GRE Language: GRE Tips for Non-Native English Speakers

GRE is offered worldwide. Not all countries offering GRE have English as their first language. The GRE is used to assess a candidate’s ability to perform graduate-level Mathematics and English. When candidates take the GRE with English as not their native language, they may likely feel that they are at a disadvantage. Hence, every non-native English speaker planning to take the GRE must know what to do to prepare well for the test.

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What languages is the GRE test offered in?

The GRE is only available in the English language.

Is the GRE offered in other languages?

No, GRE is not offered in other languages.

How to prepare for the GRE when English isn’t your first language?

The following are some guidelines to help students prepare for the GRE if English isn’t their first language:

Find reading materials similar to GRE texts. Non-native English speakers can look for graduate-level reading materials on subjects they are interested in. This method will motivate them to learn new words since they are reading about topics they are interested in.
Notice new vocabulary during reading practice. Candidates must read the materials they collected in a way that is not only enjoyable but also educational. They can do this by taking note of vocabulary words that commonly appear on the GRE.
Develop the ability to comprehend complex sentence structures. After studying some GRE vocabulary, the next step is to learn GRE grammar and understand complex sentence structures.
Utilize GRE reading skills to answer the AWA. To develop their English writing style, students should emulate what they have seen when they practice reading. They may apply the vocabulary and grammar they’ve learned to their writing.

The tips described above are a few things non-native English speakers can do to prepare for the GRE. With proper attention paid to their English reading and writing skills, they can achieve top scores.

How does ETS ensure fairness in checking the analytical section for native and non-native English speakers?

ETS ensures fairness in checking the analytical section for native and nonnative speakers of English by following these guidelines:

All prompts are reviewed to ensure they are clear and accessible for students whose native language is not English.
Scoring is based primarily on the logic of the essay rather than on the spelling, grammar, or syntax.
Scores are based on the degree to which errors impede clarity of meaning.

The Analytical Writing section is often more challenging for test-takers who aren’t native English speakers. To ensure that those performance differences are not due to differences in prompt accessibility, ETS takes steps to ensure that these prompts are cross-culturally accessible.

What are the considerations when reviewing GRE applications of non-native English speakers?

The possible considerations when institutions review the GRE applications of non-native English speakers applicants are as follows:

An institution might separate language proficiency from skills like critical thinking and analysis.
Some institutions may examine other parts of the test taker’s application, such as their essay or coursework, for evidence of critical thinking.
The institution may consider if English-language support is available on campus so that talented applicants whose English needs improvement can still apply.

Applicants’ English proficiency may impede their ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analysis, so some universities apply these considerations.

GRE Language: GRE Tips For Non-native English Speakers

The list of tips for non-native English speakers in taking the GRE can be found below:

It is still essential that non-native speakers prepare well for the Quantitative section of the test, even if they feel more confident about it. The majority of quantitative problems come as word problems, which would require test-takers to know math vocabulary for them to understand the math problem well.
Studying vocabulary flashcards to prepare for the Verbal section might seem tempting, but test-takers should remember that recall happens when they use a word frequently in context and not just memorize its definition from a dictionary.
A non-native English speaker can also build familiarity with the language by immersing themselves in it. They may watch movies and TV in English without subtitles, listen to podcasts in English, or communicate with their friends in English and ask them to do so too.

By following the tips outlined above and becoming more comfortable with the English language, non-native English speakers can answer the GRE confidently.

References:

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/gre-esl/
https://www.ets.org/gre/institutions/admissions/using_scores/nonnative/