The GRE is a standardized test used for admission to graduate and business schools, especially in the United States and Canada. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.
Open to all; no specific academic degree required.
Most candidates are college graduates or final-year students.
A valid passport is required for test-takers in many countries.
Total Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes (GRE General Test, revised shorter format as of September 2023)
GRE General Test: $220 USD (worldwide standard)
Subject Tests (optional): $150 USD
Additional fees for rescheduling, changing test center, etc.
Section | Description | Time |
---|---|---|
Analytical Writing | 1 essay (Analyze an Issue) | 30 min |
Verbal Reasoning | 2 sections, reading comprehension & vocab reasoning | 41 min |
Quantitative Reasoning | 2 sections, math-based problem solving | 47 min |
Unscored/Research (optional) | Used for ETS research or trial questions | Varies |
Scoring:
Verbal: 130–170 (1-point increments)
Quant: 130–170 (1-point increments)
Writing: 0–6 (half-point increments)
Total: 260–340 for Verbal + Quant combined