Latest news with #GRE
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
How Much Does the GRE Cost?
We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. This article has involved AI in its creation and has been reviewed and edited by the McClatchy Commerce Content team. If you're planning to go to grad school, business school, or even law school, you've probably asked: How much does the GRE cost? I review test prep tools for a living, and one thing I've learned is that most students underestimate the total cost until it's too late. So I took a closer look. Registration fees, subject tests, rescheduling charges, score reports, and even prep courses all add up. But there are also ways to save. If you're budgeting for the GRE, this guide breaks it all down. Key Takeaways The GRE isn't just a one-time fee. Test takers should plan for a range of costs, including prep, score reports, and possible rescheduling. Test takers should plan for a range of costs, including prep, score reports, and possible rescheduling. Applying to multiple programs can increase your total GRE expenses. Submitting GRE scores for schools not included in the standard package incurs an additional charge. Submitting GRE scores for schools not included in the standard package incurs an additional charge. GRE Subject Tests are separate and priced accordingly. These exams are often required for applicants to science and engineering programs. These exams are often required for applicants to science and engineering programs. Fee reduction options exist for those who qualify. First-generation students, those receiving financial aid, or individuals experiencing unemployment may be eligible for a 50% discount. First-generation students, those receiving financial aid, or individuals experiencing unemployment may be eligible for a 50% discount. High-quality prep can be a wise investment. Programs like PrepScholar, Achievable, and Kaplan offer structured support that can help boost your score and save you time. What Is the GRE? The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized test used by thousands of graduate programs worldwide to assess readiness for advanced academic study. It's administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is accepted by programs in business, science, engineering, law, and the arts. There are two types of GREs: GRE General Test : Measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. : Measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. GRE Subject Tests: Available in fields like Physics, Mathematics, and Psychology. These are more specialized. Both test types have separate fees and policies. How Much Does the GRE General Test Cost? As of 2025 , the registration fee for the GRE General Test is $220, whether you take it online at home or at a test center. This includes: Your GRE test day appointment Access to official GRE prep materials The ability to submit GRE scores to up to four graduate programs If you're planning to take the GRE in China or India, you'll need to budget slightly more. ETS charges additional regional fees, bringing the total to approximately $231.30 in China and $228 in India. How Much Does the GRE Subject Test Cost? Planning to take a GRE Subject Test? The fee is $150 per subject. These tests are offered in a limited number of fields and are administered on select dates throughout the year. While the General Test focuses on skills like verbal reasoning and analytical writing, the Subject Tests are more content-specific. They're essential for students applying to engineering and science programs. Additional GRE Fees You Should Know About Understanding the GRE cost goes beyond just the registration fee. Here's a complete list of optional (but often necessary) services and their prices: Service Fee Reschedule Test $50 Change Test Center $50 Cancel GRE Test (≥ 4 days before the test) 50% refund ($110) Additional Score Reports $35 each Reinstate Cancelled Scores $50 Note: If you miss the deadline to reschedule or cancel (within four days of your GRE test date), you forfeit the full test fee. How to Reduce the GRE Cost ETS offers a GRE Fee Reduction Program designed to help students with financial need, especially: First-generation college students College seniors or enrolled undergraduate students Individuals receiving unemployment benefits Students in federally funded programs such as TRIO or Upward Bound If approved, you'll receive a GRE fee reduction voucher that cuts the cost of the GRE General Test by 50%, bringing it down to just $110. The same applies to one GRE Subject Test. I applied for the fee reduction as a low-income, first-generation college student. The process required a simple statement of financial need and a quick confirmation from my program coordinator. I got approved within a week and used the savings toward a prep course. To apply, visit the ETS GRE Fee Reduction Program page. Official GRE Prep Materials and Costs ETS provides free prep resources, including: Two official practice tests (POWERPREP) Sample questions for quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning Analytical writing samples with scoring guides But for most test takers, official GRE prep materials alone aren't enough. If you're aiming for a high final score, especially in competitive graduate programs, you'll likely benefit from a comprehensive test prep plan. GRE Test Day: What to Expect On GRE test day, whether at home or a test center, you'll complete three core sections: Verbal Reasoning (2 sections) Quantitative Reasoning (2 sections) Analytical Writing (1 section with two tasks) Your final score includes the verbal and quantitative sections, reported in