Are you one of the ambitious students who wish to pursue a graduate degree at a prestigious university in another country? Then you are required to take the exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, etc., as per the requirement of the universities.

And, if you want to study in the United States, may be an MS in the US, you'll need to take the GRE, which is required by nearly all universities. The GRE test is also accepted in other English-speaking countries such as Canada and Australia.

However, Let’s face it – the GRE is something everyone dreads, and we have all completed countless Google searches to find GRE Exam dates, fees, registration, eligibility, syllabus, pattern, etc. And, this article will cover all your pre-examination queries pertaining to the GRE exam. So keep reading till the end to learn everything there is to know about the GRE Exam 2024.

What is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination, abbreviated as GRE, is a standardized test required for admission to most graduate-level programs. Universities across the U.S, U.K, Germany, Canada, etc accept the GRE score and use the scores as a common criterion to compare students of different educational backgrounds. 

The GRE Exam includes two types of tests namely the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests. These tests are owned and administered under Educational Testing Service (ETS). GRE Exam is conducted in both online and offline format, and candidates can visit the official website of ETS for registration. 

GRE Exam Eligibility 2024

There are no specific GRE eligibility criteria as prescribed by ETS, therefore anybody, regardless of age or qualifications, can register for the GRE.

Types of GRE Exam

There are two types of GRE tests which are-

  1. GRE Subject Test - This test is specific and aims to measure the capability of the candidate in specific subject areas only. The tests are available in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology. In general, this test is required to get admission to specialized courses.
  2. GRE General Test - This test is not related to a specific subject. Though it was developed a long time ago, it is important for all as it closely lines up with the skills required for success in today’s graduate programs.

At present, the GRE General Test is available in two formats in India 

    • GRE Computer Based Test is administered throughout the year on the computer at Prometric test centers. Students get to choose the testing location and date according to their convenience.  
    • GRE at Home Test is the most recently launched format(during the pandemic) where candidates can take the GRE from the safety of their homes. Candidates are required to meet the system requirements pre-determined by ETS and have a conducive environment during the entire duration of the GRE at Home Test. These tests are usually monitored by a human proctor through ProctorU.

For the rest of this post, we'll concentrate on the GRE General Test because it's the one that most graduate programs require.

How is the GRE structured?

The GRE General Test is divided into three sections (Analytical Writing, Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning) and takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete. While the GRE tests similar knowledge to the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), it is a bit more intense because of the styles of questions and ways you can answer.

Parameter

Number of Questions

Allotted Time

Analytical Writing

Analyzing a situation

30 minutes per task

Verbal Reasoning

20 questions per section 

30 minutes per section

Quantitative Reasoning

20 questions per section    

30 minutes per section

The three GRE parts are analytical writing (the essay), quantitative reasoning (math), and verbal reasoning (reading). Here’s how they are broken up during the actual test:

1. Analytical Writing (aka the essay): Analytical Writing section has 2 essays, with 30 minutes per essay to complete each essay. In total, you'll get 60 minutes for 2 essays on-

    • Issue - You will be asked to respond to an issue presented to you, presenting your viewpoint and providing examples that support your view. You can support or refute the argument. It makes no difference whatever side of the issue you choose as long as you adequately assess the issue and present a thorough explanation.
    • Argument - You will be asked to critique an argument’s reasoning and analyze the argument's strengths and weaknesses. You might be presented with a passage where the logic is flawed.

2. Verbal reasoning (aka the reading comprehension part): Two 30-minute sessions with 20 multiple-choice reading comprehension or vocabulary questions each. In total, you'll get 60 minutes for 40 questions on-

    • Discrete Short-Answer – Fill-in-the-blank questions that test your reading comprehension, ability to use context clues, and vocabulary skills. You must select the correct word(s) to fill the blank(s) in the sentence. There might be up to three blanks. These types of questions will either be in the sentence equivalence style or text completion style.
    • Critical Reading – You will be given a brief passage to read and then asked several questions that require you to interpret and analyze what you read.

3. Quantitative reasoning (aka the math part): There are two 35-minute sessions, each with 20 multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank math problems. In total, you'll get 70 minutes for 40 questions on-

    • Quantitative Comparison – You will be given two quantities (Quantity A and B). For each of these questions, the question will have four possible answers. There are in total 15 of these questions on the exam.
    • Discrete Quantitative – The typical multiple-choice math questions. Just solve the problem and provide the correct answer – either by selecting the correct answer choice or typing the numerical answer in the box. There are also some questions where you will have to choose more than one answer. There are in total 19 discrete quantitative questions on the exam.
    • Data Interpretation – You will be shown some kind of set of data through a graph, chart, table, or figure. The questions will ask you to analyze the data by either calculating something or making some kind of inference. There are 6 of these questions on the exam.

