All CoursesThe Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an admission test for thousands of graduate and business schools around the world. Irrespective of the field you choose, you will have to attempt this test on Quantitative and Verbal skills. How then, does this exam qualify you to be selected for a Masters degree in the field of your choice?
The first point to understand here is that this examination is standardised around the world. You could be taking it from anywhere on this planet, and the syllabus and pattern remain the same. This is logical, considering that education patterns may differ from nation to nation, but when you’re going for higher education on a global platform, it is only fair that all aspirants get judged on an equal footing.
GRE scores are used for granting admissions to the candidates for various courses by many top universities that are located all over the world. The high standard of living in countries like the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany etc. is also a driving factor that motivates students to study and settle abroad. GRE can act as a gateway to study in these developed countries that boast of world class facilities for research and education.
Earlier GRE scores were accepted for admissions into most of the master’s degree programs barring the MBA. Since the introduction of revised GRE General exam on August 1, 2011, many prominent b-schools have also started accepting GRE scores for granting admissions to their MBA programs. Here is the list of top institutions in the US that accept GRE scores for admissions into MBA programs:
- Harvard Business School
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Wharton School
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Columbia Business School
- Cornell University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- University of Chicago
- University of California Berkeley
Apart from being used as a qualifying factor, GRE scores are often used to determine funding decisions too. If you want to get into your dream school, and want to be funded by the University for your education, you need to show them a decently high GRE score along with other application requirements. Ideally, a candidate should take at least three months to prepare for the GRE. Taking mock tests on a regular basis can also be quite beneficial for your preparation.
But the real question is not how GRE matters; it is why it matters. The skills tested in the GRE exam show your competency in certain areas that will be required for any form of higher education.
- The Analytical writing section comprises of two essays where you have to construct a well-reasoned argument with supporting examples, as well as examine and analyse someone else’s claims.
- The verbal reasoning section tests your reading and writing skills, sentence building, and also your ability to delve into long paragraphs and analyse the relevant parts.
- The Quantitative aptitude section tests logic related to numbers, problem solving and data interpretation skills.
Overall, the entire exam is based on the cumulative knowledge that a graduate studies aspirant is expected to have accumulated over the years. It judges your critical analysis skills which are paramount to completing your dissertation successfully.
It is for these reasons that Universities have made GRE scores a relatively important part of the application process. And to comply with their requirements, attempting GRE (and scoring well) is important.
GRE scores also play a role in your visa approval. The US Embassy is very particular about who gets to enter their country, and a very low score may result in your visa application getting rejected.
BYJU’S will be glad to help you in your GRE preparation journey. You can ask for any assistance related to GRE from us by just giving a missed call at 08884544444, or you can drop an SMS. You can write to us at gre@byjus.com.
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