GRE Canada Registration - Information for Canadian Test Registrants

About the Graduate Record Exam

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a prerequisite for admission to many graduate programs and business schools. Test scores are used by institutions throughout the world to assess the capabilities of applicants. For more than 50 years, the GRE has been the most recognized assessment for graduate studies.  The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service, which was founded in 1947 and develops, administers, and scores more than 50 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, and at over 9,000 locations worldwide. Test-takers have the option of taking Subject Tests or the General Test.  

GRE Subject Tests

The Subject Tests may not be necessarily required by Graduate Schools; however, Subject Tests measure knowledge and skill level in specific subject areas, including Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.  Subject Tests are administered three times a year – October, November, and April (see below for test dates, test centre locations, and other information regarding registration and score reporting).

 Test Centre Locations

¹ – GRE Subject Test offered October, November, April 
²  – GRE Subject Test offered November and April  
³ – GRE Subject Test offered in April  
⁴ – GRE Subject Test offered October and November 
⁵ – GRE Subject Test offered in November 
⁶ – GRE Subject Test offered in October

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The GRE Revised General Test

The GRE Revised General Test is unique in that the skills it assesses are not related to any particular field or discipline. The test is structured in a way that measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills.  Test-takers have the option of writing the paper-based test or the computer-based test.  Paper-based test administrations occur three times a year and are generally held in areas where computer-based testing is not available.  Not all test centres are open on all test dates.  Test-takers may take the GRE Revised General Test (computer-based or paper-based) only once per calendar month, and no more than five times within any 12-month period.  See below for testing centre locations.

¹ – October 22, 2011
² – October 22, 2011, November 19, 2011, February 11, 2012

Visit the ETS website for a complete listing of all GRE paper-based testing centres and computer-based testing centres around the world.

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Changes to the GRE General Test

Beginning August 1, 2011, the GRE revised General Test replaced the GRE General Test. The revised test includes the following new features:

• A new design for the computer-based test that allow test-takers to edit or change their answers and skip questions within a section
• New types of questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections
• Introduction of a new on-screen calculator

New Test-Taker Friendly Design 

• New previous and review capabilities and ability to change/edit answers within a section
• New "mark and review" feature to tag questions so test-takers can skip and return later
• New on-screen calculator for the Quantitative Reasoning section
• New answer formats, including tasks such as numeric entry and a feature to highlight a sentence in a passage to answer a question
• Less “reliance on vocabulary out of context, and more emphasis on reading”

New Question Types

Test-takers are now exposed to different types of questions and new features within sections that allows them to more accurately demonstrate their skills in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. These three sections now incorporate the kind of tasks and thinking that graduate and business schools require.  The new question types also provide more reliable results to the schools. See the changes to each section below:

The Verbal Reasoning Section

• Antonyms and analogies have been removed from the test in order to clarify questions.
• New “Text Completion questions” test the ability to interpret, evaluate, and reason from what is read in passages. Text Completion questions test this ability by omitting crucial words from short passages, requiring test-takers to fill them in using words or phrases.
• New “Sentence Equivalence questions” test the ability to reach a conclusion about how a sentence should be completed while focusing on the meaning of the whole sentence.
• There are more "Reading Comprehension questions" included in the revised test.

Quantitative Reasoning Section

• There is a stronger emphasis on questions involving data interpretation and real-life scenarios.
• New "Multiple-choice questions" which include some that have more than one correct answer.
• New "Numeric Entry questions" require an answer entered into a box, rather then selecting an answer from a list.
• An on-screen calculator is introduced within this section.

Analytical Writing Section:

• For each essay task, test-takers are given one topic rather than a choice of topics.
• Tasks are more specific, and responses are measured to ensure test-takers can integrate critical thinking and analytical writing by fully addressing the tasks presented.

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Test Structure and Length

The average length of the computer-based GRE revised General Test is about three hours and forty-five minutes, plus multiple short breaks. The Analytical Reasoning section is always first, with all other sections appearing in any order.  Breaks consist of a ten-minute break following the third section and a one minute break between all other sections.

