About the GRE
The GRE, or the Graduate Record Examinations, is a 3-hour and 45-minute standardized test that is used for graduate school admissions. With a score range of 130 to 170, the GRE is valid for 5 years and accepted by a variety of graduate institutions.
Who Takes the GRE?
The majority of GRE test-takers enter graduate programs in life sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and social/behavior sciences. While many GRE takers are prospective Master’s or Ph.D. program applicants, many business and law schools now accept GRE scores in lieu of the GMAT or LSAT.
Skills Tested on the GRE
The skills tested on the GRE include verbal reasoning, which assesses your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, quantitative reasoning, which assesses your ability to understand and solve mathematical questions and quantitative questions, and analytical writing, which measures your critical thinking and writing skills as you discuss a complex issue and evaluate arguments.
When Should You Take the GRE
This depends heavily on your graduate school application deadline. As the GRE is valid for 5 years after taking it, it is possible to take the GRE during your undergraduate years before applying to graduate programs. If you plan on attending graduate school immediately after college, then taking the exam during your junior year would be ideal. Conversely, if you plan on attending a few years after graduating, taking the test your senior year would be a good plan. Make sure to take the test at least a few months before your graduate school application deadlines to account for sending scores (which takes around 10-15 days after the test date); for instance, if your deadline is at the beginning of December, you could take the GRE during November at the absolute latest.
Cornell GRE Prep
GRE test preparation materials are available in the Career Library at 103 Barnes Hall. Using previously administered tests is always a strong strategy; the Career Library has a number of these practice tests, and the Cornell Store has materials for purchase. The official ETS test preparation software, Powerprep, which has the computer-adaptive GRE General Test, can be purchased.
If you are taking the GRE anytime soon or plan on taking it in the future, best of luck! Make sure to set healthy limits for yourself when you are studying.