Private GRE Tutoring

Information about the GRE

The GRE, or the Graduate Records Examinations, is a required standardized exam for admission to many graduate programs. The test assesses students’ Quantitative and Verbal aptitudes and qualifications for schools in the US. Since 2011, the test has been computer-based and “section-level” adaptive, as compared to “question-adaptive.” This computer mode is used only in the U.S.

GRE Scoring

Test takers receive 3 separate scores: one for each section.

  • Math and verbal sections, the scores fall between 130-170
  • Analytical Writing section, scores range between 0-6.
  • Your GRE score remains valid for 5 years.

  • On the score sheet, students will always receive two scored Verbal sections, two scored Math sections, and one experimental section that is not scored.

GRE Format

SectionQuestion TypeNumber of QuestionsTime
AWA Essay 1Essay Writing24-2630 mins
AWA Essay 2Essay Writing24-2630 mins
Verbal/ Math or ExperimentalV/M or E2030/35mins
Verbal/ Math or ExperimentalV/M or E2030/35mins
Verbal/ Math or ExperimentalV/M or E2030/35 mins
Verbal/ Math or ExperimentalV/M or E2030/35 mins
Verbal/ Math or ExperimentalV/M or E2030/35 mins

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the Sections

There are two sections and three question types: Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Completion.

Reading Comprehension

Students are presented with a passage and associated questions. The reading passages are drawn from a variety of subjects including the sciences, social sciences, or humanities.  There are approximately 10 reading comprehension questions in a verbal section.

Text Completion

Test takers are presented with a sentence or a paragraph that has one to three blanks. There will be answer choices provided and the reader is to “fill in the blanks.” There are approximately six text completion questions in a verbal section.

Sentence Equivalence

Students are presented with a sentence that has one blank and are given six answer choices. The student must pick two answers that will produce a similar meaning. Strong vocabulary skills are important for doing well in this section. There are approximately 4 sentence equivalence questions in the verbal section.

There are two quantitative sections on the exam. Both are each 35 minutes long and consist of 20 questions. More importantly, there are two quantitative question types: Problem Solving and Quantitative Comparison.

Problem Solving

There are three tasks for problem solving questions. Students are either required to solve a problem and select one correct answer out of five choices or to provide their own answers (numeric entry problems). Approximately two-thirds of the 20 questions are problem solving.

Quantitative Comparison

Quantitative Comparison questions are very different from Problem Solving ones. Typically, in you are presented with two columns A and B and given additional information about each column. Your task is to compare columns A and B and if either one has a greater quantity, equivalent or it cannot be determined. Approximately six or 7 questions are quantitative comparison questions.

Preparing for the GRE

The cost of the test is $205 per exam, and students receive one free score report. The test is administered by ETS at designated testing centers. You can register online.

You can take the computer-delivered GRE General Test once every 21 days and up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. This testing limitation applies even if a student cancels a test score after taking the test. You may take the paper-delivered GRE General Test as often as it is offered.

The paper-delivered test is given approximately 3 times per year.

After the ACT

  • All four sections are scored out of 36. These scores are then averaged together to produce a composite score (also out of 36).
  • The optional essay is scored separately, and its score (out of 12) is not included in the ACT composite score.
Composite Score Percentile
36 100
35 99
34 99
33 98
32 96
31 95
30 93
29 90
28 88
27 85
26 82
25 78
24 74
23 70
22 64
21 59
20 53
19 47
18 41
17 35
16 28
15 22
14 16
13 10
12 5
11 2
10 1
9 1
8 1
7 1
6 1
5 1
4 1
3 1
2 1
1 1
Usually 10 days. Check here for the scheduled score release date for your test.

Yes. You can delete past ACT scores at any time. The following link gives the instructions on how to do so: How to delete ACT scores.

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