GRE Information
Information on the GRE
The GRE is offered in several locations and is offered almost daily in our area. Go to
ETS.org/gre and create an account to find out test dates, locations, and to sign up. The college code for Texas State is 006667. Register early as test sites do fill up. The GRE is totally computer-based.
The closest sites to San Marcos are in Austin, the Prometrics site near St. Edwards University (off I-35 just north of Ben White). This site offers the GRE test almost every Monday through Friday and typically Monday through Thursday has three times available (8:00 am, 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) There is also a testing site on UT campus and two sites in San Antonio, one at 281 and Thousand Oaks in the Park Oaks shopping center and another further south on I-410 loop. These sites offer frequent test times as well.
You can register several months ahead of time and you can change your test time up to 4 days in advance. You must bring a photo Id with you and arrive at least 30 minutes before test time. The entire process takes around 4 hours.
How to Prepare
The GRE has three sections. The Verbal Reasoning section measures your ability
to analyze and draw conclusions from discourse, understand multiple levels of meaning, select important points and understand the meanings of sentences and entire texts. The Quantitative Reasoning section measures your ability to interpret and analyze quantitative information and use mathematical skills (mostly high school level) such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and probability to solve problems. The Analytical Writing section measures your ability to sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion, articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively, support your ideas with relevant examples and examine claims and accompanying evidence.
The ETS website has a link to
free preparation software as well as a
free downloadable practice booklet.
The practice booklet has very detailed information to help you study. It also includes information on how the test is administered, describes each section of the test and includes information on how scores are provided to universities and how the scoring system works. You can also purchase a video, booklet, a phone app and other study materials from the ETS site. In addition, many public and university libraries have copies of GRE preparation books that can be borrowed. The ETS suggests you only use more recent study materials, as the test was modified in 2011.