What is Gre: Definition and 445 Discussions

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada and few in other countries. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.According to ETS, the GRE aims to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills that have been acquired over a long period of learning. The content of the GRE consists of certain specific algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary sections. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered at testing centers and institution owned or authorized by Prometric. In the graduate school admissions process, the level of emphasis that is placed upon GRE scores varies widely between schools and departments within schools. The importance of a GRE score can range from being a mere admission formality to an important selection factor.
The GRE was significantly overhauled in August 2011, resulting in an exam that is not adaptive on a question-by-question basis, but rather by section, so that the performance on the first verbal and math sections determines the difficulty of the second sections presented. Overall, the test retained the sections and many of the question types from its predecessor, but the scoring scale was changed to a 130 to 170 scale (from a 200 to 800 scale).The cost to take the test is US$205, although ETS will reduce the fee under certain circumstances. It also provides financial aid to those GRE applicants who prove economic hardship. ETS does not release scores that are older than five years, although graduate program policies on the acceptance of scores older than five years will vary.

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  1. S

    Testing Will I need the Physics GRE after an MS?

    Hello. Pretty self explanatory. Does having a good masters degree in physics waive the Physics GRE requirement for most US schools? Going to get an MS from : Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey Hoping to go for PhD to: a good US school, TBD. Looking at Stony brook, or in general unis from...
  2. C

    Studying for the GRE subject test: physics

    I am going to do the GRE subject test: physics, and I would like to know if any of you have some advises to study for this test, as well as books to use to prepare for this test. Also if you have already done the test it would be helpful to know about your experience.
  3. C

    EE/PHYS 3.2/3.4 With GRE what are my chances?

    Hey everybody, I am an electrical engineering and physics double major with a math minor coming out of a small liberal arts college. I take the GRE/PGRE in November and was curious about where I could realistically be accepted (I am aiming for physics graduate programs). I've heard extremely...
  4. P

    GRE Study Guides: which questions are closest to the actual exam?

    Hello Aero Forum! I need to take the general GRE and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to which guide is best? I want to get as close to a 170 on the quant (don't we all!) as possible, so I was wondering where I can find questions closest to the actual exam. So far I have the...
  5. DiracPool

    Applying to Universities: Dealing with GRE Anxiety

    I'm applying to two different universities, each of which has a top-notch department doing the type of research I'm interested in, neural network modeling. One is a DARPA funded program in an applied math department, and the other is a program in an electrical and computer engineering...
  6. P

    Irrelevant internship vs. GRE preparation Please help decide

    I am an undergraduate EE major specializing in signal processing and my ultimate goal is to do neuroengineering research at a university. I am graduating this Fall so I will have to take the GRE sometime during the semester. I want to score as high as possible on the GRE but I feel like if I...
  7. G

    Studying GRE Tips and good books for this year

    Any good GRE tips? As in general GRE and not pgre. I'm planning on spending sometime preparing for it since my writing sucks. I want to buy one or two books on general GRE, can someone do a review of the popular gre books? I see mixed review for every book.
  8. P

    Testing Best Way to Study for the Physics GRE?

    Hi all, sorry if this thread already exists. I am just wondering if going through a University Physics text cover to cover and doing all of the exercises is a good way to prepare for the physics GRE? I know I should also do many practice tests of course. I'm pretty worried about this test...
  9. D

    Is a 162 Verbal, 167 Math GRE Score Good Enough for Biology Grad School?

    I got 162 on verbal 167 on math and 4 on the analytical writing (49% for the writing). Is this good enough for graduate school? Is it worth it to try again? I would like to go into a biology related graduate school.
  10. S

    Preparing for the GRE: Math & Physics Reference Books

    Dear folks, I decided to prepare myself for taking the GRE on mathematics and physics next year, and coming from a non-traditional path (undergrad in music, basically self-taught in scientific matters), I'd like to ask you about some reference books and, thus, about the actual level of each...
  11. T

    Best Way to Prep For a Perfect GRE Math Section Score

    Ok so I have a degree in math. I'm pretty sure I'll get above average on the GRE math section. But I want to get a perfect. What are the best sources to get a perfect score? I tried reading princeton review, but they mostly give me common sense type questions. Are there any books that gives me a...
  12. T

    Take GRE after or before stat mech?

