Janice Lozano
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. For international students, the college admissions process can be challenging, and the GRE exam fee, ranging from $220 to $231.30, is a significant expense. The verbal reasoning section is often the most challenging for non-native English speakers, requiring a sophisticated command of written English. However, the quantitative reasoning section is typically the easiest to master for international students. Overall, the GRE can be difficult for international students, especially those with English as a second language, but preparation and familiarity with the exam format can help improve performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | The GRE exam is considered difficult, especially for international students. |
| Challenges for International Students | The verbal reasoning section is challenging for international students, requiring a high level of English comprehension. The exam fee is also a significant expense for many international students. |
| Preparation | Preparation is key, with practice questions, answers, and explanations available on the GRE website. International students may need to invest more time in preparing, especially for the verbal reasoning section. |
| Sections | The GRE exam consists of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking sections. |
| Adaptiveness | The exam is section-level adaptive, with the difficulty of the second section depending on performance in the first section. |
| Scoring | The number of correct answers and the difficulty of the questions factor into the final score. |
| International Student Resources | The international student test prep center provides resources specifically for international students preparing for the GRE. |
| Fee | The exam fee is $220 in most countries, $231.30 in China, and ₹22,000 in India. |
| Rescheduling | Rescheduling the exam costs $55, or $53.90 in mainland China. |
| Frequency | The exam can be taken up to five times a year, once every 21 days. |
| Validity | Scores are valid for five years. |
| Format | The exam is computer-based and takes approximately two hours to complete. An at-home version is also available. |
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What You'll Learn
International students face financial challenges due to high fees
International students often face financial challenges due to high fees. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) exam, a standardised test required for admission to many graduate programmes at US colleges and universities, costs $220 each time it is taken, with the exception of China, where the fee is $231.30, and India, where it is ₹22,000. The exam can be taken up to five times a year, which could amount to a significant expense for international students, especially considering the cost of other application fees.
The GRE exam fee is a notable expense for international students, particularly those from countries where the fee is a substantial amount relative to their income. For example, an Indian student mentions that taking the GRE would cost them the equivalent of a month's worth of internship money. Similarly, a Chinese student notes that the $205 exam fee is equivalent to 50% of their monthly income.
In addition to the exam fee, international students may also need to factor in the cost of study materials, which can be significant. Moreover, the GRE is just one aspect of the application process for graduate programmes. International students may also need to spend money on other application fees, such as those for college applications. The cost of applying to schools in the US can quickly add up, with one prospective international student estimating their expenses to be around $3,000.
The financial challenges faced by international students are not limited to application fees. High tuition fees can also pose a significant financial burden, often forcing students to compromise on essential living expenses, which can negatively affect their academic performance and mental health. The high cost of tuition, along with other expenses, makes international student recruitment a financially unsustainable model for universities, particularly those that rely heavily on high-volume recruitment. Universities are facing pressure to reassess their strategies and prioritise the financial sustainability of international student recruitment to ensure that international students remain a financially viable part of higher education.
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The verbal reasoning section is the most difficult
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, as well as analytical writing and critical thinking skills. For international students, the verbal reasoning section is often the most challenging part of the GRE.
The verbal reasoning section of the GRE is not just a language test; it is a test of verbal reasoning. It demands a sophisticated level of English comprehension. The section comprises two of the five scored sections of the GRE, with the sixth being an experimental or research section that can also be verbal reasoning. The verbal reasoning section uses multiple formats to measure a student's ability to analyse and evaluate written material and synthesise information from it, as well as analyse relationships among the components of sentences.
The verbal reasoning section is adaptive, with the composition of the second verbal reasoning section depending on the performance in the first. The first section will be a mixture of easy and difficult questions, and the difficulty level of the second section is adjusted accordingly. The questions in the verbal reasoning section can be divided into three types: reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Reading comprehension questions are designed to test the wide range of abilities required to read and understand the kind of prose commonly encountered in graduate school. Text completion questions test the ability to reason and evaluate material based on partial information by omitting crucial words from short passages and asking students to fill in the blanks to create a coherent whole. Sentence equivalence questions are similar to text completion questions in terms of content, but they focus more on the meaning of the completed whole.
The verbal reasoning section is particularly challenging for international students, especially those for whom English is not their primary language. The exam requires a sophisticated command of written English, and the ability to interpret and evaluate written material is crucial for success in the verbal reasoning section. Preparing for the exam by reviewing sample questions, answers, and explanations can be beneficial. Additionally, becoming familiar with graduate-level prose, logical reasoning, and rhetorical patterns commonly found in GRE reading passages can help improve performance in the verbal reasoning section.
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The quantitative reasoning section is the easiest
The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, as well as analytical writing and critical thinking skills. While the exam is challenging for all students, international students may face additional obstacles due to language barriers and financial constraints.
