What is the GRE? Understanding the Graduate Record Examination
- MBA Entrance Exam Expert
- Oct 13
- 7 min read
Table of Contents
GRE Definition and Purpose
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test designed to measure skills essential for success in graduate school, business school, and law school programs. Unlike undergraduate admission tests that assess high school-level knowledge, the GRE evaluates the broad academic skills that college graduates should possess.
Core Measurement Areas
Analytical Thinking: The ability to break down complex problems, evaluate arguments, and think critically about information and ideas.
Verbal Reasoning: Skills in analyzing written material, understanding relationships between words and concepts, and drawing conclusions from text.
Quantitative Reasoning: Mathematical problem-solving abilities and understanding of basic mathematical concepts at the level expected of college graduates.
Analytical Writing: The capacity to articulate complex ideas clearly, support arguments with evidence, and communicate effectively in written English.
Primary Functions
The GRE serves multiple purposes in the graduate admission process:
Standardized Comparison: Provides graduate schools with a common metric to compare applicants from diverse educational backgrounds, institutions, and grading systems.
Skill Assessment: Measures developed abilities rather than memorized knowledge, focusing on skills that predict graduate school success.
Supplementary Evidence: Complements other application components like GPA, research experience, and personal statements to provide a holistic view of applicants.
Fellowship Selection: Many graduate fellowships and scholarships use GRE scores as part of their selection criteria.
History and Evolution
Early Development (1930s-1940s)
The GRE was first administered in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The original test was created to provide graduate schools with an objective measure of applicant abilities, similar to how intelligence tests were being used in psychology and education.
Original Format:
Paper-and-pencil administration
Focus on general academic ability
Limited to a few testing sites
Primarily used by elite graduate programs
ETS Era Begins (1940s-1970s)
Educational Testing Service (ETS) took over GRE administration in 1948, bringing professional test development expertise and expanding access.
Key Developments:
Standardized scoring procedures
Expanded testing locations
Introduction of Subject Tests
Research on test validity and reliability
Computer Age Transition (1980s-2000s)
The GRE was among the first major standardized tests to transition from paper to computer-based administration.
1993: Introduction of computer-adaptive testing (CAT)
Questions adapted to test-taker ability in real-time
Immediate score reporting for some sections
Year-round test availability
Reduced test administration costs
Modern Era Reforms (2011-Present)
2011 Revision: Major overhaul addressing criticisms and improving user experience
New 130-170 score scale replacing 200-800
Revised question formats and content
Emphasis on real-world problem-solving
Improved accessibility features
2023 Transformation: Dramatic test length reduction
Testing time cut from ~4 hours to ~2 hours
Elimination of second Analytical Writing task
Streamlined registration and reporting
Maintained predictive validity with shorter format
GRE vs Other Graduate Tests
GRE vs GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
Aspect | GRE | GMAT |
Primary Use | General graduate programs, including MBA | Primarily MBA programs |
Test Length | 1 hour 58 minutes | 3 hours 7 minutes |
Math Focus | Broader mathematical concepts | Business-oriented quantitative reasoning |
Verbal Focus | Academic vocabulary and reasoning | Grammar and business communication |
Flexibility | ScoreSelect allows choosing which scores to send | Must send all scores from past 5 years |
Retake Policy | Every 21 days, up to 5 times per year | Every 16 days, up to 5 times per year |
GRE vs LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
Aspect | GRE | LSAT |
Primary Use | Various graduate programs, 200+ law schools | Traditional law school admission |
Skills Tested | Broad academic abilities | Specific legal reasoning skills |
Test Structure | Multiple section types | Primarily logical reasoning and reading |
Writing Component | Integrated analytical writing | Separate writing sample |
Score Range | 130-170 per section | 120-180 total |
Test Frequency | Year-round availability | Limited test dates |
GRE vs GRE Subject Tests
Aspect | General Test | Subject Tests |
Content | Broad academic skills | Specific discipline knowledge |
Fields Covered | Universal application | Mathematics, Physics, Psychology |
Test Length | 1 hour 58 minutes | 2-3 hours |
Administration | Year-round | Three windows per year |
Requirement | Most graduate programs | Select competitive programs |
Who Creates and Administers the GRE
Educational Testing Service (ETS)
ETS is a nonprofit organization founded in 1947 that develops and administers standardized tests worldwide. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, ETS creates assessments for educational institutions, certification bodies, and government agencies.
ETS Credentials:
75+ years of test development experience
Operates in 180+ countries
Administers 50+ million tests annually
Research staff of 350+ psychometricians and statisticians
Test Development Process
Item Development: Test questions are created by subject matter experts with advanced degrees in relevant fields. Each item undergoes multiple review stages for accuracy, fairness, and appropriateness.
Statistical Analysis: Questions are pretested with actual test-takers to ensure they function properly and contribute to reliable score measurement.
Bias Review: Diverse panels examine test content for potential cultural, ethnic, or gender bias that could disadvantage certain groups.
Content Validation: Academic experts verify that test content aligns with skills needed for graduate school success.
Quality Assurance
Reliability Studies: Regular analysis ensures test scores are consistent and dependable.
Validity Research: Ongoing studies confirm that GRE scores predict graduate school performance as intended.
Fairness Reviews: Continuous monitoring for differential item functioning across demographic groups.
Security Measures: Comprehensive protocols protect test content and prevent fraud.
Types of GRE Tests
GRE General Test
The GRE General Test is the most commonly taken version, required by most graduate programs.
Sections:
Analytical Writing (30 minutes)
Verbal Reasoning (41 minutes total)
Quantitative Reasoning (47 minutes total)
Availability: Year-round at test centers and at-home
GRE Subject Tests
Subject Tests measure knowledge in specific academic disciplines.