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Registering for the GRE Revised General Test

Registration is available by phone, Internet, or mail. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Prometric Candidate Services Call Centre – not available for paper-based testing
1-800-GRE-CALL (1-800-473-2255)
1-443-751-4820
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) 8 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. (EST)

Online
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/register

Mail
Download and complete the Authorization Voucher Request Form.  Mail it with your payment to the address printed on the form. Credit/debit card, money order, or certified cheque only. Once you receive your voucher, call to schedule your appointment.
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/cbt_authorization_voucher_form.pdf

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GRE Fees for Canadian Registrants

The following table shows GRE fees and services (in US dollars), effective as of August 2011.

Preferred Forms of Payment for Computer-Based Test

• Credit/debit card (American Express, Discover Card, Mastercard, JCB, Visa)
• Money-order, certified cheque, voucher

Preferred Forms of Payment for Paper-Based Test

• Credit/debit card (American Express, Discover Card, Mastercard, JCB, Visa)
• Pay Pal Service 
• E-Cheque Service
• Money-order, certified cheque, voucher
• UNESCO coupons 
• Western Union

Cheques must be payable to ETS-GRE.  Payments not made in US dollars must be made at the Telegraphic Transfer Selling (TTS) exchange rate of the US dollar equivalent.  

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Scoring and Reporting

The score scales for each section of the GRE revised General Test are listed below:

• Verbal Reasoning scores are reported on a 130 – 170 score scale, in 1-point increments.
• Quantitative Reasoning scores are reported on a 130 – 170 score scale, in 1-point increments.
• Analytical Writing scores are reported on a 0 – 6 score level, in half-point increments.

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GRE Score Release Dates

If you take the GRE Revised General Test between August and November, score reports will be sent out according to the schedule below.  All computer-based tests taken past November 29 will have scores released 10 - 15 days after the test date. 

For the paper-based test administration, official test scores will be sent out within six weeks of the test date.

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Understand Your Scores

Both current scores and scores from the five years prior to the current testing year are included in your cumulative score report. Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of examinees who scored below your score and may differ between testing years as annual updating occurs. If you would like to use a free service to help understand your performance on the test, visit the GRE Diagnostic Centre. This service is available six months from the date your scores are reported.

Your score report contains:

• Name
• Authorized score recipients or fellowship sponsor
• Test date(s)
• Score(s) for each section
• Percentile rank

What to Bring with You to the Test Centre

Computer-Based Revised General Test Administration

• Official identification (Passport, Government issued driver’s license, state or province ID card, national ID card, military ID card)
• Names of schools where you would like to send your scores
• Authorization voucher, if applicable

Paper-Based Revised General Test Administration

• Official identification (Passport, Government issued driver’s license, state or province ID card, national ID card, military ID card)
• Your admission ticket, which will be sent to you by mail after your registration is processed. The admission ticket confirms your test choice, test date, test centre, and score recipients
• Three or four sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils and a good eraser 
• Test-takers should take three or four sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils and a good eraser. Pencils and erasers will not be supplied at the centre. Mechanical pencils and pens are not permitted.

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Test Centre Procedures and Regulations

Both Computer-Based and Paper-Based Tests

• Friends or relatives who accompany test-takers to the test centre will not be permitted to wait in the test centre.
• ID verification at the test centre may include thumbprinting, photographing, videotaping, or some other form of electronic ID confirmation. Test-takers must also present acceptable and valid identification.
• Food, drinks, and tobacco are not allowed in the testing room.
• Cell phones, smartphones (e.g., BlackBerry®, iPhone®), PDAs and other electronic or photographic devices are not permitted in the test centre. Test administrators are not permitted to collect and hold cell phones or other devices. 
• Personal items other than identification documents are not allowed in the testing room. There will be a storage area for all personal belongings. Storage space is limited. Test-takers will not have access to personal items during the test. Personal items such as hats, scarves, jackets, and outerwear that are taken into the test room are subject to inspection by the test administrator. 
• Neither ETS nor the test centres assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal items or devices that are brought into the test centre.
• The test administrator will assign seats to all test-takers.
• On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator or ETS’s control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of the test. In the event that a technical problem at the test centre makes it necessary to cancel the testing session, test-takers will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee. In addition, test-takers may seek reimbursement from ETS for reasonable and documented expenses associated with travelling to the test centre.