The quantitative reasoning section of the GRE is often considered the easiest section for international students to tackle. This section assesses your ability to understand, interpret, and analyse quantitative information. It covers basic mathematical concepts and formulas, with a particular focus on statistical and probability analysis. The mathematical symbols, terminology, and conventions used in this section are standard at the high school level, making it more accessible to students from diverse educational backgrounds.
The quantitative section consists of Quantitative Comparison, Problem Solving, and Data Interpretation question types. You will have 47 minutes to answer 27 questions, divided into two sections. The first section will typically contain an assortment of Quantitative Comparison and Problem Solving questions, while the Data Interpretation questions will be presented as a set near the end.
Quantitative Comparison questions ask you to compare two quantities, Quantity A and Quantity B, and determine their relationship. These questions often have shortcut methods for comparison, and you should avoid unnecessary computations. Problem Solving questions make up the majority of the section and are typically standard multiple-choice questions with five choices and one correct answer. Data Interpretation questions test your graph interpretation skills, and you should pay attention to scales, relative sizes, and broken scales when interpreting graphical data.
While the quantitative reasoning section may be relatively easier for international students, it still requires preparation. Familiarise yourself with basic mathematical formulas and concepts, especially in statistics and probability. Review sample questions and answers, and make use of the free Math Review document provided by GRE. Additionally, take advantage of the test's flexible design, utilising the "mark" and "review" features to skip challenging questions and return to them later if needed.
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The exam demands a sophisticated command of written English
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. It is also accepted by many business and law schools globally. The exam is developed and administered by ETS, a testing company. The exam fee is $220 in most countries, $231.30 in China, and ₹22,000 in India. The exam can be taken up to five times a year, once every 21 days, and the scores are valid for five years.
The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. The Verbal Reasoning section demands a sophisticated command of written English. This section assesses the ability to analyse and evaluate written material, synthesise information, and analyse relationships among component parts of sentences, including words and concepts. For international students, this section is often the most challenging, especially if English is not their primary language.
To master the Verbal Reasoning section, students need to build their vocabulary and develop their skill at using context clues from sentences to make predictions. Memorising a list of 3,000 words is often recommended. However, it is worth noting that many of these words may not be frequently used in academic writing. Instead, they may be more useful for reading articles from reputed newspapers and magazines, which demand a complex language.
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests basic quantitative skills and the ability to reason and solve problems with quantitative methods. This section covers basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. For international students, this section is typically the easiest to master and requires the least preparation. However, it is still important to invest time in reviewing basic mathematical formulas and statistical and probability analysis.
The Analytical Writing section measures the ability to articulate and support ideas and analyse arguments. While this section does not focus on higher levels of critical thinking and analytical writing, it does require composition skills and a command of English vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and syntax.
Overall, the GRE exam demands a sophisticated command of written English, especially in the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. For international students, the exam can be particularly challenging, and the financial burden of the exam fee can also be significant. However, with thorough preparation and a strong foundation in English, it is possible to succeed on the GRE and gain admission to graduate programs.
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The admissions process is challenging for international students
The admissions process can be challenging for international students. The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised exam required for admission to many graduate programs at universities and colleges in the US. The exam evaluates verbal and quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. International students often face additional challenges due to factors such as English not being their first language, high exam fees, and the need to achieve high scores for competitive graduate programs.
The GRE exam fee is $220 in most countries, but it can be significantly higher for students from certain countries, such as India and China, where the fee is ₹22,000 and $231.30, respectively. This can be a financial burden for many international students, especially when coupled with the cost of study materials and other application expenses.
The verbal reasoning section of the GRE is often the most challenging for international students, as it demands a sophisticated level of English comprehension. Students may need to invest significant time and energy into memorising vocabulary and improving their reading comprehension skills. However, the quantitative reasoning section, which focuses on mathematical and statistical analysis, may be easier for international students, although it still requires preparation.
To increase their chances of admission, international students should focus on preparing for the GRE thoroughly. This includes reviewing sample questions, answers, and explanations provided on the GRE website. Additionally, international students can take advantage of the resources provided by the international student test prep centre to improve their test-taking skills.
While a good GRE score is important, it is not the only factor considered in the admissions process. International students should also focus on maintaining a strong Grade Point Average (GPA) and ensuring that their application is well-rounded and meets all the requirements specified by their chosen universities. Understanding the admissions process and preparing comprehensively can help international students maximise their chances of getting accepted into their desired graduate programs.
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Frequently asked questions
The GRE exam fee is $220 in most countries. In China, the fee is $231.30, and in India, it is ₹22,000.
The GRE exam requires a sophisticated command of written English, which can be challenging for international students who do not speak English as their first language. The verbal reasoning section is often the most difficult for these students, while the quantitative reasoning section typically requires the least preparation. However, the GRE is adapted to the test-taker's ability, so correct answers lead to more difficult questions.
Preparation is key to performing well on the GRE. International students should review sample questions, answers, and explanations on the GRE website. Additionally, they can invest time in building their English vocabulary and comprehension skills.
