Number of Indian students taking GRE increased 70% due to lower job prospects

Limited job opportunities and sluggish economic situation has encouraged many Indian students to look at other options in overseas. There has been almost 70% increase in the number of Indians appearing in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for getting admission into different post graduate programmes in foreign universities. In 2011-12 the number stood somewhere to 33,504 whereas in 2012-13 the number has increase to 56,782.

According to a report ‘Snapshot of the Individual Who Took the GRE revised General Test’, indicates India’s improvement is much more as compared to China’s 45% or the 6% improvement in US candidates. Indian candidates comprise the second largest group of test takers, after US (3,37,782) with China (42,357) in their place.

Many universities and institutes accept GRE scores to enrol students in various post graduate courses across various disciplines from engineering, social science to management.

Data in the ‘Snapshot’ report is based on over 500,000 test takers, who have taken this exam between 1st July, 2012 and 30th June, 2013. Anand Khannan, MD of online coaching academy GREedge.com, said, “There has been an improvement in the US economy, so fewer people are apprehensive about going there. They are more positive about getting jobs at the end of their studies.”

Besides, there has already been an increase in foreign enrolment in different US graduate schools, with admission growing with more face since 2006 and experts say Indian students have accelerated this increase.

According to US media report, Schools notice a hike of almost 40% in new students from India in the fall admission season, outpacing the 1% and 2% increase in 2012 and 2011.Of the total GRE test takes in Asia, nearly 44% were from India and 39% from China. There were more candidates in the age group of 18-22 years this year, and more were looking to pursue courses in natural sciences. Non-US citizen now represent approximately one-third of all candidates taking the GRE.