half-point increments on a scale of 130 to 170. The analytical writing section is scored on a scale of 0 to 6. How to Send and Understand GRE Scores Your GRE scores are valid for five years. When you register, you can choose to send scores to up to four graduate programs for free. If you want to send them to additional programs, each score report costs $35. GRE scores are accepted by: Thousands of graduate programs Over 1,300 business schools Many law schools (as an alternative to the LSAT) Some students worry about how their score compares to others. Remember, GRE performance is just one part of your application, along with GPA, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Tips for First-Time GRE Test Takers Here are a few firsthand tips I wish I had known when I first began reviewing GRE prep tools: Start early. Six to eight weeks is ideal for most students, but give yourself more time if possible. Invest in quality prep. Free tools are excellent for warm-ups, but comprehensive prep courses offer a more in-depth strategy. Take full-length practice exams. Simulate a test day to build stamina and identify weak points. Don't ignore the writing section. Even if it's not the highest-weighted, most schools still consider it. Top GRE Prep Courses to Consider Here are three high-quality GRE test prep companies I've personally reviewed: PrepScholar GRE: PrepScholar offers one of the most personalized online GRE prep experiences. Their adaptive course technology adjusts to your skill level as you go, helping you focus on the areas where you need the most improvement. The lessons are clear, and the progress-tracking features make it easy to stay motivated. Try it if: You want a fully online, customized course that adapts to your strengths and weaknesses. Target Test Prep GRE: Target Test Prep excels particularly in quantitative reasoning. Their step-by-step approach to math concepts, paired with profound video lessons and detailed explanations, makes it a favorite among STEM students. The platform also offers progress analytics, allowing you to track exactly where you stand. Try it if: You're aiming for a high quant score or applying to engineering and science programs. Achievable GRE: Achievable's platform is clean, minimal, and ideal for students who prefer a straightforward study experience. It uses spaced repetition and integrated review to help you master vocabulary and key concepts efficiently. Their verbal reasoning coverage is especially well-designed for first-time test takers. Try it if: You want a lightweight, affordable prep course that still delivers solid results. Many students pair one of these courses with ETS's official practice tests to get both the structure of a professional program and the feel of real test-day questions. Final Verdict If your chosen graduate programs require or accept GRE scores, the exam is a worthwhile investment. Still, the total cost of taking the GRE can range from around $220 to $300 or more, depending on your prep choices and the number of schools you apply to. With thoughtful planning and the right GRE prep resources, most students can avoid unnecessary fees and walk into test day feeling fully prepared. FAQs
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
These 5 universities in the US no longer require GRE
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) was once considered a non-negotiable benchmark for graduate school admissions in the United States. It tested analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative aptitude in a format designed to offer standardised comparisons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In 2025, that standard is no longer universally upheld. Many universities across the USA have moved towards test-optional or test-free policies, removing the GRE requirement for a wide range of master's and doctoral programmes. While this shift may reduce the pressure to perform on a single exam, it increases the weight of other application components. Universities now expect students to demonstrate academic clarity, domain knowledge, and research alignment in more holistic ways. If you are planning to apply without GRE scores, here are five US universities that no longer require them and how you can build a strong application in their place. Leading US universities that no longer require the GRE University GRE policy Key programmes covered University of California, Berkeley GRE scores are not accepted by several departments Computer Science, Public Health, Electrical Engineering, Data Science Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) GRE requirement waived or made optional across select programmes Mechanical Engineering, Urban Studies, Data Systems and Analytics University of Chicago GRE is not required for the majority of graduate-level degrees Public Policy, Social Sciences, Humanities, International Studies Brown University Most departments have eliminated the GRE as an admission requirement Psychology, Computer Science, History, Environmental Studies Northeastern University GRE is broadly waived across professional and technical master's tracks Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Project Management Why these universities are rethinking GRE The decision to drop the GRE is not arbitrary. Universities are increasingly questioning its ability to predict graduate success, especially in interdisciplinary fields or among students from non-traditional backgrounds. The shift also reflects a commitment to reducing barriers for international students and applicants from underrepresented communities. At institutions like MIT and UC Berkeley, departments now focus on academic preparation, research experience, and project portfolios rather than a numerical score. Brown and the University of Chicago, with their strong emphasis on social impact and critical thinking, value applicants who can articulate their purpose and demonstrate academic maturity without relying on standardised testing. What your application must include instead Skipping the GRE means other components of your application must carry more weight. Here's what admissions committees are prioritising in 2025: • A clear, well-written statement of purpose that explains your academic interests, long-term goals, and why the university is the right fit. