GRE – A Complete Guide

The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a key part of the application process for graduate school or business school. It is a computer-based, multiple-choice standardized test that is commonly needed for admission to graduate schools and graduate management schools (MBA) around the world.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) created and manages the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) so that universities and business schools may use a standardized test to evaluate applicants’ aptitude for graduate-level study. Graduate school and business school admissions committees look at your GRE score, as well as your academic record and other materials, to see if you are ready for the challenges of graduate school.

In this article, we have discussed the various aspects of the GRE that you should be aware of.

Let’s start with the types of GRE tests.

Different types of GRE

There are 2 types of GRE:

1. GRE general test
2. GRE subject test

GRE General Test

The GRE general test is taken by applicants to graduate, business, or law school. The test has questions that are designed to test analytical ability, verbal, quantitative, and writing skills. If you are looking to get into a business school then you would have to take the GRE general test.

GRE Subject Tests

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject Tests are achievement tests designed to evaluate the test taker’s depth of knowledge and breadth of skill in a given academic discipline. They are for students who have a bachelor’s degree or a lot of experience in one of the following fields:

• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

In this article, our focus will be only on the GRE general computer-based test since that’s the test that is used for MBA admissions evaluation.

Can you take GRE at home and test center?

You can take the GRE both at home and at the test center. There are few similarities and differences between the at-home GRE and In-center GRE which are summarised in the table below.

Differences – At Home GRE vs In Center GRE

Differences	At Home GRE	In Center GRE
Test appointments	seven days a week, any time of the day	Monday to Saturday at available slots
Breaks	10-minute mandatory break after third section; 1-minute breaks between sections. Cannot leave your seat for the 1 min breaks	10-minute optional break after third section; 1-minute breaks between sections. Can leave your seat for the 1 minute breaks
Check-in time	Within 12 minutes of appointment time	30 minutes before test time
Note-taking	Dry-erase whiteboard or paper in a plastic protector which can be erased later	Scratch paper is provided by the test center and is kept by the test center
Equipment	Set up your own devices	Provided by the test center
Proctor	Remote proctor via webcam and microphone	Test center administrator

Similarities – At Home GRE vs In Center GRE

Similarities	At Home GRE	In Center GRE
Fees	$220	$220
Exam time	3 hours 45 minutes, not including breaks	3 hours 45 minutes, not including breaks
Exam structure	6 sections: 1 Analytical Writing, 2 Quant, 2 Verbal, 1 Experimental	6 sections: 1 Analytical Writing, 2 Quant, 2 Verbal, 1 Experimental
Section order options	Analytical Writing first, then randomized	Analytical Writing first, then randomized
Official scores	10-15 days after test date	10-15 days after test date
Score validity	5 years from test date	5 years from test date
Lifetime Exam Attempts	Unlimited, provided it is taken once every 21 days and 5 times in any 12-month period	Unlimited, provided it is taken once every 21 days and 5 times in any 12-month period

How long is the GRE?

The GRE testing time lasts for about 3 hours and 45 minutes and has six sections. There is a 10-minute break following the third section.

GRE Section	Duration
Analytical Writing	30 minutes per task (2 tasks)
Verbal Reasoning	30 minutes per section (2 sections)
Quantitative Reasoning	35 minutes per section (2 sections)
Experimental or Unscored	Varies (30 or 35 minutes)

GRE – Exam structure 

There are 6 sections on the GRE general test. Each section has a different duration, question types, number of questions, and score range. 

Here is a snapshot of the sections of the GRE:

Section	Number of Questions	Time	Total Time
Analytical Writing (One section with two separately timed tasks)	One “Analyze an Issue” taskOne “Analyze an Argument” task	30 minutes per task	60 minutes
Verbal Reasoning (Two sections)	20 questions per section	30 minutes per section	60 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections)	20 questions per section	35 minutes per section	70 minutes
Unscored or Research Section	Varies	Varies	Varies

Let’s take a look in detail.

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal section of the GRE tests your ability to read and understand written material, as well as your understanding of how words and concepts work together in sentences. There are different kinds of Verbal Reasoning questions:

Highlights of Verbal Reasoning section:

• Two sections of 20 questions each
• 30 minutes for each section
• The question types covered in each section are:
  • Sentence equivalence questions
  • Text completion questions
  • Reading comprehension questions
• Score Range – 130 to 170, 1-point Increment

Quantitative Reasoning

The Quant section of the GRE tests your basic math skills as well as your ability to think and solve problems using quantitative methods. You’ll find questions on basic math, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. You are also allowed to use a calculator to help you with the longer calculations involved in the questions in this section.

