GRE Computer Science Subject Test

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The exam tests your knowledge of computers, networks &
design.
If you plan to study computer science or a related field at a graduate school,
you may be required to take the GRE subject test in computer science. This
GRE exam assesses your knowledge of concepts and theory regarding
computers, networks, and design. You also will have to demonstrate
proficiency in calculus and linear algebra as they relate to computer science.
The computer science exam consists of 70 multiple-choice questions with 5
answer options each. Although this is a computer science exam, the test is
paper-and-pencil format. You are given 170 minutes to complete it.
Note that exams are administered once a month in October, November, and
April.

What Topics Are Covered?

The GRE computer science exam includes four broad categories:
o Software Systems and Methodology – data organization, program
control and structure, programming languages and notation, and software
engineering
o Computer Organization and Architecture – digital logic design,
processors and control units, and networking and communications
o Theory and Mathematical Background – algorithms, automata and
language theory, and discrete structures
o Special Topics – numerical analysis, cryptography, security, graphics,
and artificial intelligence
Within each category, questions often are grouped into sets around a
diagram, graph, or program fragment. You are not only expected to exhibit
knowledge of concepts, but also an understanding of their theoretical basis
and appropriate application.

Interpreting Your GRE Computer Science Scores

Like the other eight GRE subject tests, the computer science exam receives
two scores: a raw and a scaled. The raw score is the total number of
questions you answered correctly minus the number answered incorrectly.
This figure then is converted into a scaled score somewhere between 200
and 990, with the latter being a perfect result. Average scores fall between
540 and 860.
In addition, you will be issued a percentile ranking. This number indicates the
percentage of students who scored lower than you. A ranking of 90, for
instance, means you scored higher than 90% of test-takers. This data offers
universities an insight into your abilities and how they compare with those of
other students.

Scaled score 50% of Percentile

at 99 scaled score rank at 50%
SUBJECT
percentile of scaled
rank score

Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular 760 380 7

Biology
Biology 940 470 Between 5 and
7

Chemistry 920 460 1

Computer Science 880 440 Less than 1

Literature in English 760 330 Between 1 and

3

Mathematics 900 450 Between 6 and

8

Physics 990 495 12

Psychology 800 400 3

General Rules for PhD Scholars

If someone gets the admission in PhD, then generally he/she has to fulfill the
following requirements to get the PhD degree (no doubt, these are major
requirements).

• Approval of Research Proposal or Synopsis (before or after the admission)

• Course work (not compulsory all over the world)
• Research paper (not compulsory in some countries but compulsory in
Pakistan.)
• Thesis writing
• Defense of the thesis
If the thesis of some Pakistani PhD scholar is ready for submission then he cannot
submit his thesis because of the extra imposed condition of GRE Subject Test, which
is usually used as a recommended test (but not required) to get admission in the
few universities of USA (see number of examinees per year as a proof). Also this
shows that research paper(s) and thesis of the PhD scholar have no worth and no
quality without this test.
It is also strange that if the PhD scholar has qualified GRE Subject Test then all the
work (research) done under the supervision of such person (supervisor), who is
usually non-qualified in GRE Subject Test, attains HEC quality standard.
Taking the GRE Subject test and other information
If someone decides to take GRE Subject Test, then the only way is online
registration through ETS website by using online payment mode (by Credit or Debit
card).

• Test Fee: 160 US Dollars (Rs. 14000 approx.)

• Duration: 2 hours and 50 minutes
• Conducted thrice a year (in April, October, November)
• Centers (Pakistan): Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore
• Limited number of seats in every center.
• Result announcement after 40 days of the test date.

Conclusions
1. The GRE Subject Test spans 2 hours and 50 minutes, at the price of US$ 160
(approximately Rs. 14,000). It is not affordable for a majority of the
students and this heavy cost puts real extra burden on these students. In
fact, many good students, who would easily pass it, hesitate to take the GRE
Subject Test because of its huge fee.
2. Percentile rank is best to compare the students of same subject in the
same test (in which they appeared) but it is not recommended to be used as
a tool for making merit.
3. ETS recommends the use of “Scaled Score” for comparing the ability of
students as they appear in the test at different schedule (three times in a
year).
4. This test is not generally meant to be used for the students and institutions
outside the United States.
5. Most public sector universities in Pakistan are not score recipients of
ETS and it is very easy to use fake result cards to get admission, and the ETS
never confirms the result to institutions if they are not score recipients.
6. It is very difficult to register for the test because many students don’t have
Credit or Debit cards for payment through the internet.
7. Pakistan is a very big country and this test is conducted only in three
cities, with limited number of seats at each location. This is really creating a
big problem for the students living far from these cities.
8. The number of examinees per year clearly indicates the popularity of the test.
For example, 1870 students in the subject of Computer Science and 2797
students in the subject of Chemistry appeared in a year all over the world.
9. Percentile rank actually is a comparison of the students of certain group
taking GRE Subject Test in a period of last three years with respect to the test
date. In eight subjects, Pakistani students are compared against a small
community of students from all over the world, and for the remaining subjects
the criteria is totally different.
10. The HEC team was unaware of the true mechanism of the GRE Subject Test.
Yet, they decided that a PhD scholar must appear in this test, just to meet
international standards no matter what he/she will score.
11. There are a lot of deficiencies in the HEC letters regarding GRE Subject Test.
Against the decision of 7th meeting of Quality Assurance Committee of HEC,
the HEC officials are still communicating it as an international test.
12. All the grading terminologies used by the HEC don’t match with the ETS
standard terminologies.This clearly shows that HEC officials are unaware of
the objective and mechanism of the GRE Subject Test.