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 the score report. Since hunting for the answers to different queries can be a task, this page offers 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. There are also fewer Subject Tests offered.

What are the formats in which the GRE is available?

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

What is the cost of registering for the GRE?

In China, the GRE General test costs $231.30, but $220 in the rest of the world. GRE Subject Tests cost $150 worldwide. The fee is always calculated in U.S. dollars.

Does ETS charge 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 cost of rescheduling the GRE?

Rescheduling the GRE test costs $50, except in Mainland China, where the cost is $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 duration of the GRE General Test?

The General Test is 1 hour and 58 minutes long with no scheduled 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 a 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 the institute 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 scored on a scale of 0-6 in 0.5 increments.

Can I retake the GRE?

Students can retake the GRE General Test every 21 days but not more than 5 times in 12 consecutive months. This also includes when the student has canceled their scores after the test. GRE Subject tests can be retaken every 14 days.

Which GRE Subject Tests are provided by ETS?

ETS offers GRE Subject Tests for Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. The GRE Subject Tests for Chemistry, Biology, and Literature in English have been discontinued, though their scores can be requested up to 5 years from the test date.

When is the latest that I can reschedule the GRE?

Candidates will have to request to reschedule their test 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. The rescheduling fee will apply. The test cannot be rescheduled more than a year ahead.

Is it necessary to have an ETS account?

Yes, candidates must have an ETS account to apply for 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 mark the right answer to receive a point for that question. 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?

The unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning score report is available right after the test, but the official score report is available 8 - 10 days after the test. Candidates can either report or cancel their scores right after the test.

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 can cancel their score report or request additional reports to be sent to other institutions using the ScoreSelect option in their ETS account.