GRE

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The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test usually useful for a Master’s program in the universities in the U.S. Of all the rush about GRE and its benefits, you might be wondering GRE is for which course. Well, here is your solution.  

Each year, universities abroad admit applicants from around the world. The selection process being difficult, applicants are admitted and even provided grants based on GRE scores and GRE scholarships.

Although some universities ask for a GRE general Test Score, some others might require subject-specific tests. We will discover along the article GRE is for which course and how applicable it is for universities you apply for. 

How do you find out GRE is for which Course?

The GRE General Test measures applicants on 3 parameters, which is most commonly used for Business Master’s degrees including PhD. The parameters on the basis of which you get assessed are: 

• Verbal Reasoning: Verbal Reasoning focuses on the ability to read and comprehend information. This is assessed through understanding words and sentences and paragraph formation. You are supposed to join the dots of the passage given and form a meaningful story. These questions focus on the meaning from the author’s perspective. 

The topics covered in GRE Verbal Reasoning are:

Modifiers and Parallelism	Idioms and Idiomatic expressions
Verb tense	Pronoun Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement	Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns

• Quantitative reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning Section of the GRE General Test measures the ability to understand mathematical concepts and complete mathematical problems in four general areas, arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis. The syllabus for GRE Quants is given below:

Arithmetic	Geometry	Data Analysis	Algebra
Property and types of integer	Lines and angles	Descriptive statistics such as Median, Mean, Range, Mode, Percentiles, etc.	Exponents
Power and roots	Circles	Interpretation of data based on graphs, circle graphs, scatter plots, etc	Algebraic Expressions – Factoring and Simplifying
Statistics	Triangle	Probability	Equations and inequalities
Estimation	Quadrilaterals	Permutation and Combination	Linear and Quadratic inequalities
Number properties	Polygon	Venn Diagrams	Linear Equations
Percentage	Three-dimensional figures	Sets Theory	Quadratic equations
Exponents and Roots	Area, Perimeter, Volume		Word Problems
Ratio and proportions	Angle Measurements		Speed, distance, and Time
Simple and Compound Interest			Profit and Loss
Arithmetic Operations			Coordinate geometry

• Critical thinking and analytical skills: The critical thinking and analytical writing section of the test assesses the ability to understand and explain complex information. Assessment is made based on the capacity for analysing and critiquing an argument. 

Analyse and Argument: This requires evaluation of a given argument according to specific instructions. 

Analyse and Issue: This requires presenting an option on the issue of general interest along with your opinion with specific instructions on how to respond to that issue.

The tasks in the GRE General Test Analytical Writing section is related to a broad range of topics such as fine arts, physical science, humanities, and more. No background knowledge is required for this section. The tasks are generally structured in a way that it does not demand specificity but a general understanding of the idea.

GRE is for which course: Subjects Available

The GRE Subject Test is conducted for 6 different subjects. 

• Biology: This test measures knowledge and skill in cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology and ecology and evolution.

Cellular and Molecular Biology (33-34%)

Organismal Biology (33-34%)

Ecology and evolution (33-34%)

• Chemistry: This assesses skills in analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry.

Analytical chemistry (15%)	Inorganic chemistry (25%)
Organic chemistry (30%)	Physical Chemistry (30%)

• Literature: This requires a grip over Continental, Classical and Comparative Literature, British Literature and American Literature through 1925. 

Literary analysis (40-55%)	Identification(15-20%)
Cultural and historical context (20-25%)	History and theory of literary criticism (10-15%)

• Mathematics: This test requires you to prepare for calculus, algebra and additional topics, such as discrete mathematics, geometry and statistics.

Calculus (50%)

Algebra (25%)

Additional Topics (25%)

If you are among most students who get panic attacks whenever you encounter a mathematical problem, we got you covered. Here is what can help you, a Math Prep Course on Udemy for in-depth preparation for the GRE.

• Physics: This test requires your basics of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and atomic physics, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, optics and wave phenomena, special relativity, laboratory methods and specialised topics like nuclear and particle physics.

Classical mechanics (20%)	Electromagnetism (18%)	Optics and wave phenomena (9%)
Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%)	Quantum mechanics (12%)	Atomic Physics (10%)
Special Relativity (6%)	Laboratory methods (6%)	Specialized topics (9%)

• Psychology: This test expects a preparation of the following content areas: biological, cognitive, social, developmental and clinical psychology, as well as measurement and methodology.