Highlights of the Quantitative Reasoning section:

• Two sections of 20 questions each
• 35 minutes for each section
• The question types covered in each section are:
  • Quantitative Comparison questions
  • Problem-solving questions
  • Data Interpretation Questions
• Score Range – 130 to 170, 1-point Increment

Analytical Writing

The Analytical Writing Assessment, also known as the “essay” component, evaluates your ability to present your thoughts and arguments clearly and logically in response to challenging topics. The key to scoring well on Analytical Writing is learning how to create a well-supported argument in response to new and unfamiliar topics.

In Analytical Writing, you will be asked to “Analyze an Issue” and “Analyze an Argument” during two separate timed tasks. For the “Analyze an Issue” task, you will read an opinion on a topic of general interest and be told how to respond to the issue. For the “Analyze an Argument” task, you will need to think about an argument based on the instructions given in the prompt.

Sample argument task

In surveys, Mason City residents rank water sports (swimming, boating, and fishing) among their favorite recreational activities. The Mason River flowing through the city is rarely used for these pursuits, however, and the city park department devotes little of its budget to maintaining riverside recreational facilities. For years there have been complaints from residents about the quality of the river’s water and the river’s smell. In response, the state has recently announced plans to clean up Mason River. Use of the river for water sports is therefore sure to increase. The city government should for that reason devote more money in this year’s budget to riverside recreational facilities. Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what the implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted.

Sample issue task

As people rely more and more on technology to solve problems, the ability of humans to think for themselves will surely deteriorate. Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Here are simple strategies for this task.

Highlights of this section:

• This section requires you to write two essays i.e. complete two tasks:
  • “Analyze an Issue” task
  • “Analyze an Argument” task
• 30 minutes for each essay
• Score Range – 0 to 6, 0.5 point Increment

Experimental Section

• This is not evaluated towards GRE score.

Here’s the summary of the above details 

Computer-based	Total duration	No. of sections	No. of questions
Verbal Reasoning	30 minutes	2	20
Quantitative Reasoning	35 minutes	2	20
Analytical Writing	60 minutes	1	2
Unscored/Research	Varies	1	Varies

What is the section order of the GRE?

Unlike the GMAT where you can choose a section order, GRE does not reveal a clear section order. The position of the Analytical Writing section is fixed and will always be first. The Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Unscored/Research sections may appear in any order; therefore, you should treat each section as if it counts toward your score.

What is the adaptive nature of the GRE?

Unlike GMAT which is question adaptive, GRE is section adaptive. Quant and Verbal sections of the GRE have 2 sections each. Your performance in the first section of Verbal and Quant will decide the difficulty level of the respective second section.

GRE Cost

The cost of taking the GRE varies according to geography. The fees for GRE tests and related services with effect from November 2022 are as follows:

GRE registration fee

Location	GRE Fee
China	$231.30
India	$228.00
All other areas of the world	$220.00

Other service fee

Rescheduling fee — China	$53.90
Rescheduling fee — All other areas of the world	$50.00
Changing your test center	$50.00
Additional Score Reports (ASR) — Per recipient	$30.00
Question-and-Answer review service — Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning sections only (New York State residents only)	$50.00
Score Review for Analytical Writing measure	$60.00
Score Reinstatement Fee	$50.00

GRE Fee Waivers

GRE does not waive the complete registration fee but it runs a ‘Fee Reduction Program’ where you will pay $100 to register for the GRE general test. So, what makes you eligible for fee reduction program?

There are 3 types of eligibility criteria:

1. Financial need
2. Unemployed
3. National groups working with underrepresented groups

Test takers with financial need

If you’re a high school senior or recent college grad planning to take the GRE in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands and fulfill the eligibility conditions, you may be eligible for a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher from ETS.

Seniors in college have to be:

• Receiving financial aid through an undergraduate college in the U.S., U.S. Territories, or Puerto Rico, and
• A dependent student with an FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) that shows a parental contribution of no more than $2,700 for the senior year, or
• Self-supporting and have a SAR that shows a contribution of no more than $3,200 for their senior year

College graduates who are not enrolled must:

• Have applied for financial help, and
• Have a SAR that shows they are self-supporting and that their contribution is less than or equal to $3,200

Test takers who are unemployed

ETS gives a limited number of GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers to people who can prove they are unemployed and getting unemployment benefits and who plan to take a GRE test in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or U.S. Virgin Islands.

Eligibility Requirements:

• A U.S. citizen or resident alien who is at least 18 years old
• Currently out of work and have lost their job in the last six months
• Could show proof of unemployment with a copy of the Unemployment Benefits Statement from the last 90 days.

