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Are you thinking about taking a GRE Subject Test? Maybe you lot've heard of them only aren't sure what they are or if you should take i. GRE Subject Tests are much less well-known than the general GRE, and it can be hard to get data on them.

Read this comprehensive guide for everything you need to know virtually GRE Field of study Tests including which topics they encompass, how important they are for grad schoolhouse, if you should take one, and how to register for a Subject area Exam.

What Are GRE Field of study Tests?

If you know what SAT Subject Tests are, GRE Subject Tests are similar. Every bit opposed to the full general GRE, which tests your knowledge on a variety of topics, GRE Subject Tests focus on a specific topic.They're designed to permit you bear witness your knowledge in a specific discipline area that yous accept a strong background in.

Like the general GRE, GRE Subject Tests are taken by prospective grad school applicants to include in their application. Subject Examination scores are used to help grad schools determine your noesis in a specific area and decide if yous'd be a good fit for their program. You tin can't take a Subject area Examination in place of the full general GRE. Instead, you take a GRE Subject Test in addition to the full general GRE.

All Subject Tests share the post-obit similarities:

  • 2 hours and 50 minutes long
  • Incorporate but i section
  • Completely multiple-choice
  • Accept v answer choices for each question

There are currently vii dissimilar Subject field Tests. They are each listed below, along with the number of questions that examination has.

Subject Test Number of Questions
Biochemistry, Jail cell and Molecular Biology 170
Biology 190
Chemistry 130
Literature in English 230
Mathematics 66
Physics 100
Psychology 205

There likewise used to be a GRE Subject Examination in Computer science; however, information technology was discontinued in April 2013.

How Are GRE Subject Tests Scored?

All GRE Subject Tests have score ranges of 200 to 990, in ten-indicate increments.The Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biological science, and Psychology Field of study Tests also report subscores in several more specific areas. These subscores are on a xx-99 calibration, in 1-point increments.

For all Subject Tests, yous earn one point for each question you answer correctly and lose ¼ a bespeak for each question you get wrong. This raw score is then converted to a scaled score betwixt 200 and 990. Like general GRE scores, GRE Subject Examination scores are valid for v years after you take the exam.

Even though all Subject area Tests use the same score scale, you shouldn't compare scores from different Bailiwick Tests. For example, if you got an 820 in Biological science and a 700 in Physics, that doesn't necessarily mean you lot are better at biological science than physics because the expectations for each test vary.

Bank check out our guide on the GRE scoring process to acquire more than nearly how full general GRE and Subject field Tests are scored.

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How Are Subject Tests Different From the General GRE?

Both the full general GRE and GRE Subject Tests are developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), and both are used every bit part of grad school admissions. However, in that location are some central differences between the two types of tests:

#1: How Broad the Exams' Focuses Are

The general GRE tests subjects on a wide multifariousness of subjects, including math, writing, and critical reading skills. The Subjects Tests focus on a much more specific area.

#2: How the Tests Are Taken

Field of study Tests tin can only be taken with paper and pencil while the full general GRE is almost always taken on the computer. This creates some differences in the registration processes for both types of tests. I'll go over the registration process for the Bailiwick Tests in detail below.

Additionally, the full general GRE is department-level adaptive, which means your score on the first sections of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning influences the difficulty level of the questions on the 2d sections. GRE subject field Tests, because they are taken on paper, are Non adaptive.

#3: How the Exams Are Scored

In that location are also differences in the fashion both exam types are scored. For the GRE Subject Tests, you lost a ¼ a signal for each question you answer incorrectly. On the full general GRE, you lot don't lose any points for wrong answers. Therefore, yous should reply every question on the general GRE, just, if y'all're stuck on a question on a Bailiwick Exam, you should only answer information technology if yous tin eliminate at least 1 answer choice.

#4: How the Tests Are Organized

The general GRE is separated into 6 separately timed sections. The GRE Subject field Tests, on the other manus, exercise not have separately timed sections. The timer will offset, and yous'll have 2 hours and 50 minutes to respond all the questions. There won't exist any breaks or moving from i section to another.

#v: The Types of Questions the Exams Include

Finally, the full general GRE includes a writing component and numeric entry questions while the Field of study Tests exercise not. For the full general GRE, the exam starts with 2 writing prompts. Y'all'll have xxx minutes to write each essay. Additionally, some questions in the Quantitative Reasoning sections require y'all to enter a numeric value instead of simply selecting an answer choice. The Field of study Tests take merely multiple-choice questions.

Which Programs Enquire for GRE Subject Tests?

GRE Subject Test requirements vary from schoolhouse to school, and within a school, can even vary by program and past private degrees offered within a plan. This tin can make getting data on Subject field Test requirements confusing and irksome.

However, there are some patterns for Subject Exam requirements. These trends aren't true for every schoolhouse, but they tin help you get a basic thought of what to expect before you do your own research.

