GRE Exam: Everything You Need to Know About the GRE

What Is the GRE Exam?

The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test used as part of admissions to graduate, business and some professional programs.

The GRE General Test measures skills in:

• Verbal Reasoning

• Quantitative Reasoning

• Analytical Writing

These skills are not tied to one particular academic subject. Instead, they are intended to assess reasoning, analysis and writing abilities that can be relevant across graduate-level study.

For an international student, however, there is an important distinction to understand:

The GRE is not automatically required for every university or every master's program.

Some programs require it, some make it optional, and others may not consider it at all.

So if you're thinking about taking the GRE, don't start with:

“Everyone applying abroad takes the GRE.”

Start with:

“Do the programs I want to apply to require or accept the GRE?”

That one question can save you months of unnecessary preparation.

GRE Exam Highlights

Before getting into registration and preparation, here are the key things you should know about the current GRE General Test:

ETS states that the GRE General Test can be taken at test centers worldwide or at home where the at-home option is available.

What Is the GRE General Test?

When students casually say “GRE exam,” they are usually referring to the GRE General Test.

It measures three areas:

Verbal Reasoning

This section tests your ability to understand written material, analyze arguments, draw conclusions and understand relationships between words and ideas.

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning measures your ability to understand and analyze quantitative information and solve problems using concepts from areas such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.

Analytical Writing

Analytical Writing includes one Analyze an Issue task. You need to develop a clear response, support your position with relevant reasoning and examples, and communicate your ideas effectively.

Types of GRE Exam

There are two main categories you may come across:

1. GRE General Test

This is the GRE most students mean when they discuss GRE preparation for graduate admissions.

It measures:

• Verbal Reasoning

• Quantitative Reasoning

• Analytical Writing

It is designed to measure general reasoning and analytical skills rather than knowledge of one specific academic subject.

2. GRE Subject Tests

GRE Subject Tests are different from the General Test.

They assess knowledge in specific disciplines. ETS currently lists Subject Tests such as:

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Psychology

The availability and administration schedule are different from the GRE General Test.

Important: Don't assume that taking a GRE Subject Test is necessary simply because a university mentions the GRE. Always check the specific program's requirements.

GRE Exam Eligibility

One of the most common questions students ask is:

“What is the eligibility criteria for GRE?”

The answer is slightly different from exams where you need to meet a specific percentage or age requirement before registering.

For the GRE General Test, your first responsibility is to check the requirements of the graduate program you're applying to.

A university may:

• Require the GRE

• Accept the GRE as an optional component

• Not require it

• Have different requirements for different programs

Therefore, there isn't a universal “GRE eligibility percentage” that guarantees you can apply.

What matters more?

Before registering, check:

1. Your target university

2. Your target program

3. Whether the GRE is required or optional

4. Recommended or expected scores, if published

5. Application deadline

6. Whether the program accepts the GRE General Test or has another testing requirement

This approach is much safer than preparing for the GRE first and researching requirements afterward.

GRE Exam Registration

Once you've confirmed that the GRE makes sense for your target programs, registration is handled through your ETS account.

ETS states that your ETS account allows you to register for the GRE, manage or change your registration, view scores and access other GRE services.

The basic process is:

Create ETS account → Choose GRE General Test → Select location/date → Complete registration → Pay fee → Prepare for test day

You can take the GRE General Test at a test center or, where available, at home.

Official GRE registration through ETS

One important registration detail

Make sure the name on your ETS account exactly matches the name on the identification document you will use for the exam. ETS warns that a mismatch can prevent you from taking the test and can result in the test fee not being refunded.

Don't leave this check until test day.

GRE Exam Cost in India

As of August 1, 2026, ETS lists the GRE General Test fee for India at ₹25,522. ETS notes that fees can change, so candidates should verify the current fee before registration.

Additional services can have separate charges.

For example, ETS currently lists:

• Rescheduling: ₹5,650

• Changing test center: ₹5,650

• Additional score report: ₹4,150

These amounts are subject to change, so check the official ETS fee page before making a payment.

GRE cost is more than the registration fee

If you're planning your GRE budget, also consider:

• Preparation course

• Books and study material

• Mock tests

• Travel, if taking the test at a center

• Additional score reports

• Rescheduling, if required

For most students, preparation is the bigger investment of time—not simply the registration fee.

GRE Exam Pattern

The current GRE General Test is considerably shorter than the pre-September 2023 version.

The current test takes approximately 1 hour 58 minutes.

Current GRE structure

The Analytical Writing section comes first. The Verbal and Quantitative sections can appear in different orders after that.

Is the GRE adaptive?

