Aim at the GRE

Updated on: Monday, November 02, 2009

Let’s begin with a fact: the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not as heavy as it may sound. There is no need to study, all you need is to be is in tune with the basics, practical and smart. If cleared well, the test opens doors to several prestigious colleges in the United States (and a few in Europe), and also to financial aid throughout the course. “Almost all the top foreign universities, besides a number of renowned B-schools such as Harvard, Wharton, Sloan, Stanford, etc. consider GRE as a measure of a student’s ability and aptitude,” says Bidyut Dutta, Head-Academics, International Education, Career Launcher.

Developed and conducted by the Education Testing Services group (ETS), GRE can be taken all year round by paying a test fee of US$180. The test is largely mandatory for those who dream of pursuing a Master’s or a Ph.D programme from a university abroad. Admissions panels and committees use the GRE score to support a candidate’s undergraduate records, and other qualifications required for graduate study.

About the test
The examination has a General Test that measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and critical thinking as well as the analytical writing skills of the students. The GRE Subject Tests, if required by the university one is keen to join, gauges undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study. The use and value of GRE scores vary not only from one institute to another, but also among departments. For example, programmes in arts may only consider an aspirant’s verbal scores, while the engineering programmes may put more weightage on one’s quantitative ability.
GRE comprises two types of tests namely: the General Test and Subject Specific Test. The former, which is mandatory, evaluates general aptitude via two multiple-choice sections — quantitative aptitude and verbal ability. A third section consisting of essay writing is called Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The verbal section tests language ability (reading skills and vocabulary), while the quantitative section tests a candidate’s knowledge in arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. “The AWA section tests one’s prowess in analysing a given situation and presenting complex ideas clearly,” says Vineet Gupta, MD, Jamboree Education, adding, “Since colleges abroad open for admissions from December to April, one must have a GRE score by September.”
As mentioned before, the subject-specific exams assess skills in eight specific disciplines, which include biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, biology, chemistry, computer science, English literature, mathematics, physics and psychology. Each subject test is intended to evaluate extensive knowledge in the subject the GRE aspirant has majored in.

Score and beyond
Beyond the GRE score, colleges look at a student’s grades in college, recommendation letters from teachers and project work done. These will decide how one ranks on the merit list of a university. Depending on the net score, one could get financial aid. “Various funding options are available for international students, including grants, scholarships, loans and work/study options. Your best tool in learning about college financial aid is seeking the advice of the financial aid counsellor at the college you plan to attend,” says Dutta.
The ETS recently launched an updated version of its popular site TakeTheGRE.com that includes information on a host of new tools to help you get noticed by graduate and professional schools. By placing important resources right at your fingertips, the website makes registering for the GRE tests, obtaining free practice material and planning for test day simpler, faster and easier.

Aim at the GRE

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