Kyiv
EducationUSA
Advising Center
vul. Esplanadna 20 (6th floor), Kyiv – 01001
Tel.: (+380-44) 289-3952 / 289-3953
edusa@americancouncils.org.ua
www.americancouncils.org.ua
GRE GENERAL TEST. QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
http://www.gmat.org
http://www.mba.com/mba/thegmat
WHAT IS GRE GENERAL TEST?
The Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE®) General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning,
and critical thinking and analytical writing skills that you acquired over a long period of time. The GRE General Test is
designed to help graduate school admission committees and fellowship sponsors assess the qualifications of applicants
for their programs.
WHO TAKES THE GRE AND WHY?
Prospective graduate applicants take the General Test. GRE® test scores are used by admissions or fellowship
panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for graduate study. The scores provide common
measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants and aid in evaluating grades and recommendations.
WHAT IS THE GRE SUBJECT TEST?
The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in 8 specific fields of study. GRE Subject test can
help forecast a candidate's potential for success in graduate school. Each Subject Test is intended for students who have
majored in or have extensive background in that specific area. The subject tests are given at paper-based test centers
worldwide three times a year: October, November, April.
WHO CREATES THE GRE TEST?
The GRE is created and administered by the ETS (“Educational Testing Service”) – www.ets.org
WHO ACCEPTS IT?
Any accredited graduate, business or professional school, or any department or division within a school, may
require or recommend that its applicants take the General Test, a Subject Test, or both. If approved by the GRE® Board,
an institution seeking accreditation can also receive test takers' scores.
HOW CAN I REGISTER FOR THE TEST?
There are four ways you can register for the Computer-based general test:
 WEB (online registration)
 Phone
 Fax
 Mail
After the registration is processed the admission ticket is sent to you.
WHAT IS A TEST FEE?
The test fee for the GRE General Test is 170 USD (as of 2009) for the GRE General test
The test fee for the GRE subject test is 150 USD.
Can be paid by credit card, money order/certified check/voucher, UNESCO coupons, Western Union® Quick
PaySM, check.For more information please visit: www.ets.org/gre
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE TEST?
The computer-based General Test contains four sections, one of which is an unidentified pretest section that can
appear in any position in the test after the analytical writing section. Questions in the pretest section are being pre-tested
for possible use in future tests and answers will not count toward your score. An identified research section that is not
scored may also be included and this section would always appear at the end of the test. Questions in the research section
are included for the purpose of ETS research and answers will not count toward your score.
Typical Computer-Based General Test
Section
Number of Questions
Analytical Writing
1 Issue task
1 Argument task
Verbal
30
Quantitative
28
Pretest
Varies
Time
45 min.
30 min.
30 min.
45 min.
Varies
Research
Varies
Varies
WHAT IS THE ORDER OF THE TEST SECTIONS?
The analytical writing section will always be first. For the Issue task, two essay topics will be presented and you
will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented. The verbal
and quantitative sections may appear in any order. An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section may be included
and may appear in any order. It is not counted as part of your score. An identified research section that is not scored may
be included and it will always be at the end of the test.
WHAT IS THE TESTING TIME?
Total testing time for the GRE General test is up to 3 hours 15 minutes, not including the research section. If you
take the computer-based General Test, you will be able to view your unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the end
of the test; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not view your analytical writing score at that time.
Official verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores will be sent to you and score recipients within 10 to 15 days
after you take the test.
Total testing time for the GRE Subject test is approximately 3.5 hours.
HOW SCORES ARE REPORTED?
Three scores are reported on the GRE General Test:
 a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments;
 a quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments, and
 an analytical writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.
If you answer no questions at all in a section (verbal, quantitative, or analytical writing), that section will be reported
as a No Score (NS).
GRE Subject test:
One total score is reported on a 200-990 score scale, in 10-point increments, although the score range for any
particular Subject Test is usually smaller.
Subscores are reported for the Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; and Psychology Tests on a 20-99
score scale, in one-point increments, although the range for any particular Subject Test subscore is usually smaller.
GRE scores are valid for 5 years.
WHAT TO BRING ON THE TEST DAY?
You must bring valid identification and your admission ticket on test day. You cannot take a test without them.
Valid official ID with your name, signature and photograph must have:
a) the same name you used when you registered;
b) your entire first/given name and entire last/family name;
c) a clear, recent photo.
Changes will not be made unless your name is misspelled. Expired documents and copies are not accepted.
Your admission ticket – you will be sent the admission ticket after you register.
IMPORTANT:
 Register early to get your preferred test date.
 Please, arrive at least 30 minutes early. If you are late you may not get in and could loose your test fee.
 Testing premises are subject to videotaping.
 Raise you hand if you need assistance, have a problem with your computer or need to leave your seat for any
reason.
 ID documents are the ONLY personal items allowed in the testing room. You cannot bring cell phones,
PDAs, BlackBerry® devices or any other electronic or photographic equipment. You will receive
instructions on where to put personal items.
 Paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room. For Computer-Based Test only- the test administrator
will provide you with scratch paper that may be replaced after you have used all pages of the scratch paper
initially given to you.
 You will NOT be permitted to test beyond the time limit.
 Calculators are not permitted in the test room.
 The GRE General Test includes an optional 10-minute break after the Analytical Writing section and oneminute breaks between the remaining sections of the test. The break time cannot be exceeded.
 Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.
 Bring three or four sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils and a good eraser (Pencils and erasers will not
be supplied at the test center.) Mechanical pencils and pens are not permitted.
From the “Practicing to Take the GRE General Test” by Educational Testing Service, 2007
Last updated April 1, 2009