The GRE is widely used for admission to Master and PhD programs both in the USA and the rest of the world. GRE scores are accepted by thousands of graduate programs and business schools all over the world.

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The test is designed to reflect and assess the thinking processes you are likely to do in graduate or business school, thus demonstrating that you are ready for graduate-level study.
There are two types of GRE tests, the GRE General and the GRE Subject Test. High scores tend to increase your chances of admission to graduate programs and funding from the university/department.

The GRE revised General Test is available in two formats: computer- based and paper-based, according to the official bulletin.

The GRE revised General Test takes about three hours and 30 minutes (paper-based test) and three hours and 45 minutes (computer-based test) to complete. The test includes six sections with a 10-minute break after the third section.

According to the official website www.ets.org/gre, the GRE revised General test incorporates three scored sections:

  • Analytical Writing: the section offers two writing tasks, timed separately. The writing tasks require you to “analyze an issue” and “analyze an argument”. 30 minutes will be allocated to each task;
  • Verbal Reasoning: the section consists of two 30-minute sub-sections of about 20 questions each;
  • Quantitative Reasoning: the two 35-minute sections include approximately 20 questions each.

In addition:

  • the test may include an unidentified Verbal or Quantitative section that does not count toward your score; this additional section may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. Be sure to do your best on all the sections, as you will never know which one is not scored;
  • the computer-based GRE revised General Test may include an identified research section that is not scored. This section will always come at the very end of the test.

The test opens with the Analytical Writing section, with the other five sections  displayed in random order.

The test design is very flexible, allowing you to move freely forward and backward throughout an entire section. Some of the specific features of the GRE revised General Test include:

  • The ability to change/edit answers within a section;
  • Preview and review capabilities within a section;
  • A “mark and review” feature to tag questions, so you can skip them and return later;
  • An on-screen calculator for the Quantitative Reasoning section.

We recommend that you experience the test design features of the computer-based test by downloading the Powerprep software from the official website for free:

The current format includes no tutorial at the beginning of the GRE computer-based test, so you need to become familiar with the test design and question types before taking the test. Although there is a help section incorporated in the actual test, please be aware that the timing will not stop when accessing the help feature.

According to the information on the official website, the GRE revised General Test is currently offered in the computer-based format in Bucharest at RTS, Centrul de Formare in Informatica. The testing center is located at 1B, Expozitiei Blvd., inside the Romanian-American University campus. According to information released by the test center, the test is administered several times a week. You can call 0372-120 250, or send an e-mail to prometric@trainingit.ro for specific information on the testing center and the available test dates. Please be advised that the RTS office hours are Wednesday 12:00 – 17:00 and Thursday 9:00 – 17:00.

In Romania the GRE revised General Test is also administered in the paper-based format at two locations: in Iasi at Euroed Foundation and Arad at Facultatea de Stiinte, according to the GRE site. The paper-based test dates are available in the “Test Centers and Dates” section on the official website.

According to the official website, in the “Fees” section, the GRE revised General Test costs $205This fee will give you one printed score report and up to four official score reports that ETS will send directly to the institutions you choose when you conclude the test. If you do not select the institutions that you want to receive your scores when you finish the test at the testing center, you will have to pay a $27 additional score fee for each institution you want scores to be sent to.

You can register for the test in multiple ways, according to the payment method preferred: the credit card or bank check.

How to register for the computer-based version of the test?

When a credit/debit card is available (Visa, Master Card, American Express, etc.), you can register online, by phone or by fax, according to the information on the official website. If you get stuck, EDMERICA can help. Until then some helpful advice based on our 17-year practice:

  1. Send your test registration by registered mail (scrisoare recomandata cu confirmare de primire);
  2. Make sure you photocopy the scheduling form as well as the bank check and keep the copies for reference;
  3. You will commonly receive a confirmation letter by e-mail or regular mail which includes the test date and the location of the testing center;
  4. If you don’t receive the confirmation letter, you need to call the Regional Registration Center at least three full business days prior to your first-choice test date.

Information on the  registration for the paper-based version of the test is available on the official website of the GRE test or with EDMERICA.

  • If you miss the registration deadline please see below the “Standby testing” section;
  • In case you do not show up on your assigned day and hour for taking the test, the registration fee will not be refunded.

