While researching the best universities and programmes for your Masters studies, you will also be checking the admission requirements. In some cases, only a language test will be sufficient. However, for many reputable programmes you will also need to sit an aptitude test. The choice is usually between GMAT and GRE.
Both tests are widely accepted by graduate schools, but they differ in structure and emphasis. The GRE tends to suit candidates from a broader range of academic backgrounds, while the GMAT is more tailored to business school applicants and places greater emphasis on data analysis and reasoning. If you are applying solely to MBA programmes, the GMAT may be the stronger choice; for other Masters programmes – or if you are applying to a mix of business and non-business schools – the GRE offers more flexibility.
But if you dive deeper, you will find out that the GRE offers a General Test and Subject Tests. When you have a choice, how do you decide which test will maximise your chances of admission? Here are some practical tips that will help you.
When you sign up for the GRE, you will have the option to take the general exam or a subject test. You may choose one or both. The exam you select will determine what you study, how universities will handle the information, how much you will pay and when you can take the exam. Find out the differences between these vital tests for graduate school entry and decide for yourself on the best examination for your education plans.
GRE General Test: format, sections, and structure
The GRE general test is a required admissions exam for getting into many graduate schools across the United States. This test includes sections that test your reading, math, vocabulary, reasoning and essay writing skills. As of September 2023, the GRE General Test has been significantly shortened and now takes under two hours to complete. You may choose to take this test on the computer at a test centre or from home via the GRE at Home option (see below).
Computer-based test
Taking the test on the computer gives you the chance to show your skills by responding to questions at a test centre. You will write one essay (the “Analyse an Issue” task), have two verbal reasoning and two quantitative reasoning sections. The unscored experimental section that previously appeared in the test has been removed.
Each section of the computer-based test is adaptive based on the previous portion. How well you do on the first section of the verbal and math portions of the test determines the types of questions you get for the second section of that type. In each part, every problem contributes an equal weight to your score.
GRE at Home
Introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic and now a permanent option, the GRE at Home allows you to take the same computer-based GRE General Test from your own computer, monitored by a live remote proctor. The content, format, scoring, and score validity are identical to the test centre version. This option is available around the clock, seven days a week in most locations, making it a flexible choice for busy professionals preparing for graduate admission.
READ: Your Brain on a Master's: The Cognitive Shift Nobody Warns You About
GRE Subject Test: what it is and who should take it
While the GRE general test is an admissions requirement for most schools, other schools only recommend subject tests. These individual tests focus on a specific subject. They can help you stand out from other applicants, which is critical if you want to attend a programme with a small number of openings or a prestigious graduate school.
ETS offers three GRE subject tests:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Take one of these exams if you plan to go into a graduate programme in that field or if you were highly proficient in it in your undergraduate studies.
GRE General Test vs Subject Test: what each exam covers
The content of the GRE tests depends on whether you take the general or a subject test. As graduate school entry tests, the subject matter will reflect what you learnt during your undergraduate years.
What is on the GRE General Test?
The GRE general test consists of three major sections – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. These sections measure your ability to read and analyse complex written pieces, solve math problems, and write a focused essay in response to a prompt.
- Verbal: The verbal sections see how well you can analyse writing and understand the meaning of words through vocabulary-based questions.
- Math: Math subjects covered on the exam include arithmetic, geometry, algebra and data analysis.
- Writing: The analytical writing section now consists of a single “Analyse an Issue” essay. The former “Analyse an Argument” task was removed in 2023.
What types of GRE Subject Tests are available?
All subject tests consist of a single section. The content of the individual exams depends on the subject.
- Mathematics: About half the math test covers calculus, a fourth algebra and the remainder other math topics common in undergraduate work. This test has 66 multiple-choice questions.
- Physics: With 70 multiple-choice questions, the physics test covers mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, specialised topics, and laboratory methods.
- Psychology: Topics covered on the 144 questions on the psychology test cover six subsections, which each receive a subscore, in addition to the overall score. These topics include biological, cognitive, social, developmental, clinical and methodology.
GRE fees and scheduling
The GRE exam fees depend on where you live. Because these tests have international administration, people in several countries can register to take them.
GRE General Test cost and schedule
The GRE general test costs USD 220 in most countries. Additional fees for late registration or rescheduling apply in specific cases. The computer-based test – whether at a test centre or at home – is available year-round. You can schedule your preferred date and location when you register through ETS.
GRE Subject Test cost and schedule
The GRE subject test fee is USD 175 per test. You may choose one of three test periods to take these tests each year – September, October and April. You may only sign up for one exam per administration.
GRE score validity and results timeline
GRE scores – both General and Subject – are valid for five years from your test date. This means you can take the GRE early in your academic career and still use your scores when applying to graduate programmes several years later. When planning your test schedule, bear in mind that official scores are delivered to you and your chosen institutions within 8-10 days of your test date.
GRE General Test or Subject Test: how to decide
If you are not sure of the test you need, research the requirements of the schools you want to attend. You will likely need to take the GRE general test for admissions. However, some schools recommend that you also take a subject test, meaning you must take both the GRE general and a subject test to be a competitive applicant to such places. It is also worth noting that an increasing number of graduate programmes have made the GRE optional or removed the requirement entirely – always check the latest admissions requirements directly with each school before registering.
READ: Master's Teaching Methods
How to prepare for the GRE
Studying for the GRE general and subject tests should start with taking a practice exam to determine your strengths and weaknesses on the test you want to take. Test prep centres will offer these exams, but you can also find resources from ETS, the company that makes the GRE.
Give yourself at least six weeks or longer to prepare. Because the test is expensive, you don’t want to have to take it multiple times to get your highest possible score. Consider investing in tutoring services or classes that will help you with learning about the material on the test and brushing up on your weak points.
Originally published: 15 February 2021
Updated: 22 June 2026
