The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is one of the most used standard exams for assessing students’ potential before granting admission to graduate programs within and outside the US.
Whether it is a master’s degree, a PhD degree, or even an MBA – all of them allow candidates to avail of the world’s most acceptable test of their readiness for education.
In this blog, we will assess the main benefits of the GRE and how this test can expand one’s opportunities, including access to the best educational institutions and winning the available grants.
What is GRE?
The GRE is acknowledged internationally and can be taken at assigned test facilities or virtually in select areas. Many educational institutions include these GRE scores in their admission process to assess the applicants’ critical, analytical, and communication skills.
Colleges and universities usually consider this test as an assessment check for the preparedness of aspirants towards entering graduate studies, including, but not limited to, a master’s degree, a doctor’s degree, or specific business school programs. There are three major parts of the test:
- Verbal Reasoning– assesses your comprehension of written texts and your synthesizing capacity of various text materials.
- Quantitative reasoning – this component assesses one’s ability to solve mathematical problems based on simple arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, and interpretation of statistical data.
- Analytical Writing – this part assesses one’s skill in clearly and concisely presenting complex ideas in writing.
Key Advantages of Taking the GRE
- Global Recognition: Thousands of graduate programs worldwide accept the GRE, enabling candidates to access the best institutions in different parts of the world.
- Admission to Top Programs: Possession of a good GRE score can significantly improve your prospects of being accepted into graduate business, engineering, law and science programs.
- Scholarship Opportunities: One of the determining factors for one looking for a higher degree job is a good GPA, having taken learning exams, and retaking any type of admission test. A good performance of the GRE score will help serve that purpose.
- Career Advancement: A decent GRE score enhances your chances of pursuing a graduate-level education and enables prospective employers to appreciate your abilities.
- Flexibility: The GRE offers a plethora of programs, thus enabling you to experiment in different fields and determine the most suitable program for you.
- Self-Assessment: Giving thought to the GRE and reviewing such a test might evaluate one’s academic skills, knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses in learning and studies.
- Standardized Measure: The GRE serves as a uniform metric that enables graduate schools to assess applicants of various backgrounds against one another.
- Multiple Attempts: The GRE allows multiple retakes when you feel your test score is unsuitable for any admissions offer.
- Online Testing: The GRE has transitioned to a web-based platform, which provides further room for flexibility and convenience.
- Adaptive Testing: The GRE test is taken in an adaptive format, which alters the questions presented to the candidates according to the answers provided, ensuring the measurement purpose is precise.
How to registar for GRE?
To register for the GRE, follow these steps:
- Create an ETS Account:
- Go to the official GRE website: www.ets.org/gre
- Click “Create an Account” under the “My GRE Account” section.
- Supply the following personal details: full name, email address, and date of birth.
- Furthermore, create a username and password to finalize the registration process.
- Log in and Schedule the Test:
- Access your freshly made ETS account.
- Tap on the ‘Register/Find Test Centers, Dates’ button.
- Book for the GRE General Test or the GRE Subject Test.
- Decide whether to take the test at a test center or home (when available in your area).
- In this step, you will choose a test date and location and then look for available slots.
- Choose Test Center or At-Home Option:
- If you are taking the test at a test center, search for one around you and choose an appropriate time.
- However, if you can take it at home, check your computer’s specifications and select a time for the online proctored exam.
- Pay the Registration Fee:
- The GRE General Test costs around $220 (fees vary by location).
- Pay the fee using a credit or debit card or other accepted payment methods.
- Receive Confirmation:
- You will simultaneously receive an email accepting your payment and the exam payment details: the exam date, time, and venue.
- Please hold on to this, as you must present it on the test day.
GRE Scholarships for International Students:
| Name of Scholarship | Scholarship Details | Program |
| Fulbright Nehru Masters Scholarship | Tuition fees and partial living expenses | Humanities, Economics, Health, Public Administration, Gender Studies, etc. |
| Inlaks Scholarships | Up to $100,000 | Arts and Humanities |
| J.N. Tata Endowment Scholarship | A travel grant and special allowance | Postgraduate, Doctorate, Engineering |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Tuition fees and cost of living | Master’s level programs |
| DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service) | Partial tuition fees and monthly stipend fund | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Post-doctoral programs |
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why should I take the GRE?
The GRE is a test accepted by graduate schools in different parts of the world. It also assists in proving that one possesses verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills, which are vital when applying for a course at a university or any other institution of higher learning.
Thus, students with high GRE results can increase their chances of admission to a more famous university and improve their application.
Is the GRE accepted internationally?
Of course, the General Graduate Record Examination and thousands of graduate programs in other countries, including the USA, Canada, and even Europe, recognize it. In other words, it enables the applicant to apply to several schools worldwide.
Is the GRE flexible in its use of graduate schools?
The GRE can be taken in all fields, including arts, sciences, engineering, schools of business, and their respective master’s degrees, including MBA and many others.
If I did not like the given scores, can I retake the GRE?
Of course, the GRE can be taken once within 21 days up to five times in one year inclusive. This offers you an opportunity to take the test more times than once; this improves your chances of securing a place in the program of your desire.
How does the GRE relate to my graduate education?
The GRE is all about reasoning, analytical writing, and fast problem-solving necessary for success at graduate school. Therefore, it measures, to some extent, one’s capacity to face academics at the advanced level.
