Subject Tests Overview

Purpose of the Subject Tests

The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in specific fields of study, and can help you more accurately forecast a candidate's potential for success in graduate school.

Carefully developed by committees of examiners with expertise in particular disciplines, the tests assess knowledge of subject matter emphasized in many undergraduate programs as preparation for graduate study. Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area, including:

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.

Subject Test scores can be 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.

Publications

To learn more about the GRE Subject Tests, download the following publications:

Subject Test Fact Sheets:

Subject Test Practice Books - Individuals can review the content of a particular Subject Test by downloading a practice book:

GRE® Fee Reduction Program

In order to ensure that the cost of taking a GRE test is not a barrier to graduate study, ETS® offers a limited number of GRE® Fee Reduction Certificates on a first-come, first-served basis that are available to U.S. citizens or resident aliens who are college seniors and unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements. GRE Fee Reduction Certificates are also made available to the McNair Scholars Program, the Project 1000 Program, the Gater Millennium Program, and the GEM Program.

A Fee Reduction Certificate may be used for one General Test and/or one Subject Test. Eligibility for participation in the Fee Reduction Program is limited to one time only. Thereafter, the full test fee will be charged for additional tests for which the candidate registers. Individuals meeting the eligibility requirements will be required to pay 50 percent of the full test fee. The reduced fee is $75 for the General Test and $65 for a Subject Test.

If the Financial Aid office at your institution would like to participate in the Fee Reduction Program, please notify us at GRE_Fee_Reduction@ets.org. (Educators Only). If you have any questions, please contact GRE Code Control at 1-609-771-7092 or codecontrol@ets.org .

GRE® Fee Reduction Program for the Unemployed

In 2009, ETS is offering a limited number of GRE fee reductions to individuals who are unemployed. The fee reductions are available on a first come, first served basis to individuals who meet the eligibility requirements. Individuals who meet the requirements, and request a GRE fee reduction before the upper limit of fee reductions has been reached, can take the computer-based GRE General Test for half price ($75).