GRE Exam: Registration, Pattern, Preparation, Colleges Accepting

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. Conducted by US-based Education Testing Service (ETS). So, if we look for the answer to the query – What is GRE Exam, Why take the GRE test, what is GRE score validity, we get following clarification from official GRE sources - GRE is a standardized, computer-based, multichoice exam accepted by all top US Universities for MBA, MS, Law and other graduate programs. So, why take the GRE test? The answer is that GRE exam scores are accepted by more than 1,300 business schools including Harvard, Wharton, Chicago and almost all other Top 50 B-schools as ranked by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Financial Times and U.S. News & World Report. According to information shared by GRE, more than 75,000 test takers take the GRE exam from India only. Besides, GRE is not a difficult exam. GRE exam has 3 sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section, Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning. GRE Exam 2023 can be a good alternative to GMAT, particularly for students who have good English language skills. Also, taking GRE exam cost less than GMAT exam. GRE score validity is for a period of 5 years.

The GRE is a computer-based test, and the order of the sections may vary for each test taker. It is adaptive in nature, meaning the difficulty level of the questions may adjust based on the test taker's performance. With effect from September 22, 2023, a shorter GRE of 2 hours is conducted by ETS instead of earlier GRE of 3 hours and 45 minutes as it caused fatigue to the test takers. Besides the Shorter GRE exam also matches the GMAT Exam Focus Edition.

The GRE aims to assess the readiness of students for graduate-level academic work and evaluates their verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.GRE Exam highlights are:

Starting September 22, 2023, the GRE exam pattern has changed. GRE tests the readiness of students for graduate-level academic work and evaluates their verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The exam is conducted round the year and you can apply and appear in GRE five times a year to improve your GRE score and percentile. GRE is conducted in two testing modes – Computer based test at Exam Centres and Online Proctored Test which you can take from the convenience of your home. If we compare GRE Test Pattern for the GRE Computer-based Exam vs GRE Paper-based Exam, we find that presently there is no GRE paper based test.  Below is shared the GRE Exam Pattern and Sectional composition

GRE exam syllabus is clearly defined for each of its three sections. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) consists of three main sections that assess different skills and abilities. GRE is conducted in two testing modes – Computer based test at Exam Centres and Online Proctored Test which you can take from the convenience of your home. The GRE syllabus for both testing modes is same. Shared below is the GRE section wise syllabus:

GRE Syllabus for Verbal Reasoning

• Reading Comprehension: Assessing the ability to understand and analyze written passages across various subjects.
• Text Completion: Evaluating the ability to complete sentences by selecting the appropriate words or phrases.
• Sentence Equivalence: Testing the understanding of sentence structure and the ability to identify words with similar meanings.

GRE Syllabus for Quantitative Reasoning

• Arithmetic: Topics include properties and types of integers, operations with integers, and concepts of factors and multiples.
• Algebra: Covers topics such as operations and properties of algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions.
• Geometry: Focuses on concepts of lines, angles, triangles, circles, polygons, and three-dimensional figures.
• Data Analysis: Involves interpretation and analysis of data presented in tables, graphs, and charts.

GRE Syllabus for Analytical Writing

• Issue Task: Requires the test taker to present a position on a given issue and support it with relevant examples and evidence.
• Argument Task: Involves critiquing an argument by identifying its logical flaws and providing a well-structured analysis.

GRE Syllabus covers the major areas as tested in the GRE exam. Familiarizing yourself with these topics and practicing relevant questions will help you prepare effectively for each section of the exam.

You should be clear about what is your GRE goal? A good GRE score is 135-150, from a total of 340+. But if you want to get into IVY League B-schools like Harvard Business School, INSEAD, London Business School etc…then you must target 180-200. You can achieve this with a 12-weeks of GRE study plan for GRE 2023 preparation tips which involve thorough understanding of GRE Question Pattern, Preparing as per GRE Exam Pattern and Syllabus, Opting the best GRE Coaching, Reading right GRE Books and practicing with GRE official Guide, taking as many as GRE Mock tests and attempting previous GRE question papers.

Key GRE preparation tips, as shared by experts are:  

• Check Section wise GRE preparation guide and tips
• Get Right GRE Study Material
• Join Best GRE Coaching like TIME, CL among others
• Read online from best GRE websites like Magoosh, Kaplan among others
• Read official GRE guide and attempt with practice and previous GRE questions
• Attempt as many GRE Mocks as possible

Registering for a GRE test is not difficult. GRE online Registration process and GRE exam registration fees for different services is shared below:

6.1 GRE Registration: Step by Step Process
The step by step process for GRE Online Registration and to fill GRE application form is explained below.

• Step-1: Login to GRE official website ets.org and click on ‘Register for GRE’ 
• Step-2: Create a GRE Account: Log in to your ETS account or create an account. If you haven’t already created an ETS account, review the ID requirements page. It’s essential that the name you register should match exactly the name as it appears on the ID you plan to use on test day. You are required to submit the Information like your First Name, Last Name, e-mail id, password
• Step-3: Find Test Center: On the GRE home page, select Register/Find Test Centers
• Step-4: Click on GRE Gen: Select the GRE General Test and Verify your email address, then continue.
• Step-5: Schedule Your GRE exam date and time: To select your test appointment, confirm your time zone, or select a new one. Choose the two-month window you want to search and then select your preferred date from the calendar. Select an available time/date to test and click “Register for this test.”
• Step-6: Make payment of GRE exam fees: Complete your registration and pay your GRE test fees as given below.
• Step-7: Confirmation on Mail: You will receive confirmation on email from ETS on completion of GRE registration

6.2 GRE Test Registration Fee
GRE application process will remain incomplete till the GRE Exam Registration Fee Payment is not made. You need to pay for GRE Registration and exam fees for the various services like GRE registration, Exam Rescheduling, Cancellation among others as below:

6.3 GRE exam fees Payment: Options Available
GRE Registration Fees can be paid through multiple options as below:

GRE Fee Payment Globally: You can make payment online through Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards

GRE Fee Payment in India: GRE Exam Fee payments in India can be made through

• Visa, MasterCard, Maestro credit and debit cards
• Rupay credit and debit cards
• UPI and Bharat QR payments including the following digital wallets FreeCharge, PayZapp, Airtel Money, Google Pay; MobiKwik; JioMoney; Ola Money; PhonePe; Amazon Pay; Paytm, WhatsApp, and all BHIM UPI enabled banking apps
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for Visa and MasterCard cards issued outside India will also be supported.

