Computer-Based General Test Content and Structure
The computer-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included, and this section can appear in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores.
Total testing time is up to three hours, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section.
The Analytical Writing section is always first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented.
The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified unscored section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.
Typical Computer-Based GRE® General Test
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Issue Task* | 45 minutes |
Analytical Writing
| 1 Argument Task* | 30 minutes |
Verbal
| 30 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative | 28 | 45 minutes |
| Unscored** | Varies | Varies |
| Research*** | Varies | Varies |
* For the Issue task, two essay topics are presented and you choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic is presented.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.
*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included, and it is always at the end of the test.
Paper-Based General Test Content and Structure
The paper-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included, and this section can appear in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores.
Total testing time is up to 3 3/4 hours. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section.
The Analytical Writing section is always first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic will be presented.
The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified Verbal or Quantitative unscored section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.
Typical Paper-Based General Test
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Issue Task* | 45 minutes |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Argument Task* | 30 minutes |
| Verbal (2 sections) | 38 per section | 30 minutes per section |
| Quantitative (2 sections) | 30 per section | 30 minutes per section |
| Unscored** | Varies | 30 minutes |
*For the Issue task, two essay topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.
Modified Versions of Verbal and Quantitative Questions
The test you take may include questions that are modified versions of published questions or of questions you have already seen on an earlier section of the test. Some modifications are substantial; others are less apparent.
Thus, even if a question appears to be similar to a question you have already seen, it may in fact be a different question and may also have a different correct answer. You can be assured of doing your best on the test you take by paying careful attention to the wording of each question as it appears in your test.
The GRE Program is currently investigating the feasibility of reusing questions that have been published in GRE® practice materials. As part of that investigation, you may see questions from these materials on a test you take.
Fees for Tests and Related Services
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2007, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2008
|
|---|
| $140 | General Test—U.S., U.S. Territories*, and Puerto Rico |
| $175 | General Test—China (including Hong Kong), Korea, and Taiwan |
| $170 | General Test—All Other Locations |
| $ 25 | Late Registration Fee |
| $ 50 | Standby Testing (paper-based test only) |
| $ 50 | Rescheduling Fee |
| $ 50 | Changing Your Test Center |
| $ 12 | Scores by phone |
| $ 15 | Additional score report (ASR) requests–per recipient |
| $ 6 | Phone service for additional score reports–per call, plus $15 ASR fee per recipient |
| $ 50 | Question-and-Answer Review Service—Verbal & Quantitative Sections |
| $ 55 | Score Review for Analytical Writing Measure |
| $ 30 | Paper-Based Test Hand Scoring |
| $ 30 | Score Reinstatement Fee |
Fees are subject to change without notice. The above amounts are exclusive of any Value Added or similar taxes. Any tax is payable in addition to the amounts quoted.
Information about taxes will be available soon.
*Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands only
Preferred Forms of Payment For Computer-based Tests
- Credit Card (American Express®, Discover®, JCB®, MasterCard®, and VISA®)
- Money Order/Certified Check/Voucher
Preferred Forms of Payment For Paper-based Tests
- Credit Card (American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, and VISA)
- Money Order/Certified Check/Voucher
- UNESCO Coupons
- Western Union® Quick PaySM – when completing the form, use the following under "Pay To:" Company Name: Educational Testing Service; Company Code: GREPROGRAM NJ; Country: USA. Include your original Western Union Quick Pay Receipt with your form. Copies or facsimiles WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED as valid payment.
Other Forms of Payment
- Do not send cash.
- Payments may also be made by check. Make payable to ETS®-GRE®.
If paying by check, please comply with the following: - Bank name and its address should be preprinted on the face of the check.
- Check must have a preprinted check number.
- Check must include candidate or payee name and address.
- Check date CANNOT be over 90 days old.
- New bank account starter checks missing the preprinted name and address are not acceptable.
- Payments that are not made in U.S. dollars must be made in the following acceptable currencies at the Telegraphic Transfer Selling (TTS) exchange rate of the U.S. dollar equivalent.
- Australian dollar
- British pound
- Canadian dollar
- Danish kroner
- Euro
- Hong Kong dollar
| - Japanese yen
- New Zealand dollar
- Norwegian kroner
- Singapore dollar
- Swedish kroner
- Swiss franc
|
Payment Policies
- Fees are stated in U.S. dollars.
- A check in U.S. dollars must be drawn on a bank in the U.S. or Canada. Checks payable in other currencies must be drawn on banks in the same countries as the currencies. By sending your check, you are authorizing ETS, at its discretion, to use the information on your check to make a one-time electronic debit from your account for the amount of your check; no additional amount will be added. If you do not have sufficient funds in your account, an additional service fee of $20 will be debited electronically from your account. Contact ETS to learn about other payment options if you prefer not to have your check used in this way.
- If you do not include the correct fee, your registration or request for service will be returned.
- Taxes must be included where applicable.
- There are no refunds for additional services.
- Refunds will be made in U.S. dollar denominations.
- Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees.
- All test fee payments must be made in full, have the correct numeric and written dollar amount, and be received at the RRC or ETS within 90 days of the date on the payment (e.g., check, money order).
- All outstanding balances incurred from prior ETS tests and/or services must be paid in full in order to register for any future ETS test or service.
Fee Reduction Voucher Program
ETS offers a limited number of GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers on a first-come, first-served, basis that are available for college seniors and unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements. A Fee Reduction Voucher may be used for one General Test and/or one Subject Test. Eligibility for participation in the Fee Reduction Program is limited to one time only. Thereafter, the full test fee will be charged for additional tests for which the candidate registers. Individuals meeting the eligibility requirements will be required to pay 50 percent of the full test fee. The reduced fee is $70 for the General Test and $65 for a Subject Test.
To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien who is a college senior or an unenrolled college graduate.
College seniors must be:
- receiving financial aid through an undergraduate college in the U.S., U.S. Territories, or Puerto Rico, and
- a dependent, who has an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) that shows a parental contribution of not more than $1,400 for the senior year, or
- self-supporting and have an ISIR that shows a contribution of not more than $1,800 for the senior year.
Unenrolled college graduates must:
- have applied for financial aid, and
- have an ISIR that indicates self-supporting status and a contribution of not more than $1,800.
To apply for a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher:
- Contact your financial aid office to see if you qualify.
- Once your eligibility is established, the financial aid office will issue you a Fee Reduction Voucher and a copy of your ISIR.
Follow the instructions on the voucher. Allow up to three weeks for processing and mail delivery.
Letter requests, photocopies, and faxes of Fee Reduction Vouchers will not be accepted. Fee Reduction Vouchers are not retroactive and they cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. There are no refunds for unused Fee Reduction Vouchers and no refunds will be provided to examinees who are not admitted to the test for any reason (including unacceptable identification).
Requesting a Refund
If you cancel your registration by the deadline, you will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee. The remainder of your payment will be retained to cover expenses for processing your registration and holding space at the test center. Refunds will be in U.S. dollars. Cash refunds are not available. Refunds will not be given if you do not follow proper registration procedures and/or fail to present the required identification documents at the test center.
Payments By Credit Card
- A refund will be processed automatically and will be credited back to the original credit card or bank account.
Payments By Check
- Refunds are processed automatically.
- If original payment was drawn on a U.S. domestic bank, allow eight weeks after your cancellation for your refund to be processed.
If original payment was made in non-U.S. funds drawn on a bank outside the United States, allow 12 weeks for your refund to be processed.
