GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS^® (GRE^®) Tests

GRE tests measure students' knowledge and skills and can help forecast a candidate's potential for success in graduate school. There are two kinds of GRE Tests - the General Test and Subject Tests.

The GRE Test is administered by not-for-profit organisation Educational Testing Service (ETS).

It is widely recognised for (post)graduate college admissions in the US. Most colleges and universities in the United States require or recommend GRE test scores as part of their graduate application process.

GRE General Test

The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.

GRE Subject Tests

The GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study:

• Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Literature in English
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area.

For more information about the tests visit the ETS website:

• GRE General Test
• GRE Subject Tests

Who needs to sit the tests?

GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for (post)graduate study.

If you are applying to a graduate programme in the US then you will most likely have to sit the GRE General Test (or GMAT, if you are intending to study business or management) as part of the application process. Some programmes will ask you to sit a relevant GRE Subject Test as well as the General Test.

Where can I sit the test?

There are GRE test center in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Testing Closer to Home - Supplementary

If you live more than 125 miles from the nearest test centre it is possible for you to request that a "supplemental test centre" be opened closer to home. To do this you need to follow the special directions that are set out in the Graduate Record Examinations Information and Registration Bulletin and register by mail by the special Supplementary Test Center Registration deadline, which is generally two weeks before the regular registration deadline. Refer to the bulletin for more information about this option.

Note: this is only available for the October General and Subject test dates

When can I sit the tests?

GRE General Test

Subject Tests

* Late registrations will be accepted within one week after the registration date. Late registrations are only available online and will incur a US$25 Late Registration Fee. Standby registration is available if you miss the registration deadline. An additional fee applies, and admission to a test center cannot be guaranteed. You can find more information about standby testing on the ETS website or in the Graduate Record Examinations Information and Registration Bulletin.

For information on Supplementary Test Centre Registration Deadline conditions see Testing Closer to Home.

What do I have to do to sit the tests?

Register:

You can register online at the ETS website (requires a valid credit card) or by mail.

	download bulletin (2.61MB)

To register by mail you need to obtain the Graduate Record Examinations Information and Registration Bulletin, which you can download from the ETS website or obtain from Fulbright New Zealand by sending a stamped, self-addressed A4-sized envelope ($1.00 standard post, $1.50 fast post) to:

Testing Adviser
Fulbright New Zealand
PO Box 3465
Wellington 6140

The registration form must be received at ETS by the registration deadline. Registration forms cannot be faxed.

Fees

The 2008–2009 fee for taking the GRE General Test in New Zealand is US$170, and for GRE Subject Tests is US$150. Late registration within a week of the registration deadline incurs an additional US$25 fee. Standby registration costs an additional US$50.

How can I prepare for the tests?

Candidates who register for paper-based GRE tests will be sent a free practise book to help them prepare for the test. Candidates can also download the practise books from the ETS website:

• GRE General Test Practice Booklet - download PDF (2.34MB)
• GRE Subject Tests Practise Booklets:
  Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Practice Booklet - download PDF (1.38MB)
  Biology Practice Booklet - download PDF (1.18MB)
  Chemistry Practice Booklet - download PDF (2.27MB)
  Computer Science Practice Booklet - download PDF (900KB)
  Literature in English Practice Booklet - download PDF (4.64MB)
  Mathematics Practice Booklet - download PDF (1.34MB)
  Physics Practice Booklet - download PDF (2.85MB)
  Psychology Practice Booklet - download PDF (2.15MB)

The General or Subject Test sections of the website also offer sample questions, tips and test-taking strategies.

ETS publish an official GRE study guide - Practicing to Take the GRE General Test, which can be purchased online from the ETS store.

For other useful information visit ETS's official GRE website - www.ets.org/gre

GRE and GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This website is not endorsed or approved by ETS.