Types of GRE Tests

Are you willing to study abroad in top countries like the USA, Canada, and the UK?. If the answer is yes, then it is most likely that you have come across GRE tests. The Graduate Record Exam or GRE is a standardized test that has been used for getting admission to graduate programs at the top study abroad destinations.

Most of the students who are looking to study abroad for their higher studies i.e. master's or PHD. can take the test as a requirement before enrollment. In this article, we have discussed what the GRE test is and the different types of GRE tests abroad.

Table of Contents

1. Types of GRE Test

2. GRE Subject Test

3. GRE General Test

4. Different Types of GRE: Home, Centre, Computer, and Paper

5. GRE Exam Pattern

6. Conclusion

Types of GRE Test

The GRE tests are primarily categorized into two types i.e. General Test and GRE Subject Test. It mostly depends on which one is the best for your needs. The type of GRE test you are needed to take is based on the university and the eligibility criteria of the students. The subject test is limited to a single subject which checks your knowledge and understanding of the specific subject. Whereas the General GRE Test is used for the evaluation of your student profile.

GRE Subject Test

The GRE subject test mainly focuses on a subject test in which you have to take admission in postgraduate and graduate programs abroad. This test is generally conducted three times a year and is paper-based. The subject test is further divided into four different types i.e. Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Psychology.

The total number of questions and the syllabus of the exam varies greatly depending on your graduate courses. For example, if you want to get admitted to psychology graduate courses in study abroad institutions, you have to appear in the GRE Psychology Test. The Psychology Graduate Test consists of around 205 multiple choice questions that can be solved in three hours.

GRE General Test

The GRE General Test is the most versatile and has been a widely accepted test for getting admission to master's courses abroad. The test generally focuses on analytical writing and the verbal and quantitative reasoning section. The test is conducted in two different modes i.e. paper-based and online mode. This is also an MCQ-based examination.

Different Types of GRE: Home, Centre, Computer, and Paper

Although the GRE subject test is offered on paper, the general test can be delivered in two modes: by paper or online mode. The subject test, because it is paper-based, is conducted at various centers across the world but the GRE General Test can be conducted in the comfort of your home. This can be understood when we look at the major difference between the paper-based and computer-based types of GRE general tests.

Computer-Based	Paper Based
One analytical section: two tasks in each one	Two analytical sections: two tasks in each one
20 questions each in other two section	25 questions each in two other sections
Total time: 95 minutes	Total time: 105 minutes

GRE Exam Pattern

Despite having similarities between the GRE Subject and the GRE General Test. The GRE exam pattern for both the paper-based and the computer-based differs in some aspects. Furthermore, the paper-based exam can be comfortable for some aspirants and some for computer-based exams. It mostly depends on your location. The GRE exam pattern is discussed below

● Paper Based: The paper-based exam consists of quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and verbal reasoning divided into six different sections. The total duration of the test is of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

● Computer Based: This paper consists of quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and the analytical writing sections which are further divided into 7 sections. This test can take up to 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete.

Conclusion

After going through the article we say that the GRE test scores are evaluated to gain more insights into how to study a graduate program abroad. Overall, a GRE score of more than 300 is considered to be the best score and it will offer you some of the top colleges abroad.

Make sure you can plan your study properly and can register for the GRE test on time, and stay panic free during your GRE test journey. The test preparation period might be difficult for you, but in the end, it is all worth it for you: admission to your interested program at your dream college.