How many days prior to the GRE test should I start studying?

Any time between one to six months, based on your capability.

Is the GRE subject test more difficult than the GRE general test?

Since the GRE subject only has MCQs, it is easier than the GRE General test. However, it also depends on an individual's strengths and weaknesses.

How often can I give the GRE general test?

You can take it once every 21 days and no more than twelve times in a 365-day span.

Can I give the GRE if I’m under 18 in India?

As long as you can get valid ID proofs, the ETS has no age limit for the GRE in India.

Is GMAT better than GRE?

The GRE has a broader scope, thus insightful for most people.

GRE General Test vs Subject Test: Know the Difference

Studying abroad is a dream home for many. When applying to the world’s most famous universities, you’ll often find the need for a language test in their eligibility requirements. For most other competitive courses like an MBA or an MTech, students are generally required to provide an aptitude test score. The choice is largely between the GMAT or the GRE.

When it comes to GRE, students have another decision to make, i.e. whether to choose the GRE general test vs the subject test. There are many differences between the GRE general vs subject test. From the mode of test-taking, and specifications to usability, and test format, only after thorough research, you’ll be able to decide perfectly which test to take to maximise your approval chances. So let’s go through this article and understand the difference between GRE general test and the GRE subject test.

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Before applying for the GRE examination, it is very important to decide responsibly among the different GRE tests. In some cases/ courses, the GRE Subject test will be your best choice, while the GRE General will win the race in others. Without further delay, let us decide between the GRE general vs subject test by highlighting the key differences.

What is the GRE Subject Test?

The GRE Subject Test is a comparatively less sought-after test for international universities. The test usually focuses on a single subject rather than resting your entire aptitude on the whole. You can go for four subjects while giving the GRE subject test: Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Psychology.

The GRE Subject Test might be ideal if you seek admission to a specialisation course (MSc in Physics, MA in Psychology, etc.) and want to stand out from the other applicants. If you seek admission to a school with a lower number of openings, the subject test might be great for you. However, note that an MBA or an MEng student might not want to go for this, as only one among the four cannot define your overall aptitude and knowledge as a student in that course.

Next, let’s know the meaning and purpose of the GRE General test!

What is the GRE General Test?

The GRE General Test is a broader test that measures your quants, verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking. On the whole, it is a test of your aptitude on a larger note as a student and doesn’t lay focus on just one subject. This is the main reason the GRE General Test is the prime choice of most prestigious colleges regarding eligibility.

Verbal reasoning tests your capability to consume and understand information. Quantitative reasoning is about basic mathematics and how well you can understand and adapt to equations, etc. The GRE analytical writing section mainly covers an essay, wherein your argumentative, debating, observation, and expression skills are evaluated.

Know about the GRE Exam Dates 2024!

Now you know the basic difference between GRE general test and GRE subject test. You can begin your GRE General test preparation by exploring this GRE pattern video 2024.

Next, let’s explore…

What is the Difference Between GRE General Test vs GRE Subject Test?

You should have a gist of the major conceptual difference between the GRE general test vs subject test by now. The meaning of both is largely different. There are numerous minute differences spreading the two apart. The table below summarises the major differences between the GRE general vs subject test. After going through it you will have an answer to the question, “do I need to take GRE general test or subject test”

Parameters	GRE General Test	GRE Subject Test
Composition	Comprises analytical writing, verbal, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking	Tests based on different subjects like mathematics, psychology, physics, and chemistry and focuses only on them
Mode of test	Computer or Paper-based	Only paper-based
Duration	3 hours 45 minutes long	2 hours 50 minutes long
When is the test taken?	Taken year-long	Only taken in September, October and April
Score range	130-170 score range for reasoning 0-6 for writing	200-990 score range
Cost	228 USD for Indian Students (from Nov 1, 2022)	150 USD for every student

You should now have a good understanding of the major differences between the GRE general test vs GRE subject test. The differences are more than people usually estimate. The type of tests you take before applying to your favourite university plays a major role in deciding whether you will get admission or not. Therefore, contemplate this difference between GRE general and subject test skillfully.

After having gone through the difference between GRE subject and general test, allow us to answer the big question in your head: which tests should be your choice for a study abroad admission among GRE General and GRE subject?

How to Decide: GRE General Test vs Subject Test

After exploring the difference between GRE General and Subject test, you should decide which among the GRE general test vs GRE subject test can get to be a really tough or confusing choice. Go through these pointers to identify which should be your pick:

Take GRE General if:

Your university demands so
You aren’t majoring in the four subjects included in GRE Subject
You don’t have an extensive background in either of the four subjects
You wish to give only a single GRE exam

Take the GRE Subject test if:

You’re okay with taking more than one test
You are specialising in either of the four subjects mentioned
You have a noteworthy background in either of the four subjects
You are applying to a school with a reduced number of seats available
You wish to stand out from the crowd by weighing your profile. As you take a GRE general along with the GRE subject, it adds to your profile.

Now you know other pointers that can be considered as difference between GRE general and subject test. Make your final choice based on them. Next, let’s check out the…

Top Universities Accepting GRE General Test

After you go through the difference between GRE subject and general test, make your pick and select the university that considers one for admission. Following is the list of top universities for the GRE General vs GRE Subject test.

Specialisation	Universities accepting GRE General Test Score
MS	Stanford University, University of Virginia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, University of California
MBA	Wharton Business School, Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Next, Let’s Explore the Top Universities Accepting GRE Subject Test.

Universities accepting GRE General Test Score	QS WUR 2024 based on Specialisations ( Chemistry / Mathematics / Physics / Psychology)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1
Harvard University	2
Stanford University	3
University of Cambridge	4
University of the Oxford	5
University of California Berkeley	6

GRE Exam Fees 2024

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