GRE is necessary for gaining admission in almost every university in U.S.A. Getting a good GRE score, along with a good SOP and recommendation letters can help you get into the college of your dreams.

In fact, now many prestigious universities in Singapore, U.K., Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand are asking for GRE scores.

So what is GRE? Let’s find out.

Defining the GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an examination taken by students wanting to apply for graduate schools in America. It is conducted by Education Testing Service (ETS). This test is divided into two parts, the GRE General test and the GRE Subject test.

You need to take the GRE General test if you want to get into a business, professional or graduate course. This test measures your overall academic proficiency and benchmarks you against other qualifying candidates. The test paper is divided into Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing Skills.

What does Verbal reasoning measure?

This sections measures how you evaluate information and make inferences by looking at multiple factors and data points. Universities are interested in knowing if you will be able to understand specific words and terms used when speaking or reading.

What does Quantitative Reasoning measure?

This section measures how good you are with numbers and reasoning. The objective here is to test how good you are at problem solving mathematically.

What does Analytical Writing Skills measure?

This section measures how good you are at articulating your thoughts and presenting your viewpoint. You will be asked to deconstruct incorrect assumptions and look for ways to improve them. This section also tests your ability to communicate effectively in English. A high Analytical writing score indicates that you are someone who can easily present your thoughts without confusing others either by using jargon or ambiguous words or by not stating your views in a coherent manner.

However, if you want to pursue advanced courses in a subject of your choice, for example, engineering, you will need to take the GRE Subject test for Engineering. Though top American universities accept scores for the general test, yet it is preferred that candidates take the Subject test. Even if the Subject test is not mandatory, by taking it, you have an edge over other competing candidates.

Advantages of GRE

Your GRE score is an indication of your verbal, mathematical and analytical abilities. There are several advantages of getting a good score in the GRE exam. These are a few ways you stand to benefit from it:

1. GRE is considered to be the biggest stumbling block for students wanting to gain admission in respectable American universities. Once you get a good score, your chances of getting accepted by good universities and colleges in the US increases considerably.
2. You might not have done exceptionally well in the undergraduate exam, but if you score well in the GRE, you still have a good chance of getting into a good institution.
3. If your scores are exceptionally high in the GRE exam, you not only get admission in a good institution but you might also get a waiver on your course fees or a total scholarship for the entire course.

An important point to note: Students who did not get exceptionally high scores need not lose heart as the results of this test are not the only criteria for admission. However, it is the most critical of all criteria since most colleges allot maximum weightage to GRE scores. However, how much weight is allotted to GRE scores is subjective and varies from:

College to college

Program to program and

From one section to another of the GRE test paper.

For instance, if a candidate wants to apply for advanced studies in Literature, more weightage would be given to the Verbal reasoning section of the test.

These scores are also used by colleges and universities to rate and choose deserving candidates for fellowships and scholarships that they offer. Though it is not the practice for these institutions to declare a cut off score, yet the prestigious colleges do have an average score of 160 and about 145-170 between the quantitative and verbal sections.

GRE score range: The GRE score per se isn't the only important part of the application process. Your undergraduate score, work experience or any extra-curricular activities, letters of recommendation and your SOP (Statement of Purpose) also play an important role in the admission process. The GRE score ranges between

• 130-139 (Poor)
• 155-164 (Good)
• 165-170 (Excellent)

Top US universities for MS such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley accept students with these average scores:

• 150 in Business, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
• 157 in Arts and Humanities

The average score in Quantitative Reasoning are 150-153 in Business, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and Life Sciences, and about 158 in Physical Sciences.

Average GRE Scores for MS in Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Education in MIT, Harvard, Stanford and University of California-Berkeley aren't very sharply divided. For Verbal Reasoning, the range is between 155 and 162 and for Quantitative Reasoning, it hovers at 167.

Testing Process

While the GRE test is offered all through the year in India by ETS. Since the registration process happens online, you will be able to view the available test dates in the various centres across India. Do keep the college application deadlines in mind while applying for the test as you must have your test scores at hand before applying. You may also want to take in to consideration the possibility of having to take a re-test just in case you are not happy with your scores. A candidate has to wait for 21 days before attempting the test again. So keep these points in mind while apply for the test date.

Conclusion

While this exam is perceived as very difficult to crack, a lot depends on how well you prepare for it. If you need more time than others, prepare early and put in as much hard work as you can. Your sincere efforts can help you make it to your dream university and your cherished course. So plan thoroughly, prepare well and write your exam with confidence.

Good luck and all the best!