Exam Hub
🧠 GRE
Graduate Record Examinations — ETS-administered · Graduate/PhD admissions · Verbal, Quantitative & Analytical Writing
Test Fee (India)
₹20,780 (~$220)
Duration
~2 hours
Results In
8–10 days
Overview & Key Facts
Conducting Body
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Test Format
Computer-based (Adaptive) / Paper-based
Test Fee (India)
₹20,780 (approx. $220 USD)
Score Range
V: 130–170; Q: 130–170; AW: 0–6
Duration
Approx. 1 hour 58 minutes (revised 2023)
Results
8–10 business days (official)
Validity
5 Years
Global Recognition
1,300+ business schools + graduate programs
Adaptive Format
Section-level adaptive (2023 revision)
Negative Marking
No
Target Score
V:155+, Q:160+, AW:4.0+ (competitive)
ScoreSelect
Yes — send best scores from multiple tests
Exam Pattern & Structure
| Section / Module | Task Types / Content | Duration | Questions | Marks / Weight | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 task: Analyze an Argument essay | 30 min | 1 task | 0–6 score | Writing |
| Verbal Reasoning 1 | Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, Reading Comprehension | 18 min | 12 Qs | 130–170 | Verbal |
| Verbal Reasoning 2 | Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, Reading Comprehension | 23 min | 15 Qs | 130–170 | Verbal |
| Quant Reasoning 1 | Quant Comparison, Problem Solving, Data Interpretation | 21 min | 12 Qs | 130–170 | Math |
| Quant Reasoning 2 | Quant Comparison, Problem Solving, Data Interpretation | 26 min | 15 Qs | 130–170 | Math |
| Experimental Section | Unscored, can appear in any position | Varies | Varies | Unscored | Varies |
Scoring System & Requirements
Score Range
V:130–170, Q:130–170, AW:0–6
Scale / Increments
1-point increments (V&Q); 0.5 (AW)
Skill Scores
Verbal + Quantitative + Analytical Writing
| Purpose / University | Typical Requirement | Minimum Score | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top US STEM PhD Programs | Q:165+, V:155+, AW:4.0+ | Q:165+ | Highly competitive |
| Ivy League Graduate Programs | Total 320+, AW 4.5+ | 320+ | Top 10% |
| MS Computer Science | Q:160–167, V:150–155 | 310–322 | Competitive |
| MBA Programs (via GRE) | Total 315–325+ for top 10 schools | 315+ | B-school competitive |
| Liberal Arts Graduate | V:155+, Q:145+, AW:4.0+ | 300–310 | Mid-range |
| State University Graduate | Total 295–310 typical | 295–310 | Entry level |
| Fulbright / Scholarships | Total 320+ recommended | 320+ | Top percentile |
| Education Programs | Total 290–300 typical range | 290–300 | Standard |
8-Week Preparation Plan
Week 1Baseline set
🔍 Diagnostic & Vocabulary
- ETS free PowerPrep diagnostic
- Learn GRE word list strategy (flashcards)
- Magoosh 1000 GRE words app
- Understand adaptive scoring system
Week 2+3–5 Verbal
📖 Verbal: Text Completion
- 1-blank, 2-blank, 3-blank question types
- Vocabulary in context strategy
- 30 TC questions daily
- Read academic texts (The Economist, Scientific American)
Week 3+3–5 Verbal
📖 Verbal: Reading Comprehension
- Active reading strategy
- Main idea, inference, author tone questions
- Arguments & strengthen/weaken questions
- 20 RC passages this week
Week 4+5 Quant
🔢 Quant: Arithmetic & Algebra
- Quantitative Comparison strategies
- Plugging numbers technique
- Problem solving shortcuts
- 40 quant questions daily, no calculator dependency
Week 5+5 Quant
🔢 Quant: Geometry & Data
- Geometry properties review
- Data interpretation graphs & tables
- Data analysis statistics concepts
- 40+ quant questions with timed drills
Week 6+0.5–1 AW
✍️ Analytical Writing
- Analyze an Argument essay structure
- 5-paragraph template mastery
- Write 2 essays/week
- Score using ETS scoring guide
- Avoid logical fallacies
Week 7Near target
🔄 Full Mock Tests
- 2 ETS PowerPrep full tests (free)
- Analyze percentile scores
- Magoosh adaptive practice
- Focus on question types causing most errors
Week 8Exam ready!
✅ Final Prep
- Review flashcards
- 1 final full mock
- Light quant review
- Confirm ScoreSelect strategy
- ID check, test centre confirmation
Top Preparation Tips
- 📖 Vocabulary is 50% of Verbal — daily flashcard practice is non-negotiable
- 🔢 Quant: learn to eliminate answers using number substitution
- ✍️ AW: Even a 4.0 is in the 54th percentile — aim for 4.5+
- 🧠 Adaptive test: do well in section 1 to get a harder section 2
- ⏰ Time per Verbal Q: ~1.5 min max. Quant: ~2 min max
- 🔄 RC Strategy: Read the question BEFORE the passage
- 💡 Quantitative Comparison: Never assume figures are to scale
- 📊 ScoreSelect: Take GRE twice — send only your best scores
Study Resources
- 📚 ETS Official GRE Super Power Pack (3 books)
- 🌐 ETS PowerPrep II Free software (2 full tests)
- 📱 Magoosh GRE App + 200+ video lessons
- 📖 Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides
- 🎥 GregMAT YouTube (affordable GRE prep)
- 📚 Barron's 6 Practice Tests for GRE
- 🔤 Magoosh GRE Vocabulary Flashcards App
- 🌐 Kaplan GRE Prep — books + online platform
Test Centres (India)
- 🏙️ Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru — Prometric centres
- 🏙️ Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune — Available
- 🏙️ Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh — Available
- 🏙️ Jaipur, Kochi, Coimbatore — Available
- 🌐 GRE at Home available (24/7 proctored)
- 🌐 Available most days; limited weekend slots
- 🌐 Book: ets.org/gre/test-takers/general/register
- 📞 Prometric helpline: 1-800-268-3926
Results & Validity
- ⏱️ Unofficial V & Q scores immediately after test
- 📋 Official scores in 8–10 business days
- 📤 4 free score reports if designated before test
- 💰 Additional reports: $30 USD each
- 🔄 ScoreSelect: Choose which test scores to send
- 📊 Scores valid for 5 years from test date
- 🔁 Can retake GRE after 21 days; max 5 times/year
- 📈 Percentile ranks updated annually by ETS
ℹ️ All fees, scores, and information are approximate for 2024–25. Verify current requirements at the official exam website before applying.