Graduate Admissions

Graduate Record Examination - GRE

The GRE General Test is the standard academic aptitude exam for Master's and PhD admissions, especially in the US, Canada and select European programs, measuring verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.

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130-170Score Scale (V/Q)

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Overview Test Format Test Day Guide Scoring Coaching & Tips Register

What is the Graduate Record Examination - GRE?

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized academic aptitude test administered by ETS, used by graduate schools, business schools and law programs โ€” mainly in the US โ€” to assess a candidate's readiness for advanced study. Unlike English proficiency exams, the GRE is subject-neutral: it tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills that apply regardless of your undergraduate background.

What the Graduate Record Examination - GRE Evaluates

Read & Analyze Complex Text

Interpret academic passages, arguments and vocabulary in context.

Reason Quantitatively

Apply arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis to solve problems.

Construct & Evaluate Arguments

Build a clear, well-supported position in timed academic writing.

Think Critically Under Time Pressure

Work through unfamiliar problems accurately within strict limits.

Purpose & Philosophy

"Can this person reason, analyze and communicate at the level graduate study demands โ€” regardless of what they studied as an undergraduate?"

Subject-NeutralReasoning-FocusedSection-Adaptive

Administered By

Educational Testing Service (ETS, USA)
Good to know: Almost all applicants only ever need the GRE General Test. The separate GRE Subject Test is a niche, optional exam that a small number of PhD departments ask for in addition to the General Test โ€” see below.

Which GRE Test Should You Take?

Select based on your programme's requirement

Most Applicants โ†’
GRE General Test

Required by most Master's, PhD, MBA and law programs worldwide

Subject-Specific PhDs โ†’
GRE Subject Test

Optional, for departments that want proof of deep subject knowledge

General Test vs. Subject Test

Feature GRE General Test GRE Subject Test
Purpose Most graduate, business & law applicants Specific departmental / PhD requirements
Key Focus Verbal, Quantitative & Analytical Writing Deep subject knowledge โ€” Math, Physics or Psychology only
Format & Frequency Computer-based, year-round, test center or at-home Internet-based at test centers only, 3 fixed windows a year
The GRE Subject Test is currently offered in only three subjects โ€” Mathematics, Physics and Psychology โ€” and only during three fixed windows a year (typically September, October and April), at test centers only. Sukhada's coaching programme below is built around the GRE General Test, which is what the vast majority of applicants need.

Global Recognition

1,000+

ETS-Approved Test Centers in 160+ Countries Accept the Graduate Record Examination - GRE

Accepted By

Universities

MBA & Law Schools

Scholarship Committees

Graduate Departments

Recognized In

United States flag United States
Canada flag Canada
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom
Germany flag Germany
Singapore flag Singapore
Australia flag Australia

Benefits of the Graduate Record Examination - GRE

Required for Graduate Admissions

A core requirement for Master's and PhD programs, mainly in the US

Strengthens Scholarship Applications

A strong score supports funding and assistantship applications

Subject-Neutral

Accepted across engineering, sciences, humanities and business

Long Validity

Scores stay valid for 5 years โ€” among the longest of any major graduate admissions test

Flexible Delivery

Take it at a test center or from home, on nearly any day of the year

Test Sections (GRE General Test)

Verbal Reasoning
~41 minutes

2 sections, ~27 questions

Quantitative Reasoning
~47 minutes

2 sections, ~27 questions

Analytical Writing
30 minutes

1 essay task

Verbal Reasoning

Duration: ~41 minutes

Task Types

  • Reading comprehension passages
  • Text completion (fill 1โ€“3 blanks)
  • Sentence equivalence

Skills Tested

Vocabulary in contextIdentifying main ideas & inferenceAnalyzing argument structurePrecision in word choice

Guidelines

  • No penalty for guessing โ€” attempt every question
  • Mark questions for review; you can revisit within a section
  • Time pressure is the main challenge, not the vocabulary alone

Quantitative Reasoning

Duration: ~47 minutes

Task Types

  • Arithmetic & algebra
  • Geometry
  • Data interpretation & analysis

Skills Tested

Quantitative comparisonProblem solving under time limitsInterpreting charts and tablesOn-screen calculator use

