If you are considering graduate study in the US or Canada, you should strongly consider writing the GRE. Although some institutions do not make the requirement of the GRE compulsory for admissions, having it significantly improves your chances. Also, you stand the possibility of getting funding for your program if you do well in the exam.
Like the GMAT is a critical evaluation tool for MBA programs, the GRE plays a similar role for a wide range of graduate programs, spanning fields from business and law to the humanities and sciences. The admission committees evaluate your GRE scores, alongside other application materials, to assess your readiness and potential for success in your chosen graduate program.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a computer-based, standardized test designed for prospective graduate school applicants. Just like the GMAT, and its various sections and adaptive format, the GRE helps institutions assess your analytical, quantitative, and verbal abilities, which would gauge the chances of your success as you embark on your graduate journey.
Read: How To Pass The Gre Exams Like A Pro
The GRE Sections
The GRE shares a lot of similarities with the GMAT, with the only difference at face value being the absence of the Integrated Reasoning section.
The GRE comprises various sections that assess your aptitude, and mathematical and critical thinking skills under timed conditions. It evaluates these skills in three major sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
1. Analytical Writing:
This section tests your capacity for critical thinking and how well you can articulate complex ideas effectively.
You will be required to solve two tasks in this section:
- The Issue Task: In the Issue Task, you are presented with a general statement or claim and asked to provide a well-reasoned response.
- The Argument Task: This task requires you to critique a provided argument.
2. Verbal Reasoning:
The Verbal Reasoning section assesses your ability to understand written material, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions, and recognize relationships between different points.
This section includes text completion, sentence equivalence, and reading comprehension questions that assess your critical thinking and reading skills.
3. Quantitative Reasoning:
The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates an applicant’s mathematical abilities, covering topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. This section comprises multiple-choice questions, as well as numeric entry questions that require you to provide their answers directly.
GRE Scoring Scale
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 for both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, with one-point increments. The Analytical Writing section is scored separately on a scale of 0 to 6, with half-point increments.
Like the GMAT, the GRE uses a computer-adaptive format, which adjusts the difficulty of the questions based on your performance. The more challenging questions you answer correctly, the higher your score will be.
What Is A Good GRE Score?
Although there is no cutoff mark for GRE admissions, the 50th percentile is the median score. Many graduate programs or institutions require you to score above the median score, and that can push the benchmark to the 75th percentile. For more competitive schools and programs, the score can be as high as the 90th percentile.
In essence, scoring at least 157 in your verbal, 161 in your Quantitative, and 4.0 in your Analytical Writing will be a good score.
Can You Retake the GRE?
Of course! You can retake the GRE test, and there is no limit on the number of attempts you can make. However, you should keep in mind that there is a mandatory waiting period of 21 days between each attempt. Furthermore, you can take the GRE up to five times in any continuous 12-month period.
Preparation Strategies for the GRE
To achieve a competitive GRE score, you must prepare effectively. Here are some key strategies to help you succeed:
To prepare effectively for the GRE, there are a few key things you should keep in mind.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format: it’s important to familiarize yourself with the test’s format so that you know what to expect on test day and can manage your time and resources efficiently.
- Invest in quality materials and guidance: investing in quality study materials, such as official GRE test prep books, online resources, and prep courses, can be extremely helpful. You can also find many free resources online, including practice questions and tests. If you need additional support, consider working with a professional tutor.
- Consume analytical content: Another way to prepare for the GRE is to read a lot of analytical non-fictions. Even if this isn’t your favorite type of reading material, it can help you sharpen your ability to tackle the exam’s passages effectively.
- Practice. Practice again: Taking full-length practice tests is also crucial for building your endurance and managing test-day stress. This will help you get a feel for the exam’s mental and physical conditions and simulate real-exam conditions.
- Improve your weaknesses: When preparing for the GRE, it’s important to identify your areas of weakness in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning and dedicate additional time to improving them. This will yield significant improvements.
- Trust your intuition! After thoughtful preparation and practice, trust your instincts when making choices during the GRE. This can be a valuable tool for making rational choices when you’ve narrowed down options and are well-prepared.
Another worthy mention is you should track your progress. GRE preparations benefit from clear benchmarks. Regularly measure your improvements, assess your study techniques, and use these metrics to decide when to take the GRE.
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Conclusion
The GRE will play a vital role in your journey to graduate school. It assesses your analytical, reasoning, and quantitative abilities, ultimately shaping your chances of gaining admission to your preferred graduate program.
To enhance your chances of getting a competitive score, you should grasp the exam’s scoring system and apply effective preparation strategies that align with your goals.