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| GRE
- GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION |
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GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION (GRE)
Overview
GRE Exam is actually Graduate Recorded Exam. The Education
Testing Service (ETS) directs The Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) on behalf of the Graduate Record Examinations Board
and the Council of Graduate Schools. GRE Exam is chiefly
a multiple-choice test. The GRE Exam scores have to be
submitted by students aspiring for admission in Graduate
or post-Graduate study in USA. GRE is prerequisite for
admissions to most graduate programs in USA other than
Law, Business and Medicine. Apart from the general GRE
Exam there are about 12 GRE subject Tests offered by the
program to help determine a student’s success in
specific fields. In addition to this the GRE program also
offers a variety of services and publications to help
students transfer to their respective graduate program.
It’s an exam which prospective undergraduates have
to take in order to take admission in a graduation course
in US. When you pass out of a school and seek admission
in a college or university you will be expected to have
taken the GRE. This exam is a part of the admission criteria
of colleges. Your school results are not sufficient for
admission in an international college. College admission
authorities intend to take in the best students so that
they produce good results. GRE acts as a source of certifying
the caliber of students at the same standard level.
GRE tests the candidates for their proficiency in English,
their ability of quantitative reasoning and their analytical
writing skills. This it done through three sections of
the test; Verbal Section, Quantitative Reasoning Section
and Analytical Writing Section. Each of this section has
a fixed format and fixed types of questions. These questions
are not of the ordinary type and level which you have
done during your schooling. They are tricky and require
practice and study. Hence in order to score well you will
have to take up GRE study seriously and work hard. After
all, it is not just the passing that counts here but a
good score as well. It is finally the merit that the colleges
will consider for admitting students.
The first step towards GRE study is planning. You have
to start well in advance about when and how you are going
to start preparing for the exam. Gain as much knowledge
about the test as you can through friends, books, teachers,
internet, official websites, blogs etc. After you are
well aware of what the test requirements are choose the
best medium for GRE study according to your capabilities
and shortcomings. For each section of GRE you will have
to practice. There is no portion of the test which you
can attempt without studying specifically for it.
About GRE
There are two versions of the GRE Exam, the first is the
- GRE Exam - General
- GRE Exam - Subject
Administered By
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Required For
Candidates seeking admission in a Masters Degree program
in fields other than management are required to take the
GRE. Most Universities require GRE for PhD. programs.
Website
www.gre.com
or www.ets.org
Validity
The score is generally valid for 5 years.
Reporting
The score is sent to 4 universities free of cost at the
time of GRE exam. ETS charges fees for scores sent to
universities later.
Registration
By phone, fax or mail.
Address :
PROMETRIC TESTING PRIVATE LIMITED
2nd Floor, DLF Infinity Tower - A,
Sector 25, Phase II,
DLF City Gurgaon,
HARYANA - 122 002.
Phone: 0124-5147700
Fax: 0124-5147773 / 0124-5147774.
Email: india.rrc@thomson.com
Forms
Forms are available at USEFI (U.S. Education Foundation
in India) or they can be downloaded from the website.
Requirements for phone/Fax Registration
Name as in the Passport, Address, Credit Card Number,
Name of the Cardholder, Expiry date of the card. (The
card has to be an International Card).
Centre
Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi,
Hyderabad, Mumbai, Trivandrum.
Confirmation
A registration number is given as terms of confirmation.
All the scores and dates are sent to the universities
if the test is taken more than once.
General GRE
The General GRE Exam consists of 3 sections, the
Verbal
Quantitative
Analytical writing sections.
There are two versions of GRE Exam.
Paper Based GRE EXAM
Computer Based GRE EXAM
The student is given the choice of taking GRE Exam on
paper or on the computer.
The Analytical writing section is the latest addition.
This section helps to determine the students writing and
analyzing skills. There are two parts in this section
that needs to be answered by the student. The first part
has to be finished in 45 minutes time limit. The student
has to write an essay on the issue of a given topic. The
second part deals with analysis of an argument and needs
to be completed within 30 minutes. Of the 3 sections the
writing test is the first to be taken.
