This overview includes information to help you prepare for the GRE® Subject Tests. You’ll find details about the current subject tests, test format, content areas, registration, scoring, test dates, retakes, study resources, and sample practice questions.
Current TestsMathematics, Physics, and Psychology | FormatComputer-delivered multiple-choice tests |
Testing Time2 hours for Physics/Psychology; 2 hours, 50 minutes for Mathematics | Score ScaleTotal score reported on a 200–990 scale |
Exam Background and Purpose
The GRE Subject Tests measure undergraduate-level knowledge in a specific field of study. Graduate programs may use these scores to help evaluate whether an applicant has the subject-area preparation needed for advanced study.
The GRE Subject Tests are separate from the GRE General Test. The General Test measures broader verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. A Subject Test focuses on one academic discipline.
Key point: only three GRE Subject Tests are currently offered: Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Older subject tests such as Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature, and Biochemistry are not part of the current GRE Subject Test lineup.
Current GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject Tests are intended for students who have an undergraduate major or extensive background in the tested field. Each test covers a broad range of undergraduate material, so preparation should include both content review and timed practice.
What Is on the Mathematics Subject Test?
The Mathematics Subject Test consists of multiple-choice questions drawn from undergraduate mathematics courses. Calculus is the largest content area, followed by algebra and additional undergraduate topics.
What Is on the Physics Subject Test?
The Physics Subject Test measures understanding of fundamental physics principles and the ability to apply those principles to diagrams, graphs, experimental data, and physical situations.
What Is on the Psychology Subject Test?
The Psychology Subject Test covers core undergraduate psychology knowledge. Questions may require recalling facts, analyzing relationships, applying principles, interpreting data, or evaluating research designs.
GRE Subject Test Sample Practice Questions
Try these original GRE Subject Test-style sample questions. These examples reflect common Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology content areas, but they are not actual ETS exam questions.
1. Mathematics: Calculus
If f′(x) = 6x – 4 and f(1) = 5, what is f(3)?
- 13
- 17
- 21
- 25
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: C. 21
Since f(3) = f(1) + ∫13(6x – 4) dx, compute [3x2 – 4x]13 = 15 – (-1) = 16. Then f(3) = 5 + 16 = 21.
2. Mathematics: Linear Algebra
What is the determinant of the matrix below?
[[2, 1], [5, 3]]
- 1
- 5
- 6
- 11
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: A. 1
For a 2-by-2 matrix [[a, b], [c, d]], the determinant is ad – bc. Here, 2(3) – 1(5) = 6 – 5 = 1.
3. Mathematics: Discrete Mathematics
How many subsets of a 5-element set contain exactly 2 elements?
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: B. 10
Choose 2 elements from 5: C(5,2) = 5! / (2!3!) = 10.
4. Physics: Classical Mechanics
A 2 kg object accelerates at 3 m/s2 on a frictionless surface. What is the magnitude of the net force on the object?
- 1.5 N
- 3 N
- 5 N
- 6 N
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: D. 6 N
Newton’s second law gives F = ma. Multiply 2 kg by 3 m/s2 to get 6 N.
5. Physics: Electromagnetism
Two identical resistors, each with resistance R, are connected in parallel. What is the equivalent resistance?
- R/2
- R
- 2R
- R2
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: A. R/2
For two equal resistors in parallel, 1/Req = 1/R + 1/R = 2/R, so Req = R/2.
6. Physics: Quantum Mechanics
If the frequency of a photon is doubled, what happens to its energy?
- It is halved.
- It stays the same.
- It doubles.
- It quadruples.
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: C. It doubles.
Photon energy is E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant and f is frequency. If frequency doubles, energy doubles.
7. Psychology: Biological Bases of Behavior
Damage to the hippocampus would most likely impair which ability?
- Maintaining balance while walking
- Forming new explicit memories
- Detecting light with the retina
- Producing insulin
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: B. Forming new explicit memories
The hippocampus is strongly associated with forming new explicit, or declarative, memories.
8. Psychology: Learning
Which reinforcement schedule usually produces a high, steady rate of responding and is resistant to extinction?
- Fixed interval
- Fixed ratio
- Variable interval
- Variable ratio
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: D. Variable ratio
A variable-ratio schedule reinforces behavior after an unpredictable number of responses. This tends to produce steady responding and strong resistance to extinction.
9. Psychology: Social Psychology
In an emergency, people are sometimes less likely to help when many other people are present. This finding is most closely associated with:
- the bystander effect
- negative reinforcement
- sensory adaptation
- classical conditioning
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: A. the bystander effect
The bystander effect describes the tendency for individuals to be less likely to help when other potential helpers are present.
10. Psychology: Research Methods
In an experiment, participants are randomly assigned to either a sleep-deprivation group or a normal-sleep group. What is the main purpose of random assignment?
