GRE

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test is a standardized test that graduate schools use to evaluate candidates. In addition, the GRE is often used to help determine whether a student is awarded graduate fellowships or graduate research or teaching positions.

The GRE consists of six sections:

• One Analytical Writing Section – 2 writing tasks; 30 minutes per task, 60 minutes total
• Two Quantitative Multiple-Choice Sections – 35 minutes per section; approximately 20 questions per section
• Two Verbal Multiple-Choice Sections – 30 minutes per section; approximately 20 questions per section
• One Unscored Multiple-Choice Section – typically either a Verbal or a Quantitative section

The Analytical Writing section measures a student’s ability to critically assess an argument and effectively communicate ideas in print. There are two essays on this section:

• Present Your Perspective on an Issue (the Issue Task) – a test-taker must construct a persuasive argument outlining his or her perspective on a statement, issue, policy position, or course of action.
• Analyze an Argument (the Argument Task) – a test-taker must evaluate a particular line of reasoning (e.g. – point out where an argument is strong or weak). The Argument task does not ask for a test-taker’s opinion but for an analysis of the argument.

The Quantitative sections measure a student’s ability to solve mathematical problems and interpret data presented in graphical form. These sections contain four distinct question categories:

• Multiple-Choice (select one answer choice) – these questions present a mathematical problem and require students to select exactly one correct answer choice from among the five presented.
• Multiple-Choice (select one or more answer choices) – these questions present a mathematical problem that may have more than one solution among the answer choices; students must select each answer choice that applies. Students do not receive credit unless they select all and only those answer choices that are correct.
• Numeric Entry – students must type the answer to a mathematical problem into the answer box provided.
• Quantitative Comparison – students must select the answer choice that accurately describes the relationship between the quantity in column A and the one in column B.

The Verbal sections of the GRE measure the ability to understand and analyze written material and the ability to recognize and conform to the conventions of standard written English. These sections contain three distinct types of questions:

• Reading Comprehension
• Text Completion
• Sentence Equivalence