The GRE can be taken on a computer or on paper at testing centers worldwide.
The Graduate Records Exam (GRE) is use to measure your readiness for business school and post-graduate academic programs. The test is administered on paper, or on a computer, at certified testing centers all over the world. Preparation for the exam can be done online through test-prep companies and schools.
Terms of the Test
According to the non-profit Educational Testing Services (ETS), which administers the GRE, more than 3,200 academic programs use the exam to measure a student's ability to thrive in upper-level academic programs. The GRE General Test does not require knowledge of any particular subject. Some programs, however, will require scores from one of the GRE subject tests, offered in computer science, English literature, as well as several science and math specialties.
Consult an admissions counselor at the school to which you're applying to find out which tests you need to take.
Subjects
Basic college-level math will be tested in the general GRE.
The GRE covers three main areas of academic ability. No particular subject matter is covered, for example you will not be tested on any science or history knowledge. Your grasp of language and basic math will be challenged in a variety of ways.
The analytical writing section will test your critical thinking and writing skills. Expect to write short, clear essays that cover several points.
The verbal reasoning is a test of your reading comprehension and vocabulary. A vast range of English terms are tested, as well as your ability to grasp complex themes.
The math section, known as "quantitative reasoning" will cover basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry and some data analysis. You can expect to see material from college algebra and geometry, as well as some statistics.
Prepare Online
There are many companies that offer GRE test preparation online. The ETS offers a free GRE preparation service called "Powerprep." Included in the program are two GRE General Test practice tests, several samples of the analytical writing topics, test-taking strategies, and a math review.
Princeton Review and Kaplan are the most popular test-prep services in the country. Both of these companies sell GRE preparation courses and materials online.
Register Online
To register for the GRE, you need to make an appointment. The computer-based exam can be taken all year at designated testing centers around the world. The ETS website allows registration at all locations.
Once you have determined where you want to take the test, schedule an appointment to take the computer-based exam, or sign up for one of the paper-based exam dates.
Taking the Test
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the information sent to you by ETS when you register for the GRE. Bring proper identification and a sweater in case it gets cold.
If, before completing the test, you feel certain that you have not performed your best, for example, if you ran out of time on several sections, you can cancel your score. You won't get to see how you did if you elect to cancel the score, but it will not be recorded either.
Afterward
If you receive your score and are unhappy with it, you can take the test again. You can only register to take the GRE once per month.
ETS will send your score records to up to four recipients for free. If you have taken the GRE more than once, your score record will show all the scores you have received on the GRE in the last five years.
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