Since the major change in GRE score calculation was implemented on August 1, 2011, many questions have been asked. With the implemented changes also came the GRE score converter that was produced by ETS. More questions were also raised as applicants found out that not only were the scoring changed but so were the tests as well. This article aims to answer the top 10 questions raised with the changes in GRE tests and GRE scores. There’s no doubt about the amount of pressure that comes with taking the GRE. For many college hopefuls, their dream begins and ends here. Preparation is important for the GRE. Applicants who’ve taken the old as well as those who have taken the revised test know that it takes mental, emotional, and physical preparation to get through the GRE unscathed.

If this is your first time to take the GRE, consider the type of university you want to apply for – a low ranked or top ranked university? This way you will know what score to aim for. Do your due diligence and study. Take a review on the GRE or a preparatory course to help you achieve your goal of getting an excellent or good GRE score. For those of you who’ve taken the old format and using it to apply to a university with the old score, ETS has provided a converter to make it easier for you to calculate your old score into the new scoring system.

10. I took the test before the conversion, are my scores still valid?

The GRE scores are considered valid for a period of five years. If you took the GRE before the test was changed, you can be assured that your old GRE scores will still be considered for admission. More or less, if you got a good score on the old GRE, you will also get a good score on the revised GRE.

9. How does the new scoring look like?

In the old GRE test, the scores ranged from 200 to 800 in increments of 10 points. In the new GRE test, the scores now range from 130-170 in increments of 1 point. There is a lot of difference when you take into consideration the increments involved. When you take a the revised GRE and come up with scores far lower than that of applicants who’ve taken the old GRE, do not be worried. You can refer to the new GRE score from ETS to understand your ranking.

8. How is the test design different in the revised GRE?

The revised GRE features a lot of changes that are beneficial to the test taker. The applicant can now have the ability to change their answers. They are also able to mark their answer and then come, called the Multi-Stage Test. And, they also have the ability to use a calculator. In the old GRE exam, the design was based on the test questions changing based on the applicant’s answers.

7. How long does it take to finish the revised GRE exam?

The revised GRE exam has a longer time frame compared to the old. The revised exam can be finished in approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, whereas the old exam can be finished in approximately 3 hours. The revised GRE may take longer but it gives you more time to analyse your questions and even come back for some so that you can change it where necessary.

6. How is the Verbal test different in the revised GRE exam?

The revised GRE exam no longer contains questions such as analogies, antonyms, and sentence completions. What the revised GRE offers in the Verbal exam include reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence.

5. What differences are there in the revised GRE for the quantitative test?

The revised GRE offers more test categories such as multiple-choice questions with one answer and or more answers, numeric entry questions, as well as quantitative comparison questions.

4. Are there any difference in the Writing portion of the revised GRE?

No, the old and the revised GRE still contain the one issue essay and the one argument essay.

3. What’s a low GRE score on the revised test?

In the old GRE, a score less than 1100 is considered a low score. In the new GRE format, a score of 301 or less is considered low. This means, with this kind of scores, your chances for getting into the nation’s top universities are less. If you get a low GRE score, whether on the old or revised version, you can opt to apply to lower ranked US universities for admission or you can retake the GRE. With a low GRE score, your application for a scholarship will also be less likely entertained.

2. What is a decent GRE score in the revised format?

The old format considers a score between 1200 and 1330 to be a decent score. In the new and revised format, a score of 316 or less or up to 309 is considered a decent score. Although your chances for applying into top universities are still low, it is not impossible that you’ll be accepted. You may even be considered for admission in some of the few top universities of the nation.

1. What is an excellent score in the revised GRE?

If you’re taking the GRE, chances are you have the top universities in mind to consider applying to. If you want your chances to be granted for admission in one of these universities, you have to get an excellent GRE score. If you took the old GRE and you got a score between 1460 and 1600, this is considered an excellent score. For the revised test, a score between 326 above and up to 340 is considered excellent. With these scores, you won’t have to worry about granted admission, scholarships, grants, fellowships, as well as assistantships in the top universities of the nation.