Programs working with underrepresented groups

GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers are also made available to the following programs that work with students from underrepresented groups, first-generation college students and students with financial need:

• Admit.me Fellows (added in 2022)
• Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Program
• EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• Graduate Applications International Network (GAIN) (added in 2022)
• i-Scholar Initiative (added in 2022)
• Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)
• Management Leaders of Tomorrow
• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Program
• MT Scholarship Program (added in 2022) 
• National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Program (GEM)
• NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
• Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• The Beinecke Scholarship Program
• TheDream.US
• Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship Program
• TRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
• TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program

Can I reschedule or cancel my GRE test appointment?

Yes. You can reschedule or cancel your GRE appointment. You have to reschedule at least four days before the test appointment and you have to pay a $50 reschedule fee. Candidates in Mainland China must reschedule their exam 10 days before the date of the test and have to pay a reschedule fee of $53.90.

In the same way, you can cancel your appointment four days before your test appointment and get half of the registration fee back.

How is the GRE scored?

Only your Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning scores are used to figure out your total GRE score. The highest score you can obtain on each of the quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning sections is 170, and the lowest score you can obtain on either section is 130. So, the highest score you can get on the GRE is 340, and the lowest score you can obtain is 260.

The Quantitative Reasoning score is reported on a scale from 130 to 170, with 1-point increments. Verbal Reasoning score is also given on a scale of 130 to 170, with 1-point increments. Analytical Writing scores are given on a scale from 0 to 6, with half-point increments. 

GRE section-wise scores	Verbal	Quantitative	Total GRE Score
Lowest GRE Score	130	130	260
Highest GRE Score	170	170	340

GRE scores and percentiles

Here are the GRE score percentiles for Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning, based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2021:

Scaled Score	Percentile Scores (Verbal Reasoning)	Percentile Scores (Quantitative Reasoning
170	99	96
169	99	93
168	98	90
167	98	87
166	97	84
165	95	81
164	94	78
163	92	76
162	90	73
161	87	70
160	85	67
159	81	64
158	78	61
157	74	57
156	71	54
155	66	51
154	62	47
153	58	43
152	52	40
151	48	37
150	43	33
149	38	30
148	34	27
147	30	23
146	27	20
145	24	17
144	21	14
143	18	12
142	16	10
141	13	8
140	11	7
139	9	5
138	8	4
137	6	3
136	5	2
135	4	2
134	3	1
133	2	1
132	2	1
131	1
130

Analytical Writing

Score Levels	Percentile scores (Analytical Writing)
6.0	99
5.5	97
5.0	91
4.5	79
4.0	54
3.5	37
3.0	13
2.5	6
2.0	2
1.5	1
1.0
0.5
0.0

Do Business Schools accept the GRE?

Yes, business schools accept the GRE as openly as they accept the GMAT. Most business schools do not prefer one test over the other. More than 1,300 business schools across the globe accept GRE General Test scores as part of their application process.

All the top US and European business schools accept the GRE. In fact, 30% of the Harvard Business School and 33% of the Stanford GSB class of 2024 took the GRE. Here is the percentage of the MBA class of 2024 who took the GRE to get into these top business schools.

School Name	% Class of 2024 taking the GRE
Yale SOM	39%
Stanford GSB	33%
Harvard Business School	30%
Chicago Booth	26%
NYU Stern	21%

Average GRE Scores of top business schools

Here are the average GRE scores of the latest incoming class i.e., the class of 2024 of top business schools. A few business schools are yet to update this data. For the ones that have published the data, we have created a table below.

For 2022, Yale SOM boasts the highest average GRE score of 329 among top business schools. Stanford GSB and Chicago Booth hold the second position with an average GRE score of 327.

School Name	2022 Total GRE Score	2022 GRE Average Quant Score	2022 GRE Average Verbal Score	2021 Total GRE Score
Stanford GSB	327	163	164	330
Chicago (Booth)	327	164	163	325
Penn (Wharton)	324	162	162	324
Northwestern (Kellogg)*	325	163	162	327
Harvard Business School*	326	163	163	326
Dartmouth (Tuck)	324	162	162	324
UC-Berkeley (Haas)	324	163	161	323
Yale SOM	329	165	164	330
Duke (Fuqua)	317	NA	NA	317
Michigan (Ross)	320	160	160	320
NYU (Stern)	325	163	162	324
Virginia (Darden)	319	NA	NA	321

*represents the median GRE score

Final Verdict

If you are looking to get into a top business school, you can take the GRE as part of the MBA admissions process and business schools won’t hold it against you. Business schools give equal weightage to both GMAT and GRE. However, you would still need to do well in your essays, resume, and other application components to create a strong application. We can help you create a well-rounded application. Get in touch with our experts to start your MBA journey.