GRE or the Graduate Record Examinations, is perhaps the most widely accepted exam for graduate students planning to take up their masters from abroad. Accepted across various top universities around the world, even for management programs, there is no wonder that you are planning to write one. However, most students find the presence of GRE Subject Tests rather confusing and want to understand which GRE Subject Tests they should write for pursuing a certain master’s program. For example, what is the GRE Subject Test a student should write for MS in Instrumentation and Design? Or the GRE Subject Tests for MS in Computer Software Engineering and so on. But before we answer which GRE subject to write for which specialization, let us understand what GRE Subject Tests are, their structure/ pattern as well as when to write them.
GRE Subject Tests
Simply put, GRE Subject Tests are special written exams that aim at understanding the knowledge and skill of the candidate in a particular subject. For instance, a GRE Mathematics test would test the level of knowledge of the student in the said subject.
Unlike the GRE General Tests, GRE Subject Tests are specific and limited to one subject. These often have drawn out syllabus that tests the students on various aspects of the subject. Again, citing the same example, a GRE Mathematics Test has sections for calculus, algebra and other topics like set theory, etc. Similarly, GRE Chemistry test would have sections of organic, inorganic chemistry, etc.
Designed to test the skill level in a particular subject area or field, these tests are an excellent way to showcase your understanding of a specific subject, as suited to the career of your choice.
How, When and Where are the Exams Conducted?
The GRE Subject Tests are paper based tests and conducted only thrice every year across designated test centres. They are conducted in
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September
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October, &
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April
It is important to note that not all centres would have all the subject tests during the given months and students must check the centres near them for availability of the desired tests.
Kinds of Subject Tests
In total, 7 GRE Subject Tests are available. These are:
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Literature in English
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
Why to write GRE Subject Tests
Now that we understand what these subject tests are, we move to the more important question - Why to write them. While these tests are an excellent means to portray your skill level in a particular subject, they are often not “required” or “mandatory” at even the top tier universities. They might, at most recommend a GRE Subject Test but would not insist on it. Hence, while GRE General might be a requirement, GRE Subject Tests are optional. So should a student write them?
The answer is, it would depend on what you want to showcase. A good GRE Subject Test score is the easiest way to prove your understanding of the subject. This in turn significantly improves your academic credibility and might add on to the application on a whole. This is more the case if you believe that your academic background requires a bit of boost or not.
While many people suggest that giving a GRE Subject Test improves your chances of selection, we recommend otherwise. If you believe that your application, on its own, has enough merit, you need not look for reinforcements. But, at the same time, if you are looking for applying for a rather intensive program which recommends (even though not require) a GRE subject test, it would certainly add to your chances of getting a seat in that program.
So sit back, take an honest look at your candidature, your background and also at the University profile and decide whether or not to write it. Remember that you have a choice of not sharing the Subject Test score, so no harm in having back up. Also, most of the Ph.D courses require a GRE Subject Test.
Which GRE Subject Tests to write?
This is perhaps the toughest question for many students and yet the simplest one to answer. You need to write the Subject Tests that refers to the subjects of choice. For pure sciences students, the answer is simple enough. Chemistry majors would write a Chemistry Tests and Molecular Biology student would need a GRE Molecular Biology Test. The worry arises when we look at applied sciences and other such courses. For these students we recommend a combination of two or more GRE subject Tests. This combination, might be based on the core competencies required for those subjects.
For instance, a masters in mechanical engineering would necessarily require a student to have excellent understanding of mathematics and physics while a student desirous of pursuing masters in pharmacy might find a GRE in Molecular Biology and Chemistry to be more relevant.
Important to note:
Since the GRE Subject tests of Computer Science has been discontinued, students can opt for GRE Mathematics instead, since the principle behind both the subjects remain similar.
So, take your pick, decide which is the relevant Subject Test for your chosen field and accordingly prepare. All the best!

With over 8 years of experience in overseas education, Rahul Singha has been previously associated with prominent education houses. He is also responsible for keeping a sharp eye on education policies of major study... Read Full Bio
Comments
(89)
M
25/07/21
hi!,
I want to apply for graduate program in mechanical engineering. So should i take GRE general test Or subject test ?
R
Rahul SinghaStudy Abroad Expert
01/08/21
Hello Mohammed. The admission requirements would depend on your preferred university. if they require GRE (Subject) scores as part of their admission criteria then you would be required to apply for the same. If they require GRE general test then you would have to appear for the GRE general test.
Hi,
I am doing Masters after advance diploma in Spanish language. i want to apply for phd in US. Should i take the gre test? Is Spanish available in universities of US?
R
Rahul SinghaStudy Abroad Expert
22/04/21
Hello Anshu. You can take a look at popular universities in the US here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa The admission requirements would depend on your preferred university. if they require GRE (Subject) scores as part of their admission criteria then you would be required to apply for the s...Hello Anshu. You can take a look at popular universities in the US here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa The admission requirements would depend on your preferred university. if they require GRE (Subject) scores as part of their admission criteria then you would be required to apply for the same.
N
11/12/20
Hi,
I have a bachelor of art in English language, while I want to apply for a master degree in Public Administration and Policy in US. Should I register in general GRE or English literature GRE?
Thanks
R
Rahul SinghaStudy Abroad Expert
14/12/20
Hello Nina. The requirement would come from university/college. If they require your General GRE scores or GRE English Literature scores. Can you kindly check with your university on the same?
i want to apply for an overseas scholarship which offered by Telangana state .and i came to know that scholarship eligibility requires GRE exam.
R
Rahul SinghaStudy Abroad Expert
14/12/20
Hello Bhanu. It depends. If your preferred scholarship requires you to have GRE scores, then you are required to appear for the GRE exam. More information on the same can be found here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/gre. this page talks about GRE Subject Tests. for an entire list of schol...Hello Bhanu. It depends. If your preferred scholarship requires you to have GRE scores, then you are required to appear for the GRE exam. More information on the same can be found here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/gre. this page talks about GRE Subject Tests. for an entire list of scholarships, visit: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/scholarships
Hi, i m bsc microbiology student and i want to study ms in IT(information technology) in australia .As i am from BIPC background . can i take GRE SUBJECTTEST Involving Biology, chemistry and physics and can i join in ms in IT(information technology) australia
R
Rahul SinghaStudy Abroad Expert
14/12/20
Hello Bhanu. The requirement would come from university/college. If they require your General GRE scores or GRE Subject Test scores. Can you kindly check with your university on the same?