    I'm an engineering physics major, I believe I have a way to graduate (if I jettison some electives and take the minimum necessary to graduate) at the end of Spring semester 2014 (or maybe extend things into summer), and I take stat mech in Fall 2013. Grad school apps are due Dec/Jan/Feb, I am...
  13. H

    GRE book reviews for: Physics: A Student Companion by Lowry Kirkby

    GRE book reviews for: "Physics: A Student Companion" by Lowry Kirkby Hey Everyone, First off I know you don't put book titles in quotes, but it makes the formatting more comprehensible. You can skip my sob story and read the last paragraph for the main gist of this post. My Background: I...
  14. P

    Why Is My Solution on Angular Momentum Incorrect?

    Hi I attempted to solve this question but got a different answer, I don't know what's wrong with my solution. Homework Statement http://prntscr.com/wdmmo Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution At point P before collision, the angular momentum from the top disc has two...
  15. L

    GRE - junior fall, spring or senior fall?

    Just wondering when people would recommend to take the GRE. I'm pretty sure that I won't be applying for pure physics graduate programs (I'll probably do applied physics or a particular subset of physics), but I'll finish the coursework for the grad school track of my school's physics major in...
  16. P

    A Poor General GRE Score: Is It Okay for a Math/Physics Major?

    So I got a 160 (81%-tile) on the quantitative reasoning section of the general GRE which is embarrassing for a math\physics major! I've gotten straight A's including graduate classes like quantum field theory, differential geometry etc; I think I just made mindless arithmetic errors on the GRE...
  17. D

    How important is GRE writing score?

    I'm waiting to hear back from grad schools, and I'm worried my writitng score on the GRE might keep me out of some schools... here is a breakdown of my scores: Verbal: 160 Quant: 159 Writing: 3.5 Physics Subject: 830 GPA: 3.92 I'm not sure why my writing score sucked so bad, but most...
  18. A

    Schools Do you need to take the GRE test for UK universities?

    So I'm thinking that after I get my B.Sc in physics from an American university, I will do my Master's degree in the UK (or maybe Australia), I heard they don't require GRE? Is it easier to get admitted there?
  19. T

    GRE Question - What's wrong with my reasoning?

    Question: I saw this on a blog, with the solution, so I'm not really asking what the answer is or how to get there, but I'm just wondering what's wrong with my reasoning, which gets me close to, but not at, the right answer: Think of a number line: 1, 2, 3, ... 120, representing all minutes...
  20. R

    Testing What resources can help me prepare for logic gate problems on the Physics GRE?

    I viewed previous tests on the internet. There are logic gate problems in a test. What subject do this logic gates problems belong to? What book do you recommend for understatnding this subject?
  21. C

    Lang's Basic Mathematics for General GRE Prep

    Lang's "Basic Mathematics" for General GRE Prep From what I've gathered, the math on the General GRE is made up of material primarily covered in high school mathematics. With that said, would working through Serge Lang's "Basic Mathematics" text be beneficial to prepping for the math portion...
  22. X

    Testing What are my chances of getting into a PhD program with a poor Physics GRE score?

    So first let me explain my background in studying Physics. Currently I go to Stevens Institute of Technology and will have a bachelors in applied physics this coming may. My GPA is almost perfect, around 3.93. I have an excellent knowledge of Physics and mathematics, in fact I tutor other...
  23. L

    Failed GRE and Burnout in Astronomy: What Are My Next Steps?

