GRE

The GRE was first developed in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and from 1949 onward it began to be administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). With a history spanning nearly 90 years, the GRE has become one of the most widely accepted standardized tests for graduate education.

Over time, the format and content of the exam have been updated, and it underwent a comprehensive revision in 2011. Today it can be taken both as a computer-based test at test centers and online from home under proctored supervision. The international recognition and acceptance of the GRE has steadily increased over the years, and it is now taken by approximately 650,000 students each year at more than 1,000 test centers worldwide.

The GRE is accepted in more than 160 countries worldwide. In particular, the vast majority of universities in the United States and Canada consider GRE scores one of the core criteria in graduate program applications.

In addition, prestigious universities in European countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the Netherlands, educational institutions in Australia and New Zealand, and leading Asian education hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong also accept GRE scores.

According to The Financial Times, US News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek, more than 1,200 MBA programs accept GRE scores, and some US law schools also consider GRE scores as an application criterion.

A high GRE score not only increases students' chances of being admitted to prestigious universities, but also plays an important role in accessing academic scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

The GRE consists of two main categories: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. The GRE General Test is a general aptitude exam that all students must take, and it is made up of three main sections. The GRE Subject Test, on the other hand, consists of specialized exams requiring in-depth knowledge in specific fields and is accepted by only certain programs.

The GRE General Test is a computer-based exam lasting approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, consisting of the Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning sections. Because the GRE has an adaptive structure, the difficulty level of the questions in the second section is determined by your performance in the first section.

Analytical Writing Section

The Analytical Writing section of the GRE aims to measure students' critical thinking and analytical writing skills. This section is always administered as the first part of the exam and consists of two separate writing tasks. Test takers are given 30 minutes for each writing task and are expected to complete the section within a total of 60 minutes.

• Issue Task

• In the first task, candidates are presented with a general topic or claim and are asked to develop arguments supporting their own views on that topic. This task evaluates students' ability to express complex ideas clearly and effectively, to support their claims with reasons, and to write a coherent composition.

• Argument Task

• In the second task, known as the Argument Task, candidates are presented with an argument and are expected to evaluate its logical consistency, identify its weak points, and carry out a critical analysis. This task measures students' ability to objectively evaluate the arguments of others and to detect logical fallacies.

• Both tasks are scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments (for example, 4.5, 5.0). Scoring is based on criteria such as the clarity of ideas, the strength of the argument, text organization skills, language use, and adherence to grammar rules.

Analytical Writing Sample Questions

Examples of tasks in the Analytical Writing section may be as follows.

• Issue Task Example

• “Technological improvements have weakened the social skills of humans.” To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your view with supporting reasons.

• Argument Task Example

• “A company applied flexible working hours in order to increase the productivity of employees. Profits of the company increased by 15% compared to last year. Therefore, we can conclude that flexible working hours indeed increased productivity.” Evaluate the logical consistency of this argument and point out its weaknesses.

The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE measures students' ability to understand, analyze and evaluate written texts. This section consists of two separate parts, each containing 20 questions. Each part is allotted 30 minutes, the questions are in multiple-choice format, and they are divided into the following three main categories:

• Reading Comprehension

• In this question type, candidates are presented with short or long passages and are asked questions about them. The passages are usually academic in content and are selected from various fields such as natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and literature. Students' abilities to grasp the main idea of the text, supporting details and the author's purpose, and to draw logical inferences from the text, are assessed.

• Text Completion

• In text completion questions, students are given sentences or short paragraphs containing one or more blanks. Candidates are expected to complete the meaning of the text by selecting the most appropriate words for the blanks from among the given options. This question type measures vocabulary, contextual understanding and logical reasoning skills.

• Sentence Equivalence

• In sentence equivalence questions, a sentence containing a single blank is given, along with six options. Students must select two words that complete the sentence and produce closely similar meanings. This question type assesses vocabulary knowledge and the ability to grasp semantic relationships.

Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions

Examples of the kinds of questions asked in the Verbal Reasoning section are as follows:

• Reading Comprehension Example

• Text Completion Example

• Sentence Equivalence Example

The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE assesses students' ability to understand basic mathematical concepts, interpret quantitative information, and solve mathematical problems. This section consists of two separate parts, each containing 20 questions. Each part is allotted 35 minutes. A simple calculator is permitted during the exam. The Quantitative Reasoning section covers the following main topics:

• Arithmetic

• Integers, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios and proportions, number properties, and basic arithmetic operations.

