statement on GRE scores in admissions decisions:
"The Admissions Committee
does not have a minimum requirement for GRE or GMAT test
scores. In recent years the middle 50% of GRE verbal and quantitative scores achieved by the enrolling class has been in the 600 - 700 range."
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Department of History gives this statement on GRE scores in admissions decisions:
"The department does not require or pay any heed to the GRE Subject exam in History. However, it pays considerable attention to GRE Verbal Scores which have proven to have a high correlation with long-term success in our program. The average GRE percentage score for domestic (U.S.) students accepted into the program in the last few years has been in the high 80's. Successful applicants generally have scores in the 80% or above range."
Cornell University's Department of Communication gives this statement on GRE scores in admissions decisions:
"We admit students with a fairly wide range of GRE scores. However, the average GRE score for admitted students is very competitive. Most students admitted to graduate studies in the Field of Communication in the years 2000-2005 had combined verbal and quantitative scores above 1200. A low GRE score doesn't make it impossible to get in, but you'll have to convince us."
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