GMAT / GRE / LSAT / TOEFL
- Free guide. Applying to Business school in the US with GRE
- Compare GRE and GMAT at a glance
- An Insider’s Guide to the GRE General Test
- It’s Better When You Have A Plan: Study Advice for the GRE® General Test
- Strategies and Tips for the GRE General Test
- Connect with schools with GRE
- GRE General Test Registration
- Disability accommodations for GRE
Free guide. Applying to Business school in the US with GRE
ETS has recently published a very comprehensive guide that explores the reasons for pursuing a business degree, the types of degrees that may best suit your goals, and the steps you need to take to get started. You can access topics such as: exploring your business school options; key differences between degrees; choosing the GRE for your business school application… etc. Access the ETS- GRE free guide here
Compare GRE and GMAT at a glance
| GRE® General Test | GMAT™ Focus Edition |
| Three measures: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing | Three measures: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Data Insights. |
| Test fee is $220 in most locations. | Test fee is up to $300 and costs more if you test from home |
| Answer questions in any order – and change answers as many times as you like – within each section | Questions must be answered in order. You can change up to three answers per section. |
| 1 essay, allowing you to demonstrate your analytical writing skills. | No opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills. |
| Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are section-level adaptive, making their second parts easier or harder based on your performance. | Question-level adaptive. The program selects your next question based on previous responses, which limits your ability to change answers in each section. |
| No penalty for unanswered questions or incorrect answers – so don’t skip, guess! | There is a penalty for unanswered questions. |
| View Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores immediately. Receive the official score report, including Analytical Writing scores, within 8 calendar days | Receive scores within 3-5 business days, though they could take up to 20 business days to process. |
| If you test again, you can send scores to schools from “Most Recent,” “All” or “Any” specific test administration | The Official Score Report will include all exams you have taken in the past five years. |
| Use a calculator during the GRE Quantitative Reasoning sections. GMAT doesn’t allow that. | No calculator |
| Broad acceptance. Access graduate, business and law programs with GRE. | GMAT is only for b-school. |
An Insider’s Guide to the GRE General Test
Are you getting ready for the GRE General Test? The test has several smart features that can help you do your best, but you’ll still have to do your part. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel on test day. This overview of the test with tips and strategies is a good place to start.
What’s on the GRE General Test?
The GRE General Test assesses the skills you need to succeed in master’s, MBA, specialized business master’s and doctoral programs. It includes the following sections:
- Analytical Writing – You’ll start the test with the writing section, which includes one task that measure how well you can apply your critical thinking and articulate complex ideas. Learn more about Analytical Writing tasks. One “Analyze an Issue” task in 30 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning – In random order after the writing tasks, you’ll have two sections (18 and 23 minutes) that measure how well you can understand what you’ve read and apply your reasoning skills. Learn more about Verbal Reasoning tasks.
- Quantitative Reasoning – You’ll also have two sections (21 and 26 minutes) that measure how well you can interpret and analyze quantitative information and solve math problems. Learn more about Quantitative Reasoning tasks.
Strategies and Tips for the GRE General Test
Preparation for the test will depend on the amount of time you have available and your personal preferences for how to prepare. At a minimum, before you take the GRE General Test, you should know what to expect from the test, including the administrative procedures, types of questions and directions, approximate number of questions, and amount of time for each section.
Before test day
Download the Bulletin
The administrative procedures include registration and appointment scheduling, date, time, test center location, cost, score-reporting procedures and availability of special testing arrangements. Download the GRE® Information Bulletin (PDF) for a complete look at the procedures.
Familiarize yourself with test content
Before taking the practice General Test, it is important to become familiar with the content of each of the measures, including the type of material on which you’ll be tested and the question types.
Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning test-taking strategies
Understand the response required
The questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures have a variety of formats, including:
- select a single answer choice
- select one or more answer choices
- enter a numeric answer
Make sure you understand what response is required when answering a question.
Use the mark and review feature
When taking the GRE General Test, you can skip questions you might have difficulty answering. The testing software allows you to:
- use the “mark and review” feature to mark questions you would like to revisit during the time provided to work on that section
- view a complete list of all the questions in the section on which you’re working, so you can see the questions you’ve answered and those you’ve marked for review
- review questions you’ve already answered and change your answers, provided you still have time remaining to work on that section
Here’s an example of the review screen.
The review screen is intended to help you keep track of your progress on the test. Don’t spend too much time on it, as this takes away from the time you have to read and answer the test questions.
Answer every question
Your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are determined by the number of questions you answer correctly. Nothing is subtracted from your score for incorrect answers. To maximize your scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures, it’s best to answer every question.
Pay attention to time
Work as rapidly as you can without being careless. Since no question carries greater weight than any other, don’t waste time pondering individual questions you find extremely difficult or unfamiliar.
Familiarize yourself with the testing experience
Use the POWERPREP® practice tests to experience a simulated test-taking experience and become familiar with the testing software and test design.
Analytical Writing test-taking strategies
Pay attention to time
It’s important to budget your time. Within the 30-minute time limit for the Analytical Writing task, you’ll need to allow sufficient time to think about the issue, plan a response and compose your essay. You want to produce the best possible example of your writing.
Review what you write for errors
Save a few minutes at the end of the timed task to check for obvious errors. Although an occasional typographical, spelling or grammatical error won’t affect your score, severe and persistent errors will detract from the overall effectiveness of your writing and lower your score.
Use your scratch paper
You’ll receive a supply of scratch paper before you begin the test. If you need more during the test, ask the test administrator.
Don’t take unscheduled breaks
Section timing won’t stop if you take an unscheduled break, so you should proceed with your test without interruption once it begins
- Connect with schools with GRE
ETS GRE free tools can help you get connected. Recruiters are looking for aspiring students like you. Make sure you’re findable — and start engaging directly — using these free tools.
GRE Search Service
Make yourself findable! Sign up for the FREE GRE Search Service so recruiters around the world can find you. Learn more.
Information Sessions
Attend an open house, information session or coffee chat at a graduate, business or law program. Learn more.
- GRE General Test Registration
Take the GRE General Test at any of the more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries, or take it from the comfort of your own home. Choose the location where you will feel most comfortable, so you can do your best on test day.
Schedule Your Test
Already familiar with the policies and procedures and ready to register? Learn more.
Your ETS Account
Find out what you can do in your ETS account and watch videos about creating your account and registering to test. Learn more.
Where to Test
Learn more about your testing options, and search for test centers near you. Learn more.
At Home Testing
Interested in testing at home? Make sure your computer and testing room meet the equipment and environment requirements. Learn more.
ID Requirements
ID requirements vary based on where you plan to test and your country of citizenship. Learn more.
Fees
Find out how much it will cost to take a GRE General Test and see other test-related fees. Learn about the Fee Reduction Program. Learn more.
Disability accommodations
ETS is committed to serving test takers with disabilities and health-related needs by providing services and reasonable accommodations that are appropriate given the purpose of the test. Testing accommodations are available for test takers who meet ETS requirements.
Learn more about the accommodations request process and the resources available to you. Learn more.