For Computer-Based Tests Only

• Authorization vouchers, if applicable, must be taken to the test centre.
• Test-takers will be required to write (not print) and sign a confidentiality statement at the test centre. 
• Test-takers may be required to sign the test centre log before and after the test session and any time they leave or enter the testing room.
• Test-takers will be provided with paper to write notes on and work problems out during the test.  The paper is not allowed to be removed from the testing room at any time.
• Test administrators must be notified if a computer is not working properly during the test. 
• Testing premises are subject to videotaping.
• During breaks, test-takers must remain in the test centre building or in the immediate area.
• Personal calculators are not permitted in the testing room.
• Because of the essay scoring process, test-takers will not be able to view their Analytical Writing scores right away. 
• Test centres cannot provide printed copies of unofficial score reports.

For Paper-Based Tests Only

• Test administrators will not honour requests for schedule changes.
• Admission ticket and identification document(s) must be brought to the test centre.
• No test-taker will be admitted after test materials have been distributed.
• With the exception of the admission ticket, paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room.
• Permission of the test administer must be granted in order to leave the room during the test. Test-takers must remain in the test centre building or in the immediate area.
• Test-takers may work only on the test section designated by the test centre supervisor and only for the time allowed. 
• An ETS calculator is only provided and permitted to use during the Quantitative Reasoning sections. Personal calculators are not permitted during the test. 
• Break time cannot be exceeded.
• At the end of the test, test-takers are given the option to cancel their scores.

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Cancelling Your GRE Score

At the end of the test, you will be given the option to cancel your scores. If you cancel your scores:

• They will not be reported to anyone, including you.
• No refund will be made. 
• They will not be added to your permanent record.
• You will have to re-register and pay again to retake the test.

If you decide to reinstate your scores, your request needs to be received at ETS within 60 days after your test date.  The fee for reinstating your score is $30 US.  If you do not select score recipients at this time, you must pay $23 US per recipient to have scores sent at a later date. You may fax or mail a written request to GRE General Inquiries, and include:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Daytime phone number
• Test date and registration number
• Payment

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GRE Contact Information

Canadian registrants can contact GRE by email, fax, phone, or mail.

Email:
http://www.ets.org/gre/contact/contact_form

Fax:
1-610-290-8975

Phone:
1-866-473-4373
For hearing impaired: 1-609-771-7714

Regular Mail:                                                    
GRE-ETS
PO Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000

Overnight Mail:
GRE
Distribution and Receiving Centre
225 Phillips Boulevard
Ewing, NJ 08628-7435


Disability Services

E-mail:
stassd@ets.org

Fax:
1-609-771-7165

Phone:
1-866-387-8602  

Mail:
ETS Disability Services
PO Box 6054
Princeton, NJ 08541-6054

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Rescheduling or Cancelling The Test Appointment

To  reschedule or cancel a test, test-takers must do so no later than three full days before their appointment (not including the day of the test or the day of the request) to receive a refund of half the original test fee. If cancellation is made less than three days before the scheduled test, the test fee will be forfeited.

Paper-Based Test Takers

Contact the GRE Program, and include:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Registration number
• Test date
• Preferred test centre and new test date

Test-takers may cancel their test appointment by phone or by mail (see GRE contact information above).

Mailed requests must be received no later than three full days prior to the scheduled test date. The rescheduling fee is $50 US and test-takers cannot transfer to the next testing year.
 

Computer-Based Test Takers

In order to cancel or re-schedule the computer-based test, test-takers must call Prometric Services at 1-443-751-4820 or 1-800-473-2255, or reschedule online.

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GRE Refund Policy

Registration cancellation for the GRE is available no later then three full days before the test date (not including the test day or day of request). The refund after cancellation is equal to half of the test fee. The other half will be used to cover the expenses for processing the registration and holding a space in the test centre.

Free Sample Practice GRE Questions and Full Tests

Official test preparation materials for the computer-based and paper-based GRE revised General Test are available to anyone who registers for the GRE tests worldwide or who visits http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/.

POWERPREP® II Software: Preparation for the computer-based GRE revised General Test
http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/powerprep2

Practice Book for the Paper-based GRE revised General Test
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/practice_book_GRE_pb_revised_general_test.pdf

Math Review
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_math_review.pdf

Math Conventions
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_math_conventions.pdf

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GRE Test Preparation Materials Available Through Oxford Seminars

The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test
-  ETS (Educational Testing Services)
$30.00

Practicing to Take the General Test 10th Edition
-  ETS (Educational Testing Services)
$30.00