  • Well-nigh programs don't crave a GRE Subject Exam score.
  • Of those that do, you only need to submit scores for one test. A specific Subject Test is unremarkably not named; y'all're instead asked to have the exam in the bailiwick closest to your time to come area of report.
  • The bulk of programs that crave Subject Exam scores are Stem programs (those that focus on science, technology, engineering, or math). This makes sense because almost Subject Tests are on STEM subjects.
  • Highly competitive schools, such as the Ivy League and Stanford, tend to require Discipline Test scores more than oft than other schools.
  • PhD programs typically require or recommend Subject field Test scores more often than Primary's programs.

While knowing these patterns can be helpful, to become the best information you'll have to check the Subject Exam requirements for each plan yous plan on applying to.This information tin can often be constitute on a program'southward admissions page. There will ordinarily be a section that lists each of the application requirements you must complete.

Here the program may say something like "GRE Field of study Test scores are non required," "A GRE Subject Test score is required," or "A GRE Subject Exam score is recommended." Make sure y'all don't confuse full general GRE requirements with GRE Subject Exam requirements. If something is referred as just "GRE", that means the general GRE, not Subject Tests.

If nix about Subject Tests is mentioned nether awarding requirements, that means they're not required, although you may still want to contact someone in admissions to run across if Subject Test scores are taken into account if yous submit them. If y'all tin can't find information on the program website, utilise the contact information on the admissions page to ask someone directly about Bailiwick Test policies. They should exist able to quickly tell you whether the program requires a Subject Test, doesn't look at Subject Test scores, or will look at scores if you send them.

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Each school will have its own policy for GRE Subject Tests.

Should You Have a GRE Subject area Test?

Now yous know that in that location aren't many articulate-cut guidelines for which types of programs want Subject Tests and which don't. So, should you lot take one?

The first and most of import consideration is the policies of the grad schools you plan on applying to. As mentioned above, you can get this information by looking on the programme'south website or contacting someone directly. Apply the data y'all go to help make your decision. If one or more than schools requires or strongly recommends submitting a Field of study Test score, then yous should take it because non doing and then could hurt your chances of admission. If all the schools you're looking at have made it clear that they don't give Subject Test scores much or whatsoever consideration, then there's no reason for you accept i.

However, what if the schools' policies aren't as clear as that? What should you do if they don't crave Subject Test scores but will accept them into consideration if you lot submit them? This is a common situation, and you should ask yourself the following questions to brand your determination:

#1: Do Any of the Subject Tests Chronicle to Your Area of Study?

There are only seven Subject Tests, and most of them focus on STEM subjects like biological science and mathematics. If your grad schoolhouse program isn't related to any of these subjects, say if you're going to grad school to report American History or Russian Literature, then taking a Subject field Test won't ameliorate your chances of getting into a grad school. This is because, even if you got a perfect score, the skills the Subject Exam measures won't be closely related to what you lot need to know for your program and thus what admissions officers are interested in knowing.

If your grad program is closely related to i of the areas tested by Subject Tests, then you lot still have a few more than things to consider. Go along on reading.

#two: How Well-Known Is Your Undergrad Alma Mater?

Some programs that require or strongly recommend Subject Tests use them to evaluate the skills of students who went to pocket-sized or lesser-known undergrad institutions. If admissions officers don't know much about a particular school's reputation, strong Subject Test scores tin can aid reassure them that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in grad schoolhouse.

If you went to a big or well-known schoolhouse, like a major state school, prestigious liberal arts college, or elevation-xx enquiry university, grad programs volition know enough nearly your schoolhouse to non need a Subject Test score for verification. Still, if you went to a pocket-sized school that's not very well-known exterior the surface area, you may want to accept a Subject Exam to prove your skills in the area you lot plan to written report.

#3: How Strong Is Your Awarding?

Your GRE Subject Test score is never going to be the most important function of your grad schoolhouse application; at all-time it'southward a supplement that can give your awarding a bit of a heave. If your application is already strong, and you have top grades, great score on the general GRE, strong letters of recommendation, etc., so yous likely won't need a Subject field Test score to further bear witness your skills (although you lot can e'er take a Subject Test anyway).

Still, if there's an area of your application that'due south weaker, you lot may want to take a Subject Test to bear witness your skills in that area.For case, if you're applying to a program that has a strong math focus, but your math grades from undergrad aren't great, taking the Mathematics Subject Test and getting a high score may help show admissions officers that you lot practice have strong math skills and tin can handle the math the programme will involve.

#four: How Difficult Will Information technology Be to Prepare For and Take a Subject area Examination?

If you lot're currently in school or recently graduated, and you lot've been immersed in the subject you programme to take the Bailiwick Test in, then you lot may not demand to written report much at all for the exam. This is also true if your current job closely relates to the cloth tested on the Subject area Test, or if you simply happen to know that subject surface area very well. If it's been a few years since you've actively studied the bailiwick, or if it's a subject area you don't take a lot of groundwork in, it could take a substantial amount of time for you to be prepared enough to score well on the test.

Take your schedule and the amount of time you're willing to devote to the Bailiwick Test into account when making your decision. Also note that Subject Tests toll $150 to take, which may influence your decision.