Standby testing

Let’s assume you missed the registration deadline. Standby testing will help you take the test on the desired date, provided sufficient space, test materials and staff are available at the test center. If you plan to go for standby testing, you need to report to the test center no later than 8:15 a.m. with the following:

  • a filled in GRE Paper-based General Test and Subject Tests 2014-15 Registration Form (available on the GRE website);
  • evidence of payment for the $50 standby testing fee (in addition to the test fee) by bank check or credit card;
  • acceptable photo ID (visit the official website for details).

Late registration works only for online registration for the paper-based GRE test. It closes a week after regular registration and costs an extra $25.

Change of test date or test location

You can reschedule within the same testing year (July 1 – June 30). Pls be aware that you need to reschedule or cancel your test registration no later than three full days before your test date (exclusive of the test day and the day of your request), or your test fee will be forfeited. For computer-based testing, you can cancel or reschedule online (rescheduling your GRE test carries a $50 fee).

In order to change your test center, contact the GRE Program by the registration deadline. More details are available on the official GRE website.

Retaking the GRE revised General Test

According to the GRE website, you can take the GRE revised General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period (365 days). This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously. You may take the paper-delivered GRE General Test as often as it is offered.

IMPORTANT: EDMERICA is in no way involved in the administration of the GRE test. Please contact Thomson Prometric for any problems you may have with registration, receipt of the admission ticket, rescheduling, etc. Thomson Prometric is responsible for test administration throughout Europe. The information bulletins which can be downloaded from the official GRE website provide the contact addresses and telephone numbers you may need.

What to Expect on Test Day?

All the questions you may have concerning the computer-based and the paper-based GRE tests will find expert answers on the GRE website  at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/test_day/.    Or with EDMERICA.

What to Expect at the End of the Test?

At the conclusion of the computer-based test:

  • You will have the option to report or cancel your scores. If you choose to cancel your score for one section, you will actually cancel the scores for all the sections. Although you have the option to cancel your scores, consider very carefully before doing so. For $30, the scores you have canceled can be reinstated if ETS receives your request within 60 days after your test date. Details on the official GRE website. Talk to EDMERICA about smart ways to handle test scores.
  • You will be able to view your unofficial scores in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Given the complex human involvement in the essay scoring process, you will not be able to view your Analytical Writing scores at the time of your test.
  • You will be invited to designate the institutions that you want to receive your four score reports as part of the test registration fee. If an institution does not appear to be listed, ask the test center administrator for the appropriate form to use for unlisted institutions. Complete the form and turn it in before you leave the test center. It will not be accepted afterwards.

When to Expect the Official Scores?

Three scores are reported on the GRE revised General Test:

  • the Verbal Reasoning score and the Quantitative Reasoning score are both reported on a 130 – 170 score scale, in 1-point increments;
  • the Analytical Writing score is reported on a 0 – 6 score scale, in half-point increments.

If you have questions about the computer-based test or the paper-based test, or wonder how a GRE score obtained before 2011 to the current test score, please check with EDMERICA.

How to Get Additional Score Reports?

If you fail to select the score recipients on the test day (for the computer-based test), or when you register for the paper-based test, or you need to have your scores sent to more than four score recipients, you will have to submit an Additional Score Report request – online, by phone, fax or mail – for a fee of $27 per score report. Additional information at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/scores/send/asr/.

GRE scores are valid for 5 years.

How to Ace the Test? Computer-Based, Paper-Based & Online Resources

EDMERICA can provide comprehensive support, in the form of guidance for improving your overall testing strategies, access to a range of resources, and more. Just to give you a tiny sample of the test prep support EDMERICA can offer, we have annotated the links below for your convenience. Pls be aware that some practice is free, some for a fee:
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/
The site provides general advice, sample questions and answers, scoring guidelines and tips for answering question types. It helps you become familiar with each of the GRE sections, and gives you the opportunity to use POWERPREP II, a free program that replicates the GRE revised General Test. On top of it, the test makes available two full-length tests which simulate the test-taking experience. A MUST!

http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools/sample-gre-test-questions.aspx
Info plus sample questions from Peterson’s which puts out the graduate students’ key resource “Graduate and Professional Programs”.

http://www.kaptest.com/GRE/Home/gre-test-change.html
Kaplan offers comprehensive info on the new GRE, plus a series of relevant free recordings of past Kaplan webinars on how to prepare successfully for the new GRE.

http://testprep.about.com/od/Revised_GRE_Exam/Revised_GRE_Exam.htm
The site provides basic test information, alongside question types and practice.