Biological (17-21%)	Cognitive (17-24%)	Social (12-14%)
Developmental (12-14%)	Clinical (15-19%	Measurement/methodology/other (15-19%)

For better preparation for the GRE and to boost your confidence check out the series of the top GRE Courses online on Udemy.

Do you need a GRE Prep Course?

If you are a first-timer and you don’t have the means, source and time to repeat the test, and you are not sure GRE is for which course, a prep course might work in your favour. The rigorous practice throughout the course and customized assessment in the GRE Prep courses might ensure a little higher score than you would have done otherwise.

The prep course customizes study plans based on your needs and strong and weak areas to make a comprehensive plan of study. With quality instructions you get simulates tests designed by experts.

However, a prep course might not be feasible for most applicants due to the expensive subscription plans which may rise over $1,000 and also the time-consuming affair. The alternative to a prep course is a self-study plan which is available on many platforms for free. GMAT Club Test is one such example.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can you take the GRE test?

The GRE test can be applied from anywhere in the country. The test is accessible from any part of the world.

How much would a GRE test cost?

The GRE General Test would cost you around $205 and the GRE Subject Test might cost you around $150 per test.

GRE is for which course?

GRE is useful for admission to business schools. However, some universities ask for GRE in subject-specific fields. Some GRE Subject Tests are Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Literature, Physics and Psychology.

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Are you a Postgraduate student planning for your next step and wondering if you need GRE for PhD study? This is the right place you have clicked. 

With all the buzz around GRE and its growing importance, read on to break some myths about the Graduate Record Examination, GRE for PhD. GRE is generally a standardized test used for graduate admissions tests and is sometimes considered as a requirement for PhD programmes in North America and Australia.

GRE for PhD in Business and Management is different from GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) in the sense that GMAT is only for Business and Management studies whereas GRE is also held for other subject-specific disciplines. 

How does a GRE for PhD score work?

To attain a GRE score, candidates are supposed to appear for either a computer-delivered version or paper delivered version of the test. 

The computer-delivered version of the test is mostly preferred by most students for convenience. You can preview, edit and tag features in this version and it also allows changing your answers to questions or return later. 

The GRE General Test is divided into three sections: 

• Verbal Reasoning: This section measures your ability to comprehend and critically analyse different kinds of information including the author’s narrative. 
• Quantitative Reasoning: This section requires a demonstration of your problem-solving skills and your ability to interpret and analyse data in a variety of forms with the help of mathematical concepts including algebra and geometry.
• Critical and Analytical Writing: During two 30-minute essays, you are required to analyse an argument and an issue. This section assesses your critical thinking skills. 

Subject-specific GRE for PhD

Apart from a general GRE, there is a subject-specific GRE that assesses your in-depth knowledge and aptitude to the required field. These GRE Subject Tests indicate that you already know the subject at the undergraduate or Masters level. The available subjects are:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English Literature
• Maths
• Physics
• Psychology

The admission requirements differ from university to university and the type of PhD you choose to pursue. It is advisable to specifically check the requirements for the university and department’s requirement section before applying or opting for a GRE. 

Is the GRE necessary for a PhD?

Whether or not a GRE is for a PhD where and what course you want to study. Some universities do away with the GRE while others make it benchmark criteria. It is important to keep a track of the requirements of the University and the course you apply for. 

What Do You Require for a PhD in Business and Management Course if not GMAT? 

For most universities, GRE is an alternative to GMAT. Universities admit applicants based on their GRE ranking. The other requirements along with GRE for a PhD in Business and Management Course are: 

• Academic Transcript
• Letter of Recommendations
• Work experience if any
• Clear and lucid communication Skills 

Top US Universities Accepting GRE for PhD

Here is a list of US universities that accept GRE scores for admission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Massachusetts)	University of California – Berkeley (Berkeley, California)
Stanford University	Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey)	The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, Texas)
Harvard University (Boston, Massachusetts)	Texas A&M University – College Station (College Station, Texas)
The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, Michigan)	The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign (Urbana, Illinois)
The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth	Boston University
The University of Massachusetts, Lowell	University of Massachusetts, Boston
Michigan State University	Western Michigan University
University of New Hampshire	Dartmouth College
Ohio State University	University of Wisconsin

UK Universities Accepting GRE for PhD

Universities and colleges accepting GRE scores in the UK for admission are mentioned below. 