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now • Strong academic transcripts that show consistent performance in relevant subjects. • Letters of recommendation that go beyond praise and speak to your intellectual potential and research capability. • Work samples or portfolios, especially important for applicants in public policy, engineering, computer science, and the arts. In select cases, universities are also accepting GitHub profiles, coding challenge results, or published research as part of the evaluation process. What international students must remember For international applicants, dropping the GRE does not mean a completely test-free application. Most universities still require English proficiency tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In addition, students from academic systems outside the US may need to provide credential evaluations, syllabus breakdowns, or academic writing samples to demonstrate the equivalency of their qualifications. The removal of the GRE requirement reflects a broader shift in graduate admissions: from standardised scores to evidence of intent, readiness, and academic alignment. For students who are confident in their academic preparation and have clarity in their goals, this is an opportunity to apply to top programmes without the constraint of a test score. But the responsibility shifts. Without the GRE, what matters most is how well your application tells your story.
Scientific American
5 days ago
- Science
- Scientific American
New Grok 4 Takes on ‘Humanity's Last Exam' as the AI Race Heats Up
Elon Musk released the newest artificial intelligence model from his company xAI on Wednesday night. In an hour-long public reveal session, he called the model, Grok 4, 'the smartest AI in the world' and claimed it was capable of getting perfect SAT scores and near-perfect GRE results in every subject, from the humanities to the sciences. During the online launch, Musk and members of his team described testing Grok 4 on a metric called Humanity's Last Exam (HLE)—a 2,500-question benchmark designed to evaluate an AI's academic knowledge and reasoning skill. Created by nearly 1,000 human experts across more than 100 disciplines and released in January 2025, the test spans topics from the classics to quantum chemistry and mixes text with images. Grok 4 reportedly scored 25.4 percent on its own. But given access to tools (such as external aids for code execution or Web searches), it hit 38.6 percent. That jumped to 44.4 percent with a version called Grok 4 Heavy, which uses multiple AI agents to solve problems. The two next best-performing AI models are Google's Gemini-Pro (which achieved 26.9 percent with the tools) and OpenAI's o3 model (which got 24.9 percent, also with the tools). The results from xAI's internal testing have yet to appear on the leaderboard for HLE, however, and it remains unclear whether this is because xAI has yet to submit the results or because those results are pending review. Manifold, a social prediction market platform where users bet play money (called 'Mana') on future events in politics, technology and other subjects, predicted a 1 percent chance, as of Friday morning, that Grok 4 would debut on HLE's leaderboard with a 45 percent score or greater on the exam within a month of its release. (Meanwhile xAI has claimed a score of only 44.4.) During the launch, the xAI team also ran live demonstrations showing Grok 4 crunching baseball odds, determining which xAI employee has the 'weirdest' profile picture on X and generating a simulated visualization of a black hole. Musk suggested that the system may discover entirely new technologies by later this year—and possibly 'new physics' by the end of next year. Games and movies are on the horizon, too, with Musk predicting that Grok 4 will be able to make playable titles and watchable films by 2026. Grok 4 also has new audio capabilities, including a voice that sang during the launch, and Musk said new image generation and coding tools are soon to be released. The regular version of Grok 4 costs $30 a month; SuperGrok Heavy—the deluxe package with multiple agents and research tools—runs at $300. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Artificial Analysis, an independent benchmarking platform that ranks AI models, now lists Grok 4 as highest on its Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, slightly ahead of Gemini 2.5 Pro and OpenAI's o4-mini-high. And Grok 4 appears as the top-performing publicly available model on the leaderboards for the Abstraction and Reasoning Corpus, or ARC-AGI-1, and its second edition, ARC-AGI-2 —benchmarks that measure progress toward 'humanlike' general intelligence. Greg Kamradt, president of ARC Prize Foundation, a nonprofit organization that maintains the two leaderboards, says that when the xAI team contacted the foundation with Grok 4's results, the organization then independently tested Grok 4 on a dataset to which the xAI team did not have access and confirmed the results. 