So, what are GRE Eligibility criteria for 2023 onwards? In fact, anybody can take the GRE General Test. There is no specific eligibility requirement like age, academic qualification. Global and Indian applicants should match their eligibility criteria with the respective institutes, universities, programmes and courses. While GRE scores are accepted by many top MBA colleges abroad for students from India, very few MBA colleges in India accept GRE score for MBA admission from Indian domicile students. Top MBA colleges in the world and in India accepting GRE score for different types of Indian students are as shared below: 

7.1 Indian Students, NRIs, Foreign Nationals can Apply
Following category of students can apply for admission abroad with GRE score:

• Students from India as well as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
• Indians with Foreign Citizenship
• Respective Country’s Own Citizens
• Foreign Nationals

Students from every country can explore MBA admission opportunity in the MBA colleges across the Globe with their GRE Scores. If students from India plan to study abroad, they can get admission based on GRE Score in following top MBA colleges abroad. Please note that GRE Application fees for Indian candidates residing in India and for NRIs/PIOs is different. Here is the List of Top GRE Accepting MBA Colleges by Country:

8.1 Top MBA Colleges accepting GRE Scores in USA
Not only students of United States of America but also of India and all other countries can get MBA admission in following top MBA colleges in USA based on GRE score

1. Harvard Business School
2. Stanford Graduate School of Business
3. Wharton School
4. University of Chicago – Booth
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan
6. Northwestern University – Kellogg
7. Yale School of Management
8. Columbia Business School
9. Cornell University – Johnson
10. New York University – Stern
11. University of California Berkeley – Haas
12. Dartmouth College – Tuck
13. Duke University – Fuqua
14. University of Michigan Ann Arbor – Ross
15. Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper
16. University of Virginia – Darden
17. Emory University – Goizueta
18. University of Texas Austin – McCombs
19. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill – Kenan Flagler
20. University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

8.2 Top MBA Colleges accepting GRE Scores in UK & Europe
Not only students of UK & Europe but also students of India and all other countries can get MBA admission in following top MBA colleges in UK & Europe based on GRE score

1. London Business School – LBS, UK
2. Oxford University – Said, UK
3. University of Cambridge – Judge, UK
4. Cranfield University, UK
5. University of Manchester, UK
6. HEC, Paris
7. INSEAD, France
8. IMD Lausanne, Switzerland
9. IESE Business School, Spain
10. Instituto de Empresa (IE), Spain

8.3 Top MBA Colleges accepting GRE Scores in Canada
Not only students of Canada but also students of India and all other countries can get MBA admission in following top MBA colleges in Canada based on GRE score

1. University of Toronto: Rotman
2. University of Western Ontario – Ivey
3. HEC Montreal
4. University of British Columbia – Sauder
5. York University – Schulich

8.4 Top MBA Colleges in Singapore accepting GRE Scores
Resident students of Singapore as well as students of India and all other countries can get MBA admission in following top Universities and MBA colleges in Singapore based on GRE score

1. National University of Singapore (NUS)
2. Nanyang Technological University
3. INSEAD Singapore Campus
4. SMU Singapore

8.5 Top MBA Colleges in Hong Kong & China accepting GRE Scores
Resident students of China and Hongkong as well as students of India and all other countries can get MBA admission in following top Universities and MBA colleges in Hongkong & China based on GRE score

1. Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
2. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
3. Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen)
4. China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
5. Fudan University International MBA

Above list includes only Top MBA Colleges accepting GRE. There are more than 1300 Universities and B-schools that accept GRE. So, if you have a good GRE score, your options are endless!

While domestic candidates of India have limited options to get MBA admission in top MBA colleges in India with GRE scores, the NRIs, PIOs and Foreign Nationals can explore High Admission opportunity in MBA programmes through GRE score in India:

GRE exam is conducted across the Globe in many countries and in each country there are many cities where GRE exam is conducted. GRE exam centers in India are also spread across the country and the exam is conducted in many cities in India like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Chennai, Gurgaon, Mysore, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad among others.

GRE exam result with score card is made available on your GRE account in 8-10 business days from the date of taking the exam. You will be notified via email once your Official GRE Score Report is available.

GRE and GMAT both have many similarities and differences as below:

GRE and CAT both have many similarities and differences as below:

14.1 GRE Dates 2023 for Delhi

Test is not available all locations on all dates.

14.2 GRE Dates 2023 for Bangalore

Test is not available all locations on all dates.

14.3 GRE Dates 2023 for Mumbai

Test is not available all locations on all dates.

Q: What has changed in GRE?
A: GRE has become shorter from September 22, 2023. It is now less than 2 hours exam instead of about 4 hours exam earlier. Number of questions is reduced and GRE score card is made available in 8-10 days instead of earlier 15 days.

Q: Is the answering time to a question is also reduced in GRE?
A: No, it remains the same

Q: When I can register and apply for GRE
A: Registration for GRE is open. You need to choose the exam date and check availability of slot.