Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Definition, Scoring, and Cost

What Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?

The graduate record examination (GRE) is a standardized exam used to measure one's aptitude for abstract thinking in the areas of analytical writing, mathematics, and vocabulary. The GRE is commonly used by many graduate schools in the U.S. and Canada to determine an applicant's eligibility for the program.

The GRE today is primarily offered via computer; however, in areas that lack the appropriate computer networks, a paper-based exam may be given.

Understanding the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE consists of three key sections designed to measure verbal and quantitative reasoning, and critical writing skills.

The verbal reasoning section analyzes the test taker's ability to draw conclusions, distinguish major and relevant points, and understand words and sentences, among other things. It’s structured to measure the test taker’s ability to analyze and evaluate written material. This section also gauges their capacity to process the information they gather from written material and see and analyze relationships between different parts of sentences.

In the quantitative segment, the test taker’s ability to solve problems is measured through the use of concepts of geometry, data analysis, and algebra. Test takers must solve problems using mathematical problems, and interpret and analyze quantitative data.

The final section, meanwhile, measures the test taker’s capacity for critical thinking and analytical writing—in particular, how well they can articulate complex ideas and provide effective support for those concepts.

History of the GRE

The GRE was introduced in 1936 by a consortium of four universities and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 1938, the University of Wisconsin became the first public university to ask students to take the GRE.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) was created in 1947 and currently oversees GRE testing. Initially, the GRE test included only verbal and quantitative sections. An analytics and logic section was later added, but then replaced, after 2002, with the analytical writing assessment.

New questions were introduced in 2007, together with fill-in-the-blank style questions in the math section, while 2008 brought style changes to the reading comprehension questions. The biggest changes came in 2011, with a new design that includes the current 130-170 scoring scale, doing away with particular question types, and making the computer adaptive testing adjustments based on sections and not questions.

Despite its ubiquity, some universities have begun dropping GRE requirements, amidst criticism that the exam is unfair and biased, and moreover does not provide a good prediction of graduate student success or further employment in academia.

Most recently, the ETS announced that the shortening of the GRE in 2023. Instead of a 4-hour long exam, test-takers will receive a condensed exam that will take less than two hours to complete, about half the time of the current test. The shorter test removes and condenses some of the sections on the GRE such as the argument essay, experimental (unscored) section, 10-minute break and the number of questions across the Quant sections. Registration for the shorter test is now open for test dates beginning September 22, 2023.

How the GRE Is Scored

There are three different sections of the GRE; these are scored in two different ways:

1. Verbal Reasoning: The Verbal Reasoning score range is typically between 130 and 170, in one-point increments.
2. Quantitative Reasoning: The Quantitative Reasoning score range is also between 130 and 170, in one-point increments.
3. Analytical Writing: Each task is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. The two scores are then averaged to get the Analytical Writing score, which ranges from 0 to 6.

Your final GRE score is the combination of your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. These scores are reported on a scale of 260 to 340, in one-point increments. The Analytical Writing score is reported separately.

How Admissions Use the GRE

The GRE General Test is used broadly by graduate and business schools to screen applicants. Some schools may require applicants to take GRE Subject Tests, which measure knowledge in particular fields of study. These subject areas may include physics, psychology, biology, literature in English, and chemistry.

Note that GRE Subject Test areas of focus are not always static; tests have been introduced or discontinued for topics such as computer science and biochemistry, though the scores from previously taken tests remain reportable.

Business School Admissions

Most business schools prefer that applicants attempt the GMAT before applying for an MBA program, although many of them will also accept GRE scores as an equivalent.

The GRE measures a test taker's skills in vocabulary, as opposed to the GMAT, which focuses more on mathematical ability. Nevertheless, many business schools, including the top business schools in the U.S., accept the GRE as an entrance exam for their MBA programs.

To get a better idea of typical scores for the GRE, here are the average GRE scores for the class of 2022.

How to Take the GRE and Costs

Those who are looking to take the GRE typically schedule to take the exam at a test center. The time allotted to complete the exam is more than three hours, with scheduled breaks between testing sections. While there is no limit on the number of times one can take the exam, there must be a 21-day gap between any two consecutive test attempts. The exam also cannot be taken more than five times in a calendar year.

A test taker might take the exam multiple times in order to improve their test scores and increase their chances of being accepted into the graduate schools they are interested in attending. Test takers choose which scores they send to graduate schools, unlike other standardized tests that are reported without input from the applicant.

The cost of the exam in the U.S. is $220. That same fee applies to many other countries in the world, although there are some exceptions—in China and India the exam costs $231.30 and $213, respectively.

Signing Up and Preparing for the GRE

Individuals can sign up to take the GRE on the ETS website. Taking the computer test requires a free ETS account, then the test taker can sign up for a test date and center—although they must register at least two calendar days prior to the planned test date. Payment for the test can be made via credit or debit card, e-check, paper check, or PayPal.

In terms of preparing for the GRE, the ETS website offers a range of resources, most of which are free. The ETS offers free practice tests, math skills reviews with definitions and examples, and instructional videos.

The ETS also offers paid materials, which includes a number of additional practice tests. Section-specific questions, such as verbal reasoning, can be purchased, too. In addition, there are online writing practice features available through the service, which allows you to write two essays and get scores and feedback.

The Bottom Line

The GRE is a standardized test used for admissions into graduate and business school programs. It assesses a student's readiness for advanced academic studies by evaluating their verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The test consists of three main sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. GRE scores range from 130 to 170 for each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and from 0 to 6 for Analytical Writing.