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GRE | Complete Information Guide
GRE is an internationally recognized entrance exam for admission to master’s and doctoral programs offered by universities worldwide. It evaluates verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills for higher education abroad.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardised test administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), used for admission to graduate-level programmes worldwide — primarily Master’s (MS), PhD, and, at a growing number of schools, MBA programmes. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills that are not tied to any specific academic subject, which is why students from engineering, commerce, science, and humanities backgrounds all take the same test.
On September 22, 2023, ETS significantly shortened the GRE General Test, cutting total duration from roughly 3 hours 45 minutes to under 2 hours, removing the unscored experimental section, dropping one Analytical Writing task, and speeding up official score delivery to 8–10 days. This shorter format is now the only version offered, at test centres and through GRE at Home. Separately, ETS also offers GRE Subject Tests in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology for candidates applying to PhD programmes in those specific fields.
| Particular | Details |
| Full Form | Graduate Record Examinations |
| Conducted By | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
| Test Types | GRE General Test (most common); GRE Subject Tests in Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology |
| Purpose | Admission to graduate-level Master’s, PhD, and (at many schools) MBA programmes worldwide |
| Exam Mode | Computer-based; Test Centre (via Prometric) or GRE at Home |
| Exam Duration (General Test) | Approx. 1 hour 58 minutes, no scheduled break |
| Total Questions (General Test) | 54 questions across Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, plus 1 Analytical Writing task |
| Sections | Analytical Writing (1 task), Verbal Reasoning (2 sections), Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) |
| Negative Marking | None — all questions can be attempted without fear of losing marks |
| Score Range | Verbal 130–170; Quantitative 130–170; Analytical Writing 0–6 (half-point increments) |
| Application Fee (India) | Approx. ₹22,000–23,500 for the General Test (equivalent to USD 220), taxes included |
| Score Validity | 5 years from the test date |
| Official Website | ets.org/gre |
| Criteria | Requirement |
| Age | No official minimum or maximum age limit set by ETS |
| Educational Qualification | No minimum qualification mandated by ETS; individual graduate programmes set their own admission requirements |
| Work Experience | Not required to sit the exam |
| Nationality | Open to candidates of any nationality; GRE is offered at over 1,000 test centres in 160+ countries |
| Valid ID | A valid passport with name, photograph, and signature is the primary accepted ID for Indian test-takers |
| Attempt Limits | Retake after 21 calendar days; maximum 5 attempts within any rolling 12-month period |
| Step | What to Do |
| 1 | Visit the official ETS website (ets.org/gre) and create an ETS account with details that exactly match your passport. |
| 2 | Choose ‘Register for a Test’ and select GRE General Test (or GRE Subject Test, if required by your target programme). |
| 3 | Choose your test mode — a Prometric test centre or GRE at Home — and, for at-home testing, confirm your computer and room meet ETS’s technical requirements. |
| 4 | Select your preferred test date, time, and location; slots are released year-round and fill up quickly close to application deadlines. |
| 5 | Pay the exam fee online via credit/debit card, UPI, or other accepted digital payment methods. |
| 6 | Receive a confirmation with your appointment details; for GRE at Home, ensure a working primary and secondary camera are set up in advance, as a second camera is now mandatory. |
| 7 | On test day, carry your valid passport for ID verification, whether testing at a centre or at home. |
| 8 | View your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores immediately after the test; official scores, including Analytical Writing, are available in your ETS account within 8–10 days. |
The current GRE General Test — in place since September 22, 2023 — takes under 2 hours and has no scheduled break. It consists of one Analytical Writing task (always first), followed by two Verbal Reasoning sections and two Quantitative Reasoning sections, which can appear in either order. The Verbal and Quantitative sections are section-level adaptive: your performance on the first section of each type affects the difficulty of the second.
| Section | Questions | Time | What It Tests |
| Analytical Writing | 1 task (‘Analyze an Issue’) | 30 minutes | Ability to articulate and support a position on a general topic in clear, well-organised written English |
| Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) | 12 + 15 = 27 questions | Combined within overall time | Reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence; vocabulary and reasoning from written material |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) | 12 + 15 = 27 questions | Combined within overall time | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis, applied through problem-solving and data interpretation |
A single ‘Analyze an Issue’ task requiring you to take a position on a general statement and support it with reasons and examples. The earlier ‘Analyze an Argument’ task has been removed from the current format. No specialised knowledge is required — the section tests critical thinking, logical structure, and command of written English.