The student is allowed to take the GRE Exam only once
in a month and a total of 5 times in one year period.
The unofficial GRE scores of the tests are available to
the student as soon as the GRE Exam is completed.
The official GRE scores are sent to the student and to
the institutions to which the student would be applying
within 10 to 15 days after the GRE Exam.
The student can register for the GRE Exam online in the
www.gre.org web site or by calling the 800 number given
in the Information and Registration Bulletin.
Fees
$160
Rescheduling
Intimation is to be given to ETS 7 days prior to the examination
date. The necessary rescheduling fee has to be paid.
Cancellation
Intimation is to be given to ETS 7 days prior to the examination
date. The necessary cancellation fee is applicable.
Mode
The GRE test is a computer adaptive test (CAT).
Number of Tests
Only 1 test can be given in a calendar month. A total
of 5 tests can be given in a year. However many universities
may average the scores if more that 1 test is given.
Score
Total score is out of 1600 marks (Verbal=800 & Quantitative=800),
Analytical Writing Assessment (Essays) is scaled from
0 - 6.
Format of GRE
| Section |
Questions |
Time(min.) |
| Verbal |
30 |
30 |
| Quantitative |
28 |
45 |
| Analytical Writing Assessment |
2 Essays |
45+30 |
Total |
|
150 |
Subject GRE
Fees
$150
Mode
Subject test is a paper based test.
Number of Tests
The test can be given as often as they are offered.
Subject Offered
Biochemistry Cell & Molecular Biology, Biology, Computer
Science, Psychology, English Literature, Chemistry, Physics,
and Mathematics.
Benefits of a High GRE Score
A high score will increase the chances of admission in
top ranked Universities.
Chances of getting Scholarships / Financial Aid are bright
with a high GRE score.
Visa Officers also give weightage to high GRE scores while
considering Visa applications.
GRE QUESTION TYPES :
Verbal Ability
For the verbal section you need to concentrate on the
vocabulary and English grammar. For improving your vocabulary
it is best to get a list of words. This list you can download
from some websites, or consult a book or prepare one yourself.
You can start a year in advance and start writing difficult
words which you come across in newspapers, magazines;
textbooks etc. compile them and start learning a few everyday.
You must also know the usage of each word and for this
you can refer to examples or form some on your own. The
verbal section also has questions on antonyms and so you
must also learn the opposites of the words you list. The
knowledge of English grammar is equally important in this
section. You will be asked to complete sentences with
words given in five options. You have to fill in the blanks
with those words which complete the sentence both logically
and grammatically. For this you can go back to basics
of grammar which you were taught in school. Take up a
good book for grammar and revise your concepts. This revision
should be done before you start with any written practice
so that you can fix the concepts of grammar. English grammar,
though complex, is brief. You need knowledge of applied
grammar instead of just remembering the rules. Thus it
becomes important that whatever you study, you practice
as well for it. This section also has reading comprehension
questions. Practice of comprehension will help you learn
how to speed up and save time in the real exam.
Verbal Ability has four question types :
Analogies
Example :
Select the lettered pair that best expresses a relationship
similar to that expressed in the original pair.
COLOR: SPECTRUM
a) tone : scale
b) sound : waves
c) verse : poem
d) dimension : space
e) cell : organism
Antonyms
Example :
Choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning
to the word in capital letters "DIFFUSE"
a) contend
b) pretend
c) concentrate
d) imply
e) rebel
Sentence Completion
Example :
The ________ science of seismology has grown just enough
so that the first overly bold theories have been _________.
a) Magnetic, accepted
b) fledgling, refuted
c) tentative, analyzed
d) predictive, protected
e) exploratory, recalled
Reading Comprehension
The basic structure of a Reading Comprehension section
consists of a passage followed by some questions based
upon the passage. Reading Comprehension is a test of how
well a student understands a written passage. Though some
would like to believe that it is a test of how fast one
can read, but it is not a test of speed-reading. The questions
asked after the passages, are meant to test the depth
of understanding.
