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GRE Subject Test 2023: Syllabus, Registration, Test Dates, Score, Preparation Tips, Books
GRE subject test measures the knowledge of the candidate on a particular subject. Each GRE subject test exam is intended for those candidates who have any of the following subjects as an undergraduate program
- Literature in English
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Psychology
Unlike GRE general test, GRE subject test can be taken only three times a year across the world in a paper-based format at test centers. Preferable months for the GRE subject test are – September, October, April. The GRE subject test fee is $150 (INR 11079)across the world.
Though GRE general test is more popular compared to the GRE Subject Test among the candidates the statistics show that around the world there is a sufficient number of test-taker for each subject:
According to the statistics from ETS, in the last 3 years (2016-2019), this graph shows that the maximum number of test-takers of the GRE Subject Test took the physics exam. Few more important points that should be noted about the GRE subject test statistics are:
| Test | Mean | Standard Deviation | Percent Women | Percent Men |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Test | 665 | 123 | 58 | 41 |
| Chemistry Test | 689 | 121 | 42 | 57 |
| Literature in English Test | 542 | 105 | 63 | 34 |
| Mathematics Test | 664 | 149 | 28 | 71 |
| Physics Test | 714 | 162 | 23 | 76 |
| Psychology Test | 619 | 109 | 78 | 20 |
GRE General vs GRE Subject Test
There is often confusion among the test-takers about whether to choose the GRE general test or subject test. To break it down before the candidates, here is a list of differences marked between the GRE general or subject test:
| GRE General Test | GRE Subject Test |
|---|---|
| GRE general test is taken by test-takers who wish to pursue PhD or graduate abroad | GRE subject test is taken by candidates who wish to prove their excellence in those particular subjects |
| GRE General Test comprises verbal, quant and analytical writing | GRE subject test can be taken in any of the subjects - Biology, Maths, Chemistry, Literature, Physics and Psychology |
| GRE general test is accepted by thousands of grad schools | GRE subject test acts as an addition to the other academic requirements and is sometimes required for graduation in the top colleges |
| GRE general test can be taken every 21 days with a count of up to 5 times a year | GRE subject test can be taken only thrice in a year |
| GRE general test is a computer-delivery exam | GRE subject test is a paper-delivered exam |
Are GRE Subject Tests Necessary?
GRE itself is a standardized entrance exam that allows the candidates to study further in their dream programs and their dream colleges or universities. The GRE Subject Test is designed to check the depth of knowledge of the candidates in any specific subject and allow them to study that subject further.
GRE scores are globally accepted and a candidate who has met the GRE Subject Test requirements of any university can study that subject in the globally top universities. In this test, the candidates need to show outstanding knowledge and skills of a specific subject to claim a position in the world’s top colleges.
Who Takes the GRE Subject Test?
GRE subject test is mostly taken by candidates who are planning to pursue any of those specific subjects (Bio/Maths/Physics/Chem/Psychology/Literature) and thus prove their aptitude in it. There are very few chances of the GRE subject test being mandatory for admission to grad programs. Though few of the top schools require it sometimes.
GRE Subject Test is like validation to the candidates’ undergraduate records and recommendation letters along with a test to understand the candidates’ knowledge
Is the GRE Subject Test Required for MS?
The candidates who are quite knowledgeable in their respective areas usually take GRE subject tests. In very rare cases, universities require a GRE subject test score for the admission process. This score for the GRE subject test is required only at the top universities.
How Many Times Can you Take the GRE Subject Test?
GRE Subject Test is conducted in the paper-delivered test centers thrice a year:
- September
- October
- April
In India, the GRE Subject Test is conducted only in October.
GRE Subject Test Registration
GRE registration for the subject test is to be done through the ETS profile of the candidates and the test center needs to be booked before 2-3 months before the exam date of the GRE Subject Test. For India, the GRE Subject Test fee ranges from $150-205, and in other countries, the fee ranges from $226 to $255. The rescheduling charge is $50 and the late registration charge is $25. Candidates should keep an eye on the GRE subject test dates to not miss any chance. If you are planning to take the English subject test, then keep a watch on the GRE English subject test dates.