King’s College, London	Imperial College London	Goldsmiths University of London
Kingston University, London	Lancaster University	Cranfield University
Manchester University	London School of Economics	Newcastle University
University of Birmingham	University of Bristol	University of Cambridge
University of Bradford	University College London	University of East Anglia
Hull University	University of Glasgow	University of Exeter
University of Kent	University of Liverpool	The University of West of England

Universities In Australia Accepting GRE for PhD

Here is a list of universities in Australia that accept the GRE scores for admission. 

Australian National University	Central Queensland University	Deakin University
James Cook University	Monash University	Latrobe University
University of Melbourne	University of Western Australia	University of Adelaide
University of Queensland	University of Sydney	University of New South Wales
Murdoch University	University of Tasmania	University of New England Armidale

German Universities Accepting GRE for PhD

Here is a list of universities in Germany that accept GRE scores.

GISMA Business School	Goethe University Frankfurt
European Business School Germany	Aachen University
Bonn-Cologne Grad School of Physics and Astronomy	DIW  Berlin
Jacobs University Bremen	Ludwig Maximilians University Munchen
Dortmund University	University of Freiburg
Munich Business School	Heidelberg University

Universities In Canada Accepting GRE for PhD

List of universities in Canada that accept GRE scores for shortlisting students.

Bishops University	McGill University
Brandon University	McMaster University
Acadia University	Queens University
Carleton University	Trinity Western University
Concordia Lutheran Seminary	Trent University
Alberta University	University of Montreal

Universities In Ireland Accepting GRE for PhD

A list of universities in Ireland that accept GRE scores is mentioned in the table below:

Queens University Belfast	Trinity College Dublin
University College Dublin	University of Limerick
Royal College Surgeons Ireland	Michael Smurfit Grad Sch Bus

Universities In Switzerland Accepting GRE for PhD

Some of the top Swiss universities that accept GRE scores are:

University of Zurich	University of St Gallen MBA
United International Business School	University of Geneva
University of Bern	The University of Basel (Faculty of Business Economics and PhD)
Business School Lausanne	Taylor Institute
Swiss Fed Institute of Technology Zurich	International University Geneva

Universities In New Zealand Accepting GRE for PhD

A list of New Zealand universities accepting GRE scores.

University Auckland	University of Otago	Massey University
University of Canterbury	Victoria University of Wellington

Universities In China Accepting GRE for PhD

Here is a list of Chinese universities that consider or require GRE scores for graduate admissions.

Dalian Medical University	Nilin University of Technology	Fudan University of International MBA
East China University of Science and Technology	New York University Shanghai	South China University of Technology
Southern University of Science and Technology	Sun Yat-Sen Business School MBA	University of Macau
Tsinghua University MBA Programmes	University of Nottingham Ningbo China	Xiamen University
Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University	Zhejiang University MBA	Wuhan University of Economics and Management School

What GRE score do I need for a PhD?

If a doctoral programme includes the GRE in its entry requirements, it won’t usually specify a particular score. Instead, the department will give the average GRE score achieved by previous cohorts so that applicants have an idea of what they should be aiming for.

Most graduate schools view the GRE as just one element of their selection procedure – a lower than average result isn’t necessarily the end of the world, especially if the rest of your application is particularly strong.

Top 8 universities in the US and the average GRE Scores

Let’s look at the top 8 universities in the US and the average GRE Scores expected:

University	Quant Average	Verbal Average
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	164	163
Stanford University	168	165
Georgia Technological University	161	155
University of Michigan Ann Arbor	162	160
University of Maryland College	160	154
Northwestern University	161	154
University of Texas Austin	160	155
University of California Berkeley	161	155

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I take the GRE?

You can apply for GRE from anywhere in the world. There are more than 1000 GRE test centres in over 160 countries.

How much does the GRE cost?

GRE fee is subject to the test location and the kind of exam you are applying for. The general GRE will usually cost between $205 and $255, while the GRE Subject Test costs around $150.

