BASIC GRE® FAQ’s

Q. What is the structure of the GRE®?
A. The computer-based General Test is composed of Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. In addition, one unidentified unscored section may be included, and this section can appear in any position in the test after the Analytical Writing Section. Questions in the unscored section are being tested for possible use in future tests, and answers will not count toward your scores. Total testing time is up to three hours, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section. The Analytical Writing section is always first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented. The Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified unscored section. Three scores are reported on the General Test:

• a Verbal Reasoning score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments
• a Quantitative Reasoning score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments
• an Analytical Writing score reported on a 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments
• Any section in which you answer no questions at all will be reported as a No Score (NS)

The Test pattern has been tabulated below for your reference:

*For the Issue task, two essay topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented.
** An unidentified unscored section may be included and may appear in any order after the Analytical Writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.

Q. What is a good score? What is the importance of AWA score?
A. Students should look at getting around a 1250 for admissions to good schools. The AWA score should be a minimal of 4.5, writing styles on the AWA are compared to the SOP to gauge whether the same person has authored both.

Q. How many times can one write GRE®?
A. You may take GRE® only once per calendar month up to 5 times in any 12 month-period. This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously.

Q. Ideally what is maximum number of attempt that one should make?
A. If the student feels that he/she could have done better, then he/she could definitely consider retaking the GRE®. Universities do not average the scores, but preferably take the higher score depending on the duration between the tests and time period. A maximum of TWO attempts would be advisable.

Q. When should I write my GRE®?
A. Since the application timeline is between Nov – March of the next year – Fall - , it is advisable that the student finishes with the GRE® by Sept – Oct, so that one could give sufficient time to prepare the application documents that are required. The application time line for Spring would be between May – September for the Jan intake – the following year. Ideally it is suggested that students go for the Fall.

Q. What is the registration process for the GRE®?
A. First you pick a test date and decide on the payment type: by credit/debit card or by bank check. Note: the card doesn't need to be in your name, so you can use the cards of family or friends.  If credit/debit card is available (Visa, Master Card, American Express), you can register:

• Online on the official GRE website. Go to the "Test Takers" section, click "Register for the Test" and follow the steps. You will get your confirmation by e-mail.
• By phone: call the telephone number for the Regional Registration Center for the country in which you plan to test (you will get the phone numbers in the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website) at least two business days prior to the requested test date. You will be given an appointment confirmation number. Be sure to write it down. You will also get a test date, reporting time, and test center address when you call. Look at the International Test Scheduling form available right in the middle of the Bulletin, for the information you will be asked for when you call.
• By fax: complete the International Test Scheduling Form available in the middle of the bulletin (you will get the phone numbers in the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website) and send it to the Regional Registration Center at least seven working days before the requested test date.  (you will get thefax numbers in the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website)  Follow the instructions given on the back of the form. Include credit card information. The RRC will schedule your appointment based on the information you provide. If none of the dates you requested is available, the RRC will try to schedule you for a test date as close as possible to your choices.

If credit cards are not available, you can pay by bank check and you register by mail.

• In order to be issued a bank check you need to pay the fee to any bank that conducts hard-currency transactions. The beneficiary of your bank check will be ETS-GRE, as mentioned in the GRE® Information Bulletin (you will get the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website) .
• You fill out the GRE International Test Scheduling Form in the middle of the bulletin. (you will get  the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website) 
• The check and the scheduling form need to be mailed to the Regional Registration Center for Region 12 at least 3 weeks prior to the requested test date. The relevant addresses are available in the bulletin. (you will get the phone numbers in the GRE® test bulletin on the www.ets.org website) 

Q. What is the test registration fee for the GRE®?
A. Effective Jan 1, 2010 the test registration fee for the GRE® is USD 190.  On the day of the GRE® you can send your scores to 4 recipients within this fee.

Q. How can I report scores to more than 4 score recipients?
A. Additional score reports can be ordered online on www.ets.org at USD 23 /score report.

Q. Can I cancel my score if I don’t find it up to the mark?
A. At the end of the test, you will be given the option to cancel your scores. You cannot cancel your score for one section of the test and have the scores for the remaining sections reported. Although you have the option to cancel your scores, consider very carefully before doing so. Your scores will be reported to GRE® score recipients only at your request. If you cancel your scores, they will NOT be reported to you or any score recipients, and no refund will be made. Canceled scores are not added to your permanent record. If you wish to take the test again, you must reregister and submit another test payment.

Q. Can I reschedule the GRE®? What is the rescheduling fee?
A.  The test can be rescheduled by paying a rescheduling fee of USD 50?

Q.  Can I change the test center? Is there a fee for changing the test center?
A. Yes you can change the test center by paying a fee of USD 50.

Q. If I decide to cancel taking the test do I get a refund?
A. If you cancel your registration by the deadline, you will receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee

Q. Apart from a GRE® score, what else is required to apply to graduate school?
A. Your application needs a Statement of Purpose, Recommendation Letters, Transcripts, Research Statements, Design Portfolio (if required). More details on the application packet can be found on http://www.imsindia.com/studyabroad/ms.htm

Q. What programs does IMS offer for GRE® preparation?
A. IMS offers test preparation and admission advisory services for GRE® aspirants via our Study Abroad MS Program.  The features of this program have been described below for your reference:  

Test Preparation Program Features

Our GRE® classroom program runs over 12 - Weeks and 37 sessions. Herein we teach you all the concepts and strategies required to ace the GRE®. Apart from the classes you will get a Study Pack that to supplement your classroom learning and practice with tests that simulate the GRE® . Our Study Pack Components include: 
1. Theoretica - Concepts and Strategies required to tackle the Verbal and Quantitative Sections
2. Lexicon - Word list that with words and word groups relevant to the GRE®.
3. Section Tests - 10 Section Tests (5 Quantitative, 5 Verbal)
4. Analytical Writing Guide - Sample Essays and strategies to tackle the AWA section.
5. CD - 3 Computer Adaptive and 5 Computer-Based Tests on this CD

Admission Advisory Program Features

The admissions advisory part of your program will help you out on the following fronts:

• School Shortlisting – involves selecting a set of the programs most suited to your profile and aspirations.
• Statement of Purpose and CV Review – involves providing content, language and grammar edits for your CV, Statement of Purpose and Scholarship Essays.
• Recommendation Review – involves assisting you in picking out the right recommenders and providing you with draft outlines and pointers for persuasive letters of recommendation.
• Interview preparation – involves conducting simulated business school interviews (in person or telephonic) and providing you with school specific interview research
• Finance and Visa Preparation – involves assistance on all aspects of securing financial aid, educational loans, visa preparation (including visa interviews).

In addition to the Study Abroad MSprogram, we also have only test preparation options via the MaxPrep® GRE® classroom program and correspondence material in form of the MaxPrep® GRE® study pack. To know more about these offerings please click http://www.imsindia.com/studyabroad/gre/  or email us on consulting@imindia.com

You can also visit your nearest IMS centre to inquire about these program offerings. You can locate our centres on http://www.imsindia.com/ims_batch_admin/ims_centre_new.htm