Quantitative Ability
For the quantitative section you shall have to prepare
mathematics taught to you as a compulsory subject in school.
You shall require the knowledge of concepts and formulae
of algebra, arithmetic, geometry and data interpretation.
Mathematics is all about practice but in the GRE study
you will have to learn how to estimate as well. It is
not just actual calculations but your ability to estimate
or arrive at the answer by incomplete calculation also
that is tested. The quantitative comparison questions
deal with this. Hence you will have to learn tricks and
short cuts for estimation. On the other hand the questions
on problem solving require hard work. Here you will have
to practice to get accurate results and estimations can
not be considered. Firstly, you must revise all the concepts
and then you can get hold of a question bank and start
solving the problems given. Remember that you have to
keep in mind the time constraints. Learn tricks of quick
calculations and keep a track of how much time you take
to solve problems. You don’t want to leave those
problems which you know because of shortage of time. For
the third type of questions you should get knowledge of
all types of graphs, tables and charts. The questions
based on these charts are easy provided you know how to
interpret the data and take readings from the graphs and
figures.
This section covers three basic areas of Mathematics.
The question types are as follows :
Arithmetic
Arithmetic Operations on real numbers, operations on radical
expressions, estimation, percent, absolute value, properties
of numbers (such as divisibility and properties of primes
and odd and even integers).
Algebra
Factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions, concepts
of relations and functions, equations and inequalities.
The skills required include the ability to solve first
and second degree equations and inequalities, and simultaneous
equations; the ability to read word problems and set up
the necessary equations or inequalities to solve it. It
includes the ability to apply basic algebraic skills to
solve problems.
Geometry
Properties of parallel lines, circles, triangles, rectangles,
other polygons, area, perimeter, volume, Pythagorean Theorem,
angle measure in degrees and simple co-ordinate geometry
(including slope, intercepts and graphing of equations
and inequalities). The ability to construct proofs is
not measured.
Data Analysis
Basic descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode, range,
standard deviation & percentiles) interpretation of
data given in graphs and tables (such as bar and circle
graphs & frequency distributions), elementary probability,
and the ability to synthesize information, to select appropriate
data for answering a question, and to determine whether
or not the data provided are sufficient to answer a given
question. The emphasis in these questions is on understanding
of basic principles and reasoning within context of given
information, not calculations.
Quantitative Comparison
The quantitative comparison questions test the ability
to reason quickly and accurately about the relative sizes
of two quantities or to perceive that not enough information
is provided to make such a comparison.
Analytical Writing Section
For the analytical writing section you can look for a
reliable source which can guide you. You need to understand
the question types first as they can be misleading. Most
students do not know how to handle this section as they
are misguided about what is to be written. Gain information
about them, go through some written essays, take note
of the questions which appear and start practicing them
accordingly. You must be careful that you structure your
content well. The points should be given in a systematic
and logical manner. The essay should start with an introduction
and end with a conclusion. The time you take to write
the essay should also be checked, don’t write an
essay in 2-3 hours and feel happy about it. Also keep
time to revise the essay once you have finished writing.
Since the time in the exam is very less you will hardly
be able to think much and will be expected to start right
away. Thus you must have enough practice of writing the
essays. If you practice your brain gets conditioned in
such a way that the points start flowing one after the
other in a logical manner and you don’t have to
bother much.
Analysis of an Issue
An issue is presented and you will need to analyze the
issue and explain your views on it. The examiners will
consider how well you
- Organize, develop and express your ideas about the issue
presented
- Provide relevant supporting reasons and examples
- Control the elements of standard written English
Analysis of an Argument
In this section, you will be asked to write a critique
of the argument presented. You are not being asked to
present your own views on that subject. The examiners
will consider how well you
- Organize, develop and express your ideas about the argument
presented
- Provide relevant supporting reasons and examples
- Control the elements of standard written English.