Guidelines

  • An on-screen calculator is provided โ€” no personal calculators allowed
  • Section-level adaptive: your performance on section 1 affects section 2's difficulty
  • Skip and return to flagged questions within the same section

Analytical Writing

Duration: 30 minutes

Task Types

  • "Analyze an Issue" essay โ€” take and defend a position on a general topic

Skills Tested

Constructing a clear argumentUsing relevant examples and reasoningOrganization and coherenceGrammar and sentence variety

Guidelines

  • Outline your position for 1โ€“2 minutes before typing
  • Aim for a clear structure: intro, 2โ€“3 body points, conclusion
  • Scored by both an AI engine and a human rater

Test Delivery Options

Test Center

The traditional, fully-proctored format at an authorized Prometric center

Available almost daily in most major cities
Over 1,000 ETS-approved centers in 160+ countries
On-screen calculator and scratch paper provided
Results typically within 8โ€“10 days
GRE at Home

The exact same test taken remotely, monitored by a live human proctor

Available 24/7, year-round
Can register as early as 24 hours before the test
Identical content, format, scoring and acceptance as the test center version
Quiet, private room and stable internet required
Important: Content, difficulty, scoring, and university acceptance are identical for Test Center and GRE at Home. Choose based on your comfort with a remote-proctored setup and local test-date availability.

Test Day Guide

Test Day Experience

Identity Verification

Government-issued photo ID check

Environment

Strict, proctored exam conditions

Test Structure

Verbal, Quantitative & Analytical Writing in one sitting

Break

No scheduled break โ€” sections run back to back

Results & Validity

Unofficial Scores Immediately after the test
Official Score Report 8โ€“10 days
Score Validity 5 years

Preparing well for the Graduate Record Examination - GRE is important, but what you do on exam day can directly impact your performance. This comprehensive guide explains exactly what to expect, what to carry, and how to behave on the test day โ€” whether at a Test Center or on GRE at Home.

1

Before You Start

Documents to Carry

Original, Valid Government-Issued Photo IDSame name and details used during registration
Photocopies, digital copies, or expired IDs are NOT accepted.

Reporting Time / Login Time

Reach the test centre (or log in for GRE at Home) at least 30 minutes early
Late arrival may result in disqualification without refund

What NOT to Carry (Test Center)

Personal belongings are not allowed in the test room:

Mobile phones
Smart watches
Bags or wallets
Notes, books, or papers
Personal calculators
Electronic devices

๐Ÿ’ก Secure storage is usually provided at the centre. For GRE at Home, clear your desk and room instead.

2

Check-In & Verification Process

Upon arrival (or login), candidates go through:

Identity Verification
Photo ID check
Photograph capture
Proctoring Setup
Live human proctor via webcam (GRE at Home)

These steps ensure exam security and authenticity.

3

Inside the Test (All Three Sections)

Test Order

Analytical Writing30 min
Verbal Reasoning~41 min
Quantitative Reasoning~47 min

Analytical Writing always runs first. The Verbal and Quantitative sections shown above follow it, but ETS randomises the order between the two โ€” so Quant may come before Verbal on your test. All sections run in one continuous session with no scheduled break between them.

โœ๏ธ Analytical Writing Guidelines
  • One "Analyze an Issue" essay, 30 minutes
  • Outline briefly before typing
  • Scored by both AI and a human rater
๐Ÿ“– Verbal Reasoning Guidelines
  • Two sections; the second adapts to your performance on the first
  • Flag and revisit questions within the same section
  • Answer all questions โ€” no penalty for guessing
๐Ÿ”ข Quantitative Reasoning Guidelines
  • On-screen calculator provided โ€” no personal calculators allowed
  • Section-adaptive difficulty based on your first-section performance
  • Manage time carefully across data interpretation questions
4

Exam Day Tips

Sleep properly the night before
Eat something light beforehand
Stay calm โ€” pacing matters more than any single tough question
Read every instruction fully before answering
Attempt every question โ€” there is no penalty for guessing
Keep an eye on the on-screen clock throughout
5

Key Takeaways

Carry the original, valid photo ID used at registration
For GRE at Home, test your room, webcam and internet the day before
Reach the test centre 30 minutes early (or log in early for at-home)
Analytical Writing always comes first โ€” Verbal and Quant order after that is randomised
No scheduled break between any of the test sections
You can retake the test every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12 months

How the Graduate Record Examination - GRE Is Scored

Three separate scores: Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a 130โ€“170 scale (1-point increments). Analytical Writing is scored separately on a 0โ€“6 scale (half-point increments). There is no single combined score โ€” universities look at all three.

