GRE Details: Test Takers
Current section: About the Test > Overview
GRE® Subject Tests Overview
What Are They?
The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in the eight disciplines listed below. Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area.
Who Takes Them and Why?
Prospective graduate applicants take the Subject Tests. GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for graduate study.
The scores provide common measures for comparing the qualifications of applicants and aid in the evaluation of grades and recommendations. Some Subject Tests yield subscores that can indicate the strengths and weaknesses of individual students' preparation and may be useful for guidance and placement purposes.
Where Do People Take Them?
The Subject Tests are given at paper-based test centers worldwide three times a year in:
- October
- November
- April
Who Accepts Them?
Any accredited graduate, business or professional school, or any department or division within a school, may require or recommend that its applicants take the General Test, a Subject Test, or both. An institution seeking accreditation can receive test takers' scores if approved by the GRE Board.
