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The GRE and Graduate School Admissions, Explained

The GRE plays a smaller and more variable role in graduate admissions than it used to. Here is how the test is built, how scores are reported, and where it fits among the other parts of an application.

It measures general reasoning skills, not subject knowledge

The GRE General Test is built around verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing, and is used across a wide range of graduate programs and many business programs. It does not test what you learned in your major. Verbal questions involve reading passages and vocabulary in context; quantitative questions use arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis at roughly a secondary-school level, applied in tricky ways.

The test was significantly shortened in 2023

For tests taken from late September 2023, ETS cut the General Test to roughly two hours (about 1 hour 58 minutes, versus nearly four hours before). The changes removed the unscored experimental section and the scheduled break, reduced verbal and quantitative to 27 questions each, and replaced the two writing tasks with a single issue essay. Question types and the scoring scales stayed the same. Confirm the current timing and structure on ets.org before test day, since formats can be adjusted.

Each measure is split into two adaptive sections

Verbal and quantitative reasoning are each delivered in two sections. The test adapts at the section level: how you perform on the first section of a measure affects the difficulty of the second. Within a section you can move back and forth between questions and change answers, which differs from tests that adapt question by question. On the quantitative section, an on-screen calculator is provided.

Verbal and quant are scored on a 130-170 scale

Verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning are each reported on a 130 to 170 scale in 1-point increments, while analytical writing is scored separately on a 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments. Because the exact combinations of correct answers that produce a given score are adjusted for difficulty, the same number of correct answers can produce different scores on different forms. Percentile ranks show where a score falls relative to other test takers and are updated by ETS from time to time.

Many programs no longer require it

A growing number of graduate programs, and many MBA programs in particular, have made the GRE optional or dropped it, so check a specific program's current requirement rather than assuming the test is mandatory. Policies differ even between departments at the same university, and requirements can change from one application cycle to the next.

GRE Subject Tests are a separate and much smaller category

ETS has historically offered separate GRE Subject Tests for specific fields. The lineup has narrowed over the years: Biology and Literature in English were discontinued in 2021, and Chemistry ended in 2023. As of ETS's published information, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology remain. Few programs ask for a Subject Test, so register only if a program you are applying to explicitly requires or recommends one.

Scores are valid for a limited window

GRE General Test scores are generally reportable for five years from the test date. After that, ETS can no longer send them, and you would have to retake the test if a program still wants scores. If you are planning to apply after a gap, count the five years from the test date, not from your application date.

You can retake it, within limits

ETS allows you to take the General Test once every 21 days and no more than five times in any continuous rolling 12-month period, and the limit applies even if you canceled scores on an earlier attempt. ETS enforces the policy, and scores from a test taken in violation can be canceled. Plan a retake with the application deadline and score-delivery time in mind, because official score reports take time to reach schools.

You often choose which scores to send

ETS has offered an option, called ScoreSelect, that lets you decide which test dates' scores to send to a program after you see them. Whether a program looks only at what you send, or asks for every score, is its own policy. Rules and fees for sending scores can change, so check the ETS score-reporting pages when you register.

Whether scores are combined across attempts depends on the program

Some programs will consider your best section scores across multiple test dates (superscoring), while others look only at a single sitting. This is set entirely by the individual program, not by ETS. If you plan to test more than once, find out how each program treats multiple scores before deciding which to send.

The cost, and ways to reduce it

The test fee is set by ETS, is listed in US dollars, and has been raised in recent years, so check the current amount on the ETS fees page. ETS has a Fee Reduction Program for eligible test takers, and some universities or fellowship programs offer waivers. The test can be taken at a test center, and ETS has offered an at-home option, though availability and rules vary by region.

It is one input among several, not the whole decision

Admissions committees generally weigh GRE scores alongside undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, writing samples, and relevant research or work experience. In research-focused PhD programs, fit with a faculty member and the strength of recommendation letters often matter more than a few points on the GRE. In some professional programs, a minimum score may act as a filter, so check the published thresholds.

Why the test changed so much

ETS shortened the General Test in 2023 partly in response to long-standing complaints about test length and fatigue, and as competition from other tests and the test-optional movement increased. The company cut an unscored experimental section and trimmed the number of questions per section, while keeping the same overall content areas and the 130 to 170 scoring scale. Because the test is shorter, each question carries somewhat more weight, which makes careless errors on early questions more costly.

The test-optional movement reshaped how much the GRE matters

Following broader trends across US higher education, many graduate and MBA programs began treating the GRE as optional or eliminating it, so its actual weight in an application now varies by school and program. When a program says scores are optional, applicants should consider whether a strong score would help their case, for instance to offset a lower GPA or show quantitative ability when the transcript lacks it. A weak score that you are not required to submit is generally better left out, but check how the program describes the policy.

A practical way to prepare

Start by taking an official practice test from ETS to learn the format and find your baseline. Then separate your weak areas: vocabulary and reading speed for verbal, and specific topics such as geometry or data interpretation for quant. Time practice under test-like conditions matters, since the test is short and fast-paced. Plan a few weeks to a few months depending on your starting point, and leave room for a retake within the rules above. Prep services and materials vary in quality and cost, and free official materials are a reasonable first step.

Treat the GRE as one part of a larger application

Because admissions decisions are typically holistic, putting effort into the GRE at the expense of a strong statement of purpose, meaningful recommendation letters, or relevant experience is often not the best use of time. Start by checking each program's requirement and its stated score ranges, if any, and set a target score accordingly. This article is general information, and requirements change, so always confirm details with the programs and with ETS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all graduate programs require the GRE?

No. A growing number of graduate and MBA programs have made the GRE optional or dropped it entirely, so requirements now vary significantly by school and program, and even by department.

How is the GRE scored?

Verbal and quantitative reasoning are each scored on a 130 to 170 scale in 1-point increments, and analytical writing is scored separately from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. Percentile ranks show how a score compares with other test takers.

How many times can I retake the GRE?

You can take it once every 21 days and no more than five times in a continuous rolling 12-month period. This limit applies even if you canceled the scores from an earlier attempt.

Is the GRE the same as the GMAT?

No. They are separate tests. The GRE is accepted by many MBA programs alongside the GMAT, but they have different formats and question styles, and program acceptance of each varies. Check the program's admissions page.

How long are GRE scores valid for reporting?

Generally five years from the test date, after which ETS can no longer send them and programs will not accept them for admission.

Is a high GRE score enough to get admitted?

No. Committees typically review the whole application, including GPA, recommendations, a statement of purpose, and experience. A strong score can help, but a weak application in other areas is rarely rescued by a test score alone.