Yes.

The current GRE uses section-level adaptivity for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning.

Your performance in the first section of a measure influences the difficulty level of the second section for that measure.

That has an important preparation implication:

Your first Quant and first Verbal sections matter.

You shouldn't approach them casually assuming you'll simply make up the difference later.

GRE Exam Scoring

The GRE General Test reports three scores:

Verbal and Quantitative scores are reported in one-point increments, while Analytical Writing is reported in half-point increments.

Your total Verbal + Quant score therefore ranges from 260 to 340.

When do GRE scores come out?

ETS states that official GRE General Test scores are generally available in your ETS account 8–10 days after the test date.

That matters when planning around university application deadlines.

Don't schedule your GRE at the last possible moment without considering score availability and the university's processing timeline.

GRE Exam Preparation

Now we come to the part that matters most after deciding to take the test.

GRE preparation isn't about memorising a huge list of formulas and vocabulary words.

You need to develop three things:

Knowledge + Reasoning + Test Strategy

A useful preparation cycle is:

Diagnose

Find your current level.

Build

Strengthen concepts and vocabulary.

Practise

Solve questions by topic.

Time

Introduce timed sets.

Simulate

Take realistic mock tests.

Analyse

Identify exactly where you're losing marks.

Improve

Use that information to plan your next study cycle.

This approach is much more useful than simply counting the number of questions you've solved.

How to Prepare for the GRE Verbal Section

GRE Verbal is not just a vocabulary test.

ETS describes Verbal Reasoning as measuring abilities such as understanding written material, analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions and understanding relationships among words and concepts.

Your preparation should therefore include:

Vocabulary

Build vocabulary systematically rather than trying to memorise hundreds of random words in one week.

Reading Comprehension

Practise understanding:

• Main ideas

• Author's purpose

• Arguments

• Inferences

• Tone

• Relationships between ideas

Text Completion

Learn to use context and logical relationships instead of relying only on vocabulary recognition.

Sentence Equivalence

Focus on meaning, sentence logic and identifying words that create equivalent meanings.

The biggest mistake?

Learning vocabulary without learning how to use context.

Knowing the meaning of a word is useful.

Knowing why that word fits the sentence is what helps on the test.

How to Prepare for GRE Quantitative Reasoning

The GRE doesn't require advanced university-level mathematics for its Quantitative Reasoning section.

ETS describes the section as testing quantitative understanding and problem solving using areas including arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.

Your preparation should focus on:

• Arithmetic

• Number properties

• Algebra

• Geometry

• Ratios

• Percentages

• Data analysis

• Quantitative comparison

• Word problems

But don't make the mistake of thinking:

“I know the formula, so I'm ready.”

GRE Quant often rewards understanding how to approach the problem efficiently.

For every mistake, ask:

Did I not know the concept?

Did I misread the question?

Did I use the wrong approach?

Did I spend too much time?

That analysis is where your score starts becoming more predictable.

GRE Analytical Writing Preparation

Analytical Writing contains one Analyze an Issue task lasting 30 minutes.

Your preparation should focus on:

• Understanding the prompt

• Taking a clear position

• Developing logical arguments

• Using relevant examples

• Organizing paragraphs

• Writing clearly

• Managing the 30-minute limit

You don't need to memorise a perfect essay.

You need to develop a repeatable process that lets you understand the issue, plan your response and communicate it clearly within the available time.

How Much Time Should You Spend Preparing for the GRE?

There isn't one correct number of weeks.

Your preparation time depends on:

• Current diagnostic score

• Target score

• Academic background

• Quantitative foundation

• English and vocabulary level

• Available daily study time

• Application deadline

For example, a student who is already close to the desired score may need a focused preparation cycle.

A student with significant gaps may need considerably longer.

A simple way to calculate your timeline

Think in terms of:

Current score → Target score → Score gap → Weak areas → Available hours → Deadline

This is more useful than blindly deciding:

“I'll prepare for three months because everyone else does.”

Is GRE Preparation Different for Indian Students?

The GRE itself doesn't become a different exam because you're taking it from India.

However, Indian students often have different preparation circumstances.

You may be:

• Applying for a master's after engineering

• Balancing GRE with college

• Working full-time

• Preparing for English-language requirements alongside GRE

• Applying to multiple countries

• Managing university application deadlines simultaneously

So your preparation plan needs to fit your actual situation.

If you're applying for STEM programs, for example, you may also want to pay particular attention to your Quantitative Reasoning performance.

But there is no universal “Indian student GRE score.”

Your target should come from the programs you're actually considering.

GRE Exam Preparation: How to Build a Study Plan

A practical study plan can be divided into four stages.

