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GRE Computer Science Subject Test – Syllabus


The following is the syllabus of the computer science GRE test:

I. SOFTWARE SYSTEMS AND METHODOLOGY

A. Data organization

  • Data types
  • Data structures and implementation techniques

B. Program control and structure

  • Iteration and recursion
  • Procedures, functions, methods and exception handlers
  • Concurrency, communication and synchronization

C. Programming languages and notation

  • Constructs for data organization and program control
  • Scope, binding, and parameter passing
  • Expression evaluation

D. Software engineering

  • Formal specifications and assertions
  • Verification techniques
  • Software development models, patterns and tools

E. Systems

  • Compilers, interpreters, and run-time systems
  • Operating systems, including resource management and protection/security
  • Networking, Internet, and distributed systems
  • Databases
  • System analysis and development tools

II. COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE

A. Digital logic design

  • Implementation of combinational and sequential circuits
  • Optimization and analysis

B. Processors and control units

  • Instruction sets
  • Computer arithmetic and number representation
  • Register and ALU organization
  • Data paths and control sequencing

C. Memories and their hierarchies

  • Performance, implementation and management
  • Cache, main and secondary storage
  • Virtual memory, paging and segmentation

D. Networking and communications

  • Interconnect structures (e.g., buses, switches, routers)
  • I/O systems and protocols
  • Synchronization

E. High-performance architectures

  • Pipelining superscalar and out-of-order execution processors
  • Parallel and distributed architectures

III. THEORY AND MATHEMATICAL BACKGROUND

A. Algorithms and complexity

  • Exact and asymptotic analysis of specific algorithms
  • Algorithmic design techniques (e.g. greedy, dynamic programming, divide and conquer)
  • Upper and lower bounds on the complexity of specific problems
  • Computational complexity, including NP-completeness

B. Automata and language theory

  • Models of computation (finite automata, Turing machines)
  • Formal languages and grammars (regular and context free)
  • Decidability

C. Discrete structures

  • Mathematical logic
  • Elementary combinatorics and graph theory
  • Discrete probability, recurrence relations and number theory

IV. OTHER TOPICS

Example areas include numerical analysis, artificial intelligence, computer graphics, cryptography, security and social issues.

4. Computer Science Subject Test Resources

Once you decide to take the examination, you will come across a number of resources that will help you to prepare for the subject test. These resources are in the form of books or free download tests that will enable you to measure your strengths and analyze your weaknesses so that you can fair well the in the real test.

Books

    1. GRE Computer Science (REA) 5th Ed. Written by Benjamin Wells is considered one of the best preparation guides for the computer science GRE. It has full-length tests that have been prepared in tandem with the latest computer science tests. The answers have been explained comprehensively for the benefit of test-takers. It also covers all the topics of the computer science syllabi.
    2. GRE subject test practice books: Computer Science test (3rd edition), by the Educational testing Service staff. The new book has received a good feedback from the customers.
    3. GRE computer science (Graduate Record Examination series, GRE-21) (Plastic comb): This is a book authored by Jack Rudman. This book has not received favorable feedback from the users.
    4. GRE Computer Science (REA Test Preps) by Research & Education Association. Staff. This book also includes four full-length test papers that are modeled on the recent computer science GRE tests. Alongside the computer topics, it also has a glossary of important computer science terms. It has an average reputation among the users.
    5. Kaplan GRE Exam 2008 Premier Program, authored by the Kaplan group, has received good review from the customers.
    1. The free practice test provided by ETS is the best practice test available free of cost.
    1. There is yet another source which is of great help. SubjectGre.com provides you 10 Full length test papers in Computer Science so that you can brush up your preparation levels.
Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers