<\/span>How Computer-Adaptive Testing Works<\/h2>\nThe GRE is computer-adaptive; depending on your performance, the difficulty of your test may increase or decrease as you go on. Here\u2019s a look at how it works:<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Computer-Adaptive-Flowchart.svg\")
<\/p>\n
The test starts with a section judged to be of medium difficulty, and depending on your performance, the next section may be easier or harder. If you do well in the first math section, the second math section will be harder; conversely, if you do poorly on the first section, the second section will be easy. Of course, the algorithm for doing well or poorly is a little imprecise, but suffice to say that the fewer questions you miss, the more likely you are to get more difficult sections. Remember: getting the easy section means limiting how high you can score, so you want to aim for the more difficult sections.<\/p>\n
It is important to note that you can skip questions and come back to them later if you have time. You only have an allotted amount of time for each section, but you can use that time to work on that section however you wish. You may skip as many questions as you like, but it is recommended that you only skip harder questions so you can return to them later; that way, you won\u2019t waste too much time on the harder questions and will ultimately be able to answer more questions. Each question scores the same amount of points, so there\u2019s no reason to waste time on harder questions. Also note that there\u2019s no penalty for wrong answers on the GRE; you are free to answer the questions in any order, but you should definitely try to answer every question, even if this sometimes means taking a wild guess.<\/p>\n
<\/span>GRE Registration<\/h2>\nTo register for the GRE, you’ll need to create an online ETS account. From there, you can register to take the test at a testing center near you on whichever date works best for your schedule.<\/p>\n
When you register, you will need to pay the exam fee. The GRE exam fee is $220 unless you’re taking the test in Mainland China, where it costs $231.30.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\nIt is important that you get plenty of rest the night before the test. DO NOT plan on cramming the night before. Make sure you work on plenty of GRE practice test questions in the weeks leading up to your test. The sheer amount of knowledge needed for the GRE is built up over several months of studying. A few GRE practice test questions the day before won\u2019t hurt, but you should be as relaxed as possible. You\u2019ll need to bring a valid ID in order to take the test; it would also be a good idea to bring some snacks along the lines of nuts, dates, and bananas\u2014natural foods with plenty of calories.<\/p>\n
The test will take around four hours; this time includes check-in and background questions. Remember: the test is divided into two 30-minute essays and four math\/verbal sections. You will have a 10-minute break after the third section and one-minute breaks between the other sections. You may take a break on your own at any time, but remember that you only have a limited amount of time.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Requirements for At-home Testing<\/h2>\nThe exam can be taken online at your home if you can meet the equipment and environment regulations.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Equipment Requirements<\/h3>\n\n- A computer that meets one of these requirements:\n
\n- A computer with Windows operating system (minimum Windows version 8)<\/li>\n
- A MAC that has Mac OS X\u00ae 10.5 or higher (10.13 High Sierra is recommended)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Internal or external speakers<\/li>\n
- Built-in camera or a webcam that can show a 360\u00b0 view of the room you are testing in, including the surface of the table.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Environment Requirements<\/h3>\n\n- You cannot have anyone else in the room while you test.<\/li>\n
- You cannot be in a park, internet caf\u00e9, or library.<\/li>\n
- All doors leading into the room must be closed.<\/li>\n
- Your ears must be uncovered and visible during the test.<\/li>\n
- You may not sit on a couch or overstuffed chair; you must sit at a standard desk or dining room chair.<\/li>\n
- You must dress appropriately.<\/li>\n
- You may only take notes on a desktop whiteboard using an erasable marker. At the end of the test, you are required to show the proctor that you have erased all notations that you made.<\/li>\n
- Pens and pencils are not permitted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>GMAT vs. GRE<\/h2>\nThe GRE and the GMAT are both entrance exams. Wondering which exam is right for you?<\/p>\n
Take a look at the details of each exam here:<\/p>\n
\n\n\n| <\/td>\n | GRE<\/th>\n | GMAT<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
\n\n| Time<\/th>\n | 118 minutes<\/td>\n | 135 minutes (+10 minute optional break)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Question Count<\/th>\n | 55<\/td>\n | 64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Sections<\/th>\n | 5<\/td>\n | 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Subjects Covered<\/th>\n | \n\n- Analytical Writing (2 section)<\/li>\n
- Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)<\/li>\n
- Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n\n- Quantitative Reasoning<\/li>\n
- Verbal Reasoning<\/li>\n