GRE Subject Test Dates
The following is the date for the GRE Subject Test for 2023:
| Test Date | Regular Deadline | Late Deadline | Scores Available: Online | Approx Score Reporting Mail Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 08, 2023 | February 24, 2023 | March 03, 2023 | May 08, 2023 | May 19, 2023 |
GRE Subject Test Syllabus
As we know that GRE is available in two different modes: computer-delivered and paper-delivered, GRE Subject Test is available only for the second mode i.e. the paper-delivered or the offline mode. The duration of this test is 2 hours and 50 minutes. GRE Subject Test is developed to test the understanding of the candidates of the following subjects:
Note: Since December 2016, biochemistry is not a part of the GRE Subject Test. The GRE subject test computer science is also not taken anymore.
Sectional Details of GRE Subject Test
The following table demonstrates the GRE exam pattern for the subject tests that include the number of questions and subsections of each subject along with the weightage of each subsection.
| Subjects | Number of Questions | Sub-sections | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 190 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 33-34% |
| Organismal Biology | 33-34% | ||
| Ecology and Evolution | 33-34% | ||
| Chemistry | 130 | Analytical Chemistry | 15% |
| Inorganic Chemistry | 25% | ||
| Organic Chemistry | 30% | ||
| Physical Chemistry | 30% | ||
| English | 230 | Literary Analysis | 40-55% |
| Identification | 15-20% | ||
| Cultural and Historical Contexts | 20-25% | ||
| History and Theory of Literary Criticism | 10-15% | ||
| Mathematics | 66 | Calculus | 50% |
| Algebra (Linear algebra, abstract algebra, elementary algebra, and number theory) | 25% | ||
| Discrete Mathematics | 25% | ||
| Real Analysis | |||
| Probability and Statistics | |||
| Additional Mathematics | |||
| Physics | 100 | Classical Mechanics | 20% |
| Electromagnetism | 18% | ||
| Optics and Wave Phenomena | 9% | ||
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics | 10% | ||
| Quantum Mechanics | 12% | ||
| Atomic Physics | 10% | ||
| Special Relativity | 6% | ||
| Laboratory Methods | 6% | ||
| Specialized Topics like Nuclear and Particle Physics etc. | 9% | ||
| Psychology | 205 | Biological | 17-21% |
| Cognitive | 17-24% | ||
| Social | 12-14% | ||
| Developmental | 12-14% | ||
| Clinical | 15-19% | ||
| Measurement/Methodology/Other | 15-19% |
The GRE math subject test assesses not only the complex topics but also the fundamental basics that form the foundation of the candidates. ETS has further stated in this regard, the candidates will find the sums that require precalculus theory to be the most difficult ones.
Both the GRE Mathematics and Chemistry subject tests contain mathematical computations, but calculators are not allowed in any of them. To ensure a GRE Math or GRE chemistry subject test good score the test-takers need to be speedy in their approach of calculating.
Requirements for GRE Subject Test
As the GRE Subject Test is designed for graduate-level courses, it is expected that the candidates applying to it have completed their undergraduate courses. For GRE, there are no specific eligibility criteria as specified by ETS the conducting authority of the exam which means there is no age bar or specific score in the undergraduate courses and others. Valid ID proof with a recent photo and signature of the candidate (passport) is enough to appear in the GRE Subject Test. However, the universities in which candidates desiring admission in graduate courses must have some requirements along with a GRE score. The candidates need to meet those criteria for their enrollment. For the GRE Subject Test, the candidates are advised to select the subject which is closely related to their majors.
GRE Subject Test Score
The GRE score range for each subject is 200-990 with 10 increment points. Sub-scores of each section are measured on a scale of 20-99 with 1 point increment. With the help of the scores and subscores in the GRE Subject Test, the examinees can understand their strengths and weakness in the sub-sections and prepare accordingly.
According to the data of ETS, just like the highest number of test-takers, the highest mean score also obtained in physics – it is 714 in the last 3 years. The lowest mean score of the GRE Subject Test is 542 and it is obtained in mathematics.
Check:GRE Score Calculation
Note: For each correct answer, there is 1 point and for each wrong answer, ¼ point will be deducted.
How Long are GRE Subject Test Scores Valid?
The GRE subject test scores are valid for 5 years. The test-takers will receive their test scores within 5 weeks of the assigned test date.
Who accepts GRE Subject Test Scores?
Scores of GRE Subject Test are accepted by almost all the graduate schools in the world. University of Notre Dame, New York University, Yale University, and Stanford University have programs where GRE Subject Tests are recommended. GRE Subject Test score, especially above 80-90% GRE Subject Test score, nonetheless, makes your application stronger in foreign universities.
