What is a GRE test and what does it involve

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Hey Kimurgor Nyambura,

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test created and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) used as an admissions criterion for graduate and business schools. The test aims to measure an individual's verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. These skills are deemed essential for success in various graduate-level programs.

The GRE comprises three sections:
Verbal Reasoning (VR): Measures reading comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to draw conclusions from written passages. It contains two scored sections with 20 questions each, lasting 30 minutes apiece. Question types include sentence equivalence, text completion, and reading comprehension.
Quantitative Reasoning (QR): Tests basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation skills. Like the VR section, it has two parts with 20 questions, taking 35 minutes each. Questions consist of numeric entry, multiple-choice, and quantitative comparison formats.
Analytical Writing (AW): Assesses your capacity to articulate thoughts clearly, construct logical arguments, and sustain a consistent writing style. The AW section comprises two tasks: Issue Essay and Argument Task, each requiring 30 minutes to complete.

There is also an experimental section, which does not count towards your final score but helps ETS assess question difficulty and reliability. This unscored section is indistinguishable from the actual scored sections and could replace any of the three regular portions.

Test-takers receive separate scores for each section, ranging from 130 to 170 for VR and QR (in increments of 1 point) and from 0 to 6 for AW (in half-point intervals). Total testing time lasts approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, including breaks.

Some graduate programs waive the GRE requirement or place less emphasis on the scores during the admissions process. Always confirm if submitting GRE scores is necessary for the programs you intend to apply to.

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