Available Tests:
Mathematics: Advanced undergraduate mathematics
Physics: Comprehensive physics knowledge
Psychology: Broad psychology curriculum
Format: Multiple-choice questions testing factual knowledge and problem-solving
Administration: Three two-week windows per year (September, October, April)
Typical Users:
PhD applicants in competitive programs
Students with undergraduate majors different from intended graduate field
International students demonstrating subject mastery
Discontinued Subject Tests
Chemistry (discontinued 2023): Scores remain valid for five years post-discontinuation
Computer Science (discontinued 2013): No longer available
Literature in English (discontinued 2021): Scores remain reportable through 2026
Global Recognition and Acceptance
Geographic Reach
The GRE is accepted by institutions in:
United States: 95% of graduate programs
Canada: Most major universities
United Kingdom: 200+ institutions
Australia: Widespread acceptance for international admissions
Europe: Growing acceptance, especially in English-taught programs
Asia: Top universities and international programs
Program Types Accepting GRE Scores
Traditional Graduate Programs:
Master's degrees (MA, MS, MEd, etc.)
Doctoral programs (PhD, EdD, ScD)
Graduate certificates and specializations
Professional Programs:
1,200+ MBA programs globally
200+ law schools (JD programs)
Select medical school programs
Public health and policy programs
Fellowship and Scholarship Programs:
National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowships
Ford Foundation fellowships
Many university-specific awards
International scholarship programs
Test Philosophy and Design Principles
Skill-Based Assessment
The GRE focuses on measuring developed abilities rather than specific content knowledge. This approach reflects the belief that graduate school success depends more on reasoning capabilities than memorized information.
Reasoning Over Recall: Questions emphasize analytical thinking, problem-solving, and critical evaluation rather than factual recall.
Transfer of Learning: Skills measured by the GRE should apply across disciplines and situations, making the test relevant for diverse graduate fields.
Authentic Tasks: Test questions simulate the types of thinking required in graduate school, including analyzing complex texts, solving quantitative problems, and constructing written arguments.
Fairness and Accessibility
Universal Design: Test questions are designed to be accessible to test-takers from diverse backgrounds and with various disabilities.
Bias Prevention: Rigorous review processes identify and eliminate content that might disadvantage specific groups.
Accommodation Support: Extensive accommodations available for test-takers with documented disabilities.
Multiple Attempts: Retake policies and ScoreSelect options help ensure that temporary factors don't permanently disadvantage applicants.
Predictive Validity
Graduate School Performance: Research consistently shows that GRE scores predict first-year graduate school GPA and other success measures.
Long-term Outcomes: Studies indicate relationships between GRE scores and degree completion, research productivity, and career success.
Incremental Validity: GRE scores provide prediction beyond what undergraduate GPA alone can offer.
Recent Changes and Updates
September 2023 Format Reduction
The most significant change in GRE history reduced test time while maintaining measurement quality.
Length Reduction:
Total time: 3 hours 45 minutes → 1 hour 58 minutes
Analytical Writing: Two tasks → One task
Verbal/Quantitative: Fewer questions per section
Elimination of unscored experimental section
Maintained Elements:
Same score scales and ranges
Identical content and difficulty standards
Section-level adaptive design
Predictive validity for graduate success
Technology Enhancements
At-Home Testing Expansion: Permanent addition of at-home testing option with human proctoring
Interface Improvements: Enhanced navigation features and accessibility options
Mobile Integration: Mobile apps for practice and preparation
Digital Delivery: Streamlined registration and score reporting processes
Security Improvements
Biometric Verification: Enhanced identity verification procedures
AI Monitoring: Advanced technology for detecting irregularities
Remote Proctoring: Sophisticated monitoring for at-home test sessions
Data Protection: Improved cybersecurity measures for personal information
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the GRE different from college entrance exams like the SAT?
A: The GRE is designed for college graduates applying to graduate school, so it assumes greater academic maturity and tests more advanced skills. The vocabulary is more sophisticated, math concepts are more complex, and the analytical writing requires graduate-level reasoning abilities.
Q: Why did ETS shorten the GRE in 2023?
A: The shorter format addresses test-taker concerns about length while maintaining the same predictive validity. Research showed that the essential information for graduate school prediction could be captured in less time, reducing test fatigue and making the experience more efficient.
Q: Is the GRE becoming more popular than other graduate admission tests?
A: Yes, GRE acceptance is growing rapidly. Over 1,200 MBA programs now accept GRE scores, and 200+ law schools offer it as an LSAT alternative. This trend reflects the test's versatility and the convenience of taking one test for multiple program types.
Q: How does ETS ensure the GRE is fair to all test-takers?
A: ETS employs multiple fairness measures: diverse review panels examine content for bias, statistical analyses identify questions that function differently across groups, accommodation services support test-takers with disabilities, and ongoing research monitors fairness across demographic groups.
Q: Will there be further changes to the GRE format?
A: While ETS continuously evaluates and improves the test, the 2023 changes represent a major modernization that should remain stable for several years. Any future modifications would likely focus on technology enhancements rather than fundamental format changes.
Q: How does the GRE Subject Test differ from the General Test?
A: Subject Tests measure specific disciplinary knowledge (Mathematics, Physics, Psychology) while the General Test assesses broad academic skills applicable across fields. Subject Tests are typically required only by highly competitive programs or when applying outside your undergraduate major.
Q: Can international students take the GRE in their home countries?
A: Yes, the GRE is available in 190+ countries through test centers and at-home testing. However, some countries have specific requirements or restrictions, and registration procedures may vary by location.
Q: How long has the current 130-170 score scale been in use?
A: The current score scale was introduced in August 2011, replacing the previous 200-800 scale. This change provided finer score distinctions and reduced overemphasis on perfect scores while maintaining continuity with historical data through concordance tables.
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