Reading Comprehension (identifying main ideas, distinguishing major from minor details, drawing inferences), Text Completion (selecting words that best complete a passage’s meaning), and Sentence Equivalence (choosing two answer choices that produce equivalent, logically complete sentences). Strong vocabulary and careful reading are central to this section.
Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis, tested through Quantitative Comparison, Problem Solving (multiple-choice and numeric-entry), and Data Interpretation question sets. Most Indian students find the underlying maths manageable at a school level — the real challenge is careful reading and time management rather than advanced concepts.
Indian students applying abroad, or to a mix of domestic and international programmes, often need to work out which of these exams they actually need. Here is a direct comparison to clear up the most common confusion.
| Point | GRE | GMAT | CAT |
| Conducted By | ETS | GMAC (Pearson VUE) | IIMs (rotating convenor) |
| Primary Use | MS, PhD, and a growing number of MBA programmes worldwide | MBA/MiM worldwide, ISB, IIM Executive/International programmes | IIM flagship 2-year MBA/PGP and most Indian B-schools |
| Subject Focus | General academic reasoning, not business-specific | Business-oriented, including a dedicated Data Insights section | Quant, Verbal, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning for Indian B-schools |
| Frequency | Year-round, candidate-chosen dates | Year-round, candidate-chosen dates | Once a year, fixed national test day |
| Score Validity | 5 years | 5 years | 1 year (for that admission cycle) |
Q1. What is the difference between the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests?
The General Test measures broad verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills and is what most MS, MBA, and general PhD applicants take. Subject Tests assess advanced undergraduate-level knowledge in Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology specifically, and are required only by a subset of PhD programmes in those fields.
Q2. Is there negative marking in the GRE?
No. ETS does not deduct marks for incorrect answers, so candidates are encouraged to attempt every question rather than leave any blank.
Q3. What is the GRE exam fee in India?
The GRE General Test costs approximately ₹22,000–23,500 (equivalent to USD 220), while the Subject Test costs approximately ₹14,500–17,800 (equivalent to USD 150). Exact INR amounts fluctuate with the exchange rate, so always confirm the current fee on ets.org.
Q4. Is the GRE the same as the GMAT?
No. Both are standardised graduate-admission tests, but the GRE is broader and used for MS, PhD, and a growing number of MBA programmes, while the GMAT is business-focused and specifically designed for MBA/MiM admissions. Many business schools now accept either, so check your target programme’s policy.
Q5. How many times can I take the GRE?
You can retake it after a minimum gap of 21 calendar days, up to 5 times within any rolling 12-month period.
Q6. How long does the GRE take, and is there a break?
The current General Test takes approximately 1 hour 58 minutes and does not include a scheduled break, unlike the pre-2023 format, which ran nearly 3 hours 45 minutes and included a break.
Q7. What identification is required for Indian candidates?
A valid passport bearing your name, photograph, and signature is the primary accepted ID for GRE test-takers in India, whether testing at a Prometric centre or via GRE at Home.
Q8. How long is my GRE score valid?
Official GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date, matching the validity period of GMAT scores and giving candidates flexibility in timing their applications.
Disclaimer
This document is an unofficial educational resource created for exam aspirants. All information should be verified on the official recruitment website before applying. Vacancy numbers, age limits, and eligibility criteria are subject to change with each notification.
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