During the webinar, Maria Kirilova, GRE client relations specialist at Education Testing Service (ETS) explains the structure of the GRE, including the home-based version. Maria also offers tips on how to register, how to send your score, and much more.  

Overview

Maria kicked off the webinar with an overview of the GRE. The exam is used around the world for:

  • Master’s programs
  • Specialized Business Master’s programs
  • MBA programs
  • Juris Doctor (JD) programs
  • Doctoral programs
  • Awarding fellowships

Scores are valid for five years, with more than 1,300 business schools accepting the GRE. The exam is computer-delivered, with some exceptions for some countries, where a paper-based version is offered.

In terms of structure, there are three sections: Analytical writing, Verbal, and Quantitative reasoning. Maria explains them in detail just to give you an idea what to expect on test day.

Taking the GRE at Home

Maria then moves on to the at-home version of the GRE, which is available while test centers around the world are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The at-home solution is identical in content to the test offered at test centers. Scoring and scoring criteria are also the same. The test is offered at the same price as the test-center version, too. Students use their own computers, while monitoring is conducted by human proctors and artificial intelligence technology.

Registration tips

If you register early, you are more likely to get your preferred testing location, date and time, Maria points out. To register, you need to create an account at www.ets.org/mygre. She gives useful tips, like using a name that exactly matches your ID documents and going to the test center early.

How to approach the test

Getting used to the type of questions is an essential part of the preparation. Other than that, the test is quite friendly to the test taker because examinees can go back and forth within the section and change their answers. They can also mark and skip questions to deal with them later.

And what about breaks? There is one 10 minute-break after the third section. Also, there are one-minute breaks between the other sections. So here are some general tips:

  • Become familiar with the type of questions.
  • Be aware of time.
  • Make sure you understand what each question is asking. Read questions thoroughly, going through all answer choices.
  • Do not waste time on questions you find too difficult. No question carries greater weight than any other.

Getting and sending your scores

The score scales for the different sections are as follows:

  • Verbal Reasoning (130–170)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (130–170)
  • Analytical Writing (0–6)

Towards the end of your session, you will have the option to either cancel your scores permanently (not recommended) or report (view) your unofficial score. The unofficial scores you see right after the test are usually quite close to the final score.

For more insights into the GRE exam, watch the webinar recording. It could help you in your preparation and improve your admission chances.