Combined Verbal + Quant Score Bands (260 โ€“ 340)

325+
Highly Competitive

Strong for the most selective US graduate programs

310 - 324
Competitive

Solid for most well-ranked Master's and PhD programs

295 - 309
Average

Acceptable for a wide range of universities

280 - 294
Below Average

May limit options at higher-ranked programs

Below 280
Low

Likely to fall short of most program expectations

How Does Section-Level Adaptive Scoring Work?Each Verbal and Quant section has two parts. Your performance on the first part determines the difficulty of the second โ€” and harder second parts allow access to higher scores. This is different from a fully question-by-question adaptive test.
Score Validity: 5 years from test date

Typical Competitive Combined Score (V+Q) by Country

United States flag United States 300 - 320
Canada flag Canada 300 - 315
United Kingdom flag United Kingdom 310 - 320
Germany flag Germany 300 - 315
Singapore flag Singapore 310 - 325
Australia flag Australia 300 - 315
Exact requirements vary widely by university, department and programme โ€” some top programs also weigh your Quant or Verbal score individually rather than only the combined total. Always verify with your target institution.

Retakes

You can retake the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to 5 times within any rolling 12-month period. Universities generally consider your best submitted score, and ETS's "ScoreSelect" feature lets you choose which set of scores to send to each institution.

How Sukhada's GRE Coaching Works

20+ Hours of Coaching
15+ Live Sessions
5+ Mock Tests
4 Weeks Program Duration
Certified, exam-trained mentors
Section-adaptive mock test bank
Doubts cleared within 24 hours
Score-focused weekly check-ins

What You Get

Live sessions covering Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing with certified, exam-trained mentors
Structured vocabulary building through flashcards and contextual usage, not rote word lists
Quant drills covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation under timed conditions
Essay outlining and structuring practice for the Analyze an Issue task
Small batch sizes for individual attention and feedback
Complete guidance on Test Center vs GRE at Home, documents, and test-day rules

Preparation Timeline

Recommended: 4 weeks before your target test date

1
Week 1

Assessment & Basics

Take a diagnostic test, understand the section-adaptive format, identify weak areas

2
Week 2

Verbal Reasoning

Build vocabulary, practice text completion and sentence equivalence, sharpen reading comprehension

3
Week 3

Quantitative Reasoning

Revise arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data interpretation; drill pacing under time pressure

4
Week 4

Mock Tests & Review

Full-length practice tests, essay practice, analyse mistakes, final polishing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Memorizing word lists without context
Learn vocabulary through flashcards and real sentence usage
Ignoring quant pacing until test day
Practice quant sections under strict timing from week one โ€” pacing is the real challenge
Writing the essay without an outline
Spend 1โ€“2 minutes outlining your Analyze an Issue essay before typing
Leaving questions blank under time pressure
Attempt every question โ€” there is no penalty for guessing
Practicing only with unofficial question banks
Use official ETS PowerPrep software for the most accurate score prediction
Not knowing the section-adaptive rule
Understand that your performance on the first Quant/Verbal section affects the difficulty (and scoring) of the second

Registering for the Graduate Record Examination - GRE

1
Choose Your Test Type

Confirm whether your target programs need only the GRE General Test, or also a GRE Subject Test.

2
Pick Test Center or At Home

Select a nearby authorized Prometric test center, or opt for the remotely-proctored GRE at Home.

3
Pay the Test Fee

Complete payment on the official ETS site; Sukhada students get a bundled counselling + mock-test package.

4
Gather Your Documents

Keep your original, valid government-issued photo ID ready โ€” the same one used during registration.

5
Take the Test

Sit Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing in one continuous session.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Fees in India

TypeFee
GRE General Test (Test Center / At Home)~โ‚น19,000 - โ‚น20,500
GRE Subject Test~โ‚น14,000 - โ‚น15,500
Rescheduling~โ‚น2,000 - โ‚น2,500
Additional Score Report (per recipient)~โ‚น2,200
Fees are subject to change. Always verify on the official ETS / GRE website before registering.
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