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A PhD without GRE from abroad exposes you to a lot of opportunities, world-class facilities, education imparted by experienced faculty and a global alumni network. The cost of living including the tuition fee might rise comparatively which is why many universities provide funding for bright and meritorious students. This funding acclaims criterion of the scores obtained on a standardized test administered by the Educational Testing Service known as Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

However, considering the number of applicants and the minimal amount of grants released by the universities, providing a GRE scholarship for everyone is not possible. Here we explore what are the requirements for attaining a PhD without a GRE score.

Types of GRE Scholarship

Here is a list of GRE scholarships that might help you get admitted to your dream university abroad:

• Fellowship: The fellowship is given on the basis of your knowledge about your subject. It requires you to have a clear understanding of the subject you wish to pursue your PhD in. 
• Teaching Assistant: The Teaching Assistant or TA-ship is a scholarship that allows scholars to assist the professor in imparting course education. Your tuition fees are waived and you are also provided with a stipend. A mastery over the course is typically expected for availing of this scholarship.
• Research Assistant: The Research Assistant or RA-ship is another type of scholarship where you assist in the research projects of your guide and provide inputs in experiments, simulations, programming, writing research papers, etc.

Now that you know the types of scholarship GRE would provide you, let’s sail through the process of getting your PhD without GRE.  

How Do You Pursue PhD without GRE?

The competition or your quest for a scholarship does not end with a GRE score. The requirements of a PhD without GRE are listed below:

• Academic Career: If you wish to apply for PhD without GRE in universities overseas, a good and impressive academic career is a must. Your candidature must reflect your overall colourful academic performance. A Master’s degree is the minimum requirement for a PhD without GRE.
• Letter of Recommendation: Along with a decent CGPA, A few words of mouth do not harm. Get yourself a few letters of recommendation from the people who have witnessed your work to give feedback on your dedication to the subject. This works great in your favour of getting admission to PhD without GRE.  
• Professional Work Experience: Course relevant internships and work experience works in alignment with your dedication and passion for your chosen field. This further highlights your candidature and helps you stand out.
• Statement of Purpose: A clear statement of purpose about why you want to pursue PhD without a GRE and how you will be a good fit for the institute is one area where you can increase your chances of getting selected. It should be around 2000 words. 
• Language Proficiency Tests: A PhD without GRE would require you to have cleared at least one language proficiency test. Some of the tests available are TOEFL and IELTS. 

Universities for PhD in the USA without GRE

Here is a list of Universities offering PhD in the USA without considering a GRE score:

Walden University	Purdue University	Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Nova Southeastern University	Cal Southern’s School of Behavioral Sciences	Argosy University
Northwestern University	University of Wisconsin	University of Oregon
Oregon State University	University of Idaho	Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Washington State University	Smith College	Georgetown University
Andrew University	Sacred Heart University	Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Courses offering PhD without GRE

Check out some of the exciting courses offered by Universities where you can pursue a PhD without GRE: 

Doctor of Business Administration	PhD in Chemistry	PhD in Media Arts and SciencePhD in Linguistics
PhD in Psychology	PhD in Family Therapy	PsyD in Clinical Psychology
PhD in Philosophy	PhD in Counselling	PhD in Physics
PhD in Civil Engineering	PhD in History	PhD in Clinical Psychology
PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering	PhD in Social Work	Doctor of Nursing

List of GRE waiver Universities in the USA 2021-22

North Carolina State University	Stanford University	University of California San Diego
Princeton University	New York University	University of Michigan Ann-Arbor
University of Maryland	University of Washington	Yale University
The University of Texas at Dallas	University of South Florida	Iowa State University
University of Huddersfield	Florida State University	University at Buffalo
Rice University	University of Minnesota	The University of California Irvine

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How important is a GRE score for availing of a scholarship from abroad for an Indian student?

As an Indian student, your GRE score plays a crucial role if you wish to get admitted to an M.S. or PhD course abroad. A high score increases your chances of achieving financial aid. A good GRE percentile is an indication of how better you have performed comparatively. However, GRE is not your last hope. There are a few universities that accept your candidature based on other aspects of your achievement including:

• A good academic record
• CGPAs matter in such a case
• Professional work experience
• Letter of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

Can Indian students get a GRE scholarship?

There is no particular official GRE or TOEFL scholarship for Indian students. However, high percentiles in your GRE exam added with other criteria set by the university of your choice might help you get a scholarship to study in Universities abroad. Either a GRE, GMAT or TOEFL is one aspect of your application process that might increase your chances of getting a GRE Scholarship. 

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