GRE SCORING
The scoring methodology for the GMAT as well as the GRE
computer adaptive tests is much the same.
CAT - Computer-Adaptive Test
CAT is a computerized form of the paper-based GRE. Paper
Based one is now not available in most parts of the world.
It is not necessary to know computers in detail to take
the test but some basic knowledge on computers is essential.
Here, the computer chooses a single question at an instant
of time from the large database of questions available,
ranging them by difficulty level and classified by their
contents. The first question is always of an intermediate
level, neither too hard nor to easy, and each succeeding
question is determined by your answers to all the questions
you attended previously.
That is how CAT adjusts itself to your ability level and
is different from paper-based pattern. One disadvantage
is you have to be very sure before confirming the answer
for each question as you don't have the option of reviewing
or going back to a particular question or section (As
the succeeding question depends on the answer you gave
for current question).
The questions are divided into three roughly equal parts.
The first part of the questions in any section is weighted
the most. This means that the first part of the questions
determines the bulk of the scaled score. The second part
accounts for a lesser amount of the scaled score, and
the last part counts for a relatively insignificant amount
of the overall score.
All sections begin with an "average-level" question,
which is scored on a scale of 500, which is an average
GRE score. If one gets this question right, the scaled
score could increase by almost 80 points; if one gets
this question wrong, the scaled score could decrease by
almost 80 points. So the first group of questions attempts
to find out the range of a person's competence.
Let us take the above mentioned case for instance. If
you get three questions in a row correct, your score moves
to roughly 740. Then you get one wrong. Assuming this
would be a more difficult question, your score remains
at 740 and you are given a question of difficulty level
corresponding to 740. Getting this wrong will get you
a question of difficulty level corresponding to 660 .Getting
this right will now point to your score range between
660 and 740.
The questions that follow will now range between the given
scores so to zero down exactly on your competence level
score.
In short, along with getting a question right or wrong,
the level of difficulty of the next question will change.
A correct answer "rewards" you with a harder
question; an incorrect answer "rewards" you
with an easier question. There are a significant number
of experimental questions sprinkled in as well, and the
experimental questions do not factor into your score.
You are required to answer all Questions. You will be
penalized for leaving questions unanswered. Be cautious.
You want to be sure about accuracy on early questions,
and worry less about getting to the last questions in
a section. Remember, later questions have a progressively
smaller impact on your overall score, but you need to
answer all of them. If you are pressed for time, guess.
The most important piece of advice is that you should
not leave any questions unanswered.
Scoring in GRE is a unique way. Thus unlike other exams,
you can't predict your score with the number of questions
you did correctly. The GRE final Score is out of 1600,
which comprises of 3 sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and
Analytical section.
Reporting your scores to university is a factor to be
noted. All the universities accept only the original score
report of the student. It should be sent directly from
the Education Testing service and not elsewhere. A photocopy
or a student copy of the score sheet will not be accepted.
Any reporting should go through ETS. ETS reports your
GRE scores to four universities of your choice, the cost
of which is added in your examination fee.
You have to choose the four universities to which you
wish to apply and mention them to ETS to send a copy of
your GRE score as soon as you complete your test. If you
have plans of applying to more university, you have to
send additional scoring report through ETS. You have the
additional scoring report form in GRE website or in your
free GRE bulletin. Cost for extra reporting is 13$ per
university.
Cumulative Reporting (Score Retention)
GRE score reporting is cumulative. Current GRE Board policy
states that your scores are retained for the 5
testing years following the testing
year in which you tested.
All scores earned during this time will be reported to
each institution you designate.
You may choose to send only General Test scores, only
Subject Test scores, only stand-alone Analytical
Writing or Writing Assessment scores,
or any combination of the above, but you may not choose
to have
only those scores from a specific test
date reported.
Your score report will indicate your designated recipients
and your cumulative record reported at that time.
However, your designated recipients
will not receive information concerning the other score
recipients you
have chosen.