Addittional test prep sites, frequently asked questions, and more when you decide to harness EDMERICA expertise for pursuing a graduate program in the USA.

GRE Subject

Why take it?

It can be a requirement for admission to graduate programs in the U.S., especially for PhDs.

It is commonly employed as a tool to help you stand out from the pool of applicants by emphasizing your knowledge and skill level in a specific area.

It helps admissions and grant-awarding committees to get a clearer picture of your abilities for graduate study in order to offer you admissions and funding.

The test is offered in 7 subject areas:

•    Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology;
•    Biology;
•    Chemist
•    Literature in English;
•    Mathematics;
•    Physics;
•    Psychology.

All GRE-Subject tests are administered in English and measure achievement in these specific subject areas. They assume an undergraduate major in the discipline tested or extensive knowledge.

The GRE-Subject continues to stick to its multiple choice, paper and pencil format. Each test takes 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete.

When & Where Is the Test Available in Romania?

According to the information on the official site, the GRE Subject tests are commonly offered three times a year, in October, November, and April.

In Romania the test is administered in Arad at the Facultatea de Științe and Iași at Euroed Foundation. For details on test dates and centers see the current GRE Test Center and Code Lists.

How Much Does the Test Cost?

The GRE Subject test costs $150.

This fee entitles you to one score report, plus up to four reports that ETS will send directly to the institutions you indicate on your registration form or admission ticket correction stub. For each institution you select after the test, you will have to pay a $27 fee.

How to Register for the Test?

Registration is flexible and varies according to the payment method you opt for: credit card (most convenient) or bank check. Note: the card does not need to be issued in your own name.

If a credit/debit card is available (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, JCB), you can register online on the official website.  You will first need to create a MyGRE Account. This is easily done if you go to “Register for a Test” section and follow the steps. You will get your Admission Ticket by e-mail.

If credit/debit cards are not available, the most convenient payment type is the bank check, and you will register by mail. Full details on the official site and with EDMERICA.

The same tips that work for the GRE General test apply to the Subject one.

Standby testing:
If you missed the registration deadline, you can still try to test as a standby.
Standby testing may be available if sufficient seats, test materials, and staff are available at the test center.
The standby testing fee of $50 needs to be paid on top of the test fee. Further information on standby testing is available on the GRE website. And with EDMERICA.

IMPORTANT:
EDMERICA is not involved in the administration of the GRE Subject tests. Please contact ETS-GRE for any problems you may experience concerning registration, receipt of the admission ticket, etc. All relevant contact addresses and telephone numbers are listed on the official website.

How to Prepare for the Test?

ETS makes available free online official preparation materials. Each Subject Test practice book contains a full-length test and answer key, test-taking strategies, and information to help you understand the scoring policy. To download the free ETS preparation materials, contact EDMERICA if you get stuck.

In addition, upon completing your test registration, you will be sent a free practice book that includes a range of content topics covered in the test and detailed test specifications, a full-length test and answer key, as well as information to help you understand the scores you earn. The practice book can also be downloaded for free from http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/prepare/.

What to Expect on Test Day?

Questions on test regulations are answered at http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/test_day/.
What to bring: http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/test_day/bring/
Identification requirements: http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/test_day/id/
What else to expect: http://www.ets.org/gre/subject/test_day/expect/

When concluding the test, you will have the option to cancel your scores if you are not pleased with your performance on the test.

When Are the Official Scores Released? How to Request Additional Score Reports?

According to the information available on the official website, for each test you take, you will receive a total score on a 200 – 990 score scale, in 10-point increments. Both current scores and scores from the tests taken five years prior to the current testing year will be included in your cumulative score report.

The score reports of the GRE-Subject test are mailed approximately 6 weeks after your test date to you and to the institutions you mentioned in your registration form or admission ticket correction stub. The GRE website offers the approximate score report mailing dates. You can view your scores online free of charge, 6 weeks after the test, provided you have a MyGRE Account.

You can order additional score reports online, by phone, fax or by mail for a $27 fee for each institution you want to receive your scores. The additional score report request form is available on the official website.

All GRE scores are valid for 5 years.