Test Structure of Subject GRE

Test Structure of Subject GRE

The Subject GRE is a 2 hour and 50 minute paper-based test held in eight subject areas. Once you register yourself for a Subject GRE test, you will receive a free practice book which comprises all the detailed test provision, a full-length test, the answer key and all the helpful info to help you understand exactly how you notch up a high score at Subject GRE. This is an entirely free material available on the official GRE site www.ets.org/gre/greprep.html.

Here’s a little detail on the structure for each of the eight papers. Take a look it may prove helpful.

I. B22—Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology

This test paper consists of 180 questions. The test is intended to cater to those who are interested in graduate programs in biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. It also intends to other related topics like genetics and microbiology. All the questions are divided into three subscore areas on the basis of density of marks:

  • Cell Biology-28%
  • Biochemistry-36%
  • Molecular Biology-36%
  • Genetics-36%

II. B24—Biology

The Biology Subject GRE paper consists of about 200 questions which are equally distributed among the three subscore areas of Organismal Biology, Molecular Biology and Ecology and Evolution.

III. C27—Chemistry

Next, comes the Chemistry paper. This paper comprises of 130 questions covering chemistry courses of the middle and the senior collegiate years. Here’s the break-up of the questions on the basis of density,

  • Analytical Chemistry-15%
  • Inorganic Chemistry- 25%
  • Organic Chemistry- 30%
  • Physical Chemistry- 30%

IV.      C29—Computer Science

This paper consists of 70 questions only. Students who have attend Computer Science courses at least to the undergraduate major level are fit to sit for this test. The question classification is somewhat like this,

  • Software Systems and Methodology-40%
  • Computer Organization and Architecture-15%
  • Theory and Mathematical background-40%
  • Artificial Intelligence, Cryptography and Social issues-5%

V. L64—Literature in English

The Literature in English paper consists of 230 questions on Literature in English from British Isles, the United States and various other countries. It also covers some major works like Bible in translation. You will also find some factual questions to test your knowledge about writers who are studied at the college level. Then there will be interpretive questions to test your ability to read and interpret passages from poetry, drama, fiction and non-fiction prose. These questions will address at the use of language, meaning and from along with structure, literary techniques and other aspects of literary style.

 Here’s the questions’ break-up,

  •    Literary Analysis-40-55%
  •    Indentification-15-20%
  •    Cultural and Historical Contexts-20-25%
  •    History and Theory of Literary Criticism-10-15%

    • In addition to these, it would be helpful for you to know the literary-historical scope of the test which is,

  • Continental, Classical and Comparative Literature through 1925-5-10%
  • British Literature to 1660, including, Milton-25-30%
  • British literature 1660-1925-25-35%
  • American literature through 1925-15-25%
  • American, British and World Literature after 1925-20-30%

VI. M68—Mathematics

The Subject GRE Mathematics consists of only 66 questions. This test gauges both the knowledge of undergraduate courses of Mathematics majors and the usual mathematical abilities expected of students who seek a graduate degree in the subject. So, you need to have a clear and strong sequence idea of elementary calculus, abstract algebra, linear algebra and real analysis capabilities to prove theorems and create counterexamples. So it’s expected that you will have a major in Mathematics. The questions’ classification is as follows,

  • Calculus-50%
  • Algebra-25%
  • Other topics-25%

VII. P77—Physics

The Physics Subject GRE paper consists of 100 questions approx. Most of these questions relate to the 3 years of undergraduate physics, the first three years. Here’s the topic-wise questions’ density break-up,

  • Classical Mechanics-20%
  • Electromagnetism-18%
  • Atomic Physics-10%
  • Optics and Wave Phenomena-9%
  • Quantum Physics-12%
  • Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics-10%
  • Special Relativity-6%
  • Laboratory Methods-6%
  • Advanced topics of Nuclear and Particle Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and Astrophysics-9%

VIII. P81—Psychology

The psychology test paper consists of 205 questions covering the undergraduate syllabus.

The subscore areas for this paper are,

  • Experimental Psychology-40%
  • Social Psychology-43%
  • Measurement and Methodology-17%

Other than these, eight subject papers on the History and Sociology were also included earlier as Subject GRE Test subjects. But due to a low number of test takers opting for these subjects, these were dropped in 2000. For further details you can check this link,

http://www.historians.org/Perspectives/issues/1999/9905/9905new2.cfm

What to do on the Subject GRE test day?

On the D-day, you will need to carry some very important documents on your way to the test center. Better reach the test center 30 minutes prior to the test and allot four hours for the entire process including the test to wrap up. Here’s a detailed list we procured for you to help you remember each one of them with intent apprehension. (Don’t understand)

Okay, we will start this discussion with the requirements while going for a Paper-based Test Administration as Subject GRE is essentially a paper-based test.

Things you carry:

  1. Your official identification
  2. The admission ticket: You receive this once the registration process ends and it contains the test date, test center and your test choice. (Once you receive your admission ticket, check it well to ensure that all the identifying information, address and score recipients are accurate. If you locate some mistakes, make the necessary changes on the correction stub. You can only rectify wrong spellings and cannot change names, which is not allowed. You can then mail it to the printed address on the form. Or else, fax it to 1-610-290-8975. Make sure that your stub reaches ETS by the Friday before your test date. If the corrected admission ticket doesn’t reach you back at least 10 days prior to your scheduled test date or in case you lose contact ETS immediately. Unfortunately, if even that is not possible, then get in touch with the test center to find out if your name appears on the attendance roster.
  3. Carry a few sharpened HB lead pencils and a good eraser. Remember that mechanical pens or pencils are not allowed.

Here’s a list of acceptable Primary Identification documents that you may produce,

  1. Passport with photo and signature
  2. Driver’s License with photo and signature
  3. National ID with photo and signature
  4. State ID issued by Motor Vehicle Agency with photo and signature
  5. Military ID with photo and signature if any

Now, if you don’t have any of these or are not in a position to produce any of the things mentioned, or if any of them does not have a signature or a photo, here’s a list of the supplemental identification documents you can use,

  1. Your Student ID
  2. Identity Confirmation Letter from your Educational Institute
  3. A government issued identification document that has not expired

And now finally here’s the list of the unacceptable identification documents,

  1. An expired ID
  2. A Credit card
  3. Draft Classification card
  4. International Driver’s License
  5. Employee ID card
  6. Social Security card
  7. A photocopy of ID
  8. A Learner’s Driver’s license
  9. International student ID
  10. Notary-prepared letter or document
Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers

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