GRE- Frequently Asked Questions

ETS conducts the GRE General and Subject tests for students who have completed their undergrad courses and wish to continue their education. The test proves the student’s critical thinking ability and writing skills. It is even considered by Business Schools and Law Schools, making the exam popular among all students. Numerous modifications have been made to the GRE General and Subject tests as of September 22, 2023.

The popularity of the exam calls for a lot of confusion and doubts regarding the exam from the time of registration to the test day and even about the score report. Since hunting for the answers to different queries can be a task, this page offers you the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the GRE.

What are the changes in 2024?

The test duration is now 1 hour 58 minutes instead of 3 hours and 45 minutes before. The score report will take only 8-10 days to be delivered. There are fewer questions in the test and only one essay in the Analytical Writing section, which will now be scored on a scale of 0-6.

What are the formats in which the GRE test is available?

The GRE test is only administered online at a testing center or at home. The question format and the scoring criteria remain the same for both options.

What is the cost of applying for a GRE test?

In China, the GRE test costs $231.30, but it costs $220 everywhere else in the world. The fee is always calculated in U.S. dollars.

Does ETS charge additional money for changing the test center? If yes, what is the amount?

ETS charges an additional fee of $50 for changing the test center.

What is the additional cost of rescheduling the GRE test?

Rescheduling the GRE test costs $50 anywhere in the world except in Mainland China, which costs $53.90.

What is the format of the GRE General Test?

The GRE General Test is divided into 3 sections- Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Verbal and Quantitative sections have 2 sub-sections, while the Analytical Writing section has one section with one writing task.

What is the time provided to take the GRE General Test?

The General Test has a time duration of 1 hour and 58 minutes without any breaks. The clock will not stop if the test-taker takes an unplanned break.

What is the cost of sending additional score reports?

4 free score reports are included in the test fee. ETS charges an additional fee of $35 for each additional score report requested.

Can I send my score report to my preferred institution

GRE scores are accepted worldwide by many institutions. The candidate can choose to send the report to any institution as long as it is approved by ETS. A list of institutions pre-approved by ETS can be found here.

How is the GRE General Test scored?

The Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are scored on a scale of 130-170, with a 1-point increment for each right answer marked. The Analytical Writing section is marked on a score scale of 0-6 in 0.5 increments, depending on the student's proficiency in language and in articulating thoughts coherently.

What is the process of retaking the GRE Test?

Students can retake the test every 21 days but only 5 times in 12 consecutive months. This also includes the times when the student has canceled their scores after the test.

Which subjects are provided by ETS for the GRE Subject Tests?

ETS offers GRE Subject Tests for the subjects Biology, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.

When can a candidate request a change in the test date or test center?

Candidates will have to apply/request a change in test date or test center at least 4 days before the test date. If the candidate is applying from Mainland China, they have to make a request 10 days before the test date.

Is it necessary to have an ETS account?

Yes, candidates must have an ETS account to apply for both the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test. Candidates who do not have one are requested to create one at the beginning of the registration procedure.

Will a partial credit be awarded in the multiple-choice multiple-answer questions?

No. For the multiple-answer questions, students must correctly mark all the right answers to receive a score. Missing any right answer will result in losing credit. There is no partial credit offered.

Are calculators allowed in the Quantitative Section of the test?

Yes, candidates are allowed to use a calculator for the Quantitative section. But candidates are not allowed to bring calculators of their own. They are expected to use the on-screen calculator made available by ETS. The calculator will let the student perform basic mathematical calculations like add, subtract, multiply, and divide.

When will the scores be available?

Candidates can either report or cancel their scores right after the test. If they choose to report their scores, they will see their unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores at the test center.

The official score report will be displayed on the candidate's ETS account and sent 8-10 days after the test day to the colleges the candidate chose.

For how long will the GRE scores be valid?

GRE scores remain valid for five years from the date of the test. Students can choose to add their GRE score information in their work areas after the duration of 5 years if their score is considered exceptional. However, institutions might not consider it an officially acceptable score.

What is the "ScoreSelect" option?

After completing the test, candidates will be able to cancel their score report or request additional reports to be sent to other institutions using the ScoreSelect option in their ETS account.