GRE test-takers rise 7%

By Jung Min-ho

An increasing number of people are taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), the standardized test required for most school programs in the United States.

According to a report recently released by ETS, which organizes the test, the number of GRE test-takers from July of 2013 to June grew by 7 percent from the previous testing year.

The report says that overseas demand increased by 18 percent, while there was little change in demand within the U.S.

Most notably, the number of people who tested in India grew nearly 60 percent.

By majors, the number of people who wanted to get an MBA degree increased the most, by 28 percent, followed by engineering (24 percent) and physical science (22 percent).

The GRE measures test-takers’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing and critical-thinking skills.

The test was significantly overhauled in August 2011, including its question format and scoring scale.

“The GRE is in a unique position to provide score users with insight into the pipeline to graduate and business schools,” David Payne, an ETS vice president, said. “The pipeline of individuals pursuing graduate education through the GRE is diverse and growing.”