    For emotional/burnout reasons, I did very poorly on both GRE's (unacceptably low on the general) and one of my supervisors upon hearing this has discouraged me from applying this year. Both of us think I don't stand a chance despite the rest of my credentials, even though all of (8-9) schools I...
  24. P

    Dealing with Low GRE Writing Score for Grad Apps

    Hello all, I am working on grad school applications and they ask for GRE scores as expected. Here is the issue: my quantitative and qualitative are 162 and 161 respectively. I am okay with this. I don't know what the hell happened with writing. I got a 3.5. Yes, that low. I can tell you (as...
  25. T

    Testing How Can I Effectively Prepare for the Physics GRE?

    Hi all, I am starting to plan my Physics GRE studying... I will probably take the test next September or October. I have a lot of reading to do between now and then. I would like to hear about any and all strategies that worked for you, what you believe was most important. I have tons of...
  26. O

    Should I send my GRE scores if they're not required?

    Here's the deal: I took the GRE a few weeks ago. Didn't do as well as I'd hoped in the quantitative section. I received 164 (90th percentile) Quantitative (93rd Percentile) 164 Verbal (92nd percentile) 5 Writing I was planning on applying to top grad schools in electrical engineering...
  27. D

    Schools Low GRE scores, options for delaying graduate school?

    Hi all, So, I didn't do so hot on either the GRE or the Physics GRE. I've always been rubbish at standardized tests, and these proved no exception either, even with studying. I know I scored low on the GRE for math (for a physics major). It's not as if I don't know the material, but it's...
  28. E

    What to do with poor GRE subject test score?

    Well, I decided to take the math GRE subject test. The score I received was actually quite a shock to me: 560 scaled score and 27% below (eww). I was getting 70-80% of the questions right on the two practice tests, and afterwards I felt like I knew around 60-70% of the questions. I must have...
  29. K

    Testing How important is physics GRE for applicants?

    Hello, I would like to know whether universities that ask for a PGRE score would eliminate an application outright if I have not appeared for the exam
  30. I

    Programs Is there any school that I am qualify to apply?No GRE result or Master degree

    Dear all, First of all, thanks for reading this. I've been struggling to get a Phd offer in physics since I've completed my BSc degree.This coming year will be my 3rd years in trying to do and till now I've never been success in doing so. The only reason that I what do have a PhD in physics is...
  31. A

    Math Subject GRE Practice Materials

    I am taking the Math Subject GRE on Saturday and finding study materials has been nothing short of a major pain. Maybe we should compile all of the study materials we have found into one central location here. I'll start: http://www.math.ucla.edu/~cmarshak/GREWorkshop.html Feel free to...
  32. L

    How much does the general GRE matter? The subject test?

    Is it possible to impress a committee for (science) graduate school applications with GRE general test scores? What about with the non-math sections? Would even a perfect score or close to it on one of the sections stand out, or would it still just be a litmus test that doesn't really make you...
  33. F

    Is the GRE Physics Explanation of Function Continuity Correct?

    Homework Statement See image. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Here is the solution provided and the answer is B, but I disagree with this explanation. I agree that g(x)=1 and g(x)=e^(0)=1 makes a continuous function, however I don't see how one would ever be able to use x=0...
  34. D

    Testing Physics GRE - optimum # of questions to attempt?

    Just to put this question in context, I have been preparing for the GRE for months now, I've been developing a strategy to maximize my score regardless of what my knowledge of physics is or isn't. I'm not asking for basic advice. The only part of my analysis that is lacking is trying to...
  35. L

    Programs Good Math Major, Bad GRE Quant score?

    Hey all, So I took the General GRE, and I did rather poorly in the GRE Quant score (161). However, most of my resume and the likes would point otherwise (typical stuff like graduate coursework, two REUs, 3.9 GPA, etc.) How concerned should I be about this? Should I retake it? I'm taking...
  36. A

    Testing Physics gre question: checking relationships with graphs

    question: "In laboratory experiments, graphs are employed to determine how one measured variable depends on another. These graphs generally fall into three categories: linear, semilog (logarithmic vs linear), and log-log. Which type of graph listed in the third column below would NOT be the best...
  37. W

    Schools What schools accept mid level Physics GRE scores?

