Frequently asked questions about the

GRE
(Graduate Record Examinations)

1. What is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examinations Program is managed by Educational Testing

Services (ETS) which administers the GRE General Test and the eight GRE
Subject Tests .

The GRE is an exam required by many American universities for graduate

studies. You can take the GRE exam more than once. If you take the exam more
than once, the admission committees will either average the different grades
obtained in the exam or take the highest grade into account, depending on the
policy of each university. There are many resources to help you prepare for the
exam - preparation books and academies that offer courses.

2. What is the difference between the two types of GRE?

There are two types of GRE: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Tests.
Normally, when talking about GRE, reference is made to the GRE General Test.

The GRE General Test measures the verbal, quantitative and analytical
knowledge that one possesses and that is not related to a specific area of study.
The questions are multiple choice and are designed for the student to
demonstrate their knowledge acquired over many years.

The GRE Subject Tests focus on specific topics and are offered in many areas
such as biology, chemistry, computer science, and English literature (See full list
below). These exams are designed to measure the student's knowledge of a
specific subject.

The university you choose will tell you if you need a GRE Subject Test or just the
GRE General Test to apply.

GRE CAT (Computer Adaptive Test) General Test

1. Where can you take the exam?

The GRE is taught in permanent evaluation centers in Barcelona and Madrid:

Madrid
European University, CEES
Florida Walk.
Villaviciosa de Odón.

Line 518 Madrid (Principe Pío) – Villaviciosa de Odón. Príncipe Pío Metro, Lines 6
and 10

Barcelona
North American Institute
Via Augusta 123, 08006. www.ien.es

2. How do you register to take the exam?

You can make an appointment to take the GRE exam by phone. The cost of the
GRE General Test is US $140 . The ETS registration center for all European
countries is in NETHERLANDS. To take the exam in Spain, you must call Holland
to check the exam dates and make an appointment. Call hours are Monday to
Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

GRE Regional Registration Center (Europe)

Telephone: 00 31 320 23 95 40

Over the phone, you will be given an appointment confirmation number, the exam
date, the presentation time, and the address of the exam center. They will also tell
you what identification you will need to bring with you to the test center. You will
need a credit card to pay the exam fee (Visa, Mastercard, American Express).

Likewise, one can register online to take the GRE “computer-based test.” The
online registration service provides the opportunity to register in real time. That is,
when you register online, the deadline is reserved at that moment. At the end of
the online registration session, you will receive your exam date, location, a
confirmation number, and confirmation that your credit card number has been
processed. The websites where you can register are www.ets.org/register.html or
www.ets.org/toefl . You can pay with a VISA, Mastercard or American Express
credit card. There is no additional fee for registering online.

There are dates available throughout the year to take the exam, but at certain
times of the year, the centers fill up quickly, so it is advisable that you make an
appointment well in advance.

For more information about the GRE and to consult the electronic newsletter on
the website: http://www.gre.org/codelst.html

3. How can you prepare for the exam?

There are several ways to prepare for the GRE. For information on free ETS
preparation materials, see http://www.gre.org/refmats.html#priceprep1 . There
you can download the

Powerprep software, which contains two GRE practice tests. ETS will also send
you a copy of the Powerprep software on CD-ROM when you register for the
exam.
The Academic Advisory Service of the Fulbright Commission has a list of
academies that prepare the GRE in Madrid, and also sells the book Practice To
Take the GRE General Test, 9th Edition for a price of €15.00. However, this
book does not reflect the change from the analytical section to the writing section
that will take place on October 1.

4. What has to be done on the day of the exam?

First of all, it is essential to arrive at the center you have chosen at least 30
minutes in advance. Bring your ID or passport, and any other documentation that
was specified when you registered. You will need to fill out a form to indicate the
universities to which you want your exam results to be sent. Each university has a
4-digit code (see www.gre.com for the Institution Code List ). Write down the
codes corresponding to the universities you are interested in and take them with
you on the day of the exam. The Fulbright Commission (US-Spain Educational
Commission) code is 9214.

