GRE Overview

The Graduate Records Exam (GRE) features questions that closely reflect the kind
of thinking students will do — and the skills they will need to succeed — in today's demanding graduate programs. The GRE measures students verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills — skills that have been developed over a long period of time and are not related to a specific field of study, but are important for all students pursuing a graduate education.

General Information

Computer-based, Multi-Stage Test (MST)*
- The test will adapt to the proficiency at which you are testing. If you are doing well in the beginning sections, the questions in the next section will be more difficult.
Registration Fee: $220
- Fee Reduction Program
Testing Date: Administered Year Round
Assesses knowledge and skills in Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning
~1 hour and 58 minutes long
Offered year-round for computer-based exams
- Retake exam once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month. This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously.
At-home option is now a permanent option
Score available (on MyGRE account) 8-10 days after test date for computer-based
- 6 weeks for paper-based
Scores mailed to students + 4 designated institutions
- Can send all scores taken within 5 years or selection scores only
How to Prepare for an Entrance Exam

Exam Breakdown

Sections

Quantitative Reasoning

Designed to test applicants' ability to reason quantitatively - which includes how to read a math problem, understand what it is asking, and solve it. The goal of this section is to test their ability to apply given information, think logically, and draw conclusions.

Question Types

▪ Quantitative Comparison
▪ Multiple-choice (single and multiple answer selections)
▪ Numeric Entry

Preparatory Courses:
Basic mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills regarding concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation

Verbal Reasoning

Emphasis on complex reasoning skills and applicants' ability to analyze the relationships between words and sentences as they are used in context. Vocabulary will be tested contextually, and the reading passages are both dense with written with a sophisticated level of diction.

Question Types

▪ Reading Comprehension
▪ Text Completion
▪ Sentence Equivalence

Preparatory Courses:
Courses in the humanities and social sciences that require extensive and careful reading.

Analytic Writing

To assess how applicants write and their thought process to formulate and articulate a position. Students' analytical and critical thinking skills will be tested by questions that ask them to evaluate complex arguments and form an argument of their own.

Question Types

▪ Analyze an Issue task
▪ Analyze an Argument task

Preparatory Courses:
English composition, writing-intensive and analytical writing courses in English, Philosophy, and other humanities and social sciences.

Time Breakdown

Test Section	Number of Questions	Time
Analytical Writing (1 section)	1 writing task	30 mins each essay
Verbal Reasoning (2 sections)	27 questions total	41 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections)	27 questions total	47 minutes

Total Test Time	—	1 hour and 58 mins.

Scoring

Verbal and Quantitative sections: 130-170, in 1-point increments
Analytical Writing section: 0-6, in half-point increments
Reported as percentiles with the median score (50th percentile) of 150 for Verbal and Quantitative sections and 3.5 for Analytical Writing section

Competitive scores vary by school, so check individual schools.

Note: Can retake the exam every 21 days or five times within a 12-month period (365 days)

GRE Resources

Official Prep Resources

EBSCO PrepSTEP For UH students, you have free access to a practice test that will familiarize you with the sections you will encounter on the GRE. They will also provide detailed explanations for the answers and instant diagnostic scoring.
ETS GRE Overview: Test Content and Structure
The Official Guide to the GRE® revised General Test
POWERPREP® II: Sample Computer-based Test
ETS Prepare for the GRE General Test
- Includes links to both free and for-purchase preparation materials:
  - 2 free computer-based practice tests
  - 1 free paper-based practice test
  - The Official Guide to the GRE General Test
Khan Academy®: Preparation for the GRE® Quantitative Reasoning Measure

Additional Prep Resources

*Note PAC does not endorse any particular test preparation resource and this is not an exhaustive list.

UH Mānoa students ONLY: To borrow test preparation material for free, check out our Lending Library.

Funding Opportunities

Success Tips

Your most important preparation for the GRE is your undergraduate courses, many of which sharpen your writing and verbal reasoning skills.
Creating a GRE Study Plan
How to Prepare for an Entrance Exam
ETS Prepare for the GRE General Test
- Includes links to both free and for-purchase preparation materials:
  - Two free computer-based practice tests
  - One free paper-based practice test
  - The Official Guide to the GRE General Test

Success Tips

✓ Learn as much as you can about the exam

✓ Study material covered on the exams by

Studying guidebooks
Taking preparatory courses offered
by ETS or private companies (e.g., Kaplan and Princeton Review for the GRE)

✓ Take practice exams under realistic, timed
conditions

✓ Review the results of your practice exam to identify
areas in which you need improvement

Spend more time reviewing material in these areas
Identify tactical errors you may have made
Begin to develop strategies for answering each
type of question

✓ Start preparing for the exams well in advance

3 - 6 months is the recommended study time
Can vary depending on the student
- Generally, the earlier students study, the better the result

✓ Take time just before the exam to relax

Get a good night's sleep
Eat a good nutritious breakfast

✓ Do your best the first time you take the exam

✓ Scope out the exam location before your test day