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GRE FAQ

How should I prepare for the GRE?

The GRE is critical for acceptance to prestigious schools. It’s important to put sufficient time and effort into preparation. Plan on investing at least 50 hours. Your preparation can be in the form of self-study, an online course, or an in-person course (or some combination of the three). The best method is different for each person.

However, be sure that you practice in ways that mirror the actual exam. This means using actual GRE questions, and taking several practice tests. Additionally, your GRE prep should get you familiar with the GRE CAT format. Otherwise, the unfamiliar testing system can slow you down on test day.

800score offers a full online course that includes real GRE questions, practice tests, CAT practice, and much more. Get started here.

How do I register for the GRE?

You can register for the GRE on the Educational Testing Service’s website.

How many times should I take the GRE?

Most people are better off preparing thoroughly for the test, taking it one time and getting their top score. You may, however, take the test up to 5 times in one year. If you do take the GRE multiple times, you can choose which test date’s scores to send to schools. Keep in mind that you must send the scores for all sections from a single test day; you cannot choose the highest scores for different sections across multiple attempts.

Many students can raise their score when they retake the test. In particular, students with high GPA’s who scored poorly on the GRE often benefit from multiple attempts. In addition, students who made glaring errors on test day, such as running out of time, will also tend to perform better on a second try after more prep.

What GRE score do I need to get into grad school?

It depends on what graduate program you’re trying to get into. The Verbal and Quant sections are scored between 130-170, and the average score is about 150-152. The Analytical Writing section is out of 6, with the average score being about 3.5.

To be in the top 10% of test takers, you’ll need scores like the following:

  • Verbal: 163 – 170
  • Quant: 165 – 170
  • Analytical Writing: 5.0 – 6.0

To be in the top 25% of test takers, you’ll need scores like the following:

  • Verbal: 158 – 162
  • Quant: 159 – 164
  • Analytical Writing: 4.5

However, remember that these are just averages. Depending on the school and type of program you want to get into, the scores you need will vary. Research your ideal schools to see the GRE scores of accepted students.

Are calculators allowed on the GRE?

You are not allowed to bring your own calculator. However, there will be an on-screen calculator for you to use during the Quantitative Reasoning section. The calculator has addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root functions.

How long are GRE scores valid?

Typically, scores are valid for 5 years. However, this may vary from graduate school to graduate school. Be sure to double check with the schools you’re applying to.