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How Do You Register for a GRE Subject Test?

And so, you've decided to take a Subject Examination. Merely how practice yous go virtually setting up a test date and location? The process for registering for a GRE Discipline Examination is a scrap unlike than the registration process for the general GRE, and so fifty-fifty if yous've already taken the GRE, you may still want to read through this section.

The Subject Tests are only bachelor three times a year, in September, October, and April and then, unlike the general GRE, registration is not available twelvemonth round. Registration only opens up a few months before each examination. ETS lists when test dates will be for dissimilar countries on their website. If you're interested in seeing which test centers offering GRE Discipline Tests, here's a listing of all the paper-based testing centers.

Follow these steps to register for a Subject Exam:

Stride 1: Get Your My GRE Account Ready

First, you'll need to sign in to your My GRE account or register for an account. If you've already created an business relationship for the general GRE, yous'll use that same business relationship and don't need to create a new ane.

Stride 2: Choose Your Exam Engagement and Location

Once you're on your homepage, click "Register for a Subject Test". After confirming your personal information, you'll be able to see if registration is currently available. If it is, you'll select which Subject area Test you're interested in taking. Yous can then find an available seat by either searching by test center location or test date.

Step 3: Choose Where to Ship Your Score Reports

Next, enter where you completed your undergrad caste and what yous majored in. This is also when you can cull which schools to transport your scores to. You don't have to choose any schools now, just this is the but time you'll get to transport upward to iv score reports for free. If you wait until afterwards you lot have the Subject field Examination, yous'll have to pay for each score report yous send. Later y'all take the test, you can request scores to be sent to specific schools through your My GRE account. Each score report will cost $27.

When sending scores, you can choose to transport but the score of the test you're registering for, or you can cull to send scores from all the Field of study Tests you've taken. Nonetheless, yous cannot send Subject Test scores and full general GRE scores together. You have to send these scores separately.

Step 4: Reply Groundwork Questions

You'll so be asked if you'd like to get emails from the GRE Search Service, which will send y'all information from various grad schools if you agree to it. Then comes a series of groundwork questions. You only have to respond the ones with red asterisks next to them. Not answering sure optional questions won't negatively impact your score. Finally, you lot'll review your order and pay the $150 fee.

How Can You Prepare for GRE Subject Tests?

To become a high score on a Field of study Examination, you'll likely accept to practice some studying. One of the best resource to study for a GRE Bailiwick Test is the official practice book for each Bailiwick Test, developed by ETS.

Each practice book contains a complete practice test, answers and scoring instructions, besides as more than detailed information on the content the exam covers. Do books are free to download, and each is linked below.

Psychology

Taking an official do test gives you a slap-up sense of what the real Discipline Examination will be like, and you'll exist able to get an idea of how well you'd score, as well as your strengths and weaknesses.

To supplement the exercise book, you lot can look over old class notes or textbooks yous have on that particular subject field, and/or get related books from the library. Use the section on exam content at the beginning of each do book to see every topic the exam could cover. You can then use this information and your test score to choose which topics to study.

As mentioned above, if yous're already very knowledgeable on the subject area, you may not need to do a lot of grooming. If you're happy with your practice examination score and feel confident nearly the material, a bit of light review may be all yous demand.

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What's a Good Subject field Test Score?

Information technology's difficult to say exactly what a "good" score on a Subject field Test is because GRE Subject area Tests are taken by just a fraction of the students who accept the general GRE, there are 7 different Subject Tests, and far fewer schools utilize them in their admissions.

To come across how well your score compares to those of other test takers', yous tin can bank check out data released by the ETS on Subject Test scores. This information tells you how many people scored below a specific score. For case, if you got a 780 in Biology, 81% of other test takers scored lower than you, making you lot significantly to a higher place average.

While it's difficult to brand generalizations on GRE Subject Examination scores, 1 common trend is that most schools don't expect perfect Subject Exam scores. Fifty-fifty top-tier schools that might expect nigh perfect scores on the full general GRE don't expect anything near that high for Bailiwick Tests.

Getting above the 80th or 90th percentile is slap-up, only students have gotten below the 50th percentile and however been accepted to acme schools. It'south important to remember that your Field of study Test score is just ane minor part of your application, and your goal when applying to grad school should be to make your entire application as strong as possible to maximize your chances of getting in.

What'due south Next?

Want to know more about the scoring procedure for GRE Discipline Tests? Read our guide for an in-depth wait at how Subject Tests and the general GRE are scored.

If you want more than information on how to annals for the GRE, check out our footstep-by-footstep guide to GRE registration.

How much does it toll to take the GRE or a Subject Test? Learn the costs, what hidden fees there are and how to reduce them.

Set up to better your GRE score past 7 points?

We've written a eBook nearly the top v strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your GRE score. Download information technology for gratis now:



Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Principal's from Duke University. In loftier school she scored in the 99th percentile on the Saturday and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biological science in several countries. View all posts by Christine Sarikas