- To guarantee that every participant improves
- To make the independent variable impossible to identify
- To reduce the influence of preexisting differences between groups
- To eliminate the need for measurement
Show Answer and Explanation
Answer: C. To reduce the influence of preexisting differences between groups
Random assignment helps make groups comparable before the independent variable is applied, which strengthens causal interpretation.
GRE Subject Test Registration
GRE Subject Tests are offered during testing windows in September, October, and April. Candidates register through an ETS account. Depending on availability and location, tests may be taken at a computer-delivered test center or at home on certain dates.
For the 2026–27 testing year, ETS lists these GRE Subject Test windows: September 14 through September 27, 2026; October 19 through November 1, 2026; and April 19 through May 2, 2027.
Before You Register
- Confirm whether your graduate program requires, recommends, or accepts a GRE Subject Test.
- Choose the correct Subject Test: Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology.
- Check the score deadline for each program before selecting a test window.
- Create or update your ETS account.
- Review whether you plan to test at a test center or at home.
- Confirm the identification requirements for your testing country.
- Review the current fee, rescheduling fee, cancellation policy, and score-reporting rules.
- Download the official ETS practice book for your subject.
GRE Subject Test Cost
ETS lists the GRE Subject Test fee as $175 worldwide for registrations before August 1, 2026. ETS also states that registrations completed on or after August 1, 2026 will use the updated GRE Subject Test fee of $199.
Additional services may have separate fees. ETS currently lists a $55 rescheduling fee, a $55 test center change fee, and a $40 fee per recipient for additional score reports.
What to Expect on Test Day
Test-day rules depend on whether you test at a test center or at home. For either option, make sure your first and last name on your ID match your ETS registration, and review the current ETS Information Bulletin before test day.
There are no breaks during a GRE Subject Test administration. If you test at a test center, scratch paper is provided. If you test at home, ETS does not allow regular paper for notes; approved note-taking options include a small erasable whiteboard or one sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker.
Test-Day Checklist
- Bring valid and acceptable identification if testing at a test center.
- Make sure your registered name matches your ID.
- Arrive or check in early enough to complete testing procedures.
- Use only approved note-taking materials.
- Do not bring unauthorized devices, notes, textbooks, or personal recording devices into the test session.
- Work steadily; there are no separately timed sections.
- Use the mark-and-review feature to return to difficult questions if time remains.
- Answer every question because incorrect answers do not reduce your score.
GRE Subject Test Scores
Each GRE Subject Test reports one total scaled score on a 200–990 scale in 10-point increments. The number of questions answered correctly is converted to the scaled score so that scores are comparable across different editions of the same Subject Test.
Physics and Psychology tests also report percent-correct scores for content areas. These content-area percent-correct scores range from 0 to 100, but they are not equated across test editions, so they should not be compared across different forms of the test in the same way total scaled scores are compared.
Score Basics
- Total score: 200–990, reported in 10-point increments
- Physics content scores: three percent-correct content-area scores
- Psychology content scores: six percent-correct content-area scores
- Score reportability: scores are reportable for five years after the test date
- ScoreSelect: test takers can choose which GRE scores from the last five years to send
- No guessing penalty: scores are based on the number of correct answers
Can You Retake a GRE Subject Test?
You may take a GRE Subject Test once every 14 days. This rule applies even if you canceled your scores from a previous test.
Before retesting, review your practice test performance and official score information carefully. Since the GRE Subject Tests cover broad undergraduate content, a stronger retake plan should focus on weak content areas rather than only repeating general test-taking strategies.
How Can I Prepare for a GRE Subject Test?
Start with the official ETS practice book for your subject. Each practice book includes subject-specific content information, a full-length practice test, an answer key, scoring information, and test-taking strategies.
Then review your undergraduate coursework in the tested field. GRE Subject Test questions are designed to measure knowledge built over time, so the best preparation usually combines long-form content review with timed practice.
GRE Subject Test Study Checklist
- Confirm whether your programs require or recommend a Subject Test.
- Download the official ETS practice book for your subject.
- Review the content outline and identify the highest-weighted areas.
- For Mathematics, prioritize calculus, algebra, and additional undergraduate topics.
- For Physics, practice applying concepts to diagrams, graphs, data, and physical situations.
- For Psychology, review factual content, research methods, data interpretation, and application questions.
- Take a full-length timed practice test before your real test date.
- Review missed questions by content area and by error type.
- Practice pacing so difficult questions do not consume too much time.
- Answer every question before submitting the test.
GRE Subject Test Study Resources
Official Subject Test Practice:
General GRE Prep:
GRE Study Guide:
GRE Flashcards:
Free GRE Practice Resource:
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