- Data Insights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n| Test Dates<\/th>\n | Available year-round<\/td>\n | Available year-round<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Fee<\/th>\n | $220<\/td>\n | $275 (in-person)
\n$300 (online)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Fee Waiver<\/th>\n | Fee reduction available<\/td>\n | Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Test Results<\/th>\n | 10-15 days<\/td>\n | 1-20 days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Pass or Fail<\/th>\n | No<\/td>\n | No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Option to Retake<\/th>\n | Yes (5 times per 12 months)<\/td>\n | Yes (5 times per 12 months)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | \n| Score Sending<\/th>\n | 4 free score reports can be sent to programs chosen by you before your test to receive your score. Additional score reports are available for a fee.<\/td>\n | 5 free score reports can be sent to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| 118 minutes<\/td>\r\n | 135 minutes (+10 minute optional break)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| 55<\/td>\r\n | 64<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| 5<\/td>\r\n | 3<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n\r\n - Analytical Writing (2 section)<\/li>\r\n
- Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)<\/li>\r\n
- Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/td>\r\n
\r\n - Quantitative Reasoning<\/li>\r\n
- Verbal Reasoning<\/li>\r\n
- Data Insights<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| Available year-round<\/td>\r\n | Available year-round<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| $200<\/td>\r\n | $275 (in-person)\r\n$300 (online)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| Fee reduction available<\/td>\r\n | Yes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| 10-15 days<\/td>\r\n | 1-20 days<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| No<\/td>\r\n | No<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| Yes (5 times per 12 months)<\/td>\r\n | Yes (5 times per 12 months)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n| GRE<\/td>\r\n | GMAT<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n | \r\n| 4 free score reports can be sent to programs chosen by you before your test to receive your score. Additional score reports are available for a fee.\t<\/td>\r\n | 5 free score reports can be sent to programs within 48 hours of receiving your Official Score Report. Additional score reports are available for a fee.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/span>Test Score Reporting and Analysis<\/h2>\nWhen you take the exam, you have the option of sending your scores to up to four schools. (If you want it sent to more schools, you\u2019ll have to pay $25 per additional school.)<\/p>\n A good GRE test score is somewhat relative. Last year, applicants to the top 10 Engineering programs had an average quantitative score of 165 (around 90%), while those admitted to the top 10 Education programs had an average of 156.6 (64%). Scoring around 50% is about average; it probably won\u2019t help you much, but it\u2019s not going to particularly hurt you either. A score around the 25% mark might be a bit more detrimental to your application. Ideally, a score around 75% will help you stand out as a competitive candidate. <\/p>\n Remember: a GRE score is only part of your application. Even a perfect score doesn\u2019t guarantee acceptance by high-ranking schools. Check the average scores of the school you\u2019re applying to in order to figure out what your goal for the GRE should be. Depending on your goal, you may have more or less room to skip questions. Assuming your goal is about 160 on each section, you could miss over a dozen questions in verbal and 8-9 in math.<\/p>\n <\/span>Receiving Your Score<\/h3>\nYou\u2019ll receive a score on a range of 130-170 the day of the test. At the very end of the test, a window will pop up and ask if you want to see your scores; remember, if you click no, then not only will you not receive your score, your score will subsequently not be sent to your selected schools. Your essay scores should be available in about two weeks and should be available through your GRE account. Your score will be valid for up to five years.<\/p>\n <\/span>Retaking the Test<\/h3>\nYou can take the test every 21 days, but only five times in a 365-day period. If you choose not to send your scores to any schools, you can ignore the results of your first GRE and try again later. (If you decide later that you do want to send that day\u2019s score, it will cost a fee.) You may take the GRE as many times as you can afford. You may want to retake it if your score is far below the average for the program you\u2019re aiming for, if you feel your application isn\u2019t strong enough to send in an average score, if you feel like you\u2019ve improved since your last attempt, or if you panicked during your test and feel you could do better next time.<\/p>\n Remember: the GRE is an important part of your application, but it does not guarantee your acceptance.<\/p>\n ![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peter-Rench-scaled.webp\") By Peter Rench<\/span><\/p>Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> ![\"Aaron](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image_2024-12-11_124906662.png\") Edited by Aaron Lanni<\/span><\/p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n![\"exam](\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/GRE-Exam-Outline-02.svg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n