Stage 1: Baseline

Take a realistic diagnostic.

Record:

• Verbal score

• Quant score

• AWA performance

• Timing

• Weak topics

Stage 2: Foundation

Build the concepts you are missing.

At this stage, accuracy matters more than speed.

Stage 3: Timed Practice

Introduce time limits.

Start practising how to decide:

• Which question to solve first

• When to move on

• When to return

• How much time to spend

The GRE allows you to move within a section, skip questions, review them and change answers, so understanding these features should be part of your test strategy.

Stage 4: Mock Tests

Move into realistic full-length practice.

After every mock, analyse:

Score → Accuracy → Timing → Weak topics → Mistakes → Next plan

That's far more valuable than simply taking another mock the next day.

How to Choose GRE Preparation

You don't necessarily need coaching to prepare for the GRE.

ETS provides official preparation resources and free POWERPREP practice tests.

Self-study can work well if you are:

• Disciplined

• Comfortable creating your own study plan

• Able to analyse your mistakes

• Consistent

• Comfortable finding and using resources independently

Coaching can be useful if:

• You don't know where to start

• You need a structured plan

• Your preparation has stalled

• You struggle with timing

• You need accountability

• You want expert feedback

• You want regular mock analysis

• You are balancing GRE with college or work

The important distinction is that coaching should add direction, not simply give you more material.

Why Choose StudyArk for GRE Preparation?

StudyArk's GRE program is built around a diagnostic-first, practice-driven approach, with live classes, recordings, structured practice, full-length mocks, performance tracking and mentor support.

The current program page describes:

• Live classes and recordings

• Connected class notes

• Context-aware AI tutor

• Topic-wise practice

• Full-length mock tests

• Performance analytics

• Mentor direction

The complete GRE pathway currently lists a 12-week structured plan, 32 live classes plus recordings, 1,500+ practice questions and 8 full-length adaptive mocks.

StudyArk also offers separate Quant and Verbal + AWA pathways, each currently structured as an eight-week plan.

The approach is simple

Diagnostic → Concept Classes → Targeted Practice → Timed Sections → Full Mocks → Test-Day Plan

StudyArk describes this as the progression used to turn diagnostic performance into a focused preparation plan.

And that matters because a mock score is only useful if you know what to do with it.

GRE Mock Tests and Performance Analysis

Don't treat a GRE mock test as simply a score generator.

Treat it as a diagnostic tool.

After a mock, look at:

Accuracy

Where are you losing marks?

Pacing

Which sections or question types consume too much time?

Weak topics

Is the problem algebra, geometry, vocabulary, reading comprehension or data analysis?

Repeated mistakes

Are you making the same error repeatedly?

Decision-making

Are you spending too long on questions that should have been skipped temporarily?

The current GRE allows candidates to mark and review questions and change answers within a section.

Your mock analysis should therefore look beyond the final score and examine how you reached that score.

StudyArk's GRE program specifically describes performance tracking around accuracy, pacing, weak sub-topics and recurring mistakes.

Is GRE Easier Than GMAT?

There is no objective answer to this.

The GRE and GMAT test different combinations of skills and use different exam structures.

The better question is:

Which exam fits your strengths and your target programs better?

The GRE includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. The current GMAT includes Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights.

If you're primarily applying to graduate programs, the GRE may be relevant to your application.

If you're primarily applying to business schools, the GMAT may also be an option.

But don't choose based only on which test someone says is “easier.”

Take diagnostic tests for both if you're genuinely undecided, and then compare your performance, preparation requirements and target-program policies.

GRE vs GMAT: Which Should You Take?

A simple starting point:

This isn't a rule that one test is universally better.

Your program requirements and personal strengths should drive the decision.

Final Thoughts

The GRE isn't something you should register for simply because you're planning to study abroad.

First, identify the programs you're interested in.

Then check their requirements.

If the GRE makes sense for your applications, take a diagnostic test before building your preparation plan.

From there:

Understand the exam → Diagnose your level → Build concepts → Practise → Improve timing → Take mocks → Analyse mistakes → Refine → Take the GRE

That process is much more reliable than downloading ten different GRE study plans and trying to follow all of them at once.

And remember: your GRE score is one part of an application, not an admission guarantee.

If you're looking for structured preparation with live classes, recordings, practice, full-length mocks, performance analytics and mentor guidance, you can explore StudyArk's GRE Preparation & Coaching program. StudyArk currently offers live and self-paced pathways and a complete 12-week GRE preparation route.

The goal isn't to study everything. It's to understand what your score is telling you—and work on the right things next.