Structure of GRE : General Disciplined Design

' GRE - Graduate Record Examination ' is a designed and standardized exam structured in a disciplined way with a view to evaluating the efficacy for dealing with analytical writing, mathematics, and vocabulary. Many graduate schools evaluate the profile of applicants by the Graduate Record Examination where the score of GRE plays a vital and variable role in the admission and selection processes of various departments of the graduate schools. GRE test is scored on a scale of 260-340, in 1-point increments.

According to ETS (Educational Testing Service), the computer-based GRE General Test is primarily structured to contain 4 specific sections:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
2. Verbal Reasoning (VR)
3. Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
4. Unscored experimental section or Research section

The Analytical Writing section will always be first. The Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and unidentified/unscored sections may appear in any order; therefore, one should treat each section as if it counts toward your score.   

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

The analytical writing section is the section with two separately timed tasks:

1. Issue Task
2. Argument Task

This writing section is scored on a scale of 0–6, in half-point increments. The essays are written on a computer using a word processing program specifically designed by ETS. The software contains the following functionalities: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, undoing the previous action and scrolling. The program allows only basic computer functions and does not contain a spell-checker or other advanced features.

1. Issue Task

The issue task denotes a writing segment where the test taker is to support & agree or oppose & disagree a given fact within 30 minutes to assesses the examinee's ability to think critically about a topic of general interest and to clearly express his or her thoughts about it in writing.

1. Argument Task

The argument task needs to analyze an event or argument i.e a series of facts and considerations leading to a conclusion within 30 minutes. An essay is to be written that would weaken or strengthen the argument. The argument's logic is to be considered to make suggestions about how to improve the logic of the argument.  

2. Verbal Reasoning (VR)

The verbal reasoning is to be given with 2 or 3 sets of questions. If there are 3 sets of question then one of the sets will be the unscored section according to the structure and instruction. VR section is scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments. In a typical examination, each verbal section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 30 minutes.

Verbal Reasoning contains 3 types of questions.

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Text Completion
3. Sentence Equivalence

Reading Comprehension questions appear in sets; Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence questions are independent.

i. Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension contains three types of questions:

1. Single Correct Answer: 
2. Multiple Correct Answer: 
3. Select-in-Passage: 

a.     Single Correct Answer

These are the traditional multiple-choice questions with five answer choices of which the examinee must select a single one as the correct answer.

b.    Multiple Correct Answer

These provide three answer choices and ask the examinee to select all that are correct; one, two or all three of the answer choices may be correct. To gain credit for these questions, the examinee must select all the correct answers and only those; there is no credit for partially correct answers.

c.     Select-in-Passage

The question asks the examinee to click on the sentence in the passage that meets a certain description and fact. To answer the question, the examinee chooses one of the sentences and clicks on it; clicking anywhere on a sentence will highlight it.

ii.  Text Completion

Text Completion questions include a passage composed of sentences with one to three blanks. There are three answer choices per blank, or five answer choices if there is a single blank. There is a single correct answer, consisting of one choice for each blank. The examinee receives no credit for partially correct answers.

 

iii. Sentence Equivalence

Sentence Equivalence questions consist of a single sentence, one blank, and six answer choices. These questions require the examinee to select two of the answer choices. The examinee receives no credit for partially correct answers.

3. Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

The quantitative reasoning is also to be given with 2 or 3 sets of questions. If there are 3 sets of question then one of the sets will be the unscored section according to the structure and instruction. QR section is also scored on a scale of 130-170, in 1-point increments and so GRE is scored on a total scale of 260-340.  In a typical examination, each quantitative section consists of 20 questions to be completed in 35 minutes.

Quantitative Reasoning contains 5 types of questions.

1. Quantitative Comparision
2. Single Correct Answer
3. Multiple correct Answer
4. Data or Numeric Entry
5. Data Interpretation

Each question appears either independently as a discrete question or as part of a set of questions called a Data Interpretation set. All of the questions in a Data Interpretation set are based on the same data presented in tables, graphs or other displays of data. QR is divided into 4 general portions to set the 5 types of questions: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry & Data Analysis.

1. Quantitative Comparision

Questions of this type ask the examinee to compare two quantities — Quantity A and Quantity B — and then determine which of four statements given below as an example that describes the comparison :

1. Quantity A is greater.
2. Quantity B is greater.
3. The two quantities are equal.
4. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.
5. Single Correct Answer

These questions are multiple-choice questions that ask the examinee to select only one answer choice from a list of five choices.

1. Multiple correct Answer

These questions are multiple-choice questions that ask the examinee to select one or more answer choices from a list of choices. A question may or may not specify the number of choices to select. One needs to select one or more answer choices according to the specific question directions. If the question does not specify how many answer choices to select, select all that apply. The correct answer may be just one of the choices or as many as all of the choices, depending on the question. No credit is given unless you select all of the correct choices and no others. If the question specifies how many answer choices to select, select exactly that number of choices.

1. Data or Numeric Entry

One has to solve certain maths to enter the answer in the blank. Questions of this type ask the examinee either to enter the answer as an integer or a decimal in a single answer box or to enter it as a fraction in two separate boxes — one for the numerator and one for the denominator. In the computer-delivered test, the computer mouse and keyboard are used to enter the answer.

1. Data Interpretation

Data Interpretation questions are grouped together and refer to the same table, graph or other data presentation. These questions ask the examinee to interpret or analyze the given data. The types of questions may be Multiple-choice (both types) or Numeric Entry.

4. Unscored experimental section or Research section

An unidentified unscored experimental section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. The experimental section, which can be either verbal or quantitative, contains new questions ETS is considering for future use. Although the experimental section does not count towards the test-taker's score, it is unidentified and appears identical to the scored sections. Because test takers have no definite way of knowing which section is experimental, it is typically advised that test takers try their best and be focused on every section. Additionally, an identified research section that is not scored may be included in place of the unscored section, and it is always at the end of the test.

Timing and Break

The entire testing procedure lasts about 3 hours 45 minutes. One-minute breaks are offered after each section and a 10-minute break after the third section. At that time the administrator is to be notified if anyone wishes to leave the room. Between sections one may pause for 60 seconds if you choose. If one wishes to leave seat at any other time during the test, he/she is requested to raise the hand—section timing will not stop for this type of break.

Cost

The cost to take the test is $205, although ETS will reduce the fee under certain circumstances. They also promote financial aid to those GRE applicants who prove economic hardship. ETS does not release scores that are older than 5 years, although graduate program policies on the acceptance of scores older than 5 years will vary.

Repeater Policy

The General Test (computer-based and/or paper-based) may be taken only once per 21 -day period, and no more than 5 times within any 12 -month period. This applies even if one canceled one’s scores on the test taken previously. If one tests more than once per 21 -day period or more than five times in a 12 -month period, the new scores will not be reported and the test fee will be forfeited, and he/she may be banned from future testing.