GRE CERTIFICATE AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

1. What is GRE?

GRE certificate (known as Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized test that is spend for candidates who want to apply to the graduated schools in the US, Canada and some countries in the world (include Law and Business). GRE test is own by ETS (Educational Testing Service).

See also: What international certificates are needed when studying abroad?

1.1. Structure of GRE test (GRE General and GRE Subject)

There are two types of GRE test: GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test.

• • The purposes of GRE General Test evaluate skills, understandings of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing.
  • Regarding to GRE Subject Test, the purposes are evaluate the abilities of candidates in specific subject which demand extended knowledge in that field. There are 4 subjects in GRE Subject Test: Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology. 2 subjects that discontinued from April 2021 are Biology and Literature in English.

Unlike GRE General Test, GRE Subjects Test is limited to specific field, so candidates can show their strengths in their major. However, more graduate schools do not need GRE Subject Test, this test usually use for applying in scholarship programs.

1.2. Why is GRE required for graduate school?

Is GRE mandatory for masters? In fact, some graduated programs do not need GRE, but candidates in those have to show their abilities to the school they want to apply.

Graduate schools need GRE certificate from candidates like an entrance exam. Through this test, schools can have more effective evaluations about abilities of candidates such as critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and synthesis. Those elements are required for success in demanding graduate programs.

Another reason that graduate school require GRE certificate is that base on GRE’s score they can choose applications fairly and can avoid bias.

2. Test structure and question types in GRE

The total time for GRE General Test is 3 hours and 45 minutes. There are 6 sections, one section will be unscored (this part can be anywhere between sections, except section 1). Section 1 is always Analytical Writing. Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Unscored or Research sections can be in anywhere between sections.

GRE Subject Tests are paper-delivered test. Totals time for this test is 2 hours and 50 minutes. The contents of each subject test is clear and limited.

See also: Should you take GMAT or GRE for a master’s degree?

3. GRE scale score and what is a good GRE score?

The score scales of GRE General Test include:

• • Verbal Reasoning: 130-170 (in one-point increments).
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170 (in one-point increments).
  • Analytical Writing: 0-6 (in half-point increments).

In addition to point scale, GRE test have scaled score percentiles.

The average score of all test takers who participated in GRE General Test between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2020):

• • Verbal Reasoning: 150.37
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 153.66
  • Analytical Writing: 3.60

A good GRE score and can apply for graduate school is above 157 in Verbal Reasoning section and above 162 in Quantitative Reasoning section (that is above 75th percentile in each section).

A good GRE score can apply for graduate school also depend on majors which candidates apply.  

• • In branches of science, for instance, candidates can apply for top 10 Computer Science programs if they had an average GRE Quantitative Reasoning score of 167 (that is 89th percentile).

• • In branches of social science and art, the score in Verbal Reasoning apply for top 10 graduate school is 157 (that is 61st percentile).

The scale score for each GRE certificate Subject Test is from 200 to 900 (in 10-point increments). The possible range of subscores in specific subject is from 20 to 99 (in 1-point increments).

The average scores of all test takers who took GRE Subject Test between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2020 are:

• • Chemistry: 692
  • Mathematics: 669
  • Physics: 717
  • Psychology: 622

4. Books for GRE preparation

4.1. GRE prep books

• • The Official 3rd Edition Guide to the General Test
  • 5 Book of GRE Practice Problems
  • Kaplan GRE Prep Plus 2022
  • Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides
  • Test Prep Books: GRE Prep 2021 and 2022
  • GRE Barron’s Test Prep

Candidates can also find specific books which guide to each section like Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing, or those in each GRE Subject Test.

4.2. The websites for GRE preparation

One of the most effective and official websites for GRE preparation is ets.org. This website supply for candidates all information about the test structure in each section, recommend books, preparation videos and the practice tests.

See also: GRE course

5. Register for GRE test

5.1. How to register for GRE test?

GRE exam dates are offered yearly in almost countries around the world. Candidates can register GRE test through online or phone.

To register online, candidates do these following steps:

1. 1. Log in to your ETS account or create an account.
   2. Choose Register/Find Test Centers and Dates.
   3. In “Select a Test”, choose GRE General Test or specific subjects in GRE Subject Test, then choose Test at Home or Find Test Centers at or Near This Location.
   4. Check your email, find test dates in “Find Test Dates within This Two-month Period”, then choose Continue.
   5. In “Test Day and Time”, choose Time Zone and Test Date.
   6. Tick the box “I understand and agree to the testing policies and terms and conditions above”.
   7. Check and edit your information in “Personal Information”.
   8. Follow the instructions on next steps to finish your registration and pay for your test.
   9. Once your registration is succeed, you will receive an email from ETS confirming your GRE test information.

Note: If you have problems relate to disabilities or your health, you can reference ETS Disability Services before register the test.

If you take the GRE test at home, you must have a proctor who accepted by ETS and follow some rules of this organization.

Registering by phone is not supported for candidates who take the test at home or the candidates who stay in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea.

5.2. Fees for GRE 

• • In China: $231
  • In India: $213
  • All others area of the world: $205

There are some extra fees in Related Services such as Special Handling Requests, Test Preparation, Scoring Services… depend on candidate’s needs.

5.3. Where to take GRE test?

• • Nhat Nghe Education – 105 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St, Ward 7, District 3, HCMC
  • IIG Vietnam – 1st floor, Tower 1, The Sun Avenue, 28 Mai Chi Tho, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC
  • IIG Academy – 3rd floor, Trung Yen Plaza, 1 Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District, Hanoi

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