5. What is the structure of the exam?

The GRE General Test is taught by computer. Before starting the exam, you will
have the opportunity to carry out a series of computer tutorials that will teach you
all the necessary knowledge about the computer you will use to take the exam.

All sections of the GRE are computer-friendly, meaning your answer to each
question that appears on the screen helps determine the difficulty level of the next
question you are asked. Your first question will have a medium difficulty level. The
difficulty of the next question will depend on whether you answer the first one
correctly or incorrectly.

You are not allowed to skip questions, and once you have moved on to the next
question, you will NOT be able to go back to the previous one. Your final score
will be based on a combination of the number and difficulty of questions you
answered correctly and incorrectly, as well as the total number of questions
completed.

6. How many sections is the GRE exam divided into?

The GRE is divided into three sections:

• Verbal : 30 questions to answer in 30 minutes.
The verbal section tests your ability to analyze and evaluate texts,

synthesize information, analyze the relationship between the components

of a sentence and recognize the relationship between words and concepts.

• Quantitative : 28 questions to answer in 45 minutes.

The quantitative section tests your basic mathematics knowledge and
understanding of basic mathematical concepts as well as your ability for
quantitative reasoning. The areas that are part of the content of the
 quantitative section are: arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis

• Analytics : 2 essays to write in 75 minutes.

The analytical section measures your ability to understand sets of
structured relationships, analyze and evaluate arguments, identify
hypotheses and fundamental issues, and draw logical deductions.

7. When will I receive my score?

Unofficial scores will appear on your computer immediately after the exam. An
official report card will be mailed to you and your designated institutions
approximately 10-15 days after the exam.

8. What scores do universities ask for?

There is no 'pass' grade for the GRE. Colleges and universities expect more or
less high scores depending on their prestige and degree of selectivity. You will
need to ask the institution you are applying to what GRE score they require.

9. How long will my scores be valid?

Your scores will be valid for 5 years (until September 15 after the 5th anniversary
of your test date). All scores achieved in that period, including the last one, will be
communicated to each of the institutions you have designated.

To view the electronic newsletter, consult the website: www.gre.org

Paper Based GRE Subject Tests

1. What is the GRE Subject Test?

The eight GRE Subject Tests are written exams on specific fields of study that
last 2 hours and 50 minutes. Not all colleges and universities require Subject
Tests . Check with the university you are applying to if they require this.

Subject Tests are available in the following subjects:

Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

biology
Chemistry
computer science
Literature in English
Mathematics
physics
Psychology

For a description of the exam content, see

http://www.gre.org/pbstest.html#description
2. Where can you take the GRE Subject Test ?

There are six centers in Spain to take the GRE Subject Tests :

Barcelona: Institute of North American Studies

Mallorca: American International School of Mallorca
Pamplona: University of Navarra
Seville: Amer. Coop. School of Seville
Valencia: Center for North American Studies

3. How do you sign up to take the GRE Subject Test ?

Registration for the Subject Tests is done online (with credit card) at www.gre.org
and the price is $150 per exam. Subject Test dates are limited. Check the
available dates on the website: http://www.gre.org/testdate.html#subdate .

4. When can you take the GRE Subject Test ?

The GRE Subject Test is only given a few times a year. Check the official bulletin
for specific dates: www.gre.org

5. How can it be prepared?

It is a good idea to review your notes and reading of the subjects you have taken
in the area of study. When you sign up for a Subject Test , ETS will send you a
free preparation book that includes a practice test and a detailed description of
the exam.

6. How is the GRE Subject Test evaluated?

You will receive a score between 200 and 990 on each Subject Test you take. For
some Subject Tests , some subscores will also be included, ranging from 20 to
99.
• Each correct answer is worth 1 point
• For each incorrect answer, a quarter point is subtracted.
• No points are deducted for unanswered questions.
Once your points have been added, your score is converted to the 200 - 990
scale.