    I'm applying to grad school this season. I've been preparing for the October PGRE for a few weeks non-stop and my scores are basically hitting a brick wall in the 50th percentile. I basically spend all my free time studying and I'm getting tired. Know I've got a good shot at the top schools...
  38. M

    Does gre verbal matter for aerospace?

    does gre verbal matter for aerospace?? if this question should be placed somewhere else, please let me know. my question: took the gre today, scored 160 quant (85%) and 147 verbal (40%). literally studied one week for quant (not holistically) and no study for verbal. will verbal crush me...
  39. J

    Maximize Your GRE Analytical Writing Score with ScoreItNow Practice Service

    Has anyone ever used the ScoreItNow service for practising their Analytical Writing? https://www.dxrgroup.com/cgi-bin/scoreitnow/index.pl The website claims to have developed an algorithm that can mark your essay. I'm very dubious. They even say in the FAQ that: Given that they don't...
  40. M

    Average time taken to study before GRE

    Hey all, Directed towards those of you that have tried, finished or are trying to get into a (US) graduate program (physics, but not necessarily); how long before the test did you start studying. I know in the case of physics the test is mostly lower division knowledge, but I'm just curious...
  41. S

    Testing Best way to prepare for physics GRE?

    I am hoping to take the GRE physics test soon in order to apply to US grad schools.. I would be very interested to hear advice from people who have taken this test in relation to their opinion on how best to prepare for it and if they used any textbooks designed specifically for physics GRE...
  42. T

    Testing Trig formulas for the math gre subject test

    Are you expected to know all of the trig formulas for the math gre subject test? I don't mean the easy ones, i mean ones such as the sum-to-product or product-to-sum. thanks!
  43. V

    Average electron distance (GRE practice problem)

    Homework Statement Question 26 of the physics GRE from the practice test available here: https://www.ets.org/gre/subject/about/content/physics/ The normalized ground state wave function of hydrogen is \psi_{100}=\frac{2}{(4\pi)^{1/2}a_0^{3/2}}e^{-r/a_0}, where a_0 is the Bohr radius. What is...
  44. I

    GRE Physics E-Learning Solution | Get Ready for Test!

    Hi, i need an E-Learning Solution for GRE Physics subject test is there such thing?
  45. N

    Testing Is the GRE Physics a sensible test? What does it test for?

    Hello, I'm currently at the graduated undergrad level concerning physics and I'm considering eventually doing a PhD in America. Usually this requires a Physics GRE test, which is meant to check whether you have absorbed the necessary knowledge from the undergraduate studies. Good. Well, I...
  46. Greg Bernhardt

    Testing Physics GRE Preparation Resources

    During the Physics GRE Subject Test there is no formula sheet given and none can be brought in. It is best to try and memorize these fundamental formulas. Please feel free to link to other useful formula sheets.
  47. omephy

    Testing Sending a Poor Physics GRE Score

    I appeared in Physics GRE exam but did very poor: got only a 600. My other admission requirements are moderate. Should I send my poor Physics GRE score or not? Please give me advices. Thanks.
  48. L

    Testing Missed My Physics GRE Signup, What To Do?

    I am graduating with my BSc in Physics next spring and I want to go to graduate school. The problem being that I missed the sign up date for the Physics GRE, I did however, take the general GRE. What can I do now to get into graduate school?
  49. X

    Schools How good is my graduate school application despite meh GRE scores.

    I just took my GRE today and I must say I did very mediocre on it. I did not fail but did mediocre. If one looked at my score they would never guess I';m a physics major. I got 156 in both verbal and quantitative. On my physics GRE I'm probably going to get in the 70 to 80th percentile. My GPA...
  50. M

    GRE Analytical Writing: Score Req. for Science/Math/Eng. Progs?

    What is a reasonable analytical writing GRE score for a science/math/engineering programs? I had something like a 4.5/6.0 which seems kind of mediocre. I talked to some professors about why the general GRE is required, but they said that it was mainly aimed towards testing international...
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