Exact Answer: 10 To 15 Days
GRE is an abbreviation for Graduate Record Examinations. It is a standard test that every student needs to take if they wish to enroll in any graduate school. It is a mandatory admission requirement for all colleges all over the United States, and also for colleges in Canada and a few other countries.
The Graduate Record Examinations are owned and administered by Education Testing Service. The GRE test was made a qualifying benchmark by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It was established in the year 1936. The process is very simple, candidates need to appear for the GRE, and after some days they get their results or GRE scores.
How Long Does It Take To Get GRE Scores?
GRE tests are in place to test a candidate’s Analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The GRE score that a candidate gets is the basis on which they can get admission into top colleges. The scores have a validity of five years.
The overall timing of the test is about 3 hours and 45 minutes. Breaks are also included in the time. But there is only one minute break between different sections. Also, after the third section, there is a 10-minute break.
The grading procedure is also standard and has a specific marking structure. The final scores are a compilation of scores procured in all sections. After the test is complete, a candidate can choose to view the scores right away. Sections like Quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning are scored right away. The candidate can view the unofficial score post the test.
Once the Analytical scores are counted, the scores are added with the rest of the sections. After that, the complete scores are sent to the institutions that a candidate chooses. The candidate will also receive the test scores within 10 to 15 days of attempting the days. The candidate will receive an email enlisting his scores.
| Section of the GRE test | Time after which the candidate gets to know the score |
| Verbal reasoning | Immediate post-test |
| Quantitative reasoning | Immediate post-test |
| Analytical writing | 10 to 15 days post-test |
| Complete compiled scores | 10 to 15 days post-test |
Why Does It Take So Long To Get GRE Scores?
GRE tests are kept so that a candidate’s Analytical, verbal, and quantitative reasoning can be understood. It makes it easier to understand whether the candidate is capable to take on further studies.
Conducting and computing the results of an examination takes time. Since the GREs are online exams now, the result comes out faster as the computation of marks is done by computer systems. However, it still takes 10 to 15 days to get the official results. There are several reasons why it takes time to get the official scores. The reasons are as follows:
- The main reason why it takes 10 to 15 days is the Analytical writing section. The analytical writing section requires the candidate to write essays. Checking the essays take time. Also, some time goes into grading the written essay. Considering the factor that the number of students that are appearing for the exams can be more than a thousand on any given day, it takes a lot of time to check the result for each candidate. Hence, a timeframe of 10 to 15 days is provided, so that all the essays can be graded.
- Another reason is the re-checking of the marks. Once the complete test is graded, it is double-checked again to make sure there are no marking errors. Re-checking and grading again is a process that consumes time. Hence the complete and final results are announced after 10 to 15 days of attempting the test.
Conclusion
Since GRE tests are qualifying tests, it is necessary that grading is done properly. A count here and there can lead to a person not qualifying for the admissions. It can also lead to a person getting admitted who otherwise won’t be able to qualify.
It is imminent to avoid mistakes, and thus, a period of 10 to 15 days is provided so that the proper counting and grading can be done. Besides the official GRE scores, a candidate even receives their percentile report via email. Plus, candidates can also free GRE diagnostic service.
