Who Developed the GRE Test?

The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a standardized test administered as one of the requirements for admission to many graduate schools in the United States.

Founding

The Educational Testing Service, or ETS, founded the GRE in 1949. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, the ETS is a not-for-profit membership association that primarily develops standardized tests for K-12 and higher education institutions, as well as international tests such as the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

A Continuation

The development of the GRE followed on the heels of the College Entrance Examination Board, now simply known as the College Board. The not-for-profit membership association had developed the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in 1926 and the American College Test (ACT) in 1959 for undergraduate school applicants.

Types of Tests

As of September 2010, the ETS develops and administers two types of tests. The General Test measures analytical writing, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning skills; while the Subject Test is split into eight disciplines that includes subject areas such as biology, chemistry, psychology, mathematics and English literature.

References

• Alternative Admissions and Scholarship Selection Measures in Higher Education; William E. Sedlacek; 2003
• Educational Testing Service: Graduate Record Examination