• Algebra

• Variables, algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, coordinate geometry, and graph interpretation.

• Geometry

• Plane geometry, angles, circles, triangles, quadrilaterals, area and perimeter calculations, three-dimensional shapes, and volume.

• Data Analysis

• Graph interpretation, table analysis, probability, basic statistics, measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode), and measures of dispersion.

Questions may be in multiple-choice, quantitative comparison, or numeric entry formats. They often involve real-world scenarios and applied problems.

Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions

Examples of questions in the Quantitative Reasoning section are as follows.

Quantitative Comparison Example:

Multiple-Choice Example:

• Quantitative Comparison Example

• Single-Answer Multiple-Choice Sample Questions

• One-or-More-Answer Multiple-Choice Sample Questions

• Numeric Entry Sample Questions

• Data Interpretation Sample Questions

Anyone who wishes to pursue graduate studies can take the GRE, with no restrictions on age or educational level. There is no specific prerequisite or educational background required to sit the exam. That said, because the exam is administered in English, candidates are advised to have at least an upper-intermediate (B2 and above) level of English.

Generally, the following;

• Final-year undergraduate students and university graduates

• Professionals planning to apply to master's or doctoral programs

• Candidates applying to MBA programs

• Employees considering a career change who wish to pursue academic education

• International students

take the GRE exam.

GRE scores are valid for 5 years, and candidates may take the exam a maximum of 5 times within a 12-month period. There must be a waiting period of at least 21 days between any two attempts.

In the GRE General Test, each section is scored separately and different scoring scales are used. The exam does not have a total score; each section receives its own score, and universities evaluate these scores individually.

• Verbal Reasoning Scoring

• The Verbal Reasoning section is scored from 130 to 170, in 1-point increments. The score obtained in this section reflects the candidate's English reading, comprehension and verbal reasoning skills.

• Quantitative Reasoning Scoring

• The Quantitative Reasoning section is also scored from 130 to 170, in 1-point increments. This score reflects the candidate's mathematical problem-solving and quantitative analysis skills.

• Analytical Writing Scoring

• The Analytical Writing section is scored from 0 to 6, in half-point increments (for example 3.5, 4.0, 4.5). Both essays written in this section are evaluated by experienced test assessors and an automated scoring system, and an average score is calculated.

There is no penalty for wrong answers on the GRE. For this reason, students are advised to make educated guesses on questions they do not know. Due to the adaptive nature of the exam, the performance students show in the first section affects the difficulty of the second section, which in turn determines the final score. The scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections are shown instantly at the end of the exam, whereas the Analytical Writing score is released within approximately 10-15 days.

A good GRE score varies depending on the program and university the student wishes to apply to. In general, scores of 150 and above in the Verbal and Quantitative sections are considered average, while scores of 160 and above are regarded as high performance.

The distribution of GRE scores is as follows:

• Verbal Reasoning average score: 150-151

• Quantitative Reasoning average score: 153-154

• Analytical Writing average score: 3.5-4.0

Prestigious universities and programs with high admission competition generally expect higher GRE scores. For example, candidates applying to the top 10 universities in the United States usually have scores of 160 and above in the Verbal and Quantitative sections. 

However, the GRE score is not the only criterion considered in university admissions. Undergraduate GPA, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, research experience and other qualifications also play an important role in the evaluation process. 

Students are advised to research the average GRE scores of the programs they plan to apply to and to set realistic goals.

Preparing for the GRE requires a disciplined study schedule, regular practice, and a goal-oriented approach. Students are advised to begin their preparation at least 3-6 months in advance. A solid preparation process should include the following steps:

• Setting Goals

• Prospective students should research the average GRE scores of the programs they wish to apply to and set a realistic target for themselves.

• Assessing the Starting Level

• Students should take one of the official practice tests prepared by ETS to assess their current standing and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

• Creating a Study Plan

• Prospective students should set weekly and monthly study goals to reach their target score, and allocate separate time for each section of the exam.

• Using Quality Resources

• When preparing for the exam, prospective students should use ETS's official preparation materials and GRE preparation books. You can contact us for our GRE preparation courses.

• Practicing Regularly

• Prospective students should study for a certain amount of time each day, keeping in mind that short, focused study sessions are more effective than long, unproductive ones.

• Taking Practice Tests

• Students should take full-length practice tests at regular intervals to improve their time-management skills and reduce test anxiety.

• Learning from Mistakes

• Students should analyze the mistakes they make and dedicate extra time to the topics they are weak in.