There are two more sections namely unscored and research where the number of questions and time may vary according to the situation. 

What is the GRE Exam Syllabus?

The GRE exam syllabus is divided into three main sections where -

1. Analytical Writing Syllabus requires you to

  • Articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
  • Support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
  • Examine claims and accompanying evidence
  • Sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
  • Control the elements of standard written English

2. The Verbal Reasoning Syllabus requires you to 

  • Analyze and draw conclusions from discourse; reason from incomplete data; identify the author's perspective and/or assumptions; understand multiple levels of meaning, such as literal, figurative, and author's intent
  • Select important points; distinguish major from minor or irrelevant points; summarize text; understand the structure of a text
  • Understand the meaning of individual words, sentences, and entire texts; understand the concepts and relationships among words

3. The Quantitative Reasoning Syllabus requires you to 

  • understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
  • solve problems using mathematical models
  • apply basic skills and elementary concepts of algebra, arithmetic, data analysis, and geometry

How do I register for the GRE?

Before proceeding with the Graduate Record Examination registration process, kindly review all the policies and procedures mentioned on the ETS website for eg: the fees charged for the exam, rescheduling and cancellation policies, personal credentials, etc.

Now let’s start with the GRE registration process. 

  1. Create an ETS account on the official website
  2. Students can register either at a test center or online. Any of the following is acceptable.
  3. To register for the GRE General test at home, students are requested to register through their official ETS account.
  4. Students are advised to register as soon as possible as they can get their preferred test location and date selection.
  5. Pay the fees online to complete registration. If you are willing to pay with a paper check or money order, students are advised to request an Authorization Voucher by mail.

Rescheduling your GRE Test

  1. Students who are willing to reschedule their test have to do it no later than 4 days before their GRE test date.
  2. Students can reschedule their test online by calling the appropriate Regional Registration Centre (RRC).

Canceling your GRE Test

  1. Students who want to cancel their test have to do it no later than 4 days before their GRE test date.
  2. Students will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original fee.
  3. Students can cancel their test by calling the appropriate Regional Registration Centre (RRC).

How much does the GRE cost?

GRE Fees for Standard Test Administration is $213 which accounts for approximately INR 16,200/- and if later students want to change their test centers, they will be charged an amount of an additional $50 which accounts for approximately INR 3800/-

So be careful while selecting your test center.

GRE Exam Dates for 2024

There are several GRE exam dates in 2024, just like there are for other international standardized examinations, and students can select any GRE day that is convenient and available to them.

Months

Dates

January 2024

03, 04, 05, 06, 09, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27

February 2024

02, 03, 04, 07, 08, 09, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28

March 2024

01, 02, 06, 07, 09, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30.

April 2024

04, 05, 06, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27.

May 2024

08, 15, 18, 24, 25, 28.

June 2024

05, 07, 08, 13, 20, 29.

 

Note: Late registration closes one week after the regular registration deadline. 

How do I prepare for the GRE?

Students who are willing to prepare for GRE Exam 2024 can visit the official website as they offer free and affordable tools for students. 

Other important tips are: 

  1. Watch relevant tutorials
  2. Make the best use of the internet
  3. Take as many practice tests as you can
  4. Solve previous year's sample papers 

Do your Master's in the USA without GRE!

Yes, you read that right. Many universities in the USA offer master's without GRE. Many colleges also eliminated the GRE requirement since many students were unable to take the exam due to the pandemic.

Refer to this article to know the extensive list of universities in the US that offer masters without GRE-Masters in the USA without GRE - Know all Universities and Courses.

These are a few details of the GRE Exam 2024. Good luck as you take your test!

Getting assuring marks in the GRE is half the requirement, you would further need to apply for a visa to go abroad. For the US, you would need to arrange funds to show to the University as proof of funds to get the I-20. Keep in mind, that education abroad is not cheap as it requires at least 30-40 lakhs to complete your education abroad.

Because not everyone has such a hefty sum, many turn to banks for abroad education loans. However, many students find the education loan procedure even more exhausting after going through rigorous preparatory days, especially when they get caught up in the process's intricacy.

WeMakeScholars is an organization that is funded and supported by the Ministry of IT, Government of India, that helps students to make the education loan process easier for them by coordinating with the bank on their behalf. The financial officer assigned to you takes care of your entire education loan process and also provides you with the best overall loan term as per your profile and requirements. You can reach out to WeMakeScholars by requesting a callback and since we are government-funded, we do not charge any service fee from students.