'Before we report performance for any lab, it's not verified unless we verify it,' Kamradt says. 'We approved the [testing results] slide that [the xAI team] showed in the launch.' According to xAI, Grok 4 also outstrips other AI systems on a number of additional benchmarks that suggest its strength in STEM subjects (read a full breakdown of the benchmarks here). Alex Olteanu, a senior data science editor at AI education platform DataCamp, has tested it. 'Grok has been strong on math and programming in my tests, and I've been impressed by the quality of its chain-of-thought reasoning, which shows an ingenious and logically sound approach to problem-solving,' Olteanu says. 'Its context window, however, isn't very competitive, and it may struggle with large code bases like those you encounter in production. It also fell short when I asked it to analyze a 170-page PDF, likely due to its limited context window and weak multimodal abilities.' (Multimodal abilities refer to a model's capacity to analyze more than one kind of data at the same time, such as a combination of text, images, audio and video.) On a more nuanced front, issues with Grok 4 have surfaced since its release. Several posters on X —owned by Musk himself—as well as tech-industry news outlets have reported that when Grok 4 was asked questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, abortion and U.S. immigration law, it often searched for Musk's stance on these issues by referencing his X posts and articles written about him. And the release of Grok 4 comes after several controversies with Grok 3, the previous model, which issued outputs that included antisemitic comments, praise for Hitler and claims of 'white genocide'—incidents that xAI publicly acknowledged, attributing them to unauthorized manipulations and stating that the company was implementing corrective measures. At one point during the launch, Musk commented on how making an AI smarter than humans is frightening, though he said he believes the ultimate result will be good—probably. 'I somewhat reconciled myself to the fact that, even if it wasn't going to be good, I'd at least like to be alive to see it happen,' he said.
Business Wire
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization Partners with Kaplan to Offer Free Test Prep for Students at 10 of its Campuses Across New York State
BUSINESS WIRE)--The Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization (HEOPPO) has partnered with global educational services provider Kaplan to offer free test preparation courses to students at 10 campuses across New York State with the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). These courses will support students preparing for graduate and professional school admissions exams—including the GRE ®, GMAT ®, LSAT ®, MCAT ®, and DAT ®—as well as the NCLEX-RN®, the licensing exam for aspiring nurses. HEOPPO represents and advocates for the 47 HEOP campuses in New York, which provide academic and financial support to underserved students attending private colleges and universities throughout the state. The 10 participating campuses are Barnard College, Cornell University, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Ithaca College, Le Moyne College, New York Institute of Technology, Russell Sage College, St. Lawrence University, and Syracuse University. The Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization has partnered with Kaplan to offer free test preparation courses to students at 10 campuses across New York State with the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). By investing in Kaplan's All Access License ™, colleges and universities can help their students prepare for a variety of high-stakes admissions and licensing exams that they need to score well on to reach their ultimate professional goals — with zero out-of-pocket costs for students. Kaplan has prepared students for standardized tests for more than 85 years, and HEOPPO is its latest All Access partner, joining Cleveland State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Howard University, Delaware State University, and Spelman College, among others. And in February, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state's college access and financial aid agency, contracted Kaplan to provide free test preparation courses to all students enrolled in Illinois' 12 public universities; five Illinois community colleges are also included as part of a pilot program. Most recently, in June, the State University of New York announced it has begun collaborating with Kaplan to provide 1,500 students in its SUNY Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) with free test prep. Aaron Ray, HEOPPO president and director of opportunity programs at Hamilton College, said: 'For more than 55 years, the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) has focused on dismantling barriers and equipping historically underserved students with the resources they need to excel—on campus and long after they graduate. Our new partnership with Kaplan and its All Access License advances that mission by placing world‑class graduate‑test preparation directly into our students' hands, at no cost to them. I am deeply grateful to the colleagues at our ten participating institutions and at Kaplan who championed this effort. Together, we are widening the pathway to advanced degrees and professional careers, and I can't wait to watch our HEOP scholars seize this opportunity and lead the way forward.' Kim Canning, vice president, university partnerships, Kaplan, said: 'With Kaplan's All Access License, students can gain the tools and support to shape their academic journeys and unlock transformative career opportunities. HEOPPO's investment reflects a deep commitment to student success, empowering the next generation of leaders in fields like business, law, medicine, and beyond. At Kaplan, our goal is to break down barriers to educational and professional advancement, opening pathways that once felt out of reach. And the All Access License is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to accomplish this.' Eligible students who are interested in enrolling in a Kaplan course should contact their academic advisor. For college and university leaders who want to explore partnering with Kaplan, learn more about the company's exam prep programs. Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. About the Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization, Inc. The Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization, Inc. (HEOPPO) was incorporated on December 18, 1979 for the purpose of promoting and enhancing equal educational opportunity for all persons. HEOPPO is designed to effectively serve the needs and interests of current and prospective HEOP students and to foster the association, professional development, recognition, and effectiveness of Higher Education Opportunity Program professionals and others concerned with the education and welfare of HEOP students. In addition, the organization advances the body of knowledge and thought related to extending educational opportunity to those who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Learn more at About Kaplan Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries/regions continue Stanley's mission as they serve about 1.3 million students and professionals, 16,000 corporate clients, and 2,700 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Supreme Court Declines To Hear Former Temple Business Dean's Appeal, Concluding Rankings Fraud Case
Former Temple Fox School of Business Dean M. Moshe Porat has lost his final appeal in the biggest B-school ranking fraud scandal in history The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the fraud conviction of Moshe Porat, the former dean of Temple University's Fox School of Business, effectively ending his legal efforts to overturn the case that exposed one of the most significant academic rankings scandals in history. Porat, who served as dean from 1996 to 2018, was convicted in 2021 on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The convictions stemmed from a scheme in which Porat and two co-conspirators — statistics professor Isaac Gottlieb and administrator Marjorie O'Neill — submitted false data to U.S. News & World Report to artificially boost the school's rankings. The fraudulent data included inflated figures on standardized test scores, student GPAs, and work experience. Read more of Poets&Quants' coverage of the Porat scandal and trial: U.S. News Kicks Temple Out Of Its Online MBA Ranking Temple Dean Sacked Over Ranking Scandal Anatomy Of A Business School Rankings Fraud B-School Dean Found Guilty Of MBA Rankings Fraud Still Free: U.S. Supreme Court Throws Disgraced Former Temple Fox Dean A Lifeline John Byrne, founder and editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants, played a role in spotlighting the scandal — and in securing Porat's conviction. In January 2018, P&Q published an article by Byrne bringing attention to the discrepancies in Temple's data reporting, which played a significant role in the subsequent investigations and legal proceedings involving the former dean. The article questioned how Temple's online MBA program achieved a 100% submission rate for GMAT or GRE scores, despite the school's policy of waiving such tests — suspicions that were confirmed when it was later revealed that only 42 of 255 students had actually submitted scores. As a result, Byrne was the first witness called by the prosecution in Porat's trial. On the stand, he testified about the significance of rankings in higher education, stating, 'A good ranking gets you more applications … makes alumni happy, and therefore they contribute more money to the school.' As a result of the fraudulent data, the Fox School's online MBA program was ranked No. 1 nationally for four consecutive years, and its part-time MBA program climbed from No. 53 to No. 7. The inflated rankings led to increased enrollment and tuition revenue, with the school collecting nearly $40 million from additional enrollments between the 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 academic years. In March 2022, Porat was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison for wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and fined $250,000. He began serving his sentence but continued to maintain his innocence, arguing that students received the education they paid for and thus suffered no economic harm. Porat remained free for a period while appealing his conviction. After being sentenced, he was initially ordered to report to prison on May 9, 2022. However, on that same day, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted his request to stay both his prison sentence and the payment of his $250,000 fine pending the outcome of his appeal. Porat remained free during the appeals process until the Third Circuit Court upheld his conviction on August 7, 2023. He served his sentence and was released from federal prison in August 2024. He subsequently petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for a review, but the Court declined to hear his case on June 2, 2025, effectively ending his legal avenues for overturning the conviction. The post Supreme Court Declines To Hear Former Temple Business Dean's Appeal, Concluding Rankings Fraud Case appeared first on Poets&Quants.
