INTRODUCTION TO
THE GRE GENERAL TEST
Margaret Krantz
Hanover College
Career Center Director
GRE Testing Program
(Scores last 5 years)
Subject Tests
(Paper and pencil, offered 3 times/year)
• Biochemistry, Cell & • Literature in
Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology
GRE Subject Test Scores
(Achievement Tests)
Possible Score Range: 200 – 990
 Actual score ranges vary by test
subject. See the ETS website for
score distributions for your
subject area.
Subject Test Registration
Test Date
 10/15/11
 11/12/11
 4/21/12
Registration Deadline*
 9/9/11
 10/7/11
 3/16/12
*Note this is a receipt date;
allow 7 days for US mailed
financial aid discount
vouchers.
Revised GRE
(General test only)
$160
Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing
Aptitude Test
Offered on computer 6 days/week
Limit once per 60 days, 5 times/year.
Revised GRE: Scoring
Analytical Writing:
 Score range: 0 – 6
 Mean: 4.1
Verbal and Quantitative Sections:
 Score Range: 130 – 170
 Verbal Mean: 150
 Quantitative Mean: 150
Sample Score Report
Registering for the GRE
 Call the test center directly
 On-line
 US mail
General test: $160
Subject test: $140
4 reports free; $23 for each additional.
THE COMPUTER-ADAPTIVE
GRE GENERAL TEST
Revised GRE: Adaptivity
 There will be 2 verbal reasoning
sections and 2 quantitative sections.
 Within a section, you can skip, mark,
return.
 You cannot return to past sections.
 Difficulty of second section will be
adjusted to your ability.
ability / difficulty
A possible representation of new computer adaptivity
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
ability / difficulty
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
ability / difficulty
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
ability / difficulty
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
ability / difficulty
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
ability / difficulty
Mean
Section 1, questions 1-20
Section 2, 1-20
OVERVIEW OF THE DAY
Test Centers or Universities
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Computer stations,
Other tests going on,
Security measures,
Honesty statement in cursive
Demographic information,
Numbered scratch paper,
Clocks on computer.
Revised GRE: Analytical Writing
“Present your Perspective on an Issue”
 one essay topic.
 30 minutes to write your essay.
“Analyze an Argument”
 30 minutes to critique a one-paragraph
argument.
Read and follow instructions!
No spell or grammar check provided.
How the AWM is Scored
Each essay scored by 2 trained readers.
6-point holistic scale.
Scores from the two readings averaged.
Scores on the two essays averaged and
rounded up to the nearest half-point.
 A single score is reported for the
section.
 Scoring guides and topic pool at
www.ets.org/gre.
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Breaks
 There will be a 10 minute break
after section 3, and optional one
minute breaks between other
sections.
Standardized Sections:
Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Revised Verbal Reasoning
You will have 2 sections (adaptive at the
section level) 30 minutes, 20 questions:
 Sentence equivalence
 Text completion
 Reading comprehension
(budget your time!)
 All question types for all difficulty levels.
Revised VR: Sentence Equivalence
Revised VR: Text Completion
Revised VR: Reading Comprehension
Revised VR: Reading Comprehension
Revised VR: Reading Comprehension
Preparing for the
Verbal Measure
www.ets.org/gre
Revised Quantitative Reasoning
You will have 2 sections (adaptive at the
section level) 35 minutes, 20
questions:
More real-life scenarios and data
interpretation
Key knowledge areas:
 arithmetic, algebra, geometry,
probability and statistics
Revised QR: Quantitative Comparison
Revised QR: Quantitative Comparison
Revised QR: Problem Solving
Revised QR: Numeric Entry
Revised QR: Choose 1 or more
Preparing for the
Quantitative Measure
www.ets.org/gre
Experimental Question Section
 Additional section with questions in
development
 Experimental section may fall first,
second or third
 Treat all sections as if they count:
you can’t tell which is which!
Keeping Your Scores
 The test is geared toward your highest
level of difficulty, so you can’t judge
accurately how you did!
 In general, if you finish the test,
keep your scores.
GRE Prep Timeline
 Take the practice test to identify your
approximate beginning level,
 Find target scores on PowerPrep,
 Study areas that need improvement,
 Practice to increase speed.
Score Release Dates
43
Grad School Application Timeline
 Find application deadlines for your targeted
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programs,
Subtract one month to determine your
“working” deadline,
Subtract two more months to request
letters of recommendation,
Take GRE at least two – three months
before published deadlines,
Mail in applications, and arrange for
transcripts, to arrive by “working” deadline.
GRE Bottom Line:
Preparation pays off!!