GRE FAQ

What does the GRE test?

The GRE does not test how smart you are, how good a grad student you will be, or how good a college student you were. The GRE tests some basic knowledge and reasoning, but most of all it tests how good a test taker you are. A naturally fast, strategic test-taker will score much better than an otherwise bright, studious person who finds it difficult to enter the unique mindset of the GRE.

While what the GRE actually tests seems somewhat petty, it counts for a lot. That’s unfair, but so is grad school. So whatever your strengths, it makes sense to maximize your ability to take the test. We can help.

How is the GRE structured?

Though the actual test questions may seem very similar to anyone who has taken an SAT in recent years, the GRE is structured quite differently. The GRE is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT). It adapts the test questions to fit your score pattern, giving easier questions to less successful test-takers and harder ones to more successful ones. Unlike the SAT, you cannot skip questions, go back, or peek forward. You must take each question as it comes. The adaptive algorithm of the GRE weighs the earlier questions much higher than the later ones.

The GRE opens with two essays (the Writing section), a Math section, and a Verbal section. The essays take 75 minutes total, the Verbal 30 minutes, and the Math 45 minutes. There is also an experimental section—used by the test-makers to try out new types of questions—which is not scored. Unfortunately, the experimental section is not labeled as such and will likely appear to be an ordinary math or verbal section. Because of this, you must treat each section as if it is real. However, if you find yourself doing especially poorly on a specific section, you may find solace in the prospect that the section may very well be the un-scored, experimental one.

In the Writing section, there is an Issue essay and an Argument essay. They are scored on a 1-6 scale (6 being the highest), in whole number increments only, and then averaged to produce your final score.

The Verbal section contains 30 questions (including sentence completion, analogies, reading comprehension, and antonyms). This section is scored on a 200-800 scale.

The Math section contains 28 questions (including quantitative comparison, algebra, and graph questions). This section is also scored on a 200-800 scale.

When can I take the GRE?

The test is offered at all times of the year during the first three weeks of each months. Most locations offer the option of taking the test on the weekend, though these slots are more popular. The most important factor in your decision of when to take the test is your readiness: do not take the test before you feel ready and confident!

How important is the GRE?

Not as important as you’d think. While it’s still required for almost every graduate program, and a bad score will certainly hurt your chances, it doesn’t carry the same weight as GPA.

The value of a GRE score depends greatly on not only the institution you are applying to, but the department as well. An English program will probably give much greater weight to your verbal score, while an Astrophysics program is likely going to care more about your quantitative. Some schools only use the GRE for funding decisions and not for admissions, some schools prefer the reverse. The best way to find out how much your score matters is to talk to the admissions personnel of the program you are applying to.

Is the test changing?

Not very much. A few years ago the ETS planned a massive overhaul of the test, changing it dramatically. They spend years and millions of dollars on the new test and then, for technical reasons apparently, pulled the plug at the last minute. However, not wanting to waste all the time and resources that went into the abandoned test, they've decided to gradually incorporate some of the new question types into the existing test. You can read their announcement here/

Starting in November, 2007, they will add a maximum of one new question to each section of the test. As of this time, these questions do not count towards your final score. They plan on making them count "as an adequate sample of data...is available." When they do, we will let you know. Until then, you can safely ignore the new material.

How do I register?

To register, go to the Educational Testing Service website: www.ets.org.

Or call: 1-800-GRE-CALL

Are you going to improve my GRE score? You’re going to improve your GRE score. And we’re going to help you. But, as with any class, you get out of it what you put into it. Motivated students who are willing to use our strategies always improve, some by several hundred points. But don't just take our word for it: testimonials.