The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for entrance to most graduate school programs and offers a general as well as subject-specific tests. The general test measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning skills as well as critical thinking skills and writing ability. These are the skills deemed necessary for success in any graduate program. The subject test will measure your knoweldge of facts and concepts within a specific subject area, such as Psychology or Physics. Whether you take one or both tests depends upon your chosen field of study.