GRE pattern to change from 2011

For those students who have aspirations to study abroad next year and are preparing for GRE, there is an important news for you. Education Testing Services (ETS) has announced major changes to GRE Exam from 2011. The new GRE in 2011 will be administered from Fall 2011. Here are the details on the changes and the scoring pattern for the same.

Changes to GRE in 2011

• All the three sections in GRE will be revised (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing).
• Grading scale from 130 to 170
• No More Antonyms and analogies in GRE Verbal section
• Antonyms and Analogies will be replaced with reading-comprehension.
• Skip back and forth between exam questions. No more computer adaptability for every question is required.
• Students can use calculators in new GRE.

The new score scale for the GRE revised General Test:

• GRE Verbal: 130-170 score scale, in 1-point increments (current GRE pattern 200-800 in 10-point increments).
• GRE Quantitative:130-170 score scale, in 1-point increments (current GRE Pattern 200-800 in 10-point increments).
• Analytical Writing: will continue to be reported on the same 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.

Impact on Admissions with New GRE 2011

Differentiation among those who have earned a particular GRE score on the new scale will be difficult, and should put extra emphasis on other differentiating components of applications, such as essays and letters of recommendation.

Possible GRE Scores

• Possible scores is spread out to 41 (170 - 130)
• Current GRE is 71 ( 200 to 800)

Same number of GRE test takers will fall under 41 scores than 71 which means, it's hard to differentiate applicants based on score? You need to have strong application to get admission. This indirectly creates another admission requirement. In other words, a student who gets good scores along with the strong Recommendation Letters (LORs), Statement of Purpose (SOP) with relevant work experience (if required) will be given preference over a student having good scores or academic profile or no work experience or documents.

A student whose score is 135 might not get admission if the minimum score requirement of the university / department is 140. While in the current format, if minimum required GRE is 1100, students with a 1000 score do have a possibility to get admission.

Hence, consider all the advantages and disadvantages of new GRE pattern and apply accordingly. Decide well in advance and book GRE Test dates for 2011. If you wish to appear for the test this year only than register as soon as possible and do not wait till last minute.

For any queries please refer to our counselors or leave your comments below.

Best of Luck!