GRE Subject Test Preparation Tips
The GRE subject test materials prepare the candidates for the subjects they have chosen like the GRE subject test biology or Math, but there are certain GRE preparation tips that are to be followed before and after the test:
- Thoroughly go through the courses of the colleges you’re applying for, it is only after studying the content of the subject one will be able to get hold of the knowledge the colleges expecting;
- There are numerous GRE subject test practice test that the candidates need to be accustomed to know the question types;
- Carefully go through the questions like while practising the GRE English subject test questions focus on the sentences, vocabulary and grammar;
- While correcting an answer erase it in a complete manner and fill it again;
- The answers should only be written in the answer sheet and not the test book.
Check out:GRE Subject Test Preparation
As the GRE Subject Test is conducted in paper-based mode, the candidates need to practice much. For this purpose, they can try GRE practice papers.
GRE 2024 : 6 Answered QuestionsView All
Ans. In case you are enquiring about the CAT percentile let me clarify that ISB Hyderabad does not take into consideration CAT scores. It accepts GMAT/GRE scores only. Most importantly, the ISB Shortlisting process is profile-based. This means even with a lower percentile you can manage to get shortlisted provided you have an excellent profile. There is no fixed cutoff for GMAT. However, a 700+ GMAT score isn't a must-have for ISB if your application is strong in other areas. According to an ISB spokesperson, candidates were admitted to the 2021 cohort with scores as low as 580, and as high as 780. So the GMAT score range for ISB is 580-780. Read more
Ans. ISB Hyderabad accepts both examination scores. So, you can opt for either of GMAT or GRE. Your chances of selection or rejection will remain the same. Go through the examination pattern and syllabus and choose the one in which you feel that you will be able to score better. Ultimately having a good score is what matters during admission. As per the recent trends, ISB Hyderabad cutoff for GMAT is 600, while for GRE it is 311. Read more
Ans. There are a few institutes that offer classroom coaching for GRE preparation in Bhubaneswar. Given below are information about a few such institutes: Offshore Education Academy This institute is a one-stop point for good counseling and preparation of GRE exams in Bhubaneswar. Merit scholarships are given to students who perform well in the online admission test. The minimum time to be devoted will be 4 months although it can be extended to 5 months in case an individual wants more time to prepare. Prajna Prep Prajna Prep offers comprehensive class sessions on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing. You can also take GRE Practice Tests to improve your preparation. Manya-The Princeton Review Manya-The Princeton Review is another excellent choice for GRE preparation. This institute offers different types of GRE courses and you can choose the one which suits you best. There is also an option for learning in groups or in one on one sessions. Besides classroom coaching, self-preparation is also a good option if your current academics are above average. Read more
Ans. Of the two entrance exams, GMAT and GRE, the former is a better option. ISB Hyderabad has recently started accepting GRE scores. This doesn’t mean that taking the GRE is a bad idea. Many business schools apart from ISB are now accepting GRE scores. The best part is that ISB won’t be converting your GRE scores to GMAT for comparison during the MBA admissions. GRE is suitable for students who are considering other PG options apart from MBA like MS or MA. For someone who is sure of their career in an MBA, the GMAT is a better choice because GRE is much more dynamic. GMAT shows your commitment to MBA and thereby increases your chances of admission in comparison to GRE which shows that you are open to various options. ISB Hyderabad prefers GMAT over GRE also because the former is a more quantitatively challenging exam than the latter. Certain firms may ask for your GMAT score before shortlisting you for your interview. These include the biggest firms in the corporate world like McKinsey So from these points, we can safely conclude that GMAT is a better option for MBA students provided that you are sure of your course. Read more
Ans. Firstly, GRE scores are not accepted for the PGP MBA program. Only CAT/GMAT scores are accepted. To apply through the GMAT route you need sufficient work experience in a foreign country. For the FPM program, like any other doctoral program, the quality of the application matters the most and there is no cut-off for the GRE scores. Other factors that are actually considered are Profile Past research Publications There is no specific GRE score that would guarantee a call-up from IIM Ahmedabad. Read more
Ans. There is a long list of countries that allow students to apply for Ph.D. without GRE or TOFEL scores. Some of these countries are as follows. France Singapore Malaysia Dubai Poland China Japan Thailand Latvia Georgia United Kingdom Malta However, you need to have a good academic record in English to show your proficiency. Some of these countries may also need other language proficiency test scores for admission. Read more
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College
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