The Scoring Process
The processes for calculating reported scores for adaptive
tests and traditional paper-and-pencil tests are similar,
in that the number of questions answered correctly is
adjusted according to the difficulty level of the questions
on the test form. Thus, the same number of correct responses
on different test forms will not necessarily result in
the same reported score.
In paper-and-pencil tests, the differences in difficulty
among test forms are relatively small and are adjusted
through a process known as score equating. The number
of questions answered is also figured into the calculation
of the reported score because it limits the number that
can be answered correctly.
With adaptive testing, an examinee is administered a set
of questions with a difficulty level that is specifically
designed to match the examinee's ability level. The mathematical
process for calculating a score in this situation incorporates
the statistical properties of the questions, the examinee's
performance on the questions, and the number of questions
that are answered.
How the Sections of the GRE General Test Are Scored
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
Computer-Based Test
Verbal and Quantitative scores depend on the test taker's
performance on the questions given and on the number of
questions answered in the time allotted.
Both sections are computer-adaptive, meaning that the
computer selects questions based on the test taker's performance
on preceding questions and on the requirements of the
test design. Test design factors that influence which
questions are presented include
- The statistical characteristics (including difficulty
level) of the questions already answered
- The required variety of question types
- The appropriate coverage of content
Paper-Based Test
Scoring of the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the
paper-based General Test is a two-step process.
- First, a raw score is computed. The raw score is the
number of questions you answered correctly.
- The raw score is then converted to a scaled score through
a process known as equating. Equating accounts
for differences in difficulty among
the different test editions. Thus, a given scaled score
reflects
approximately the same level of ability
regardless of the edition of the test that was taken.
Analytical Writing Section
Computer-Based Test
- The primary emphasis in scoring the Analytical Writing
section is on the test taker's critical thinking and
analytical writing skills rather than on grammar
and mechanics.
- The essay score is assigned by a trained reader, using
a 6-point holistic scale. The essay score is then
reviewed by e-rater, a computerized program
developed by ETS, which is being used to monitor the
human reader.
- If the e-rater evaluation and the human score agree,
the human score is used as the final score. If they
disagree by a certain amount, a second human
score is obtained, and the final score is the average
of the
two human scores.
- The final scores on the two essays are then averaged
and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval.
- A single score is reported for the test taker's performance
on the Analytical Writing section.
- An NS (No Score) is reported if the test taker does
not write a response for either of the two tasks in the
Analytical Writing section. If the test taker
writes an essay for only one of the two tasks, he/she
receives a
score of zero on the task for which no response
was provided.
- During the scoring process, the test taker's essay responses
on the Analytical Writing section will be
reviewed by ETS essay-similarity-detection
software and by experienced essay readers.
Paper-Based Test
- The primary emphasis in scoring the Analytical Writing
section is on the test taker's critical thinking and
analytical writing skills rather than on grammar
and mechanics.
- The essay score usually is the average of scores from
two trained readers, using a 6-point holistic scale.
The scale reflects the overall quality of
an essay in response to the assigned task.
- If the two assigned scores differ by more than one point
on the scale, the discrepancy is adjudicated by a
third GRE reader. Otherwise, the scores from
the two readings of an essay are averaged and rounded
up
to the nearest half-point interval (e.g.,
3.0, 3.5).
- The final scores on the two essays are then averaged
and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval.
- A single score is reported for the test taker's performance
on the Analytical Writing section.
- An NS (No Score) is reported if the test taker does
not write a response for either of the two tasks in the
Analytical Writing section. If the test taker
writes an essay for only one of the two tasks, he/she
receives a
score of zero on the task for which no response
was provided.
- During the scoring process, the test taker's essay responses
on the Analytical Writing section will be
reviewed by ETS essay-similarity-detection
software and by experienced essay readers. See Independent
Intellectual Activity.
Any section in which the test taker answers no questions
at all will be reported as a No Score (NS).
To view registration process for GRE click
here...
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