A sample 6-month study program might look like this:

• Month 1

• Students should become familiar with the exam format, learn the fundamental concepts, and take practice tests to determine their starting level.

• Months 2-3

• Prospective students should study each section of the exam separately, expand their vocabulary, and begin solving intermediate-difficulty questions.

• Months 4-5

• In months 4 and 5, students should focus on difficult questions, strengthen their weak areas, and take a full-length practice test every two weeks.

• Month 6

• In month 6, students should intensify their practice tests, review the mistakes they make, and revise any remaining topics.

Preparing for the GRE with the right guidance is of great importance for students. To get in touch with our expert advisors and get detailed information about our GRE courses, click here.

• Vocabulary Knowledge

• Having a broad vocabulary is critically important for succeeding in the Verbal Reasoning section. Prospective students should learn at least 10-15 new words every day and reinforce them by using them in sentences. Using flashcards, regularly reviewing word lists, and learning words in context are effective methods.

• Reading Comprehension

• Prospective students should regularly read complex texts to develop the ability to read academic texts quickly and effectively. Scientific articles, literary works, and texts in history and social sciences are good resources for reading practice. Students should practice identifying the main idea, supporting details, and the author's purpose in the texts they read.

• Question Types

• Students should develop specific strategies for each of the Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension question types. They should understand the logic behind each question type and work on solution techniques.

• Fundamental Math Knowledge

• Students should review the fundamental concepts in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. GRE math questions generally require high school level knowledge, but the way the questions are presented and their logical structure can be challenging.

• Problem-Solving Strategies

• Candidates should develop different problem-solving approaches. They should learn techniques such as working backwards, plugging in numbers, and eliminating answer choices, and build the ability to break complex problems into smaller parts.

• Using the Calculator

• Students should learn to make effective use of the simple calculator provided on the GRE. However, rather than relying too heavily on the calculator, they should also develop their mental math skills.

• Practice and Speed

• Time management is very important on the GRE. Through regular practice, students should gain both accuracy and speed, aiming to spend an average of 1.5-2 minutes per question.

• Essay Structure

• To write an effective essay, students should learn to build a clear introduction, well-developed paragraphs and a strong conclusion. Each paragraph should have a main idea, and this idea should be supported with clear examples.

• Argument Development

• Prospective students should practice developing strong arguments that support their own views for the Issue Task. For the Argument Task, they should gain the ability to identify logical flaws in others' arguments and perform critical analysis.

• Language and Style

• Students should adopt an academic writing style. They should use complex sentence structures, draw on a rich vocabulary and avoid grammatical errors, while also being careful to preserve clarity.

• Time Management

• Prospective students should practice completing each writing task within 30 minutes. They should set aside the first 5 minutes for planning and the last 5 minutes for reviewing.

Students can access GRE practice tests through ETS's official website or the POWERPREP software, or they can contact us for our GRE preparation courses.

The GRE General Test is offered at computer-based test centers almost every day throughout the year. At test centers, exams are usually scheduled as morning and afternoon sessions on weekdays and some weekends. In addition, with the GRE at Home option, candidates can take the exam under online proctoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Important points students should consider when choosing their exam dates:

• Students should take into account the application deadlines of the programs they intend to apply to and leave enough time for their exam scores to arrive on time.

• Exam scores are usually released 10–15 days after the test date and are sent electronically to universities.

• Especially during the busy application season between August and November, test center capacities can fill up quickly, so students should register at least 4–6 weeks in advance.

• Students should remember that they must wait at least 21 days between taking the same exam twice.

• Students can take the GRE exam a maximum of 5 times within a 12-month period.

The GRE Subject Test, on the other hand, is administered three times a year (usually in September, October, and April) in a paper-and-pencil format at certain test centers. Students should regularly check ETS's official website for Subject test dates and registration deadlines. The main cities where students can take the GRE exam in Turkey are Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Prospective students can create an ETS account and use the online registration system to select their exam date and center.

The GRE exam fees for the 2026–2027 academic period are as follows. Since fees may change, it is recommended that you check ETS's official website for the most up-to-date information.

2026–2027 GRE Exam Fees

Score Service Fees

You can pay the exam fee by credit card, debit card, or other payment methods accepted by ETS. If you cancel your exam registration, half of the exam fee is refunded provided that you complete the cancellation at least 4 days before the test date (10 days in China).

ETS offers a GRE Fee Reduction Program to students who meet certain conditions. Students experiencing financial hardship, who are unemployed, or who are members of certain scholarship programs may benefit from this program. For detailed information, you can visit ETS's official website.