A Guide to the GRE/Introduction

Introduction to the GRE

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test used for graduate admissions in the United States and Canada, as well as for English-language studies worldwide. The test is created by Educational Testing Services (ETS), a company which also makes the Praxis and TOEFL exams.

Scoring

The GRE is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 for both its verbal and quantitative sections - each gets a separate score.

Other Important Facts About the GRE

Paper or Computer Options. The GRE may be taken on paper or using a computer. Test takers may register at www.ets.org.

Computer adaptivity. The computer based version of the test becomes harder or easier based on the test taker's performance, but only between sections. For example, doing well on the first verbal section will cause the second one to increase in difficulty, but not affect remaining questions on the first.

Calculator. Test takers may use a non-scientific calculator for the math sections. This is provided onscreen for the computer version of the test.

No penalty for guessing. Unlike some tests, here is no penalty for marking an incorrect response on the GRE.