Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE - Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is administered by the Educational Testing Services (ETS) for admission into all graduate academic programs (except management) in universities across USA and Canada and some selected universities across the world including India. The exam is a Computer Adaptive Test and is administered at any of the Sylvan testing centers in the country after prior registration.

Where can I apply thru GRE?
American graduate schools accept GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) as the entrance test for all MS programs except for Business, Law and Medicines.

Who conducts the GRE?
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the test on behalf of the GRE Board.

What is the pattern of the test?
The GRE is a Computer Adaptive Test consisting of 3 multiple-choice sections-Quantitative, Analytical Writing and Verbal. It also includes an essay section - Writing Assessment, (mandatory only for certain universities). Students need to write this section on a separate day. The Computer Adaptive Test as the name suggests picks the questions based on the test taker's response to the given question. The first question is always of medium difficulty level and from then on the score graph starts to move upward or downward as per the performance of the candidate. A test-taker of higher caliber will get tougher questions than a test-taker of a lower caliber. As the test progresses, the score graph begin to narrow down to a range and that range will determine the final score.

GRE - The Computer Adaptive Test Structure

Sections	No of Questions	Types of questions	Time	Score
ANALYTICAL WRITING	2 Essays	Analysis of Issue Analysis of Argument	45 mins 30 mins	0-6
VERBAL	30	Antonyms Analogies Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension	30 minutes	200-800
QUANTITATIVE	28	Quantitative Comparison Discrete Math Data Interpretation	45 minutes	200-800
Experimental		Either Math or Verbal
		Total Time	Approx 3 hrs 15 mins	1600

The salient features: -

• The Analytical Writing section is always the first section followed by either the Quantitative or Verbal.
  
• All questions are multiple-choice having four or five answer choices.

Analytical Writing Assessment:

• Analysis of Issue: Students are required to present their perspective/opinion on an issue.
  
• Analysis of Argument: Students are required to analyze a given argument.

How are the essays evaluated?
The essays are scored in a range from 0 to 6. The ratings of the essay will be 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0,2.5, 2.0, 1.5 and 1.0. The desired level is 5 and above.

Do I need to take a subject GRE also?
Usually universities don't ask for subject GRE scores. However in case of change of stream or for integrated PhD programs some universities may ask for a subject GRE score. It entirely depends on the university however very few universities

How do I get to know my GRE score?
Unofficial scores appear on screen following the test for verbal and quantitative section. scores will come to you along with the official score reports. You will receive official score reports within 10- 15 days of taking the test.

What is a good GRE score?
A score of 1400 and above would help you to get in good universities

How long are the GRE scores valid?
The GRE score is valid for five years; however most of the universities insist on a GRE score not more than 2-3 years old.

How do universities get my GRE score?
ETS will directly send your scores to the universities you have mentioned in your test registration.

When can I give GRE?
You can write GRE on any working day of the year (Saturdays and Sundays are holidays).

How do I register for GRE?
You can register online on www.gre.org or can call up or send a fax or mail Prometric - Delhi.

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GATE - (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering)

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an all -India Examination conducted by the six Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD)

OBJECTIVES OF GATE

• Identify, at the National level, meritorious and motivated candidates for admission to Postgraduate Programmes in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science and Pharmacy.
  
• Serve as a mandatory qualification for the MHRD scholarship/assistantship.
  
• Serve as benchmark of normalization of the Undergraduate Engineering in the country.

Why should we take GATE:

To pursue M.Tech program in a leading institute of the country. The benefits of M.Tech are:

1. More and better companies are coming for Campus Placement in leading Institutes
2. Higher salaries are being offered for M.Tech as compared to B.E.
3. M.Tech degree leads to specialization and furthering of interest in a certain area which may lead to Ph.D
4. M.Tech degree is a must for those wishing to apply for Faculty/Research positions in educational Institutes/R&D centers.
5. Scholarship is paid during M.Tech, so no headache to parents for financial requirements.
6. The M.Tech program is a 3 semester (18 months) program; so get more time to work out career opportunities.
7. MOST IMPORTANTLY to get to be a part of any Nationally reputed Educational Institute and enjoy learning and research.

Important Dates:

1. Availability of GATE forms: October, 1^st week
2. Last Date for filling up forms: November, 1^st week
3. Exam Date: 2^nd Sunday of February
4. Results: March 31^st

General Information and Results are also published on the Web.

Examination Details:

1. The examination is a single paper of 3 hours duration and generally consists of Section A (Objective Type) which is of 75 marks and Section B (Problem Type) which is of 75 marks. Total: 150 marks.
2. You have to opt for your subject and study as per the syllabus mentioned in the GATE brochure (available in the Library).
3. The subjects of our interest are Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering., Electrical Engineering and Instrumentation Engineering. Other subjects are also available such as Mathematics, Physics, etc (consult the GATE brochure).
4. Generally a large number of students appear for the Computer Science subject in order to do a M.Tech in Computer Science.
5. Old question papers are available in the shops.
6. Results of qualified candidates in GATE will give All India Rank and indicate percentile score. For example, a percentile score of 99 means you are in the top 1% category of the candidates who appeared for GATE.
7. Candidates who get less than 70 percentile get no score card.
8. GATE scores are valid for 2 years. You may reappear the GATE exam if you are not satisfied with the earlier score and the new score (if better than the old one) will be used for admission purposes.

After the Exam, what next:

1. After publication of GATE results, students must apply to individual Institutes to get their application forms.
2. Institutes advertise M.Tech admissions in leading newspapers from 1^st April till end July. However some Institutes do not advertise and therefore students have to get the forms themselves.
3. In the application forms, you have to mention your GATE score alongwith other details.
4. The concerned Institute may conduct written test and/or interview for the purpose of admission.
5. General thumb rules: If your Gate score in Computer Science is 96 percentile or more then you can try for IITs, if between 85 - 96 percentile, then apply for top RECs, JADAVPUR, SHIBPUR, ROORKEE, etc. If less than 85, you have to look for appropriate institutes.

Scholarship:

During the pursuit of M.Tech, you are paid a scholarship of Rs. 5000.00 per month by the Government of India. This amount is enough for living expenses including purchase of books, etc. The scholarship is paid for the entire 18 months M.Tech period.

SPECIAL:

I encourage 3^rd year students to also appear GATE alongwith Final Year students since:

1. GATE score is valid for 2 years.
2. The syllabus as required by GATE is generally over by 5^th semester.
3. Anyway, it will be a good try ! If it is a bad score you can always try again.

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