The subject tests in GRE measure the competence of a candidate specifically in that subject. The grad schools are always in the search of a candidate who has excellent knowledge in one of these subjects as learned from their undergraduate program.
To take the GRE subject test, candidates must have extensive knowledge in one of these subjects:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Literature in English
- Psychology
- Mathematics
This article will discuss the method to prepare for the GRE subject tests along with focusing on the syllabus breakdown.
GRE Subject Tests: Subject Breakdown
The GRE subject test scores act as a uniform measure of assessing the ability of the candidates hailing from distinctive courses and places. The admission authorities consider the GRE subject test scores as a great push to the test taker’s undergraduate skills, LORs, and is also beneficial in stating the strong and weak points.
The GRE subject test preparation includes a detailed understanding of the GRE subject test syllabus at first. This is considered the most vital preparation tip because the main motive of the GRE subject test is to assess the undergraduate knowledge of the candidate.
GRE Subject Test: Biology
GRE Biology subject test is one of the 6 subjects that are taken by the candidates. It comprises of 188 MCQs with a duration of 2 hours 50 minutes with the end part having clubbed questions focused on laboratory and on-field activities, diagrams, or experiments.
| GRE Biology Content Categories | Weightage Range | Subtopics |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular and Molecular Biology | 33-34% | Cellular and Structure Function (Enzyme activity, Major metabolic pathways and regulation, biological compounds, Membrane dynamics and cell surfaces etc), Genetics and Molecular Biology (Genetic foundations, Chromatin and chromosomes, Genome maintenance, Bacteriophages, plant viruses, animal viruses, Recombinant DNA methodology etc) |
| Organismal Biology | 33-34% | Animal structure function and organization; Animal reproduction and development; Plant structure, function and organization, with emphasis on flowering plants; Plant reproduction, growth and development with emphasis on flowering plants, Diversity of Life |
| Ecology and Evolution | 33-34% | Ecology (Environment/ organism interaction, behavioral ecology, population ecology, community ecology, ecosystems); Evolution (Genetic variability, Evolutionary consequences, History of life, Macroevolutionary and microevolutionary processes) |
The above table shows the complete breakdown of the GRE biology subject test which will be tested in the GRE subject test.
GRE Subject Test: Chemistry
The GRE chemistry subject test is comprised of 130 MCQs with a time limit of 2 hours 50 minutes. A periodic table is found in the booklet. No calculators are needed as the questions are structured in a way to ease the calculation need.
The graph above clearly shows the concentration of the topics which the candidates need to be competent in.
GRE Subject Test: Physics
The GRE physics subject test comprises of around 100 MCQs with a duration of 2 hours 50 minutes. The content of the test is based on physical situations presented in the forms of diagrams, graphs, and experimental statistics.
The GRE subject test preparation asks the candidates need to have a clear knowledge of the content mentioned in the diagram above.
GRE Subject Test: Mathematics
GRE Math subject test consists of around 66 MCQs with a duration of 2 hours 50 minutes. The GRE math subject test preparation needs the candidate to have proper knowledge about calculus, algebra, geometry, and more.
The foremost preparation tip for the GRE subject test is learning the fundamentals and core concepts of the undergraduate math program properly.
GRE Subject Test: Psychology
One of the 6 subjects, the GRE psychology subject test comprises of 205 MCQs with a similar time limit of 2 hours 50 minutes. A few of the GRE psychology subject test questions might include a demonstration of an argument or a graphical representation.
| GRE Psychology Content Categories | Weightage range | Subtopics |
|---|---|---|
| Biological | 17-21% | Sensation and Perception (Attention, Vision, Audition, Gustation, Somatosenses etc), Physiological/Behavioral Neuroscience (Sensory structures and processes, motor structures and functions, cognitive neuroscience, hormonal factors, comparative and ethology, states of consciousness, theories, applications and issues etc) |
| Cognitive | 17-24% | Learning (Classical conditioning, Instrumental conditioning, observational learning, modeling etc) |
| Language (Syntax, Meaning, Speech Perception and Processing, Reading Processes, Verbal and Nonverbal communication, Bilingualism etc) | ||
| Memory (Working memory, long term memory, types of memory systems and processes etc) | ||
| Thinking (Representation, Problem solving, judgement and decision making processes, intelligence) | ||
| Social | 12-14% | Social Perception, cognition, attribution, beliefs; Attitudes and Behavior; Social comparison, self; Emotion, affect, and motivation; Conformity, influence and persuasion; Interpersonal attraction and close relationships; Group and Intergroup processes; Cultural or gender influences; Evolutionary Psychology, Altruism and Aggression; Theories, Applications and Issues |
| Developmental | 12-14% | Nature - Nature; Physical and Motor; Perception and Cognition; Language; Learning, Intelligence; Social, Personality; Emotion; Socialization, Family and Cultural; Theories, Applications and Issues |
| Clinical | 15-19% | Personality (Theories, Structure, Assessment etc); Clinical and Abnormal (Stress, Conflict, Coping, Diagnostic systems, Assessment, Causes and Development of Disorders, Treatment of disorders, Epidemiology, Prevention. Health Psychology etc) |
| Measurement Methodology and Other | (15-19%) | General (History, Industrial-Organization, Educational); Measurement and Methodology (Psychometrics, Test Construction, Reliability, Validity, Research Designs, Statistical Procedures, Ethics and Legal Issues etc) |
GRE Subject Test: Literature in English
This is again one of the 6 GRE subject tests, GRE literature subject test preparation expects the candidates to have proficiency in the core literature concepts. It comprises of 230 MCQs to be answered in a time limit of 2 hours 50 minutes.
| GRE Literature in English Content Categories | Weightage Range |
|---|---|
| Literary Analysis | 40-55% |
| Cultural and Historical Contexts | 20-25% |
| Identification | 15-20% |
| History and Theory of Literary Criticism | 10-15% |
GRE literature subject test preparation needs the candidate to prepare thoroughly in the above-mentioned topics.
How do I Prepare for the GRE Subject Test?
The best way to prepare for the GRE subject test is by practicing numerous GRE practice papers from the official site. The official GRE practice papers are composed of tests, tips, and strategies. We have listed below a few of the general GRE subject paper preparation tips which are applicable for all the 6 GRE subject tests listed above.
- A thorough revision of undergraduate content: As the GRE subject tests are based mostly on the knowledge level of the undergraduate program, candidates are expected to be proficient in these topics.
- Focus on types of questions: The GRE subject test preparation requires the candidate to put special emphasis on the question types which includes directions. Once you decode it, it will save you ample time during the test to solve answers. Solving GRE practice tests will be of great help.
- Attempt every question: Remember, all the questions are weighted similarly and therefore, don’t put more time on hard questions. This will not only prevent you from answering easier questions but will also leave certain questions unanswered.
- Use test-booklets only for note-taking: Don’t forget to write the answer in your answer booklet and use the test-booklet only for note-taking and organizing.
- Attempt the easy ones first: GRE subject test preparation advises the candidates to answer the questions the candidate feels confident about then move on to the difficult ones.
The above GRE subject test preparation tips and syllabus breakdown will help the candidates understand the preparation process.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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