GRE
Graduate Record Examinations
GRE General Test
Most universities that require the GRE for admission, require the General Test. The General Test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.
Verbal Measure - tests ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize
information obtained from it, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences,
and recognize relationships between words and
concepts.
Quantitative Measure - tests basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary mathematical concepts, as well as ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems in a quantitative setting.
Analytical Measure - tests ability to understand structured sets of relationships, deduce new information from sets of relationship, analyze and evaluate arguments, identify central issues and hypotheses, draw sound inferences, and identify plausible causal explanations.
The Verbal sections of the GRE use questions from diverse areas of experience. The areas tested range from the activities of daily life to broad categories of academic interest, such as the sciences social studies, and the humanities.
The General Test is administered on computer most any day at Prometric Testing Centers throughout the country. Registration information can be found in the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin available in Room 450 of the Student Services Building or by visiting www.gre.org.
GRE Subject Tests
Some graduate schools require scores on Subject Tests but most do not. Candidates should inquire with the school to which they are applying to determine what tests they should take. The Subject Tests are measures of achievement in particular fields of study. Each Subject Test assumes either an undergraduate major or extensive background in the specific field.
They are available in the following subjects:
- Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Geology
- History
- Literature in English
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Revised Education
- Sociology
The Subject tests are offered only in the pencil and paper version at selected sites in Utah. See the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin for a list of testing sites. Registration information is available in the Registration Bulletin or by visiting GRE online at www.gre.org.
Scores on the Subject Tests are based on the number of correct answers minus one-fourth
the number of incorrect answers.
Therefore random guessing is discouraged. Score reports are sent to the examinee and
to the designated institutions approximately six weeks after the test date.